
Kyoto Top Ten? ^_^
- Caroline
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Kyoto Top Ten? ^_^
finally, i am going to visit japan with a friend and we'll be in tokyo pitching animation projects to different studios. i am really nervous, but excited. on our off-time, we'll also be visiting a friend of mine in kyoto and i need suggestions on what to do there. i would love a top-ten list from people who have visited kyoto, live there, or just know what's cool to do in kyoto. any suggestions? also, i'd love a list of things that can't be missed in tokyo. i'm not sure how much time we are going to have, but we'll be in akihabara, shinjuku, and minato alot.
thanks!

If you are spending time in Tokyo, be sure to go visit the Odaiba area. There's a beautiful park and a beach to eat an outdoor bento at, and it's also home to Fuji TV Station which you can tour inside. :) There is also the Giant Sky Wheel, which in 1999 was the tallest ferris wheel in the world. If you can stand the heights, it's a fun ride. :)
Odaiba is also home to the Tokyo Big Site, which is where the Tokyo Anime Festival as well as Comiket takes place.
When I went to Japan last March we didn't get to spend much time in Kyoto, sadly. My friend and I did get to do what they call a "Maiko Henshin" though, where they dressed us up as traditional Maikos (apprentice geishas) from head to toe. It really taught me what those women had to go through with their makeup, hair and dress. ^_^;; (in other words: I couldn't move my head or breathe, lol) But I got gorgeous pictures in return! The boys in our group got to dress up as traditional samurais, swords included. XD
http://www.kishuku.com/misc/maiko.jpg
Osaka is a very short train ride from Kyoto (maybe 20 to 30 minutes) and also quite cheap (like 300yen or so?). If you're brave enough for a large public onsen, I can't recommend Spa World enough. Absolutely fantastic place, and a lot of times they are running specials for cheaper prices to get in.
http://www.spaworld.co.jp/english/service.html
My friend and I were the only white girls there, lol. But nobody paid us any mind! I've never felt so relaxed after a bath (several baths, actually). XD
Odaiba is also home to the Tokyo Big Site, which is where the Tokyo Anime Festival as well as Comiket takes place.
When I went to Japan last March we didn't get to spend much time in Kyoto, sadly. My friend and I did get to do what they call a "Maiko Henshin" though, where they dressed us up as traditional Maikos (apprentice geishas) from head to toe. It really taught me what those women had to go through with their makeup, hair and dress. ^_^;; (in other words: I couldn't move my head or breathe, lol) But I got gorgeous pictures in return! The boys in our group got to dress up as traditional samurais, swords included. XD
http://www.kishuku.com/misc/maiko.jpg
Osaka is a very short train ride from Kyoto (maybe 20 to 30 minutes) and also quite cheap (like 300yen or so?). If you're brave enough for a large public onsen, I can't recommend Spa World enough. Absolutely fantastic place, and a lot of times they are running specials for cheaper prices to get in.
http://www.spaworld.co.jp/english/service.html
My friend and I were the only white girls there, lol. But nobody paid us any mind! I've never felt so relaxed after a bath (several baths, actually). XD

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- ReiTheJelly
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I recommend to see the Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavillion) and the Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) and also the beautiful Ryoan-ji which is a Rock Garden Temple. The Heian Jingu is a Shinto Shrine that's beautiful.
Also the Kyoto Imperial Palace which was the home for the Emperors in the past. You can get inside but I can't remember which days (it's been 9 years since I last been in Kyoto) and it's days notice. If you interested you need to go straight there with your Passport to get access within the time frame you there. At least that's how it was while I was there. You might want to visit Arashiyama which has the Iwatayama Monkey Park and there is also a very old shrine called Matsuo Shrine.
In Kyoto are many beautiful Shrines that you can visit and hard to miss. Don't miss to see the Nijo Castle.
Transportation is good in Kyoto. I walked most of the time though.
And as Ryouko mentioned it's a hop onto a train to get to Osaka where you can see a lot of sightseeing, too. ^_^
There are many stores in Kyoto (and in Osaka) that you might stop and adventure out. I really liked to visit the stores in Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo. Tokyo has also temples and shrines that you can visit. The stores in Tokyo are awesome. When you take the trains be aware you might get squashed ^^;; I haven't been in Tokyo since 2002 so not sure if all is still same or not since while I was there they were building everywhere. Oh I recommend to visit Tokyo Tower. I loved it!
If you walk a lot make sure you got some very comfy shoes.
Also the Kyoto Imperial Palace which was the home for the Emperors in the past. You can get inside but I can't remember which days (it's been 9 years since I last been in Kyoto) and it's days notice. If you interested you need to go straight there with your Passport to get access within the time frame you there. At least that's how it was while I was there. You might want to visit Arashiyama which has the Iwatayama Monkey Park and there is also a very old shrine called Matsuo Shrine.
In Kyoto are many beautiful Shrines that you can visit and hard to miss. Don't miss to see the Nijo Castle.
Transportation is good in Kyoto. I walked most of the time though.
And as Ryouko mentioned it's a hop onto a train to get to Osaka where you can see a lot of sightseeing, too. ^_^
There are many stores in Kyoto (and in Osaka) that you might stop and adventure out. I really liked to visit the stores in Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo. Tokyo has also temples and shrines that you can visit. The stores in Tokyo are awesome. When you take the trains be aware you might get squashed ^^;; I haven't been in Tokyo since 2002 so not sure if all is still same or not since while I was there they were building everywhere. Oh I recommend to visit Tokyo Tower. I loved it!
If you walk a lot make sure you got some very comfy shoes.
- duotrouble
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I can't add to the Kyoto list cause what I'd recommend has already been mentioned. BUT . . . if you have some extra time, take a trip out to Kamakura from Toyko. I think it's a 45 minute ride if I remember correctly. Geez, I've only done it 4 times you'd think I'd remember.
It's NOT an express train. It's a local train. There's a beautiful temple there in Hasadera and the Big Buddha is in Kamakura. Both are well worth the trip.
I didn't experience the crowded trains like Kata did. We went at non-rush hour times though trying to avoid crowds. No sense vacationing fools get in a business man's way. However, when we took the subway, we were packed in like sardines so we only did that when we had to.
Have a blast!


I didn't experience the crowded trains like Kata did. We went at non-rush hour times though trying to avoid crowds. No sense vacationing fools get in a business man's way. However, when we took the subway, we were packed in like sardines so we only did that when we had to.
Have a blast!

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- Caroline
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thanks guys, and ryouko, id love to visit the osaka spa but my friend is a boy and the idea is to spend time together, haha. we already have plans to visit fuji tv, thanks for reminding me. we know a producer there who is giving us a tour. unfortunately, i only have one day in kyoto so i need a quick and dirty list, but the shrines and castles sound beautiful.
Well, conveniently enough I am working on a Kyoto agenda myself, as we are going next month. I have been to Kyoto several times before, and am building a best-of for my husband who has never been:
Kyoto recommendations:
As mentioned, Heian Jingu, kinkakuji.
Personally, I was only so so impressed with ginkakuji and will be giving it a miss.
Kiyimizu-dera. It is a very sprawling temple, different from the layout of any of the others mentioned here.
Fushimi Inari Taisha. Directions to the place will make it sound like it is far from Kyoto, but it is not. And very distinctive. You will likely recognize it, as it is very often photographed.
Arashiyama. Arashiyama feels much more small town than the rest of Kyoto and is a different experience. I enjoyed exploring by rental bike, available there. There is a boat ride you can take on a river through the mountains. Catch it from a few train stops past Arashiyama and arrive in the heart of town.
Pontocho is one of the most traditional looking streets in Kyoto. At the very least it is worth a stroll, and if you have friends who know Kyoto, they might be able to point you towards a dining establishment on it that will not break your wallet. (Many will, and not all are foreigner friendly.)
You will need to prioritize this list if you'll only be in Kyoto a day, based on what sounds most interesting to you. Get one of the 500 yen all-day bus passes for optimal spot-hopping. And you'll want to get an early start since most of the temples open 9 or earlier, but close by 5. Fushimi Inari Taisha is open until sunset, which makes it a nice place to thrown on when everything else has closed.
Other recommendations: If you will be in Shinjuku, don't miss the chance to stop at Cafe Christon. You haven't experienced the fun of Japanese theme dining if you don't eat at at least one of: Cafe Christon, the Vampire Cafe, or the Lockup.
Cafe Christon also has a Shibuya branch, and Shibuya is something not to miss. You'll probably recognize the famous crosswalk. Exit at the Hachiko exit, cross the crosswalk towards the left, and get hit by a wave of nightlife. Mandarake has a large shop in the area, open til 8 last I know. The Lockup's Tokyo branch is also in this area. (It also has one in Kyoto.)
The same company that does.. one of these theme establishments, don't remember which, also has a fairy tale themed one. I wasn't that impressed when I went, but if Snow White is more your style, I can try to link it for you. It's in Ginza.
If you're an X/1999 fan, Shinjuku is also home to the government buildings which got frequent exterior shots in the OAV.
If you are big on Boy's Love product/ doujinshi, a row of shops catering to female anime fans has grown up in Ikebukuro. If you're interested I can give you better directions.
Once upon a time I would have recommended Nakano Mall for cel shopping, but a lot of it has dried up. (To the point I won't be going on my trip.) Last I knew Anime World Star and Mandarake still had floor space there.
All of these sights are findable in lonely planet, and most of them should be pretty easy to find by google as well.
Kyoto recommendations:
As mentioned, Heian Jingu, kinkakuji.
Personally, I was only so so impressed with ginkakuji and will be giving it a miss.
Kiyimizu-dera. It is a very sprawling temple, different from the layout of any of the others mentioned here.
Fushimi Inari Taisha. Directions to the place will make it sound like it is far from Kyoto, but it is not. And very distinctive. You will likely recognize it, as it is very often photographed.
Arashiyama. Arashiyama feels much more small town than the rest of Kyoto and is a different experience. I enjoyed exploring by rental bike, available there. There is a boat ride you can take on a river through the mountains. Catch it from a few train stops past Arashiyama and arrive in the heart of town.
Pontocho is one of the most traditional looking streets in Kyoto. At the very least it is worth a stroll, and if you have friends who know Kyoto, they might be able to point you towards a dining establishment on it that will not break your wallet. (Many will, and not all are foreigner friendly.)
You will need to prioritize this list if you'll only be in Kyoto a day, based on what sounds most interesting to you. Get one of the 500 yen all-day bus passes for optimal spot-hopping. And you'll want to get an early start since most of the temples open 9 or earlier, but close by 5. Fushimi Inari Taisha is open until sunset, which makes it a nice place to thrown on when everything else has closed.
Other recommendations: If you will be in Shinjuku, don't miss the chance to stop at Cafe Christon. You haven't experienced the fun of Japanese theme dining if you don't eat at at least one of: Cafe Christon, the Vampire Cafe, or the Lockup.
Cafe Christon also has a Shibuya branch, and Shibuya is something not to miss. You'll probably recognize the famous crosswalk. Exit at the Hachiko exit, cross the crosswalk towards the left, and get hit by a wave of nightlife. Mandarake has a large shop in the area, open til 8 last I know. The Lockup's Tokyo branch is also in this area. (It also has one in Kyoto.)
The same company that does.. one of these theme establishments, don't remember which, also has a fairy tale themed one. I wasn't that impressed when I went, but if Snow White is more your style, I can try to link it for you. It's in Ginza.
If you're an X/1999 fan, Shinjuku is also home to the government buildings which got frequent exterior shots in the OAV.
If you are big on Boy's Love product/ doujinshi, a row of shops catering to female anime fans has grown up in Ikebukuro. If you're interested I can give you better directions.
Once upon a time I would have recommended Nakano Mall for cel shopping, but a lot of it has dried up. (To the point I won't be going on my trip.) Last I knew Anime World Star and Mandarake still had floor space there.
All of these sights are findable in lonely planet, and most of them should be pretty easy to find by google as well.
- cutiebunny
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I totally recommend Kinkaku-ji. It was absolutely gorgeous in when I went in October, and the changing leaves really heightened its appeal.
Himeji Castle is also very nice as well.
I spent more time in Osaka than I did in Kyoto(it's about a 20 minute train ride on the Hikari train). I was getting a little shrined-castled out towards the end of the tour and enjoyed Osaka quite a bit. There's a shopping arcade right by the train station in Osaka that had lots of places featuring UFO machines. If you're skilled with the crane, I recommend going there. The UFO machines are quite a bit different in Japan and require a bit more skill, but they're fun and I walked away with quite a few toys. I also recommend the Pokemon Center store, especially if you're a fan of the franchise. In addition to the plethora of Pokemon cards and plushies(many of which are Pokecenter exclusives), there's adult sized shirts, Pokemon hats and ramen. And, if for nothing else, stop by Mandarake Osaka. The cel selection isn't very good as the store specializes in cosplay and anime cards/figurines/toys, but I purchased a few items there.
In Tokyo, I recommend Meiji Shrine in Harajuku, the Tokyo City View Tower(you can see Mt. Fuji on a clear day) and Kaminarimon in Asakusa. If you get the chance, the Toei Animation Studio is worth the trip on the Oozumi-Gakuten line, but, I would suggest taking a taxi unless it's a nice day and you enjoy walking. I also second going to the Nakano Shopping Arcade. In addition to the several UFO machines, the Mandarake there has the best selection of artwork you'll find in all the Mandarakes in Japan. As long as you're willing to purchase artwork from series that may not care much about, there's some really nice finds in the dollar bins. Also, there's a clothing "dollar" store where you can find some great Engrish-type shirts for about 500 yen.
I also recommend going to Koya-san if you can spare the time....
Oh! Make sure that you purchase your Japan Rail Pass before you arrive in Japan. If you want to travel throughout Japan, you're looking at a $400 Rail Pass per person for 2 weeks. However, it allows you to ride for free(as long as you have your passport) every train(except Nozomi) in the Japan Railways system. You can only buy the pass outside of Japan, so, make sure you do so promptly.
Himeji Castle is also very nice as well.
I spent more time in Osaka than I did in Kyoto(it's about a 20 minute train ride on the Hikari train). I was getting a little shrined-castled out towards the end of the tour and enjoyed Osaka quite a bit. There's a shopping arcade right by the train station in Osaka that had lots of places featuring UFO machines. If you're skilled with the crane, I recommend going there. The UFO machines are quite a bit different in Japan and require a bit more skill, but they're fun and I walked away with quite a few toys. I also recommend the Pokemon Center store, especially if you're a fan of the franchise. In addition to the plethora of Pokemon cards and plushies(many of which are Pokecenter exclusives), there's adult sized shirts, Pokemon hats and ramen. And, if for nothing else, stop by Mandarake Osaka. The cel selection isn't very good as the store specializes in cosplay and anime cards/figurines/toys, but I purchased a few items there.
In Tokyo, I recommend Meiji Shrine in Harajuku, the Tokyo City View Tower(you can see Mt. Fuji on a clear day) and Kaminarimon in Asakusa. If you get the chance, the Toei Animation Studio is worth the trip on the Oozumi-Gakuten line, but, I would suggest taking a taxi unless it's a nice day and you enjoy walking. I also second going to the Nakano Shopping Arcade. In addition to the several UFO machines, the Mandarake there has the best selection of artwork you'll find in all the Mandarakes in Japan. As long as you're willing to purchase artwork from series that may not care much about, there's some really nice finds in the dollar bins. Also, there's a clothing "dollar" store where you can find some great Engrish-type shirts for about 500 yen.
I also recommend going to Koya-san if you can spare the time....
Oh! Make sure that you purchase your Japan Rail Pass before you arrive in Japan. If you want to travel throughout Japan, you're looking at a $400 Rail Pass per person for 2 weeks. However, it allows you to ride for free(as long as you have your passport) every train(except Nozomi) in the Japan Railways system. You can only buy the pass outside of Japan, so, make sure you do so promptly.
- dude_moose
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I'm glad that you get to come to Kyoto, even if it's just for one day! I'm studying abroad here now, and I really love it 
This site lists information on all the main attractions in Kyoto.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2158.html
This is a map of most of Kyoto's public transportation, mainly the buses. You can get physical versions of these maps, but I'm not quite sure where :-/ Maybe at Kyoto Station, if you look around or there is an information booth...
http://www.city.kyoto.lg.jp/kotsu/cmsfi ... 200801.pdf
Echoing what others have said, if you only have one day, I'd try and check out:
Kiyomizu-dera.
If you also want to walk through Gion too, then you can actually walk from Kiyomizu-dera through the narrow streets of Higashiyama to Yasaka-jinja and the nearby park. The gate of Yasaka-jinja is on Shijo-dori, and from there you can walk through the touristy part of Gion, and past the famous Minamiza theater to Kyoto's downtown shopping district.
Sanjusangendo is really cool too. It has 1000 Kannon statues in it, as well as a number of other really cool ones of other Buddhist and other dieties.
Some other places that were already mentioned:
I haven't been to Kinkakuji yet, but it is one of Kyoto's most famous sights. Arashiyama is also really beautiful, and the monkey park is a fun place to spend and hour or two. Nijo Castle is also pretty neat.
Fushimi Inari is really cool, and might be a good late-day place to go as it is open pretty late. I remember the trails (it goes up a mountain) being lit, so it's do-able around sunset and after dark (though I wouldn't go TOO late...).
One temple that I really enjoyed going to was Eikando (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eikan-d%C5%8D_Zenrin-ji), because parts of the temple have been restored (which is fairly rare in Japan), and offers a good contrast between what the interiors look like untouched and what they looked like originally.
It's hard to say what you should do in just a day here, because there is just so much to see! Pick out a few things and try your best to see as much as you can

The main temple at Ginkakuji is actually under renovation right now, and I don't think you can see it it very well or go in it... I hear the gardens are still open though.Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
This site lists information on all the main attractions in Kyoto.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2158.html
This is a map of most of Kyoto's public transportation, mainly the buses. You can get physical versions of these maps, but I'm not quite sure where :-/ Maybe at Kyoto Station, if you look around or there is an information booth...
http://www.city.kyoto.lg.jp/kotsu/cmsfi ... 200801.pdf
Echoing what others have said, if you only have one day, I'd try and check out:
Kiyomizu-dera.
If you also want to walk through Gion too, then you can actually walk from Kiyomizu-dera through the narrow streets of Higashiyama to Yasaka-jinja and the nearby park. The gate of Yasaka-jinja is on Shijo-dori, and from there you can walk through the touristy part of Gion, and past the famous Minamiza theater to Kyoto's downtown shopping district.
Sanjusangendo is really cool too. It has 1000 Kannon statues in it, as well as a number of other really cool ones of other Buddhist and other dieties.
Some other places that were already mentioned:
I haven't been to Kinkakuji yet, but it is one of Kyoto's most famous sights. Arashiyama is also really beautiful, and the monkey park is a fun place to spend and hour or two. Nijo Castle is also pretty neat.
Fushimi Inari is really cool, and might be a good late-day place to go as it is open pretty late. I remember the trails (it goes up a mountain) being lit, so it's do-able around sunset and after dark (though I wouldn't go TOO late...).
One temple that I really enjoyed going to was Eikando (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eikan-d%C5%8D_Zenrin-ji), because parts of the temple have been restored (which is fairly rare in Japan), and offers a good contrast between what the interiors look like untouched and what they looked like originally.
It's hard to say what you should do in just a day here, because there is just so much to see! Pick out a few things and try your best to see as much as you can

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cutiebunny: I love, loooved all the arcades in Japan! I came home with so many toys. XD Inside one of the arcades in Osaka, I was trying to win a little bunny plush that said "Love" on it. The toy was towards the back, and I didn't win it the first few tries. One of the workers there saw me playing, and came over, OPENED the machine, picked up the toy I was trying for and put it RIGHT on the edge of the opening. XD lol. I won it on the next try!
The generosity of all the locals we met and my native friends over there was overwhelming. During our entire 10 day trip, we never encountered one rude person. It was amazing.
One small warning if you have not been to a Japanese arcade before, do not take any pictures. n.n Taking photos in an arcade is a no-no.
The generosity of all the locals we met and my native friends over there was overwhelming. During our entire 10 day trip, we never encountered one rude person. It was amazing.
One small warning if you have not been to a Japanese arcade before, do not take any pictures. n.n Taking photos in an arcade is a no-no.

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- cutiebunny
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I had the same thing happen in Osaka as well(I probably went to the same place as you did). I was after the "Angelic" version of the One Piece Chopper toy, and they moved it up for me. Once I won the item, they put the counterpart, the "Demonic" version of Chopper there, but, I was getting low of coins at the time. They also took the time to explain how to use the cranes as well.Ryouko wrote:cutiebunny: I love, loooved all the arcades in Japan! I came home with so many toys. XD Inside one of the arcades in Osaka, I was trying to win a little bunny plush that said "Love" on it. The toy was towards the back, and I didn't win it the first few tries. One of the workers there saw me playing, and came over, OPENED the machine, picked up the toy I was trying for and put it RIGHT on the edge of the opening. XD lol. I won it on the next try!
My experience was that it was a lot easier to win items out of the UFO machines in Osaka than it was to win them in Tokyo. In Osaka, they glue little toys in the slot where the toy is supposed to fall, so if you get a toy onto them, you just use the crane to punch the toy through the slot. In Tokyo, there's a slight incline prior to the slot, so if your toy has wheels or is slippery, you'll have a hard time of getting it to the slot. If you head to Nakano, there's a UFO place inside the shopping arcade that, IMO, was the best place to win toys in Nakano. I checked around and the store wasn't trying to cheat you out of winning, so there weren't any special tricks in place on the machines. The UFO stores that have windows facing the street are the ones to stay away from since they make it extra hard for you to walk away with anything.
- Cordelia
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Must-see places in Kyoto if you have limited time:
- Kiyomizu-dera (many temples in Kyoto, but this is the temple to go to if u haf only time for one)
- Nijyou castle (Tokugawa Ieyasu's palace, nice paintings and garden)
- Kinkajuji (Golden Pavillon)
- Gion, Pontocho (go in evening and nite for the pretty lights)
I can't recall much abt the Silver Pavillon, i find it pretty much like the Golden Pavillon except for the colour. It really depends on your interest, for me, after a while, many of the temples start to look alike. I would skip Ryoanji as it is one place that looks more impressive in photos than reality.
Great place to walk, the traditional streets that lead to the attractions are an attraction in itself. Bring walking shoes and camera!
Things in Kyoto seem slightly more expensive. Unless you are into traditional items, save the bulk of your money for anime shopping in Tokyo
Tokyo recommendations:
- Harajuku, Meiji Shrine (go on a Sunday for ppl watching and a high chance of seeing traditional weddings)
- Akihabara, can spends days here anime/manga shopping. Note that different branches of the same shop specialise in different things so you may need to hit them all! Mandarake here specialises in doujinshis. And prices for the same thing vary in different shops even if they are close to one another.
- Ikebukuro - Animate & K-books, I rem seeing quite a lot of yaoi things here.
- Nakano - cels, figurines etc. Mandarake here is huge
They have great museums there too if you are interested in art. Check out the sprawling departmental stores if you like to shop. Basically there's much to do in Tokyo, it really depends on your interests. Have fun!
- Kiyomizu-dera (many temples in Kyoto, but this is the temple to go to if u haf only time for one)
- Nijyou castle (Tokugawa Ieyasu's palace, nice paintings and garden)
- Kinkajuji (Golden Pavillon)
- Gion, Pontocho (go in evening and nite for the pretty lights)
I can't recall much abt the Silver Pavillon, i find it pretty much like the Golden Pavillon except for the colour. It really depends on your interest, for me, after a while, many of the temples start to look alike. I would skip Ryoanji as it is one place that looks more impressive in photos than reality.
Great place to walk, the traditional streets that lead to the attractions are an attraction in itself. Bring walking shoes and camera!
Things in Kyoto seem slightly more expensive. Unless you are into traditional items, save the bulk of your money for anime shopping in Tokyo

Tokyo recommendations:
- Harajuku, Meiji Shrine (go on a Sunday for ppl watching and a high chance of seeing traditional weddings)
- Akihabara, can spends days here anime/manga shopping. Note that different branches of the same shop specialise in different things so you may need to hit them all! Mandarake here specialises in doujinshis. And prices for the same thing vary in different shops even if they are close to one another.
- Ikebukuro - Animate & K-books, I rem seeing quite a lot of yaoi things here.
- Nakano - cels, figurines etc. Mandarake here is huge

They have great museums there too if you are interested in art. Check out the sprawling departmental stores if you like to shop. Basically there's much to do in Tokyo, it really depends on your interests. Have fun!