Japan Guide
Kyoto
Around Kyoto
There's so much to see in Kyoto itself that most people don't explore the surrounding area, although it's worth making one trip out into the countryside. First priority should probably go to Hiei-zan, the mountain overlooking northeast Kyoto, where age-old cedars shelter the venerable temples of Enryaku-ji. Below Hiei-zan, Ōhara contains a scattering of beguiling temples in an attractive valley. Uji, in the south of Kyoto is another quiet pocket of history and home to the magnificent Byōdō-in, whose graceful Phoenix Hall is a masterpiece of Japanese architecture. Finally, if you've had your fill of temples and historical sights, a visit to the architecturally stunning Miho Museum, nestled in the Shigaraki mountains, should be at the top of your to-do list.