TieredTravel › Asia › Japan › Kyoto › Walks › 3 hours › Tō-ji and the temples by Kyoto Station in three hours

Budget · 3-hour walk · Kyoto

Tō-ji and the temples by Kyoto Station in three hours

The tallest wooden pagoda in Japan, the halls of the two Hongan-ji temples, a rope made of women's hair, a hidden pond garden and the tower over the station.

On foot

2.8 km

Walking

37 min

At stops

135 min

Total

2h 52m

Stops

Most visitors pass through the area around Kyoto Station on the way to somewhere else, but it holds three of the city's great temples: Tō-ji, founded with the capital, and the two Hongan-ji, headquarters of Japan's largest Buddhist school. This route takes them in a loop. On the 21st of every month, Tō-ji holds a flea market.

The route, stop by stop

Tō-ji

Founded in 796, two years after the capital itself. Its five-storey pagoda, about 55 metres tall, is the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan.

40 min here Walk here →
Nishi Hongan-ji

The western Hongan-ji, a World Heritage temple whose great Founder's Hall is free to enter.

25 min here Walk here →
Higashi Hongan-ji

The eastern temple's Founder's Hall is one of the largest wooden buildings in the world. A rope made of women's hair, given to haul its timbers, is on display.

20 min here Walk here →
Shōsei-en

Higashi Hongan-ji's walled pond garden, a short walk east, quiet when everywhere else is not.

25 min here Walk here →
Kyoto Tower

The white tower of 1964 over the station, with a viewing deck about 100 metres up.

25 min here Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets → Walk here →