FREE cancellation What to Expect
Please watch a video. From the first 30 seconds to 60 seconds you see the view from the top of Kytoto Station, and for 2 minutes from 3 minutes 40 seconds you can enjoy beautifully changing colors of autumn leaves at Shosei-en Garden, and for the last one minute you can see the view from the observatory of Kyoto Tower.
Kyoto was the ancient capital of Japan from 794 over one thousand years.
I would like to introduce you the area around Kyoto Station.
I can show you Fushimi inari Shrine, Toji Temple, two Honganji Temples, and Shosei-en Garden.
Fushimi Inari Shrine founded in the early 8th century is very popular shrine. On the average, as many as 2.7 million people pay their first visit to this shrine during the first three days of January every year. You can pass through Senbontorii or one thousand shrine gates.
Just a little before arriving Kyoto Station from Osaka using JR (Japan railways), you can see a tall five-stoty pagoda on the right side. It is about 55 meters high at Toji Temple, the tallest five-story pagoda in Japan. In 823 the priest Kukai came to Toji and made it a temple of the Shingon esoteric Buddhist teachings.
The two Honganji Temples, Nishi(West) and Higashi(East), are temples that should not be missed.
Nishi Honganji's Chinese-style Kara-mon gate is a relic of Fushimi Castle. You can stare at decorative engravings of Kara-mon.
Higashi Honganji's grounds has the Miei-do, which is said to be one of the largest wooden structures in the world.
In fact Honganji Temple has been divided into two temples for a certain reason. It is related to Osaka Castle. Do you know why ?
The elegant Shosei-en Garden is located at a short distance of the Higashi Honganji Temple. You can enjoy cherry bosoom viewing in spring and changing colors of autumn leaves in fall.
Lastly you can enjoy 360-degree panoramic view of Kyoto city from the observatory of Kyoto Tower.
There are a lot of scenic places around Kyoto Station. Why don't you join a walking tour around Kyoto Station with me ?
