Southern Higashiyama

Southern Higashiyama is the most important sightseeing district in Kyoto. It contains everything from dazzling temples, to preserved lanes, to the city’s main geisha district. If you have only one day in Kyoto, this is the place to visit!

[Kiyomizu Temple]

Southern Higashiyama Area Description

The Southern Higashiyama runs along the base of the Higashiyama (Eastern Mountains) from Shichijo-dori in the south to Sanjo-dori in the north. The mountains form its eastern boundary and the Kamo-gawa forms its western boundary. At it’s northwestern end, you’ll find Gion, the city’s traditional geisha district.

Southern Higashiyama Highlights

• Kiyomizu-dera Temple
• Chion-in Temple
• Ishibei-koji Lane
• Shimbashi Geisha District

Things To Do And See In Southern Higashiyama

• Sanjusangen-do Temple
  With over 1000 images of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, Sanjusangen-do Temple is one the most arresting sights in Kyoto. It’s sort of like an angelic terracotta army.
• The Kyoto National Museum
  The Kyoto National Museum is the best museum in Kyoto. The permanent collection is mediocre and indifferently displayed, but the special exhibits regularly held here are often superb.

[Kiyomizu-dera Temple: Richie Chan/Shutterstock.com]

• Kiyomizu-dera Temple
  Kiyomizu-dera Temple is one of Kyoto’s must-see attractions. It’s a bustling riot of commerce and schlock, but it’s a lot of fun, especially for the kids.
• Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka Preserved Districts
  Two of Kyoto’s most attractive streets are Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka, a pair of gently sloping lanes that lead down from Kiyomizu-dera Temple toward Nene-no-Michi Lane.

[Ishibei-koji Lane: EvergreenPlanet/Shutterstock.com]

• Ishibei-koji Lane
  Hands-down the single most beautiful lane in all of Kyoto, Ishibei-koji Lane is like entering another world.
• Nene-no-Michi Lane
  Nene-no-Michi Lane is a wonderful flagstone walkway that links some of the most important sights in the Southern Higashiyama area.
• Kodai-ji Temple
  Often overlooked by tourists, Kodai-ji Temple is one of the finest temples in the Southern Higashiyama Area.
• Entoku-in Temple
  Yet another overlooked gem in Southern Higashiyama, Entoku-in Temple is a delightful collection of priceless art treasures and a stunning karesansui (dry stone) garden.
• Yasaka-no-to Pagoda
  A long pagoda rising overlooking the floating world of Gion below, Yasaka-no-to Pagoda is a lovely sight by day or night.
• Yasaka-jinja Shrine
  One of Kyoto’s most important shrines, Yasaka-jinja Shrine overlooks the Gion entertainment district and sponsors the city’s biggest annual festival: the Gion Matsuri.
• Gion
  Kyoto’s traditional entertainment district, where geisha, gangsters and gawkers prowl, is one of the most interesting places for an after-dinner stroll.
• Hiyoshido Traditional Massage
  Hiyoshido offers traditional Japanese and other forms of massage in a beautiful old Japanese house in Gion. It’s the perfect way to relax after a day of touring Kyoto.
• Yasui-kompira-gu Shrine
  This odd little shrine on the edge of Gion contains one of the most peculiar objects we’ve encountered anywhere in Japan.
• Kennin-ji Temple
  The oldest Zen temple in Kyoto, Kennin-ji Temple is an oasis of calm on the edge of Gion with a superb Zen garden.
• Maruyama-koen Park
  An oasis of green amid the Southern Higashiyama Sightseeing District, Maruyama-koen Park is the perfect spot for a rest or picnic while exploring the area.

[Chion-in Temple: Leonid Andronov/Shutterstock.com]

• Chion-in Temple
  Sometimes called the Vatican of Pure Land Buddhism, this vast temple is one of the most and popular temples in the city. It’s highly recommended.
• Shoren-in Temple
  One of our all-time favorite temples in Kyoto, Shoren-in is bypassed by almost all tourists and bus groups.
• Shoren-in Shogunzuka Seiryuden Viewpoint
  For an incredible view of Kyoto, head up to the Shoren-in Shogunzuka Seiryuden viewpoint. This new viewpoint offers a commanding view over the whole city.
• Getting made up as a geisha (maiko henshin)
  Playing geisha for a day is a fantasy shared by both Japanese and foreign ladies and Maika, in the Miyagawa Geisha district, is one of the best places to do it.

[Shimbashi Geisha District: cowardlion/Shutterstock.com]

• Shimbashi geisha district in the evening
  Shimbashi is single most attractive street in all of Asia, particularly in the evening. When the cherry blossoms are in bloom here, it’s almost too beautiful for words.
• Hanamikoji geisha district in the evening
  The best place to see geisha in Kyoto is Hanami-koji on the south side of Shijo-dori. A stroll through in the evening will usually yield at least one sighting.
• Minamiza Kabuki Theatre
  Few theatrical spectacles are as visually stimulating and just plain bizarre as kabuki, and Kyoto’s Minamiza Kabuki Theatre is the best place in Japan to see kabuki.

Nightlife In Southern Higashiyama

• Gion Finlandia Bar
  A Finnish-themed bar in a former geisha house, Gion Finlandia Bar is a very stylish place for a drink in Gion.

Getting To Southern Higashiyama

• By subway from Kyoto Station: Take the Karasuma Subway Line to Karasuma-Oike Station and change to the Tozai Subway line heading east. Get off at Higashiyama Station and walk south.
• By bus from Kyoto Station: Take Kyoto City Bus #100 or 206.
• On foot from Kyoto Station: Walk east to the Kama-gawa River, then walk north until Gojo-dori and follow Gojo-dori uphill (east toward the mountains).
• By Hankyu Line (from Osaka etc): Get off at Kawaramachi Station.
• By Keihan Line (from Osaka etc): Get off at Gion Shijo or Sanjo Keihan Stations.

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