People waiting at Kyoto Station.

Kyoto Station & South Kyoto

Dominated by the eponymous Kyoto Station, this neighborhood serves as the gateway to Kyoto. There are a couple of worthwhile temples within walking distance of the station, and the excellent Kyoto Railway Museum is a short bus ride away. Venture further south and you'll come to one of the city's most stunning attractions, the Shintō shrine complex Fushimi Inari-Taisha, as well as the superb Tōfuku-ji temple and garden.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • People walking under thousands of Torii at Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. 88375702 destination, historical, gate, cultural, oriental, approaching, red, kyoto, culture, landmark, attraction, history, thousand, walking, orange, corridor, shintoism, pathway, people, traditional, asia, tour, building, religious, tourist, historic, heritage, tradition, architecture, tourism, religion, shintoist, shinto, spot, tunnel, japanese, japan, fox, shrine, road, senbon dorii, senbon torii, fushimi, kansai, taisha, torii, senbon, inari, kinki, 1000

    Fushimi Inari-Taisha

    Kyoto Station & South Kyoto

    With seemingly endless arcades of vermilion torii (shrine gates) spread across a thickly wooded mountain, this vast shrine complex is a world unto its own…

  • 636312738 Kyoto City, Japanese Fall Foliage, Maple Leaf, Octagon, Tofukuji Temple, Japanese Maple, Buddhism, Religion, History, Spirituality, Multi Colored, Yellow, Red, Orange Color, Green Color, Japanese Culture, Famous Place, Travel Destinations, Outdoors, Japan, Maple Tree, Autumn, Landscape, Temple - Building, Place of Worship, autumn foliage, autumn leaves, zen temple, Rinzai Sect, Octagonal Building, MiniKyoto2016 The photo shows autumn foliage around Aizendo Hall (Octagonal Hall)of Tofuku-ji Temple, Kyoto, Japan.

    Tōfuku-ji

    Kyoto Station & South Kyoto

    Home to a spectacular garden, several superb structures and beautiful precincts, Tōfuku-ji is one of the best temples in Kyoto. It is linked to Fushimi…

  • Kyoto Station building.

    Kyoto Station

    Kyoto Station & South Kyoto

    The Kyoto Station building is a striking steel-and-glass structure – a kind of futuristic cathedral for the transport age – with a tremendous space that…

  • Higashi Hongan-ji

    Higashi Hongan-ji

    Kyoto Station & South Kyoto

    Higashi Hongan-ji is the last word in all things grand and gaudy. Considering its proximity to the station, the free admission, the awesome structures and…

  • KYOTO, JAPAN - 2012/04/09: Nishi Hongan-ji or the "Western Temple of the Original Vow" is one of two temple complexes of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in Kyoto, the other being Higashi Honganji (or "The Eastern Temple of the Original Vow". Today it serves as the head temple of the Jodo Shinshu sect. Nish Honganji is older than the Higashi Honganji and has more integral architecture. Together they are listed as Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto as also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.. (Photo by John S. Lander/LightRocket via Getty Images)

    Nishi Hongan-ji

    Kyoto Station & South Kyoto

    A vast temple complex, Nishi Hongan-ji comprises several buildings that feature some of the finest examples of architecture and artistic achievement from…

  • Japan, Kinki Region, Kyoto Prefecture, Shimogyo-ku, View of Kyoto Tower in city at night. (Photo by: JTB/UIG via Getty Images)

    Kyoto Tower Observation Deck

    Kyoto Station & South Kyoto

    Located opposite Kyoto Station, this retro tower (1964) looks like a rocket perched atop the Kyoto Tower Hotel. The observation deck provides excellent…

  • Tō-ji

    Tō-ji

    Kyoto Station & South Kyoto

    One of the sights south of Kyoto Station, Tō-ji is an appealing complex of halls and a fantastic pagoda that makes a fine backdrop for the monthly flea…

  • Kyoto Railway Museum

    Kyoto Railway Museum

    Kyoto Station & South Kyoto

    This superb museum is spread over three floors showcasing 53 trains, from vintage steam locomotives in the outside Roundhouse Shed to commuter trains and…

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