31. Tofukuji Temple
Tofukuji's has the oldest main gate (sanmon) in Japan. There are 23 temples in the Tofukuji complex.
32. Monkey Park Iwatayama
Monkey Park Iwatayama is a commercial attraction that houses almost 200 Japanese macaque monkeys. Visitors can feed the monkeys and enjoy the park's grounds.Japanese macaque monkeys can be aggressive when you're not used to handling them. They associate plastic bags with food and are known to snatch items from tourists. Never look a monkey in the eyes.
33. Daitokuji Temple
Daitokuji is a complex of 22 temples spanning 23 hectares. The history of the temple is extensive: wars, fires and rivalries with other Kyoto temples. The temple also played an important part in the history of the Japanese tea ceremony.
34. Philosopher's Path
Philosopher's Path is a pleasant stone path along a sakura (cherry) tree lined canal. It's said that Nishida Kitaro, one of Japan's well known philosophers walked the path daily.Today, there are numerous restaurants, cafes and shops along the 2 kilometer long path. The path starts at Ginkakuji and ends near Nanzenji temple.
35. Honen-in
Honen-in is a quiet and pleasant Buddhist temple. It has an interesting carving of Buddha's footprints in a stone on the temple's grounds.
36. Shoren-in Temple
Shoren-in is one of the many temples in Kyoto that's impressive but quiet. It has long standing ties to the Imperial Family. It was the temporary home of the Empress Gosakuramachi after the Imperial Palace burned down in 1788.
37. Nara
Nara is about an hour from Kyoto by train. It's a medium sized city of 368,000 inhabitants. Nara was the first capital of Japan. It features a number of impressive temples and shrines including Todaiji, Saidaiji, Kofukuji, Kasuga Shrine, Gangoji, Yakushiji and Toshodaiji. Other attractions include the remains of Heijo Palace and the Kasugayama Primeval Forest.In Nara, deer are regarded as heavenly animals that protect the city. Deer roam freely about the city (especially in Nara Park). Vendors sell deer food to the tourists to feed them. Some of the deer have learned to bow in response to a bow from a human.
38. Pontocho
Pontocho is a Japanese geisha district similar to Gion. Its narrow, ancient streets are lit by traditional lanterns at night. Pontocho features expensive restaurants (many have riverside dining on wooden patios), geisha tea houses, bars and cheap eateries.
39. Heian Shrine
Heian is a large shrine. It's tori (gate) is one of the largest in Japan.
40. Nishi Honganji and Higashi Honganji
Nishi (West) Honganji and Higashi (East) Honganji are two large Buddhist temple complexes a few blocks from each other in the center of Kyoto.The main hall of Higashi Honganji is the largest wooden structure in Kyoto.
