Insta-Worthy Spots Where You’ll Be Surrounded by Fresh Green, Within a 30-Minute Bus Ride from Kawaramachi-Sanjo, the City Center of Kyoto

The ancient city of Japan, Kyoto goes into a fresh green season from early May to early June every year. In this issue, let us take to 3 photogenic sites you can casually visit even in light clothing. You can easily access to all of them by 30-minute bus ride from Kawaramachi-Sanjo (河原町三条), the city center area close to Pontocho (先斗町) or Gion (祇園) area. Why not taking a short excursion to enjoy the fresh green Kyoto has to offer only in early summer?

“Tadasu No Mori Forest”: the World Cultural Heritage with 600 long-living trees surrounds around ‘Shimogamo Shrine’ enshrining the god of marriage

In “Tadasu No Mori” (糺の森), there are 85 traditional buildings and shrines, and some are designated as National Treasures while many of them are so as important cultural properties. The vast forest of 120,000 m2 is registered as a World Cultural Heritage site. Around 600 hundred trees in the forest are 200 to 600 years old and those create a majestic and dignified atmosphere. In addition,  the stream that has inspired many poets and authors is another must-see spot. You’ll feel like your body and soul are being cleansed by the calm and pure flow of the stream. Tough there are several entrances to the forest, the best route we recommend is to enter the forest from the south and walk towards ‘Shimogamo Shrine’ (下鴨神社).

Opening Hours	＜Gate Open＞ 6:00AM / March 1st to May 15th and August 16th to October 15th 5:30AM / May 16th to August 15th 6:30AM / October 16th to February 28th ＜Gate Close＞ 6:00PM / March 1st to September 30th 5:30PM / October 1st to October 15th and January 1st to February 28th 5:00PM / October 16th to December 31st *Times above are subject to change due to rites and festivals.
Address	59 Shimogamo Izumikawacho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Access	Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo: A 3-minute walk from the hotel to Kawaramachi Sanjo (河原町三条) Bus stop, a 14-minute bus ride from Kawaramachi Sanjo (河原町三条) Bus stop to Shinogamo Jinja Mae (下鴨神社前) Bust stop and a 3-minute walk from Shinogamo Jinja Mae (下鴨神社前) Bust stop to “Tadasu No Mori” Hotel Tavinos Kyoto: Get on a bus at Kawaramachi Gojo, get off at Shin Aoibashi and walk for 3 minutes
URL	https://tadasunomori.or.jp

“Kodaiji Temple”: the green maple leaves, bamboo forest and light add early summer essence to the historical garden

“Kodaiji Temple” (高台寺) is located close enough to walk from Kongoji (金剛寺) temple and Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺) temple and is said to have been built by Nene (ねね), a wife to Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉), for mourning Hideyoshi’s soul. In early summer, green maple leaves vividly color the temple’s garden which is designated as a National Historical Site and a National Scenic Beauty. The must-see attraction here is ‘Garyochi’ (臥龍池) pond. On the surface of the pond, green maple leaves and ‘Kaisando’ (開山堂) leave a beautiful reflection like an artistic painting. Also, you don’t want to miss ‘Rosenro’ (楼船廊) where Nene thought of Hideyoshi, looking up the moon, and ‘Garyoro’ (臥龍廊) staircase whose shape inspires you of an image of a dragon. As you go further, you’ll find a promenade giving you a nice view of tall bamboo trees. Moreover, if you have a chance to visit the site by May 5^th, you’ll get to enjoy the lighting-up at night.

Opening Hours	＜Regular Visit＞9:00AM – 5:30PM ＜Lighting-up＞5:00PM – 10:00PM / From March 12th 2021 to May 5th 2021 (incl.) *You are kindly advised to refer to its official website as opening hours are subject to change.
Address	526 Kodaiji Shimogawaramachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Access	Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo: A 6-minute walk from the hotel to Shijo Kawaramachi (四条河原町) Bus stop, a 19-minute bus ride from Shijo Kawaramachi (四条河原町) Bus stop to Higashiyama Yasui (東山安井) Bust stop and a 7-minute walk from Higashiyama Yasui (東山安井) Bust stop to “Kodaiji” temple Hotel Tavinos Kyoto: Get on a bus at Kawaramachi Gojo, get off at Higashiyama Yasui and walk for 7 minutes
URL	https://www.kodaiji.com/e_index.html

“Tofukuji Temple”: the oldest and largest in Kyoto in a valley colored yellow-green by green maple leaves

“Tofukuji Temple” (東福寺) is said to have been built 1236 through to 1255. In its vast precincts, approximately 2,000 maple trees are planted mainly in the valley and there is the largest sangharama (a collection of buildings such as temples, towers, and gates) in Japan. Among its scenic spots throughout its precincts, the best two ones are “Gaunkyo” (臥雲橋) bridge and “Tsutenkyo” (通天橋) bridge on which you can look down the green sea-of-clouds made of green maple leaves. The incredible view you can enjoy from the bridges is literally breathtaking and it’s been spotted in commercials and historical TV drama series. Just go down the valley and feel the relaxing breeze of early summer. Calm sunlight shining through green maple leaves will surely heal your soul and ease your mind.

Opening Hours	9:00AM – 4:00PM / April to October 8:30AM – 4:00PM / November to first Sunday in December 9:00AM – 3:30PM / First Sunday in December to March
住所	15-778 Honmachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
アクセス	A 6-minute walk from Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo to Shijo Kawaramachi (四条河原町) Bus stop, a 19-minute bus ride from Shijo Kawaramachi (四条河原町) Bus stop to Tofukuji (東福寺) Bust stop and a 4-minute walk from Tofukuji (東福寺) Bust stop to “Tofukuji” temple Hotel Tavinos Kyoto: A 11-minute walk from Tofukuji Station which is 2 stations away from Shimizu Gojo Station
URL	http://www.tofukuji.jp/english/index.html