The Ultimate Kyoto Travel Guide: Best Things to Do and See

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• Top Attractions to Visit
• Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
• Meet the 10,000 Gates – Fushimi Inari Shrine
• Have a Museum Tour
• Enjoy Beautiful Gardens
• Gion Area
• Kiyomizu-Dera Temple
• Nishiki Market
• Yasaka Pagoda
• The Best Things to Do in Kyoto

Looking for authentic experiences in 日本 style? Today, Enjoy The Wood team welcomes you on a virtual tour of the cultural gem of the Land of the Rising Sun – Kyoto. A mix of beauty, history, and one-of-a-kind attractions, the city is a must-visit spot even for the most experienced globetrotters. Let’s explore the top things to do in Kyoto and places to visit!

Top Attractions to Visit

If you wonder what to see in Kyoto, the good news is that there are a lot of attractions at your service. For you exclusively, our team narrowed down the best must-visit places.

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

If you’re in love, hurry up and have a secret date in the Arashiyama bamboo forest! You’ll be amazed by the bamboo grove, local temples, and cute monkeys looking forward to enjoying your snacks. Speaking of food, the area is full of cafes and restaurants. However, we recommend visiting the spot late in the afternoon or early in the morning to stay away from the crowds.

Meet the 10,000 Gates – Fushimi Inari Shrine

Every other existing Kyoto travel blog signals about the Fushimi Inari – one of the most popular places in the Nihon. Whether you’re into hiking or ancient templates, this beautiful spot has it all. Get ready to search for the hidden bamboo forest or explore the 10,000 torii gates both offering the best scenic spots. The attitude is pretty high; however, you’ll find some tea shops, cafés, as well as good old noodle shops as you enjoy your Fushimi Inari walking tour.

Have a Museum Tour

As for the educational things to do in Kyoto Japan has a wealth of information on science, art, history, and culture. Local museums welcome you, guys! Kyoto International Manga Museum will make you go wow the very moment you see their collection of manga. At the same time, Kyoto National Museum is the go-to place for enthusiasts of Japanese art and cultural artifacts. Plus, the Kyoto Railway Museum is an ideal location for families who are real train fans.

Enjoy Beautiful Gardens

What’s in Kyoto for flora fans? Famous for its simple yet profound Zen rock garden Ryoan-ji is a beautiful place for a quick getaway. As for the Kyoto Imperial Palace Park, tourists like it for its sprawling gardens that are just the best for a peaceful (solo) stroll.

Gion Area

The most iconic places in Kyoto Japan also include the well-known Gion area that, in turn, involves Hanamikoji Street – a spot famous for sightings of geisha and maiko. At the same time, you’re welcome to wander the Yasaka Shrine and Pontocho. Both are the areas that radiate the unique ambiance of the Japanese city. Plus, the areas are must-visits for those who would like to feel the charm of old Japan.  

Kiyomizu-Dera Temple

One of the most iconic Kyoto things to see – Kiyomizu-dera Temple – is located in Higashiyama. If you happen to hear the phrase ‘to jump off the stage at Kiyomizu,’ it’s Kiyomizu-dera Temple that has inspired it. Needless to say, one of the best views in the area can be found exactly on this stage. To make the most Instagram-worthy photos possible, we recommend visiting Kiyomizu-dera Temple during the autumn season. Oh, and don’t forget to visit local eaters and souvenir shops!

Nishiki Market

Also called Kyoto’s Kitchen, Nishiki Market is the best destination for food fans. Local shops offer tons of culinary delights, from fresh vegetables and seafood to specific delicacies. The best thing about visiting Nishiki Market is that it’s not about food only. In addition to the bustling ambiance of the market, you have an opportunity to take a look at the daily lives of locals.

Yasaka Pagoda

According to the legend, once you crawl under the stone in Yasaka Pagoda, all the bad spells will be gone for good. So, it’s no wonder that a lot of lovers make sure to have photoshoots near this place on their wedding days. Plus, we recommend visiting the historic Yasui Kompiragu shrine to buy colorful balls to make a wish. Or, as an alternative, you can try to crawl under a rock to say goodbye to bad luck for good.

The good news is that from the Yasaka Pagoda, you can reach a range of attractions in the Higashiyama District. For example, one can take a walking tour (it’s short, we promise!) from Kiyomizudera to the pagoda. As you go, you’ll enjoy tons of cafés, shops, old temples, and shrines. Heian Shrine, Shorenin, and Chionin are out there waiting for a curious tourist like you. Don’t stop at this point! Go to the Philosopher's Path, Ginkakuji Temple, and Nanzenji.

Best time to visit the cultural heart of Japan? Definitely spring and autumn. While in spring, you’ll get carried away by the cherry blossom season, the fall foliage, in turn, is a magical time of nature’s beauty being in its purest form.

Best Things to Do in Kyoto

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By now, you already know that serene gardens and old templates are waiting to give you the feeling of being 100% separated from everyday life. In addition to the must-visit places that we mentioned in the previous section, 京都 is the go-to place for unique and never-to-be-forgotten experiences that you won’t ever have in the US or Europe.

• Experience local tea culture. For example, participating in a tea ceremony ritual is more than just chilling with a hot drink. Not only will you have the most delicious tea in your life, but you’ll also get a better idea of the art known as Japanese hospitality.
• Admire Geisha dance. One of the most fascinating activities in Kyoto Japan is traditional local art known as geisha or geiko. It’s absolutely exciting to glimpse these professional entertainers performing in elaborate outfits that seem to come from a completely different era. Highly skilled in traditional Japanese arts, beautiful geishas welcome you every year in November and April. That’s when you can see crowds of geiko and maiko (geisha beginner) acting, dancing, and singing all across of the geisha districts. These spectacular street shows provide tourists with a unique chance to see for themselves all those unique hairstyles, kimono, traditions, and moves.
• Rent a kimono. There’s no doubt you are curious about what you look like in a traditional Japanese outfit. Try it! Dress in traditional attire and go for a walk like that. When you are back home and about to pin your Kyoto adventure on the world or regional maps, the stroll in a kimono will be something you’ll remember with a smile.
• Dive into a traditional Japanese skill. What to do in Kyoto Japan if not learn unique local arts? If you’re planning your Kyoto getaway, put samurai fun on your list. In a 250-year-old samurai residence, you’re welcome to learn a real katana and bushido. How about learning some basic ninja skills? At the Ninja Training Dojo, you’ll have a chance to! Oh, and using ninja weapons is included too. If that sounds like too much, consider less intense activities such as calligraphy workshops. Make your own wearable piece of art – a stylish kanji t-shirt – using traditional calligraphy tools to have a perfect souvenir. In addition to the T-shirt, you can take home a nice scarf! Just ensure to join the Itajime Shibori scarf class, where they’ll teach you the oldest dyeing method in the country.
• Try popular nighttime activities. As you might expect, there are entirely different things to do in Kyoto at night. As the night falls, the city turns into a labyrinth of bustling lantern-lit alleys. Go for a peaceful stroll along the Kamo River, enjoy a karaoke night, enjoy the Kiyamachi-Dori filled with restaurants and bars, check out panoramic views of the city right from the Kyoto Tower, or/and enjoy traditional kyogen theater. Don’t forget to put Nijō Castle on your list, too. Built in 1603, the castle is a momentous relic of the ancient city. At night, it is entirely lit up – something worth admiring! Keep in mind that this member of the UNESCO World Heritage Site gang usually closes at 5 pm. However, there are loads of events that are held there regularly, so you’re sure to see this grandiose building at night. If you happen to explore the streets of Kyoto with your SO, have a romantic stroll in the Arashiyama Kimono Forest. The ‘forest’ is an artistic installation made of more than 600 pillar lanterns! Located next to the Arashiyama Station this permanent illumination is also a perfect place to take impressive photos. Finally, do not miss a chance to stay at a traditional Japanese inn known as Ryokan. These accommodations usually have rooms with tatami mats and hot springs. The best thing about those inns is that they’re usually located in beautiful historical buildings in picturesque spots. It can be anything up to your taste – the area close to the city center or in the mountains surrounding Kyoto. Magical night views are guaranteed!

 

So, is Kyoto worth visiting?

Absolutely YES!

At our Enjoy Travel, we put this dream destination on our personal list of top places to visit not only in Japan but on the globe as well. A fantastic blend of more than 2000 temples, traditional culture, mysterious geishas, beautiful gardens, and other interesting things to do, Kyoto truly has everything.