🏯 Japan's Ancient Capital

What To Do InKyoto

Kyoto blends centuries-old temples, shrines, and gardens with lively districts full of food and craft. Once the imperial capital, it offers timeless traditions, serene nature, and four-season beauty.

Ancient TraditionsUNESCO TreasuresMountain-Framed City

What does Kyoto Look Like?

Kyoto stretches across a basin ringed by forested mountains, threaded by rivers and canals. Instead of skyscrapers, you’ll find wooden townhouses, temple roofs, and gardens designed for contemplation—changing character with each season.

Spring brings blossoms, summer lush greens and festivals, autumn paints the city in crimson maples, and winter dusts temple eaves with snow. It’s a city made for wandering slowly and savoring details.

Major Attractions to Visit

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Shrines

Iconic shrine with thousands of red torii gates

Perhaps Kyoto’s most recognizable sight, Fushimi Inari Taisha features endless rows of vermilion torii gates climbing up Mount Inari. Dedicated to Inari, the Shinto deity of rice and prosperity, the shrine’s paths wind through forested hills dotted with fox statues, believed to be the deity’s messengers. The full hike to the summit takes about two hours and offers panoramic views of Kyoto, but even a short walk through the lower gates provides a magical experience. Visit early morning or at dusk for fewer crowds and a more atmospheric feel.

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Temples

Golden Zen temple surrounded by a mirror-like pond

Kinkaku-ji dazzles with its top two floors covered in gold leaf, reflecting in the surrounding Kyoko-chi (Mirror Pond). Originally a shogun’s villa, it later became a Zen temple. The stroll garden frames the pavilion beautifully in every season—snow-dusted in winter, cherry-pink in spring, lush in summer, and fiery in autumn. You can’t enter the pavilion, but the garden paths offer postcard views from multiple angles.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Nature

Otherworldly bamboo forest and riverside scenery

Walking through Arashiyama’s towering bamboo creates a hushed, dreamlike atmosphere as the stalks sway overhead. Pair the grove with nearby Tenryu-ji (a UNESCO temple), the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge, and a serene boat ride on the Hozu River. Arrive early for quieter paths and soft morning light filtering through the bamboo.

Gion District

Culture

Historic geisha quarter with wooden machiya townhouses

Gion preserves the ambience of old Kyoto: lantern-lit lanes, teahouses, and elegant wooden facades. In the evening, you may glimpse geiko and maiko moving gracefully to engagements. Stroll Hanamikoji and the Shirakawa Canal area for atmospheric views, and visit Yasaka Shrine nearby—especially lively during festivals like Gion Matsuri.

Nijo Castle

History

Shogun residence famed for ‘nightingale’ floors

Built for Tokugawa Ieyasu, Nijo Castle showcases Momoyama-period opulence: painted sliding doors, tatami chambers, and ingenious floors that chirp softly to reveal intruders. The spacious grounds include plum, cherry, and maple groves that transform with the seasons, while the stone walls and moats evoke Kyoto’s feudal past.

Philosopher’s Path

Walks

Tranquil canal-side stroll linking famous temples

This stone walkway follows a cherry-lined canal in northern Kyoto. Named for philosopher Nishida Kitaro, who is said to have meditated here, the route connects Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) with Nanzen-ji, passing small shrines, galleries, and cozy cafes. Visit in spring for a tunnel of blossoms or in autumn for blazing colors.

Explore Kyoto's Unique Districts

Each area has its own feel—from preserved Higashiyama lanes to bamboo-lined Arashiyama and lively downtown markets.

Old Kyoto

Higashiyama

Preserved lanes with teahouses and temple approaches

Higashiyama’s cobblestone streets—especially Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka near Kiyomizu-dera—are lined with wooden shops selling pottery, sweets, and crafts. Lanterns glow at dusk, rickshaws roll by, and temple roofs layer the hillsides. It’s Kyoto’s classic time-travel experience.

Nature & Tradition

Arashiyama

Bamboo groves, riverside views, and Zen heritage

On Kyoto’s western edge, Arashiyama blends scenic beauty with cultural sites: Tenryu-ji’s gardens, the Katsura River, and monkey viewpoints above the trees. Seasonal highlights—cherry blossoms and autumn foliage—make it a perennial favorite.

Traditional Culture

Gion

Kyoto’s renowned geisha entertainment district

Narrow alleys, tea houses, and refined kaiseki restaurants define Gion. Even without sightings of geiko or maiko, the district’s quiet side streets and canals offer a contemplative walk through living tradition.

Urban Life

Downtown (Kawaramachi & Nishiki Market)

Modern shopping core and ‘Kyoto’s Kitchen’

Nishiki Market’s covered arcade is packed with local specialties—pickles, tofu, yuba, sweets—while Kawaramachi and Shijo buzz with department stores, cafes, and nightlife. It’s the lively counterpoint to Kyoto’s temple zones.

Kyoto's Ancient Temples and Shrines

Kyoto’s spiritual heritage endures in magnificent temples and shrines woven into daily life.

Kiyomizu-dera

Higashiyama

Est. 778 AD

UNESCO temple famed for its nail-free wooden stage

Kiyomizu-dera’s vast veranda juts over a forested hillside with sweeping city views. Explore the Otowa Waterfall below, where three streams symbolize health, longevity, and academic success. Stunning in both sakura and autumn-leaf seasons.

Ryoan-ji

Northwest Kyoto

Est. 15th century

Zen temple known for its minimalist rock garden

Fifteen stones placed within raked white gravel invite meditation and stillness. The grounds also include a reflective pond and seasonal gardens—an oasis of silence amid sightseeing.

Heian Shrine

Okazaki area

Est. 1895

Shinto shrine with giant torii and stroll gardens

Built for Kyoto’s 1100th anniversary, Heian Shrine’s spacious courtyards and gardens are especially lovely in spring. Its bold vermilion architecture is a landmark of modern-era Kyoto classicism.

To-ji Temple

Minami-ku

Est. 796 AD

Five-story pagoda—Japan’s tallest wooden tower

To-ji is a Shingon Buddhist center with a dramatic skyline-defining pagoda. On the 21st each month, the Kobo-san market fills the grounds with antiques, crafts, and street food—perfect for treasure hunting.

How to Get Around Kyoto

Kyoto’s compact layout makes buses, bikes, and walking especially convenient—here’s how to make it smooth.

IC Cards

Use rechargeable cards like Suica, Pasmo, or Icoca for seamless taps on trains, subways, and buses—and at many shops and vending machines.

Buses in Kyoto

Many top sights are bus-first. Consider a 1-day subway & bus pass; board from the rear and pay (or tap) when exiting at the front.

Cycling Around

Flat and compact, Kyoto is ideal for bikes. Rental shops are plentiful and riverside paths make for scenic, efficient travel.

Walking the City

Kyoto rewards slow travel—Higashiyama, Gion, and Arashiyama are best on foot to soak up details and seasonal scenery.

Night Transport

Most lines wrap up around midnight. If you stay late in Gion or downtown, plan for taxis back to your stay.

Navigation Apps

Google Maps, Navitime, and Japan Transit Planner cover bus + rail routes with live times and platform info.

Getting to Kyoto

Shinkansen from Tokyo takes roughly 2 hours 20 minutes—easy for short visits or weekend trips.

Taxis

Clean, reliable, and great late at night or with luggage. Drivers are polite; English may be limited, so show addresses on your phone.

Ready to Explore More of Japan?

Check out our other guides and maps—there’s so much beyond Kyoto to discover.