Beautiful photos show why Kyoto is a treasure

Kyoto scenes

Perhaps the ultimate Kyoto symbol -- or at the very least its most Instagrammed attraction -- Kinkaku-ji was built at the end of the 14th century. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this Zen Buddhist temple is made up of 132,000 square meters of gardens, ponds and stones.

Gion, with its traditional wooden machiya houses, is a popular area for tourists hoping to snap a photograph of a Kyoto geisha.

Sagano Bamboo Forest is located in the gorgeous Arashiyama district of western Kyoto. For the best experience, head out early in the morning or late evening and avoid weekends completely, when Japanese day-trippers descend on the area.

One of Kyoto's prettiest streets, Sannenzaka is a pedestrian-only lane leading to Kiyomizu temple. It's located in Higashiyama, one of the top places to see preserved Kyoto architecture.

Every year, from May to September, "kawadoko" restaurants in the village of Kibune give diners a chance to enjoy their meals outdoors while sitting on tatami mats over the river. Kibune is about 12 kilometers from central Kyoto.

This beautiful "forest" of two-meter high pillars, located outside the Randen tram station in Arashiyama, showcases various kimono textiles.

Another popular site on the Kyoto tourist trail, Fushimi Inari Shrine is made up of thousands of vermillion torii gates.

The 131-meter Kyoto Tower offers panoramic views of the city.

Yet another Kyoto UNESCO-listed site, Toji Temple features Japan's highest pagoda. Standing 55 meters tall, this five-story wooden structure was founded in 794. The temple complex hosts a flea market on the 21st of every month.

Relatively new compared to some of Kyoto's ancient sites, Heian-jingu was built in 1895, on the 1,100th anniversary of the transfer of the capital from Nara to Kyoto.

Most Kyoto visitors will pass through this station at least once during their journey. Opened in 1997, it services trains to Tokyo and Osaka, among may other cities. The bullet train to Tokyo takes two hours and 15 minutes, while the journey to Osaka is 28 minutes.

One of the city's newest attractions, the Kyoto Railway Museum opened in April 2016. Owned by JR West, it features a variety of exhibits highlighting the country's railroad history.

Another UNESCO site, this Buddhist temple is located in eastern Kyoto. For worshippers, Kiyomizu-dera -- which translates to "Pure Water Temple" -- is the home of the Goddess of Mercy.