The best places to visit in Kyoto for foreigners.

Kyoto is the ancient capital of Japan, and a treasure trove of history and culture. In this blog post, I will introduce some of the best places to visit in Kyoto for foreigners.

## Kinkaku-ji

Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion, is one of the most famous and iconic temples in Kyoto. It was built in the 14th century as a retirement villa for a shogun, and later converted into a Zen Buddhist temple. The top two floors of the pavilion are covered with gold leaf, and reflect beautifully on the pond below. The temple is surrounded by a serene garden, where you can enjoy the changing seasons. Kinkaku-ji is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a must-see for any visitor to Kyoto.

## Fushimi Inari Taisha

Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine of Inari, the Shinto god of rice and prosperity. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which form a tunnel-like path up the hill behind the main shrine. The torii gates are donated by individuals and businesses, who wish to receive blessings from Inari. Along the way, you can also see many stone fox statues, which are the messengers of Inari. The hike to the top of the hill takes about two hours, but you can enjoy the scenic views and the atmosphere of the shrine at any point.

## Arashiyama

Arashiyama is a district in the western outskirts of Kyoto, where you can experience the natural beauty and rural charm of Japan. The most popular attraction in Arashiyama is the bamboo grove, where you can walk through a forest of towering bamboo stalks. The bamboo grove is especially enchanting at night, when it is illuminated with lanterns. Another highlight of Arashiyama is the Togetsukyo Bridge, which spans across the Katsura River. The bridge offers a stunning view of the mountains and the river, especially during the cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons.

## Gion

Gion is Kyoto's most famous geisha district, where you can catch a glimpse of the traditional and elegant world of geisha. Geisha are professional entertainers who perform classical music, dance, and conversation for their guests. You can spot geisha walking along the streets of Gion, especially in the evening, when they are on their way to their appointments. You can also visit one of the many teahouses or restaurants in Gion, where you can enjoy a meal or a drink while watching a geisha performance. However, these experiences are usually expensive and require advance reservations.

## Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle was built in 1603 as the residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo period. It is one of the best examples of feudal castle architecture in Japan, featuring massive stone walls, moats, and gates. The main attraction of Nijo Castle is the Ninomaru Palace, which consists of several buildings connected by corridors with nightingale floors. These floors squeak when stepped on, as a security measure against intruders. The palace rooms are decorated with elaborate paintings and carvings, and display some of the original furniture and artifacts from the shogun's era.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post about Kyoto's best places to visit for foreigners. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. Thank you for reading!