Japan Trip Guide: Kyoto Sanzen-in, Hozen-in, Kibune… One-day Pure Play Guide

Kyoto is a city full of history and culture, with temples everywhere. In Kyoto, you can experience the fusion of tradition and nature, and there are traditional buildings everywhere, bringing you a completely different experience and feeling! 🔷🔷🔷My Kyoto One-day Trip Guide: 🚗Transportation: Take the JR from Osaka to Kyoto Station (30 minutes) 🏨Accommodation: THE Royal Garden CANVAS Kyoto Nishikijo. 2-minute walk from Nishikijo Station 🗺️Kyoto One-day Trip Itinerary: ⏰Morning - Sanzen-in (Take the city subway from Nishikijo Station to Kokusai Kaikan Station, then take bus 19 to reach directly) ⏰Afternoon - Hozen-in (7-minute walk from Sanzen-in) - Kibune Shrine (Take bus 19 to Baochi Station, then take Eizan Electric Railway and get off at Kibune Station, then take bus 33 to Kibune) 💎Attraction Features: 📍Sanzen-in: It is the gate temple of one of the Buddhist sects, Tendai. Its feature lies in its unique pond and garden, which has its own unique charm in any season. Climbing to the top of the mountain, you will find its most distinctive three red bridges, especially in the summer, when the dense jungle is a splash of red, making it a great place to take photos. 📍Hozen-in: A small, easily overlooked temple, but it is definitely worth a visit according to the signs. It is known as the "Picture Frame Garden," a garden with a 270-degree picture frame that allows you to enjoy the changing scenery throughout the year. 📍Kibune Shrine: The most impressive feature is the row of red lanterns along the stone steps leading up to the main shrine, which is also the reason why it is famous. 📌Tips: 1️⃣From Sanzen-in to Hozen-in, there are many temples along the way that charge admission, but they are all optional. You need to walk all the way to the bottom to reach Hozen-in. 2️⃣Although the admission fee for Hozen-in is JPY900, it includes tea and pastries, which is still very good value. 3️⃣There are many distinctive shops and restaurants along the way from the bus stop to Sanzen-in. We had lunch at Serinoya Tea House, which has a nice environment, but you need to wait in line during lunch time. 4️⃣Although Kibune Shrine has no closing time, the last bus 33 leaves at around 6pm. If you miss it, you can only walk 3km uphill.