Kyoto
Municipal Museum of Art This museum opened in 1933 as the second largest art museum in Japan. The Western-style brick building enhances its atmosphere as a palace of fine art of the old capital. Boasting an extensive collection, the museum holds numerous exhibits, including the Kyoten Exhibition and the Nitten Exhibition. Since its opening, the museum has steadily developed its collection through numerous donations and purchases. Open Hours: 9:30 - 17:00
(1min.walking)
Heian Shrine
Heian Shrine was built in 1895 on the occasion of the 1,100th anniversary of the Heian Capital foundation. It is dedicated to the first and last emperors that reigned from Kyoto, Emperor Kammu and Emperor Komei. The shrine buildings are a partial replica of the Imperial Palace of the Heian Period. There is a nice garden behind the shrine which features many weeping cherry trees. An entrance fee applies to the garden only.
Open Hours
March 1 - 14 & Sept. 1 - 10: open 6 - 17:30
March 15 - Aug. 31: open 6 - 18
Nov., Dec., Jan. & Feb: 6 - 17.
Garden Viewing Hours （ Entrance Fees-Adults:600 yen/Children: 300 yen ）
March 1 - 14 & Sept. 1 - Oct. 31: open 8:30 - 17.
March 15 - Aug. 31: open 8:30 - 17:30
Nov. 1 - end of Feb.: open 8:30 - 16:30
(3min.walking)
Biwako
Sosui (Lake Biwa Canal)
Constructed in 1890 successfully revived the economy of Kyoto, which had been in decline since the transfer of the capital to Tokyo following the Meiji Restoration. The water of Biwako Canal flows down from Lake Biwa in Shiga through several long tunnels. The Biwako canal is comprised of six tunnels and open canals, which were completed at different times. Along the canal, you can see a lot of cherry trees and they are especially beautiful with full blossoms in spring of every ear.
(10min.walking)
Murin-an
Murin-an is a villa of Mr.Aritomo Yamagata who was an elder statesman at Taishou and Meiji era, he spent holiday here with his wife. The splendor garden created by a great landscaper Jihei Ogawa, has a pond Izmi type that draws beautiful curve leading water from the canal and it's more like a rural paradise than Buddhist ambience around the villa. The European-style building is famous for that the Murin-an conference was held as for the foreign policy just before starting the war of Japan-Russia.
(5min.walking)
Nanzen-ji
Temple The headquarters of the Nanzenji is a sub-sect of the Rinzai Buddhism. This temple was established by Emperor Kameyama in 1291. Their gate is designated as a national treasure. There are several important highlights including gorgeously painted sliding paper screens, as well as a room decorated in distinguished Momoyama style.
Open Hours: 8:40 〜 17:00. (until 16:30 from Dec to Feb)
Entrance Fee: 500 yen for special sanctuaries.
Tenjyu-an Tenjyu-an is one of a Zen cenotaph for a great monk in Nanzenji temple, build in 1339 originally, and then it was rebuilt by Yusai Hosokawa in 1602 after burnt down in the Ohnin war. There are so many different kinds of maple trees, and it is gorgeous and dazzling spectacle of red leaves of them in autumn.
Open Hours: 9:00 〜 17:00 Entrance Fee ： adult 300yen
(15min.walking)
Kyoto
Municipal Zoo
The secondly oldest Zoo in Japan opened in April of 1903. Surrounded by points of interest such as Heian Shrine and Nanzen-ji Temple; cultural facilities including the National Museum of Modern Art and Kyoto municipal Museum of Art; and the Lake Biwa Canal Museum of Kyoto running along the southern edge, Kyoto Municipal Zoo is a city-style zoological park surrounded by nature.
Upon opening, a mere 238 animals of 61 species were housed there, while today this is home to more than 800 animals from over 200 species.
Open: 9:00 - 17:00 / March - November, 9:00 - 16:30 / December - February.
Close: Monday. + (December 28 - January 3)
(1min.walking)
