The timeless city of Kyoto, Japan is a captivating destination that seamlessly blends Japanese history and culture with the modern new age. Nestled within the picturesque landscapes of the Kansai region, Kyoto has a rich cultural heritage and enchanting allure that has enticed travelers for centuries. Traditional streets and shops, beautiful temples, and stunning nature make Kyoto a must-visit destination for anyone visiting Japan.
In fact, Kyoto is the 3rd most popular city for visitors in Japan, behind only Tokyo and Osaka. I loved Kyoto’s historical charm and can’t recommend this city enough. I’m beyond excited to share with you some of the best things to do in Kyoto! Let’s dive straight into my Kyoto travel guide.
Best time of year to visit Kyoto
When is the best time of year to travel to Kyoto? Thankfully, Kyoto is beautiful at every time of year. The weather tends to be mild and temperate, with comfortable and moderate temperatures year-round. Naturally, Kyoto is one of the most famous places in the world to visit during spring, when cherry blossom season rolls around and the countryside blooms in hundreds of shades of pale pink.
Kyoto is equally beautiful in the fall, when the trees turn vibrant shades of orange, red, and yellow wherever you turn. In the winter, crowds will be much lower and the streets and temples might have a light dusting of snow on top. And summer is festival season in Japan, where you can participate in local festivals or matsuri in a traditional fashion that you can’t experience at any other time of year!
How long to stay in Kyoto
Most people include Kyoto on a classic 2-week Japan itinerary that encompasses Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and possibly Mt. Fuji. I’ve seen several guides saying that 3 days in Kyoto is enough to see the highlights, but I don’t buy this at all. We spent a week in Kyoto in the spring and it wasn’t even close to enough time to explore everywhere that I wanted to go.
Since you likely don’t have unlimited time to spend exploring Kyoto, I urge you to spend at least 5 days in Kyoto if at all possible, and preferably a week. Especially if you’re coming during high season (spring or fall), you’ll want to allocate some extra time to see the seasonal sights and battle the massive crowds.
Where to stay in Kyoto
Kyoto is a popular destination with levels of accommodation for everyone. Whether it’s bare-bones guesthouses or high-end luxury hotels, there’s a place for you. Here are a few of my suggestions:
Budget Hotels
- Iwatoyama Hostel: Located on the west side of the Kamo River, this hostel is a perfect place to access Kyoto’s tourist sights. The area feels more local and less expensive than on the east side of the Kamo River, where Gion and the touristy districts command the prices. We stayed here and the rooms are small but incredibly clean and neat!
- Piece Hostel Kyoto: A stylish and affordable hostel located in the heart of Kyoto. With its modern design and comfortable amenities, it offers dormitory-style rooms and private rooms, along with a communal lounge and kitchen for guests to relax and socialize.
Mid-Range Hotels
- Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo: A modern and stylish hotel offering comfortable rooms and excellent amenities. It is centrally located near shopping districts and public transportation, making it ideal for exploring the city.
- Ryokan Sawaya Honten: Experience Japanese hospitality at this charming mid-range ryokan. Enjoy traditional tatami rooms, soothing communal baths, and delicious local cuisine.
Luxury Hotels
- The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto: Indulge in luxury at this elegant hotel offering impeccable service, spacious rooms, and breathtaking views of the city. It boasts refined dining options, a tranquil spa, and a prime location near Kyoto’s historic landmarks.
- Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto: Situated in the tranquil Arashiyama district, this luxurious hotel offers a serene escape with stunning views of the surrounding natural beauty. With its elegant rooms, impeccable service, and refined dining options, Suiran offers a perfect blend of traditional Japanese hospitality and modern comfort.
Make sure to book your accommodation in advance if possible, especially if traveling in high season (spring/fall).
What to do in Kyoto
This is what you’re here to see: what to do in Kyoto. Even after returning from Japan and seeing so many gorgeous places, I’m still enamored with the unique cultural charm of Kyoto and can’t wait to share it with you. From temples to shrines to activities and restaurants, I’ve picked out the best things that you must do on a trip to Kyoto.
Other articles you might find helpful for your Kyoto trip:
- Top Cherry Blossom Spots in Kyoto
- How to Rent a Kimono in Japan
- Which Cities Should You Visit in Japan?
- Nara Deer Park Day Trip Guide
- Onsen, Ryokan, Kaiseki: A Guide to Traditional Japanese Living
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Kiyomizu, meaning “clear water,” is the most famous temple in Kyoto. Kiyomizu-dera is located at the top of one of the highest hills in the area, overlooking the historical district of Gion and the streets below. To get here, you’ll have to walk up a hilly path lined on both sides with traditional shops selling goods, seasonal foods, and traditional snacks.
The temple itself is always very popular and crowded, but it’s large enough that capacity isn’t much of a problem. It costs a small fee of around 500¥ to get in, and from there you basically have unlimited access to the expansive temple grounds. If you don’t mind the crowds, I recommend coming at sunset! The view from Kiyomizu Temple is perfect for watching the sun go down.
If you’re lucky enough to be here in the spring, Kiyomizu-dera also boasts some amazing cherry trees. There are plenty in both the yoshino and weeping cherry variety!
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of the most famous spots in all of Kyoto. You’ve definitely seen this place before in countless photos and promotional content—the endless rows of vermilion torii gates that seem to curve on forever. It really does look like this in real life! There are hundreds upon hundreds of torii gates in Fushimi Inari Taisha leading up to the fox shrine at the very top.
The densely packed gates that everyone takes a photo of are near the beginning of the shrine path and are called the “senbon torii,” or “thousand gates.” The shrine itself is actually massive—the path is all stairs and 4 kilometers long, so if you want an empty photo, just keep climbing. However, the famous stretch at the beginning is the most closely placed, so close together that it’s difficult for even the sunlight to get through.
If you’re dead set on getting a photo in the senbon torii without others around, be prepared to show up at 7 AM or even earlier. However, there is an extra trick you can use: there are actually 2 senbon torii paths, one for going up and one for going down. You can quickly step into the left-hand side to take a photo because pretty much no one will be coming down that path early in the morning.
I highly suggest making the entire hike to the top of Fushimi Inari Taisha if possible, because the views from the top are rewarding and gorgeous. It’s a decently long hike and definitely worth the time investment!
Shirakawa-dori, Gion
Gion, the traditional historical district of Kyoto, is one of the most popular neighborhoods to visit for tourists. Wandering the paths here, you’ll feel as if you stepped back in time.
Hokan-ji Temple, also known as Yasaka Pagoda, is the most famous landmark in Kyoto located on the most famous street in Kyoto. It gets insanely crowded here during the day, but the beautiful pagoda rising in the background, the traditional-style wooden shops, and the weeping cherry tree arching delicately over the street in the spring make this an iconic spot.
Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka are also popular streets located in Gion, just a minute or two’s walk away from Hokan-ji Temple. Ninenzaka is the more popular of the two due to its elegant collection of traditional shops and paper umbrellas dotting both sides.
Yasaka Koshin-do
On a side street near Hokanji Temple you’ll find Yasaka Koshin-do, a unique and unusual little temple that’s as charming as it is colorful. The tiny temple is covered in strings of brightly colored rainbow cloth balls. These are kukurizaru and they represent monkeys. You can see the monkeys in question at the back of the shrine, three of them representing the classic trio of “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.”
It costs 500¥ to buy your own kukurizaru and you can write a wish on it before tying it to one of the many strings around the temple.
Kichi Kichi Omurice
Kichi Kichi has become the most famous restaurant in all of Kyoto. The shop is well-known for its delicious fluffy omurice with demi glacé sauce, but the real star is the owner, who is so friendly, cheerful, and enthusiastic that he has charmed the hearts of thousands of fans. The shop has been featured in countless viral food videos and Youtube channels, including Buzzfeed’s “Worth It.”
Because Kichi Kichi is so popular, you definitely need a reservation beforehand. The best way to get one is to make a reservation through the official Kichi Kichi website, where reservations open 4 weeks in advance and sell out same-day. Be prepared with your mouse at the ready if you’re trying to snatch this covered reservation, and I’m wishing you better luck than we did!
Chase Cherry Blossoms in the Spring
Kyoto is one of the most brilliant locations for viewing beautiful cherry blossom scenes in spring. The ancient shrines, temples, and rivers of this prefecture provide scenic backdrops to your cherry blossom experience. Locals come from all over Japan to see Kyoto’s stunning sakura trees, and it’s a top bucket list item for travelers from all over the world.
During the Heian period, court royalty gathered under the flowering trees for picnics called hanami, a tradition that has carried on to the modern era. In the spring, you’ll find everyone from children to the elderly walking outside and enjoying the delicate blossoms. The most famous variety is the somei yoshino, a 5-petaled white-pink bloom that is the classic image that springs to mind when “cherry blossom” is mentioned.
I’ll be the first to admit that you don’t need a guide to see gorgeous cherry blossoms while in the Kansai region—in fact, they are everywhere in the spring! However, if you would like to narrow your choices down a bit, I’ve written a thorough guide to the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Kyoto.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Just outside of Kyoto, a hidden gem awaits: the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Step into this magical realm where time stands still, and nature’s beauty unfolds. The bamboo grove is a sanctuary of serenity, beckoning you to embrace the ethereal beauty around you.
This stunning bamboo forest in Arashiyama, Japan has become one of the most famous sights in the world. You’ve probably seen it all across social media and advertisements. Even the official Japan tourism bureau displays photos and videos of it at the airport! It’s just as beautiful as in the photos, but it’s gotten so popular that visiting isn’t as simple as it used to be. I’ve put together a list of the best tips for viewing the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest here.
Otagi Nenbutsu-ji
While you’re in Arashiyama visiting the famous bamboo grove, make sure you set aside a bit of time to visit the cutest temple in Kyoto. Otagi Nenbutsu-ji is a little temple with hundreds of rakan statues, cute little moss-covered stone heads that represent Buddhist monks. Each statue is unique and represents a real monk who lived in history! I liked looking through all the different statues and finding ones that were extra funny or cheeky. It seems they had a great sense of humor.
Entrance to the temple costs 300 yen per person and you can easily take a 20-minute bus ride to and from here from the bamboo forest. However, the bus only comes by every hour, so make sure you check the bus schedule in advance.
Rent a Kimono
Rooted in centuries of tradition and steeped in history, the kimono holds a deep significance in Japanese society. In ancient times, the kimono was daily wear for Japanese people, but it practically disappeared from daily life before World War II. These days, there is a resurgence in national and cultural pride and tradition, and many Japanese people and foreigners are interested in donning this beautiful garment. With its flowing lines, vibrant patterns, and intricate craftsmanship, the kimono is a symbol of Japan’s artistic heritage and sartorial grace.
Kyoto is an especially popular place to wear a kimono because of the beautiful traditional architecture and historical vibes. While you probably don’t have a kimono lying around your house or enough budget to buy a personalized one from a traditional shop, renting a kimono in modern-day Japan is both easy and popular. If you’re interested in participating in a piece of Japanese historical culture (which I highly recommend!), make sure to check out my guide to renting a kimono in Japan here.
Nishiki Market
In the midst of all of Kyoto’s historical sites, don’t forget to carve out some time to immerse yourself in the vibrant Nishiki Market. This food market is always bustling, affectionately known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” and is an absolute must-visit. A quick meander through the lively corridors will introduce you to all kinds of scents, flavors, and colors. You can try lots of interesting snacks here that you wouldn’t find in most places in Japan, try the fresh local produce, delectable seafood, grilled skewers, and popular matcha desserts.
This market is always full of energy and people perusing the different shops, so feel free to get lost among the stalls and really dig into Kyoto’s culinary heritage.
Day Trip to Nara Deer Park
Nara is a small town located halfway between Kyoto and Osaka in the Kansai region. You can visit on a half-day trip from either Kyoto or Osaka and have plenty of time to see the highlight here: Nara’s famous bowing deer! At Nara Deer Park, hundreds of free-roaming small deer wander the grass, sleep under the trees, and curiously follow the tourists. You can buy packets of deer crackers for 200 yen and the deer love them, but make sure to not feed them any other kind of food.
If you’re interested in feeding the deer at Nara Deer Park, I’ve written a whole guide on this unmissable activity here! The deer are so cute and friendly and this is definitely one of the most unique experiences you can do in Japan for almost free.
Also interested in going to Osaka, the modern and industrial counterpart to Kyoto? The Kansai region of Japan is so full of things to do. Check out my Osaka Travel Guide here!
Kinkaku-ji Temple
Kinkaku-ji Temple is the most iconic landmark in Kyoto. This Buddhist temple pavilion, built all the way back in 1397, is completely covered in shimmery gold. Surrounded by an elegant pond with trees, the temple on a still day is reflected perfectly in the water with a massive golden glow.
The temple costs 400 yen to enter and there is a lot more to see than just the famous golden pavilion. Walking around the pond, you’ll see shrine stores selling goods and charms. You can also find statues set up around the grounds with bowls and scattered coins. People will try and throw a small coin, usually 10 yen, into the bowls.
Jonan-gu Shrine
If you’re looking for a less popular shrine that’s equally beautiful, check out the hidden gem in southern Kyoto that is Jonan-gu Shrine. This shrine is a little further than Fushimi Inari Taisha, but just the small amount of extra distance makes such a massive difference. When I visited Jonan-gu Shrine, I think I saw maybe 2 other visitors maximum and they were a pair of local visitors together.
It costs 600 yen to visit the inner garden, which makes Jonan-gu one of the most expensive shrines to visit in Kyoto. However, if you can come in the early spring, this spot will be so worth it. Jonan-gu is famous for its vibrant magenta plum blossoms that bloom in late February. The inner garden is full of trees with gnarly roots and a floor covered in soft moss that gives it incredible Studio Ghibli vibes. The most magical part is the bright red camellias that fall gently onto the moss under the trees, which look so picturesque it’s almost as if they’ve been placed by hand.
I can’t recommend this shrine enough—it’s peaceful, tucked away, intensely local, and so different from any other shrine you can visit in Kyoto. Get lost in the tiny but magical forest and come out a changed person.
Kyoto stands as a mesmerizing destination that captures the essence of Japan’s rich history and cultural heritage. With its enchanting temples, tranquil gardens, and vibrant city streets, there is no shortage of captivating experiences to be had. I can’t explain how magical this city feels and I encourage you to spend time slowly exploring the streets beyond what I have suggested. Discover the beauty and tradition that awaits you in Japan’s most significant historical city!
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