The 12 Most Beautiful Places to Experience Nature in Kyoto

Arashiyama is a district on the western outskirts of Kyoto known for its beautiful nature and scenic temples. It has been popular since ancient times as an escape from the city to enjoy its natural setting. It is extremely popular during the cherry blossom season in spring and for the fall foliage season in autumn. Tenryu-ji Temple in Arashiyama is home to one of the most beautiful traditional Japanese stroll gardens in Kyoto. The Togetsukyo Bridge crosses the Oi River with a beautiful mountain range in the background. Autumn is one of the best times to visit Arashiyama, with beautiful fall colors in the mountains. Arashiyama is also home to the Sagano Scenic Railway, which is a romantic sightseeing train with amazing seasonal views.

The Sagano Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama is considered one of the world’s most beautiful forests. The enchanting forest is famous for its natural beauty and distinct rustling sound from the bamboo swaying in the wind. The bamboo grove is popular with both Japanese and foreign visitors to Kyoto, with many people renting a traditional Japanese kimono to further enhance the experience. The bamboo grove is especially attractive when there is a bright blue sky and a light breeze with the bamboo gently swaying back and forth.

Fushimi Inari Shrine sits at the base of a heavily forested mountain that is called Mount Inari. Trails that span four kilometers wind their way up from the main shrine buildings to the summit at the top. A giant torii shrine gate marks the entrance to the shrine and is the boundary from the regular world to the sacred world of the shrine. The shrine sits at a base of a heavily forested mountain and is like entering another world, with the shrine gates lining several paths to the summit of the mountain. Thousands of vermilion torii shrine gates form what seems like a tunnel to the top of the mountain. The gates are donations by individuals and companies to the shrine.

Uji is a beautiful small city set in a green valley on the southern outskirts of Kyoto. The fast-flowing Uji River offers some spectacular views, with the area famous for its temples and green tea production. The spectacular Phoenix Hall at Byodo-in Temple in Uji. Nicknamed the “Temple of Flowers,” in spring, visitors can enjoy the beautiful gardens surrounding Mimuroto-ji Temple in Uji.

One of Kyoto’s most unique UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Ryoan-ji Temple is famous for its special rock garden. Perhaps the most bizarre garden on this list, Ryoan-ji consists of 15 rocks of varying sizes on a sea of gravel. Supposedly, from every viewing angle at least one rock is hidden from view. The history and origin of the garden is unclear, as is its designer. This enigmatic garden has led to much debate as to the creator’s meaning, and everyone has a different interpretation of it. Recommended by Elizabeth Lee.

Philosopher’s Walk is a beautiful stone path that follows a cherry-tree lined canal in Kyoto between Ginkaku-ji (The Silver Pavilion) and Nanzen-ji. The path is a vivid green in summer and offers some pleasant relief from the heat of downtown Kyoto. Pink cherry blossoms line the path during spring in Japan, creating a truly spectacular experience.

The Kyoto Botanical Gardens is the oldest and most comprehensive public botanical garden in Japan. The ever-changing garden can be enjoyed all year round with seasonal plants and deciduous trees. It is the perfect place for a stroll in nature, a picnic, or cherry blossom viewing. Cacti in the glasshouse at Kyoto Botanical Gardens. Beautiful tulips during springtime at the Kyoto Botanical Gardens.

Ine-cho was once a sleepy fishing village along Ine Bay in northern Kyoto Prefecture, but is now an off-the-beaten-track tourist destination that appears to be floating on the sea, giving it the nickname of the “Venice of Japan.” Traditional Japanese houses line the bay at Ine no Funaya, also known as “Kyoto by the Sea.”

Located on a hill to the northeast of Kyoto city, Shugakuin Imperial Palace is likely the most picturesque of Kyoto’s many imperial residences. From its vantage point it overlooks the city. Built along the natural incline of a hill, the palace’s beautiful grounds are full of maple trees that turn red in the autumn, along with many other trees in the surroundings. You can only enter the palace and gardens on a guided tour, so check their website for more information regarding the tours, as you need to make a reservation. Recommended by Elizabeth Lee.

One of Kyoto’s best-kept secrets, Murin-an Villa is a gorgeous garden perfect for strolling and admiring the landscape. The villa of 19th century Japanese Prime Minister Aritomo Yamagata, Murin-an Villa also uses shakkei to borrow the Higashiyama Hills as a background, and the streams, ponds and waterfalls in the garden are fed by Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake. This Japanese garden has Western elements to it, such as the open lawn in front of the villa. This hidden garden is located at the end of a narrow alleyway, near the Kyoto Municipal Zoo. Recommended by Elizabeth Lee.

This secret garden is one of the loveliest in Japan, offering an escape from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. The grounds of the Zen Buddhist Saiho-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are famous for the moss garden. Over a hundred species of moss grow in the garden, covering the rocks, ground and even some other plants, giving the garden a magical atmosphere. This is one of Kyoto’s most tranquil gardens, and you must book months in advance to enter. Recommended by Elizabeth Lee.

One of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Kyoto, Haradani-en Garden is famous for its shidare sakura trees, also called ‘weeping cherry blossoms’ as the flowers hang downwards from the branches. This 13,000m2, privately owned garden is located on the steep Okitayama Hills. You can spend a day there, as many Japanese families and couples do, picnicking, taking photos, and simply enjoying the spring, one of the most beautiful seasons in Kyoto. If you happen to be visiting outside of cherry blossom season, the garden has many other trees and plants, that make it a great place to be close to nature. Recommended by Elizabeth Lee.

Planning to visit Kyoto? Don’t stop there. Combine this magical city with others like Osaka, Hiroshima and Tokyo, as well as some of Japan’s mesmerising natural landscapes on one of these amazing multi-day tours.