If Tokyo reflects perfectly the modern side of Japan, Kyoto is the perfect opposite and is considered the heart of traditional Japanese culture.
You’re planning to visit Kyoto and you look for things to do during your next trip? You’re at the right place. Let’s dive into the 14 best things to do in Kyoto :
- Fushimi-Inari Shrine
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- Gion The Geisha District
- Nijo Castle
- Kinkaku-ji Temple
- Ginkaku-ji Temple
- Philosopher’s Walk
- Kennin-ji Temple
- Ryoan-ji Temple
- Tea ceremony
- Nishiki Market
- Kyoto International Manga Museum
- Monkey Park in Iwatayama
Fushimi-Inari Shrine
Fushimi Inari Shrine is a Kyoto must see and one of the most visited places in Japan. It is famous for its thousands of bright orange torii gates along the hiking path through the forest into the mountains.
It is half hiking, half temple visiting.
You’ll pass many small shrines with stone fox statues and miniature toriis. The fox is considered the messenger of Inari, the Shinto God of rice and Fushimi Inari Shrine is dedicated to him.
The hike along the forest trails is pretty easy.
You have 2 options: complete the whole loop (approximately 5km and will take around 2h) or take the lower loop that leads to a nice city viewpoint.
I definitely recommend to take the complete loop if you have the time. As you go up the mountain and deeper in the forest, it feels very peaceful and way much quieter.
The place is very busy all year round but if you want to avoid the crowds, I recommend going there early in the morning or just before sunset.
The visit of Fushimi Inari Shrine is free.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is one of the most famous places to visit in Kyoto.
If you’re not afraid to get up early, I recommend to get there just before sunrise. Thus you’ll be able to avoid the tour buses.
Walking through the Arashiyama bamboo grove is quite magical. The shoots are reaching up to 12m high and sway gently in the wind creating an elegant and dreamy dance.
It is located in Western Kyoto. To get there, just take a train from Kyoto station to Arashiyama station.
From there it’s just a 10-minute walk to the entrance of the paths, all you need to do is follow the signs.
The visit of Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is free.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the best things to do in Kyoto.
It is famous for its main hall characterised by a large wooden terrace that gives a beautiful view of city of Kyoto. There is not a single piece of metal or nail that supports the structure.
“Kiyomizu” means “clear water”. The shrine is connected to the Otowa Waterfall located under the main veranda.
The waterfall is divided into three streams, and the locals believe drinking from them could give a person long life, success in their relationships and academics.
Kiyomizu temple has also an amazing night view and night illuminations during most of the year.
The entry to Kiyomizu-dera Temple costs 400 Yen.
Gion The Geisha District
Gion, known as the entertainment quarters in Kyoto, is the best place to see Geishas in Japan. It’s easy to spend hours exploring the area.
The district is home to many cultural attractions such as the Minamiza Theater, renowned for featuring kabuki shows.
People walk down Hanami-koji (Gion main street) to admire the well-preserved machiya houses (traditional wooden townhouses) serving both local and international cuisines.
The street also features gift shops, restaurants, Ochaya (tea houses), and places where Geishas and maikos (geisha protégés) perform.
Nijo Castle
Nijo Castle is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in 1603 at the start of the Edo Period.
It looks more like a temple than a typical japanese castle. This design is easily explained because it was built during a time of peace. There was no need for observation towers and huge keeps.
Fun fact: The floors were specially made to detect sneaky ninjas raiding the castle at night while everyone is spleeping. You’ll notice that the floors are squeaking everywhere, no matter how light you are.
The castle also hosts the Ninomaru Garden, a beautiful garden with a pond surrounded by pine trees around it.
The entry for Nijo Castle costs 600 Yen.
Kinkaku-ji Temple
The Kinkaku-ji Temple or Golden Pavilion, is by far the most famous temple in Japan and one of the most photographed sights in Kyoto.
It is located outside the city and you can’t actually enter the building, so there’s not much to do besides strolling around the garden.
Despite that, catching a sight of the gold-wrapped temple reflecting in the placid lake and surrounded by trees is still an surreal experience.
If you want to avoid the crowds, try to go early in the morning.
The entry for the Kinkaku-ji Temple costs 400 Yen.
Ginkaku-ji Temple
The Ginkaku-ji or Silver Pavilion, is the second most popular temple in Kyoto. Unlike the Kinkaku-ji, it’s not covered in silver leaves.
It offers a nice moss garden and a white sand zen garden. Take the path up to the hill to see the temple from above.
The entry for the Ginkaku-ji Temple costs 500 Yen.
Philosopher’s Walk
The Philosopher’s Walk is a pedestrian walkway following the Biwa Canal.
It is a 2km path named like this because the Japanese philosopher, Nishida Kitaro, used it for his daily mediation when he walked to Kyoto University in the early 20th century.
It connects two of the most famous temples in Kyoto, Nanzen-ji and Ginkaku-ji. Along the way you’ll find some smaller temples and shrines as well as some restaurants and cafes.
Kennin-ji Temple
The Kennin-ji Temple is another great temple to visit in Kyoto. It is located in Gion District. It was founded in 1202 and is therefore the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto.
The place host the main bulding and a large gravel garden which is one of the best I visited. But the best thing to see in this temple is its stunning ceiling painting of twin dragons, painted in 2002 to celebrate the temple’s 800th anniversary.
Like many other attractions in Kyoto, it’s best to visit it at opening to avoid the crowds.
The entry for the Kennin-ji Temple costs 500 Yen.
Ryoan-ji Temple
Ryoan-ji Temple or Temple of the Dragon at Peace is another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best things to do in Kyoto if you like Zen gardens.
The garden is composed by 15 rocks.
It is presumed that the circles on the sand represent waves, small rocks represent hills, big rocks represent mountains and the moss represent the forest on an island.
No matter where a person stands, one rock will always be out of view for him or her. Many people believe that it is up to each person to interpret the meaning for themselves.
The entry for the Ryoan-ji Temple costs 500 Yen.
Tea ceremony
The tea ceremony ritual is a fascinating way to explore Japanese culture. Because it originated in Kyoto which is so in touch with its traditional roots, it is one of the best places in Japan to try a tea ceremony.
It’s about so much more than just enjoying a hot drink. During a tea ceremony, the cup of tea is prepared artfully and carefully before serving it.
The philosophy behind the ceremony is to acknowledge each other’s company, the tea itself and being mindful of the present moment.
You can experience an authentic tea ceremony in one of the myriad tea houses located in Kyoto.
Nishiki Market
If you’re looking for experiencing authentic Japanese food, then Nishiki Market is the place you need to head to.
With its maze of narrow streets and more than 100 stalls, selling all forms of Japanese food, Nishiki Market has been nicknamed Kyoto’s kitchen.
As the entire market is shaded, this is a great attraction to visit when it’s raining or when it’s too hot outside.
Make sure to try the weird Tako Tamago (small octopus on a stick with an egg inside its head), local pickles, and some fresh eel.
Nishiki Market is one of the best things to do in Kyoto and should be on every food lover’s bucket list.
To enjoy your gastronomic journey at its fullest, make sure to check our guide on how to eat with chopsticks, as it’s the main way to eat in Japan.
Kyoto International Manga Museum
The Kyoto International Manga Museum is definitely one of the coolest attractions in the city.
It has three floors with walls lined with more than 300,000 manga comics on its shelves.
You can browse through popular manga, learn about its influence in the post-WWII era, watch artists create manga, and even have your portrait drawn.
Although manga is internationally-recognised, most of the books in the museum are in Japanese.
The museum is a fun stop if you have kids and is the perfect place to spend a few hours if it’s raining.
The entry to the Kyoto International Manga Museum costs 800 Yen for Adults, 300 Yen for high school and junior high school students, and 100 Yen for elementary school students.
Monkey Park in Iwatayama
The Monkey Park in Iwatayama is surely a one of a kind experience. Put on a comfortable pair of shoes and head to the top of Mount Arashiyama to a park full of monkeys.
There are literally monkeys everywhere. You can buy food for them in the park if you feel brave enough to interact with them.
Keep all bags zipped tight though, monkeys are fascinating but may steal food from visitors that are inattentive.
The park is also educational as there are quizzes that inform visitors about the monkeys and their habitat.
The entry for the Monkey Park costs 550 Yen.
If you are wondering what to do around Kyoto, check this article below!
Check-out more things to do and places to visit in Japan!
