Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺?), officially named Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera (音羽山清水寺?) is an independent Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto.

• As one of the top-3 attractions in Kyoto, do expect crowds particularly in the high season and on weekends.
• Kiyomizu-dera temple is 10min walk from Gojozaka bus stop.
• The walk up to Kiyomizu-dera is full of tourist souvenir shops. One souvenir you will see more of in this area is ceramics/pottery.
• If you wish to try Kyoto tofu, there is actually a restaurant within Kiyomizu-dera. Otherwise there are also a few tofu restaurants in the streets outside the temple.
• On your stroll up to the temple, make some time to meander among the narrow alleys of the neighborhood which is almost as old as the temple.

Sannenzaka and Ninenzakaare two of Kyoto’s most attractive streets, a pair of gently sloping lanes that lead down from Kiyomizu-dera Temple toward Nene-no-Michi Lane

• Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka are steep, so some people may not want to (or be able to) walk up them, but if you can, it is a great way to experience traditional Kyoto.
• Along the way there are lots of traditional shop houses, restaurants and also Yasaka Pagoda.

Chionin is the headquarters of the Jodo sect of Buddhism and built in 1294 by the Priest Genchi on the site where the founder Honen (1133-1212) first preached and later fasted to death.

• You can view the grounds and historic buildings for free, but it costs 400 Yen to see the gardens.
• It is best seen in conjunction with its gardens, which take up a smaller footprint, but also add to the overall experience much better.
• When you come out of the first main temple on your left don't forget to continue around the left and skirt the big shed where a 15 year renovation is going on.
• There is a nice little cafe across the culdesac for good coffee and a seat.
• Its awesome and leads you via a squeaky ninja walkway to a working temple with monk holding a service and massive tatami room.

Shoren-in Temple was formerly the temple of an imperial abbot. It was used as a temporary imperial palace following the Great Kyoto Fire of 1788.

• There are four pavilions, the first has a marvellous collection of old style Japanese portraits, the others have beautiful praying areas.
• Go up to the tea house,you will enjoy a view of the garden and temple from above.
• Try to visit at the start or end of the day as you'll get it at its most peaceful and tranquil.
• Don't forget to ring the huge bell at the end.

Fushimi Inari Shrine is famous for its thousands (over 10,000) of closely-spaced orange torii gates that wind over the hills of Inariyama beyond the entrance to the shrine.

• How to get there: Take the Keihan Line to Fushimi-Inari Station and walk to nearby Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine.
• This is a must place to visit in Kyoto. Be prepare to wear sport shoes as there are a lot of uphill walking stairs.
• There are parts that get pretty steep with stairs, which ends up making for great city views.
• Bonus is that the market leading up to the start of the shrine is also awesome- lots of great vendors, many of which are making what they sell in front of you.
• Recommend to buy water in the beginning of the climb as the price in the vending machines goes up as further up you are.

Gion (祇園?, ぎおん) is a district of Kyoto, Japan, originally developed in the Middle Ages, in front of Yasaka Shrine.

• Return to your hotel and relax and freshen up. Then head to Gion and keep your eyes peeled for geisha.
• Gion can be reached from Kyoto Station by bus number 100 or 206 (20 minutes, 230 yen). Get off at Gion bus stop.
• If you do see one, don't get so excited that you forget your manners; while they are cultural icons, they are also people, and some tourists seem to start pulling on their clothes, stopping them, surrounding them, and behaving in all sorts of terrible manners.
• Typically, the best time to see geisha is after 6 PM when they begin to go out to wherever it is they are going to entertain for the evening.
• There are no guarantees that you will see any, and they typically try to avoid the tourists.