From Ninja to Ramen: Top 10 Places to Visit in Kyoto

A recent survey asked tourists to Kyoto about their favorite spots. Here are their top five — along with five recommendations from UJ.

By Nyri Bakkalian

Recently, Honichi Labo interviewed foreign visitors to Kyoto and asked them about their favorite tourist spots. Here’s their top five, plus another five from us here at Unseen Japan.

Kyoto Samurai Ninja Museum

Located in Nakagyō ward, the Kyoto Samurai Ninja Museum is a museum of pre-1871 Japanese warriors, be they samurai or ninja. Featuring a handsome array of historic armor and weapons as well as some Buddhist statuary, the museum also offers visitors the opportunity to learn how to throw ninja stars (shuriken) and use blow darts (fukiya), or don samurai armor or ninja attire.

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine, in Kyoto’s Fushimi ward, also known as Oinari-san, enshrines O-inari ōkami, the kami of agriculture and business. It is famous for its long rows of torii gates.

Together with Toyokawa Inari and Takekoma Inari, it is one of Japan’s Three Great Inari Shrines and a focal point of the Inari faith. It has also appeared in many popular depictions on TV, film, and even in animation. Also a draw to the shrine are the many statues of foxes (gokenzoku), holding everything from sheaves of rice to wish-fulfilling jewels to spiraling granary keys.

A fox guardian statue at Fushimi Inari, holding a granary key in its mouth. (PD)

Kinkakuji

Picture: Kei / PIXTA(ピクスタ)