10 Best Free Things to Do in Kyoto
Traveling is one of the most enjoyable things in our lives. If we want to go to as many places as possible, however, it costs a lot to use transportation, stay at hotels, and eat food. So finding free but still interesting things to do is important to make your trip satisfying.
Kyoto is one of the best places in Japan where you can enjoy a trip without spending a lot of money. There are many historical buildings and traditional Japanese town views in Kyoto that you can look around and have fun. It costs a bit to get into some temples and shrines but it is free to enjoy many beautiful views on the roads approaching the shrines and temples. The old Japanese town view could make you feel nostalgic. In addition, from seasonal flowers to lively food markets, Kyoto has a variety of things to do and places to visit for free.
Let’s have a look at the 10 best free things to do in Kyoto!!
1. Walking through old Japanese towns
A lot of historical buildings are kept as they were since a long time ago, such as old Japanese houses, temples, and shops in Kyoto. Even if you don’t have any particular destinations, just walking around and looking at the old towns should be fun.
Gion is one of Kyoto’s most attractive old towns in the Higashiyama ward. The area is surrounded by many historical temples and shrines such as Kodaiji Temple and Yasaka Shrine, and well-established restaurants. Many cafes and traditional Japanese restaurants, which were made from renovated old Japanese houses, are located on Hanamikoji Street. Ninenzaka and Sanenzaka towards Kiyomizudera Temple make you feel as if you went back to the early 9th century.
As a memory of your trip, taking a photo of this town view would be great.
2. Temple hopping
Kyoto has the biggest number of temples and shrines in Japan. Moreover, many of them are registered as national important cultural heritage or world heritage.
Nishihonganji Temple is a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist temple in the Shimogyo ward of Kyoto, established in 1951. It has many national treasures. Goeido and Amidado are the main palaces, which have the wooden statues of Shinran and Amida Buddha respectively. The Karamon Gate is a four-legged gate with gorgeous decorative carvings. Its design and vivid color are breathtaking.
Daitokuji Temple is one of the biggest Zen temples in Kyoto. It has a strong relationship with Japanese tea culture. Hojomaeniwa is an amazing Japanese garden made by Tenyu Shoko and is designated as a Place of Special Beauty in Japan. However, the garden is not open to the public all year, so don’t forget to check the opening date before you visit there.
3. Feeling sacred in shrines
There are many historical shrines in Kyoto. Shimogamo Shrine is one of the most popular shrines in Kyoto. It’s famous for the spiritual spot of beauty and love knot. The huge road approaching to the shrine called Tadasunomori is spread in the precincts. It turns into a vivid green tunnel in summer. Kawai Shrine is a spiritual spot of beauty. If you make up on Ema with your cosmetics, it is believed that it makes you beautiful both apparently and internally. Ema is a wooden board that we write down our wishes on and offer at a Shinto shrine.
Fushimi Inari Shrine is famous for its 1,000 Shinto shrine torii gates, called Sembon Torii. People in the Edo period originally dedicated them to a Shinto shrine when they wished or their wishes came true. Now the number of archways is about 10,000. Walking through only Sembon Torii takes about 15 mins. If you want to go to the top of the shrine, however, it takes 1 hour and there are many steep steps. Would you want to try it?
4. Being relaxed in a park with seasonal flowers
Spending time in a park is one of the most relaxing things in our lives. We can do many things there without spending money, for example, reading a book under a tree, having a picnic, and viewing flowers. As Japan has 4 different seasons, there are many seasonal different flowers and plants whenever you visit.
Umekoji Park is a city park, located in Shimogyo ward. It takes 15 mins to get there from Kyoto Station on foot. There is a huge lawn area where you can have a picnic. Cherry blossoms and plums bloom in spring. Vivid green tree streets make you cool down even in summer. A lot of Maple trees turn beautiful red and yellow in autumn. In winter you can see the clear blue sky through the naked Japanese zelkova. Which season is your favorite?:)
5. Exploring Kyoto Imperial Palace and Kyoto Gyoen National Garden
Kyoto Imperial Palace was an old living place of Japanese Emperors from 1331 to 1869 until Emperor Meiji completely moved to Tokyo. It is now open to the public as a historical building. Shishinden is a palace where an important ritual used to be held like an enthronement ceremony. The roof is made with Hiwatabuki, which is a traditional Japanese architectural style. Oikeniwa is a circular Japanese garden with a pond in the center. It shows you seasonal faces such as beautiful green in spring and colorful leaves in autumn.
Kyoto Gyoen National Garden is a national park that is loved by not only local people but people from all over the world. It used to be a residential place for court nobles but after the capital city was transferred to Tokyo in the Meiji period, it was reconstructed as a national park. From the middle of February to the middle of March, more than 130 plum trees dramatically turn red and white. Kyoto State Guest House was established in 2005 as a national facility to welcome foreign dignitaries and offer them experiences to deepen their cultural understandings and friendships. The buildings and furniture are made by craftsmanship representing Kyoto such as Sukiya Carpenter and Nishijin Ori
You can look around both of them for free.