This historical tour of Kyoto will take you to the following places:

• Kiyomizu-Dera Temple: A great place to begin a day in Higashiyama is Kiyomizu-Dera, a World Heritage Site with more than 1,200 years of history. Inside the temple complex, there is a balcony that hangs over an impressive cliff. Amazingly, this nearly four-story tall balcony was constructed without a single nail using a technique known as Kake-Zukuri. The view of the trees is particularly stunning during the fall or when dotted with sakura in the spring.
• Otowa Waterfall: Located just below the Honden or main shrine, these waters were believed to be sacred and capable of passing on blessings to those who drank from the falls.
• Jishu-Jinja Shrine: It is a famous shrine located inside Kiyomizu-Dera. The main attraction of the shrine is the “Love Fortune Telling Stones.” Located about 10 meters apart from each other, it’s said that anyone who can successfully walk eyes-closed from one stone to the other will be successful in love.
• Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka: Located at the foot of the mountains and slightly to the north of Kiyomizu-Dera are Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka. These historic streets are some of the best-preserved in Kyoto. The stoned-paved streets are lined with lovely wooden stores selling everything from delicious Kyoto specialties to fine souvenir goods. There are also numerous cafes and restaurants, where you can take a break and have something to eat.
• Yasaka Pagoda: Yasaka Pagoda is a symbol of the Higashiyama area. This impressive pagoda stands 46m (approx. 150ft.) tall.
• Yasaka Koshindo Shrine: Built in the Heian Period, this is said to be the oldest sacred place of Koshin-Shinko, a folk faith of Japan. It is well known for the many strings of Kukuri-Zaru i.e. little “monkeys” with their hands and feet tied together. Visitors can leave their wishes tied up with these monkeys to get them fulfilled.
• Nene no Michi: This street is named for Nene, the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. As with Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, you’ll find many beautiful stores selling a variety of goods.
• Kodai-Ji Temple: This temple was established at the behest of Nene in memory of her husband. Both she and Toyotomi are enshrined here.
• Maruyama Park: This one is famous as one of Kyoto’s most popular sakura viewing spots. The star attraction is a Shidarezakura weeping cherry tree. The tree is lit up during the cherry blossom season from sunset until 1:00 am between mid-March and mid-April.
• Yasaka-Jinja Shrine: Yasaka-Jinja is an important place in Gion. In fact, it was called Gion-Jinja or Gion Shrine until the Meiji Restoration. Yasaka-Jinja holds the Gion Matsuri, a festival with a history of more than a thousand years. This incredible event goes on for nearly the entire month of July.
• Hanamikoji-Dori Street: The most notable attractions of this street are the many okiya, places where geisha and maiko live. Also here is the Gion Kaikan, the theatre in which Gion’s maiko and geiko perform the Miyako Odori every year in April.
• Maiko Spotting: Lastly, with some luck, you may be able to see maiko on their way to engagements in the early evening on Hanamikoji-Dori.