The best waterfall hikes and walks around Lake Biwa

Kyoto / Kyōto 京都市 – the old imperial city Kyoto, the old imperial city and cultural heart of Japan, is an absolute highlight for many Japan travelers with hundreds of shrines and Buddhist temples, atmospheric gardens, small old alleys, historical architecture, and top-class museums. Kyoto sights such as the Golden Pavilion Kinkakuji, which is actually completely adorned with real gold leaf, the spectacular view from the terrace of the Kiyomizu Kyoto Temple, the old geisha district Gion, and last but not least the opulent palace of the Shogun offer impressions that are guaranteed to remain in memory for a long time. But Kyoto's treasure trove of cultural offerings includes much more. For example, you can feast on delicious local specialties in the city, admire impressive Japanese craftsmanship, and celebrate unique festivals throughout the year – from the Gozan Okuribi festival with its roaring flames in Kyoto's mountains to the Jidai Matsuri with its historical processions. With regional delicacies and world-famous shrines, traditional yet highly developed, attractive to millions yet combined with rural charm, Kyoto unites an incredible diversity into a unique cultural center in Japan. Text / Source: japan.travel/de https://www.japan.travel/de/de/kyoto/

Kiyomizu Temple 清水寺 Kiyomizu-dera Kiyomizu-dera 清水寺; 'Temple of Pure Water' is a Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto, Japan. It belongs to the Kita Hosso sect of Japanese Buddhism, and its honzon is a hibutsu statue of Jūichimen Kannon. The temple's full name is Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera (音羽山 清水寺). The temple is the 16th station on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage route. Along with Kōryū-ji and Kurama-dera, it is one of the few temples in Kyoto that predates the founding of the capital of Heian-kyō. It is also one of the leading Japanese temples dedicated to the worship of Kannon, along with Ishiyama-dera (Ōtsu, Shiga) and Hase-dera (Sakurai, Nara). It is a well-known tourist destination in Kyoto City and attracts many pilgrims throughout the year. Since 1995, the Kanji of the Year ceremony has been held annually on December 12 (Kanji Day). The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage of Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. Text / Source: wikipedia.org https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiyomizu-dera

Today, Gion is famous for its wooden houses, teahouses, and narrow alleyways, which still strongly reflect Kyoto of centuries past. In the evenings, the district has a particularly beautiful atmosphere: lanterns glow in front of the houses, and you might spot a geiko (geisha in Kyoto) or a maiko (geisha apprentice) on their way to an appointment at a teahouse. Typical features of Gion include: traditional machiya wooden houses small restaurants and teahouses geiko culture and classic Japanese entertainment many visitors in rented kimonos taking photos

Gion is one of Kyoto's most famous historical districts and is considered a traditional geisha (or geiko) district. It originally developed in the Middle Ages as an entertainment and guest district for visitors to the nearby shrine.

About halfway along the path, you can see your location on the sign.

The Koyasu Pagoda is a distinct, three-story vermilion pagoda located in the far southern part of the Kiyomizu-dera temple grounds, often nestled amongst the trees. While much of the temple is famous for its views, this particular structure is celebrated for its deep cultural significance, as it is dedicated to Kannon, specifically venerated as the goddess who grants safe and easy childbirth. Historically, it was a common and essential stop for expectant mothers who would visit and pray within the pagoda to ensure a healthy delivery, a tradition that continues to this day.

The Haupthalle des Kiyomizu-dera is an iconic, priceless National Treasure in Kyoto, renowned for its cantilevered wooden stage, the Kiyomizu Butai. This architectural marvel, rebuilt in 1633, juts out 13 meters high over the hillside and is famously constructed using a complex system of 168 massive, crisscrossed pillars without a single nail. Historically a stage for sacred performances dedicated to the temple's principal deity Kannon, it remains the most popular vantage point for visitors, offering breathtaking, panoramic views of the entire city and the surrounding forest, which are spectacular during the cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons.

The Yasaka Pagoda, officially part of Hōkan-ji Temple, is a towering five-story Buddhist pagoda and the most recognizable landmark in Kyoto's historic Higashiyama District. Standing at 46 meters tall, the current structure dates back to 1440 and is a rare example of a pagoda featuring the unique, earthquake-resistant central pillar (shinbashira) architecture. It is a must-see because of its highly photogenic location: nestled dramatically between traditional wooden machiya houses on the sloping streets, its elegant silhouette instantly evokes the atmosphere of old Kyoto. While the temple complex is small, its sheer height and position between Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Yasaka Shrine make it an essential and beautiful visual anchor for the ancient city.