7 Interesting Tourist Locations in Kyoto, Japan

Higashi Honganji is one of Kyoto's historical buildings. Located near the Kyoto station, the building was constructed in 1602 under the orders of Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa. The shogun wanted the building to rival the majesty of the nearby Nish Honganji. Higashi Honganji cuts an imposing figure with its huge gates and the large buildings. The black rope that is seen within its walls is actually made from women's hair. Visits to Higashi Honganji is free of charge.

If you need a little change from all of the spiritual and historical destinations in Kyoto, then take a detour towards the Kyoto Municipal Zoo. The zoo is famous not just for its animals but for being one of the best locations to enjoy the spring cherry blossoms and the autumn
turning of the leaves, which is quite colorful. The Kyoto Municipal Zoo is the second largest zoo in Japan and comprises of more than 1,000 animals and 200 different species.

Going up the Kyoto Tower is almost de rigueur if you are going to visit Kyoto. The 427-foot tower gives visitors a panoramic view of the city. The tower is also a landmark that helps people, especially the tourists, navigate all over the city. The Kyoto Tower was intentionally designed to evoke a torch. It also has some eccentric features, most notably a bathhouse at the top of the tower. There is also a video game arcade in the tower.

Another modern attraction and a welcome break from the historical tourist destinations in Kyoto is the Uzumasa Movie Village. The Uzumasa Movie Village is the headquarters of one of Japan's biggest film studios and is also the location for many different historical dramas and action movies. Consider this the Japanese version of Universal Studios. The Uzumasa Movie Village also features a theme park and movie museum.

An onsen is a hot spring in Japan, but the Funaoka Onsen is not necessarily a hot spring but rather a public bathhouse. Nevertheless, it is still worth a visit because it will give you a taste of an authentic Japanese bathhouse experience. The Funaoka Onsen even kept many of the Taisho era features in the building, which dates back to when it was first opened in 1922. Among the beautiful decorations are carved screens that depict Japanese military movements in old Russia. Visitors can choose among different baths and there is also an outdoor
tub.

For a taste of something truly representative of the Zen philosophy,
visit the Ryoanji, the most famous Zen stone garden in the world. The
Ryoanji actually goes back to the fifteenth century. In true zen fashion, the garden consists of fifteen rocks that have been arranged into five groups that are inside a walled rectangle of white gravel, which many say represents infinity. The only splotches of color in the simple black and white affair are the green moss found in patches in the area. The Ryoanji was constructed and designed as a place for meditation and contemplation. The place is so popular, so don't be surprised if there are many visitors in the area. To appreciate its beauty and also get the chance to meditate, visitors are advised to visit at the earliest possible time.

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