Kyoto City Takao

  • Kyoto
  • Sightseeing
  • Nature
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter

Takao, located in the mountains northwest of Kyoto City, is an area of deep mountain beauty that has long been loved as a famous spot for autumn leaves. Centering on the World Heritage site "Kozan-ji," three historic temples including "Jingo-ji" and "Saimyo-ji" line the area, and the experience of visiting them while walking rugged mountain paths will make you completely forget the city's bustle. You can enjoy fresh greenery in early summer and burning autumn leaves in fall while listening to the murmuring of the Kiyotaki River; it is truly a sanctuary that could be called a "natural temple." It is highly recommended for authentic travelers who want to feel the history of a training ground in silence and purify their mind and body.

Kyoto City Takao
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Hidden Gems of Kyoto Takao

Hidden Gems of Kyoto Takao

kyoto City

Kyoto City Takao

Address
Umegahata Taniyama Kawanishi, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto
Website
https://www.kyokanko.or.jp/
Operator
Kyoto City Tourism Association

Nearby Spots

Arashiyama-Takao Parkway
Kyoto

Arashiyama-Takao Parkway

A 10.7km scenic driveway connecting Arashiyama and Takao, boasting panoramic views of Mt. Hiei and Kyoto City. Along the way, there are parks with seasonal flowers, observatories, BBQ areas, and dog runs, making it ideal for active families and friends. Especially during the autumn leaf season, you can enjoy the colorful mountain scenery while driving, making it perfect for those who want to enjoy Kyoto's nature openly away from crowded temples. With spots looking down on the Hozugawa River, it is an exhilarating route to feel the dynamic terrain and the vastness of the ancient capital simultaneously.

  • Kyoto
  • Sightseeing
  • Nature
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Kozan-ji Temple
Kyoto

Kozan-ji Temple

Located in the mountains of Takao surrounded by rich nature, Kozan-ji is a historic temple registered as a World Heritage site. It is known for preserving the National Treasure "Choju-jinbutsu-giga," said to be Japan's oldest manga, whose humorous brushwork of anthropomorphized animals fascinates overseas art fans. The grounds also contain Japan's oldest tea garden, allowing you to touch the roots of Japanese tea culture. The deep green mountains viewed from the veranda of the National Treasure "Sekisui-in" are like a serene landscape painting. It is a special place where you can simultaneously feel spiritual peace and the source of Japanese...

  • Kyoto
  • Sightseeing
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
Kyoto

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple

Located at the far end of Oku-Saga, Otagi Nenbutsu-ji is a temple overflowing with smiles, famous for its 1,200 stone "Rakan" statues. These statues were all carved by ordinary worshipers, and each is unique and humorous—some holding tennis rackets, others drinking sake. It is a place filled with warmth that makes you smile just by looking at them. Surrounded by deep greenery and silence, interacting with these mossy statues teaches the kindness and approachability of Japanese Buddhist culture. Ideal for travelers seeking a unique and heart-warming experience found nowhere else.

  • Kyoto
  • Sightseeing
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple
Kyoto

Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple

Located at the furthest end of Okusaga, "Adashino Nenbutsu-ji" is an ancient burial site, leaving a striking impression with unique air emitted by about 8,000 stone towers and Buddha statues. These statues were gathered to mourn the unclaimed souls once scattered across the fields, and the sight evokes Japan's deep religious view of "life and death." The quiet space surrounded by bamboo groves offers deep peace and a sense of impermanence. Especially during the "Sento Kuyo" held every August, candles are offered to the statues, and a mystical world emerges in the flickering lights. It is chosen by those seeking...

  • Kyoto
  • Sightseeing
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Winter
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