It's not unusual for people to ask you when you return from a trip to Japan: are you more of a Tokyo or Kyoto person? We personally prefer Tokyo , the capital of Japan seems to us to be a much more complete destination than its western neighbor, Kyoto. Which doesn't mean that we haven't enjoyed ourselves in the most traditional city in Japan. Kyoto's charms are almost innumerable, but to start here we bring you the best 20 things to see and do in Kyoto .
20 things to see in Kyoto
Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, is a city rich in culture, temples and history. You won't get bored here as the places to visit are almost endless… from Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines to BBB restaurants, picturesque streets, markets and neighbourhoods stuck in time.
Are you ready to discover everything to see and do in Kyoto?
1. Fushimi Inari
Wake up early and head to Fushimi Inari Shrine , possibly the most impressive place in Kyoto. It is one of the most important Shinto shrines in Japan, founded in 711 AD. It is dedicated to Inari, the deity of rice, and is located at the base of a mountain on the outskirts of Kyoto.
This is a sacred mountain where paths made of thousands of red torii wind through . Torii are wooden gates that mark the entrance to a sacred place. In the case of Fushimi Inari, the torii are bright red and made of cypress wood and were donated by the faithful over the centuries. It is a very popular place among tourists, and it is easy to understand why: the scenery is spectacular, and the feeling of walking among thousands of red gates is unforgettable. In short, it is an essential stop to make in Kyoto.
It is such a peculiar place that it has been the setting for several films, including Memoirs of a Geisha .
The sanctuary is open 24 hours a day, but it is advisable to visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
2. Kamo River
Stroll along the banks of the Kamo River , north of Giona, another of Kyoto's attractions. The best time to visit is at sunset and, if you're there in summer, enjoy a dinner on the terraces that restaurants set up at this time of year.
3. Nishiki Market
Wander around the stalls of Nishiki Market and sample the specialties… although we did find some of them a bit too exotic for our palates. This market is an ideal place to get to know the local cuisine and experience the lively and bustling atmosphere of traditional Japan.
This central area, along with Kawaramachi Avenue, is one of the best areas to look for accommodation. Here we tell you which are the best areas to stay in Kyoto .
4. Stay in a traditional ryokan
There's no better place than Kyoto to experience this type of accommodation. And if sleeping on a futon scares you, don't worry: it's much more comfortable than it looks. Check out these options .
5. Cooking class in Kyoto
Sign up for a cooking class . We did and had a blast. As well as learning how to prepare and taste a few Japanese dishes, it's a great way to get introduced to many important aspects of Japanese culture. They're not too expensive either - here 's one example.
6. Rent a kimono
If you really want to take home a unique souvenir, rent a traditional kimono and feel like a real Japanese. You won't have many more opportunities to dress like this! You can book your experience here .
7. Pontocho Street
Stroll down Pontocho Street at night , one of the most authentic streets in the city. To complete your visit, stop for a drink or dinner at one of its restaurants. Although they are not cheap, we are sure you will love it. Go at night, it has a special vibe! It is one of the best things to see in Kyoto!
Remember to get the Revolut card ( with a €10 promo ) to avoid commissions when paying and withdrawing money abroad
8. Gion district, one of the best things to see in Kyoto
This street is located in the Gion district , the most beautiful and traditional in Kyoto, where you might come across a geisha or a maiko . If you don't have any luck there, try the Miyagawacho district , which is less known but just as cool. Do you want to become a maiko for a day? You can do it 🙂 more info here .
However, we believe that the best plan is to sign up for this free tour of Gion in Spanish , where you will learn a lot about this traditional corner of the city.
9. Temple of the Golden Pavilion
Kyoto is full of spectacular temples, one of them being Kinkakuji , the Temple of the Golden Pavilion . The name gives us a clue as to what we will find there, the beautiful building is covered in gold leaf, on the banks of a lake and in a very relaxing natural setting.
Kinkakuji is one of the most iconic places to see in Kyoto. Located in the Kitayama district, in the north of the city, it is a Zen temple dedicated to the Buddhist deity Fudo Myo-o.
10. Kiyomizudera Temple
And of course, Kiyomizudera Temple is another must-see. The most striking feature of this temple is its enormous structure of wooden pillars, which rises 13 metres above maple and cherry trees. Go to the Otowa waterfall and drink its water, it is said to have therapeutic properties and if you take 3 sips you will have a long life, luck in your professional life and in love. Note: the temple is being restored so before going to Kyoto find out about the state of the works, the entrance costs 400¥.
11. Tetsugaku no michi, the Path of Philosophy
Walk the Tetsugaku no michi, the Philosopher's Path . We don't know if you'll be wiser after 2.5 km, but at least you'll have enjoyed a peaceful and relaxing walk. If you happen to be there during hanami, it's a must-see!
Take out IATI travel insurance with a 5% discount here . Whatever your destination
12. Nishi Honganji and Higashi Honganji
Visit the central temples of Nishi Honganji and Higashi Honganji , with enormous wooden structures that house the headquarters of a very important Buddhist school.
13. Kyoto Train Station
This tip may sound strange to you, but trust us: go to Kyoto train station and go up to the terrace… you’ll have a great view of the city (and the nearby Kyoto Tower).
14. Temple of the Silver Pavilion
We talked about the Temple of the Golden Pavilion earlier, and now we recommend the Ginkaku-ji or Temple of the Silver Pavilion. Although it is not made of silver, it is made of wood, but it doesn't matter: it is very beautiful and its gardens even more so. The entrance costs 500¥.
15. Arashiyama
Have you ever been surrounded by bamboo, like a panda? You can do it in Kyoto, in the Arashiyama bamboo forest . Although it seems like an alternative and original plan, the other travelers think the same, so you won't be alone. And perhaps the walk in the shade of these long wooden stems is not as relaxing as it seems. Even so, we think it's worth going, but we advise you not to have too high expectations.
16. Ryoan-ji
If you're looking for a haven of peace and quiet, head to Ryoan-ji , a Zen temple with a major attraction: a huge Zen garden (karesansui). The temple was built in the 14th century and is a Zen temple of the Myōshin-ji school. The Zen garden was created in the 15th century and is made up of 15 rocks placed on a bed of white gravel. It's certainly a curious stop to see and do in Kyoto.
17. Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka Streets
Explore two of the most beautiful streets for sightseeing in Kyoto: Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka , which are located in the Higashiyama district. This is one of the best preserved areas in the entire city and an interesting thing to do in Kyoto.
18. Eating, something you will enjoy doing in Kyoto
Enjoy Japanese cuisine : Kyoto is one of the country's culinary capitals and in this post we tell you where to eat well and cheaply in Kyoto . By the way, it's also a great place to experience the tea ceremony 🙂
One of our favorite places is Chao Chao Sanjo Kiyamachi, where you can eat delicious gyozas (and at a very good price).
19. Excursion to Nara
Take a trip to Nara , an incredible city that was the capital of Japan and where you can admire incredible temples. Just be careful not to let a deer eat your map! Here we tell you everything to see and do in Nara . If you prefer to take a tour, take a look at this excursion to Nara from Kyoto .
20. Osaka Excursion
And don't forget to take a trip to Osaka . Many travellers are not very enthusiastic about this city, but trust us, Osaka is a different place and it tends to be addictive if you get the hang of it. It is also considered the mecca of street food and if you are a big eater like us, just to try street specialties will be worth the trip.
⭐ If you have some time left, check out the best day trips from Kyoto .
We hope you enjoyed our tour of this city with a thousand-year-old history and culture. That's it for our 20 things to see and do in Kyoto . Obviously we left out other places of interest in the city, but you can tell us about them when you get back!
