Best Things to Do in Kyoto
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posted by WANGKIRA
Kyoto is known for its temples and shrines, but the best things to do here are spread across different parts of the city. You can walk through the torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha, visit Kiyomizu-dera and the streets of Higashiyama, explore Arashiyama’s bamboo grove, or spend an evening around the Kamo River and Pontocho. Group nearby sights together to avoid spending too much of the day in transit.
Quick planning tips for Kyoto
- For first-time visitors: Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera and Higashiyama, Arashiyama, and Kinkaku-ji are strong starting points.
- Group sights by area: Kiyomizu-dera, Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka and Gion work well together. Arashiyama is a separate area in western Kyoto.
- Allow time for travel: Kyoto’s sights are spread out, and buses can be slow in busy periods. Use trains and buses together where practical; check current routes before setting out.
- Choose the season with realistic expectations: cherry blossom season in late March to early April and autumn foliage season around mid-November to early December are especially busy. Winter can be quieter, but it is cold.
If you are deciding how long to stay, see our guide to how many days to spend in Kyoto. For a day-by-day plan, use our Kyoto 3-day itinerary or Kyoto one-day itinerary.
The best things to do in Kyoto
These places cover Kyoto’s best-known shrines, temples, historic streets, food and evening atmosphere. You do not need to visit every one on a short trip; choose the sights that fit your interests and group those in the same area.
1. Walk through the torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha
Fushimi Inari Taisha is known for its long paths lined with vermilion torii gates. Many visitors walk through the lower gate tunnels and turn back; the route continues up Mount Inari if you want a longer walk, and the crowds often thin as you get farther from the busiest entrance area. Wear comfortable shoes if you plan to hike beyond the main photo spots.
Allow more time if you want to walk higher up the mountain. For a shorter visit, the lower shrine area and torii-gate paths are the main draw.
2. Visit Kiyomizu-dera and explore Higashiyama
Kiyomizu-dera is one of Kyoto’s best-known temples, with a wooden stage overlooking the trees and city below. The approach through Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka is lined with traditional buildings, small shops and places to try Japanese sweets. Set aside time for both the temple grounds and the streets leading up to it.
Kiyomizu-dera opens at 6:00 a.m.; closing times vary by season and special events, so check the temple’s official visitor information before visiting.
3. See the Golden Pavilion at Kinkaku-ji
Kinkaku-ji is famous for its gold-covered pavilion beside a pond. Visitors follow a set route through the garden and view the pavilion from outside; the building itself is not open for visitors to enter. It is a relatively focused stop, but travel time to and from the temple can make it harder to combine with sights on the opposite side of Kyoto.
The official visiting hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Check the official Kinkaku-ji visitor page for current admission information.
¥584.00
¥334.00
4. Walk through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
The Bamboo Grove is a short walk through tall bamboo, but it is one of Kyoto’s busiest photo spots. Rather than treating it as a full-day activity on its own, combine it with nearby sights such as Tenryu-ji, Togetsukyo Bridge or the riverside paths. These places are all in the Arashiyama area, although the amount you can fit in depends on how long you spend at each stop.
For another stop nearby, Kimono Forest is an installation of patterned pillars near Randen Arashiyama Station. The area is easy to add to a walk around the station and shopping streets.
See our guide to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove for more details, or explore more things to do in Arashiyama.
¥445.00
¥355.00
5. Walk through Gion’s historic streets
Gion is known for its traditional wooden buildings, teahouses and performing-arts culture. It is a residential area as well as a sightseeing district, so keep to public streets, do not enter private alleys or properties, and never follow or photograph geiko and maiko without permission. Photography is prohibited in some areas; follow posted signs and local guidance.
6. Try Kyoto food at Nishiki Market
Nishiki Market is a covered shopping street known for food stalls and shops selling ingredients and local specialties. It is a useful stop for sampling small bites and browsing Kyoto food products, but it is also a working market and can become crowded. Check individual shop hours, avoid blocking the narrow aisle, and follow each stall’s rules about eating while walking or taking photographs.
7. Explore Nijo Castle
Nijo Castle offers a different perspective on Kyoto from its temples and shrines, with palace buildings, decorated interiors and gardens. The Ninomaru Palace is known for its “nightingale floors,” which make chirping sounds underfoot. Opening and reception times differ by area, and some palace sections have separate closure dates, so check the official opening-hours page before visiting.
8. Visit Uji for matcha and Byodo-in Temple
Uji, south of Kyoto, is known for its tea culture. Visit a tea shop or café for matcha, walk along the Uji River, or explore Byodo-in Temple, whose Phoenix Hall appears on the Japanese 10-yen coin. Uji is a separate town, so allow time for the train journey as well as the sights.
Byodo-in’s garden and museum have published visiting hours, while entry to the Phoenix Hall interior is managed separately. Check the official visitor guide if you want to go inside.
If you would like to combine Uji with another destination, see our guide to visiting Nara and Uji in one day.
9. Spend an evening around the Kamo River and Pontocho
The Kamo River is a relaxed place for an evening walk, while nearby Pontocho Alley is lined with restaurants and small bars. Some restaurants have limited seating and may require reservations, particularly during busy travel periods. If you plan to eat in Pontocho, check opening hours and booking requirements rather than assuming you can walk straight in.
Day trips from Kyoto
If you have extra time, consider a nearby town or a destination outside central Kyoto. These are separate excursions rather than sights to squeeze into the same day as Arashiyama or Higashiyama.
Nara: deer, temples and parkland
Nara is a popular day trip from Kyoto. The main sights include Nara Park and its free-roaming deer, along with temples and shrines. Do not feed deer outside designated feeding practices, and keep food put away when you do not intend to feed them. For a route that combines the city with Uji, see our Nara and Uji day-trip guide.
¥639.00
¥355.00
Amanohashidate and Ine: a longer day out
Amanohashidate is a scenic sandbar on the Sea of Japan coast, while Ine is known for its funaya boat houses beside the bay. Both are outside Kyoto City and require more travel planning than central Kyoto attractions. Public-transport connections and waiting times can make the trip long, so check the current timetable before setting out.
If you want to visit both places in one outing, our Amanohashidate guide and Ine Funaya guide can help you plan. You can also check the details of our Amanohashidate and Ine day tour if you prefer a guided route.
¥424.00
¥364.00
How to plan your time in Kyoto
Do not try to fit every attraction into one day. Kyoto’s major sights are spread across different areas, and travel between them can take longer than the map suggests.
- One day: Choose one main area, such as Fushimi Inari plus Higashiyama, or spend the day in Arashiyama. Trying to include both distant areas and Kinkaku-ji may leave little time at each stop.
- Two days: Split the main sights across two areas. For example, visit Fushimi Inari and Higashiyama on one day, then Arashiyama on the other; add Kinkaku-ji only if the route and timing work.
- Three days or more: You can spread out the main sights, add food and evening activities, and consider a separate excursion to Uji or Nara.
For a more detailed recommendation, read how many days to spend in Kyoto and our Kyoto 3-day itinerary.
Things to do in Kyoto: FAQs
What should first-time visitors do in Kyoto?
Start with a few well-known sights, such as Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera and Higashiyama, and Arashiyama. Choose the remaining stops based on your interests and how much time you have.
Is two days enough to visit Kyoto?
Two days can cover several major sights, but you will need to choose carefully because the attractions are spread across the city. See our guide to a two-day Kyoto itinerary for a sample plan.
What is Kyoto known for besides temples?
Kyoto is also known for traditional streets and performing arts in areas such as Gion, food and shopping at Nishiki Market, matcha and tea culture in Uji, and evening walks around the Kamo River and Pontocho.
Can you photograph geiko and maiko in Gion?
Respect their privacy and do not follow or photograph geiko and maiko without permission. Some streets and private alleys have photography restrictions; follow posted signs and local guidance.
