Kyoto Bus Tour: Explore Kyoto for Just ¥500 – Kiyomizu-dera & Gion Edition

Text & Photos / Kyoto Bus Tour: Explore Kyoto for Just ¥500!

 

The Kiyomizu Stage of Kiyomizu-dera Temple is many people’s first impression of Kyoto. The nearby stone-paved lane is a famous sightseeing street lined with small shops, brimming with Japanese charm.

Gion, known for its Hanamikoji Street, has its main thoroughfare, Shijo-dori, and Hanamikoji Street always crowded with tourists. But if you turn into the side alleys, you’ll find a quiet, ancient scene of traditional Japanese townhouses. Geisha still work and live in Gion, and you might occasionally spot them hurrying by in the evening.

Photo / "Kyoto Bus Tour: Explore Kyoto for Just ¥500!"

 

Kiyomizu-dera can only be reached by bus. Walking to the temple from the two nearby bus stops (Kiyomizu-michi and Gojozaka) takes about 15 minutes each. The walking path from Kiyomizu-dera to Gion is one of Kyoto’s most scenic tourist routes, spanning about 1.2 km. However, with all the stops to explore along the way, it usually takes nearly half a day.

 

The main bus stops for Gion are located at the intersection of Higashioji-dori and Shijo-dori in front of Yasaka Shrine, and at the intersection of Shijo-dori and Kawabata-dori. Heading west along Shijo-dori across the Kamo River leads to Shijo-Kawaramachi, which is about a 5-minute bus ride or 17-minute walk away.

 

Photo / "Kyoto Bus Tour: Explore Kyoto for Just ¥500!"

Kennin-ji Temple

Nestled deep in the geisha district, Kennin-ji is a Zen temple founded in 1202. It’s famed for its National Treasure, the “Fujin Raijin-zu” (Wind and Thunder Gods) painting, and the large dragon mural on the ceiling of the Dharma Hall. The small Nanzen-in courtyard offers interesting experiences such as zazen meditation and yoga.

[info]
Admission is ¥500 for adults, ¥300 for junior and senior high school students
  

 

Photo / "Kyoto Bus Tour: Explore Kyoto for Just ¥500!"

 

 

 

Yasaka no Yorishiro Shrine (Amagasaki Shrine / Enkiri Inari)

 

A fun shrine for tying and cutting fate. To make a wish, write it on a white slip of paper, affix it to the “Enkiri Enmusubi Stone,” and then pass through the hole. Going from the front entrance to the inner entrance means cutting off bad connections, while the reverse means tying good ones.

 

[Info]
Admission is ¥500 for adults, ¥300 for junior and senior high school students
Tickets for the Glass Museum are ¥500 for adults

 

Photo / "Kyoto Bus Tour: Explore Kyoto for Just ¥500!"

Chaya Tomitaya Fuji

Want to step into a real tea house, dine and play games with geisha? Though most tea houses are closed to first-time visitors, Fuji offers plenty of relaxed experiences where tourists can enjoy time with maiko (apprentice geisha), who can even speak English!

 

 

[Info]
Located at 347-13 Kitagion-cho, Gion
Plan A: ¥29,400 per session for 6 people

Photo / "Kyoto Bus Tour: Explore Kyoto for Just ¥500!"

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