Walk from the Train Station! Top 5 Spots in Kyoto to Explore via Keihan Railway

Approx. 4 minutes from Tofukuji Station to Fushimi-inari Station

Fushimi Inari Taisha is a shrine that is famous for the mystical view created by the tunnel of vermillion torii (shrine gate). There are about 30,000 Inari-sha shrines all over Japan that have been attracting worshippers of the deity that provides prosperity in business, huge harvest, safety and well-being of the family, and fulfillment of prayers. Fushimi-Inari Taisha is their head shrine. For 1,300 years, many people have come to worship at this shrine. At the back of the Honden (main shrine), you will see Mt. Inari, a mountain that is said to be where Inari-shin (god of harvest, and the enshrined deity of this shrine) descended to earth. The mountain has become a place for praying, with the entire area worshipped as a holy sanctuary. There is a goshinseki (sacred place where a deity remains) inside the mountains, and the path that surrounds it is lined with about 10,000 torii gates. The tunnel of red gates stretches approximately 4km, and it will take around two hours to walk through all of the gates.

Approx. 3 minutes from Tofukuji Station to Kiyomizu-gojo Station

Over the years, Kiyomizu-dera Temple has gained worshippers from every corner of Japan under the name Kiyomizu no Kannon-san. Opened in 778, this temple is registered as a World Heritage Site. It is believed to grant prayers for things like sound health, success in life, good fortune, good love match, and pregnancy. The biggest highlight of this temple is the Hondo (main hall) that is designated as a National Treasure. It is characterized by the stage that juts out to a steep slope, set against the beauty of every season – sakura (cherry blossoms) in spring, fresh verdure in summer, and momiji (autumn foliage) in the autumn. From this stage, you will be able to enjoy the picturesque view of the town below. Aside from this stage, the grounds of this temple are also dotted with Important Cultural Properties, such as the Nio-mon (main entrance of the temple), Sai-mon (west gate), and the Sanju-no-To (three-storied pagoda). There’s also the Otowa no Taki (Otowa Waterfall), which is the source of the pure water (“kiyomizu” in Japanese, hence its name) that flows at the temple.

Approx. 5 minutes from Tofukuji Station to Gion-shijo Station

Yasaka Jinja (Yasaka Shrine) is a shrine that is located in Kyoto’s popular tourist area, Gion. Although there are various theories surrounding its start, this shrine was established in 656. During the Heian period (794 – 1185), its receipt of offerings from the Imperial Court caused the faith of common people to grow, which helped this shrine become widely worshipped throughout Japan. This shrine is believed to grant wishes pertaining to the warding off of evil, curing illnesses, granting good love matches, helping businesses thrive, and giving good fortune. The Gion Matsuri (Gion Festival) that is held every July is listed as one of the three grandest festivals in Japan. Inside the shrine’s precinct, you will find the Utsukushi Gozensha that enshrines the deity for good fortune, arts, and beauty, as well as Okuninushi-sha Shrine, which is believed to grant prayers for a good marriage.