Kyoto Travel Guide, Japan

Planning things to do in Kyoto is easier once you know what the city is. Kyoto was chosen as Japan’s imperial capital in 794 and the emperors ruled from here for around eleven centuries, until 1869. It remains the country’s cultural capital, with a population of about 1.46 million.

The reward is its density of heritage: palaces, Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, gardens and old wooden townhouses spread across districts that ring the centre. Many of the best sights sit on hillsides and in the suburbs rather than in one compact old town.

First impressions can disappoint, because the area around the modern railway station is busy and urban. The beauty lies in the temples, parks and traditional streets around it, and it pays to plan by district rather than trying to see everything. Kyoto suits travellers who enjoy slow sightseeing, gardens and food, and it is popular year-round.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Thousands of red torii gates climb the hillside behind this shrine in the south-east of the city. Allow one to three hours depending on how far you climb. Go early morning or in the evening for fewer people, and wear sturdy shoes.

Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion

This Zen temple, with a gold-leaf-covered pavilion beside a pond, is in the north-west. Allow about an hour. It is a short visit but busy in the middle of the day, so go early, and combine it with other north-west sights.

Kiyomizu-dera and the Higashiyama area

The hillside temple has a large wooden terrace with views over the city, and the lanes leading up to it hold shops and tea houses. Allow half a day. Arrive when the temple opens, as the approach streets fill up quickly.

Gion and Pontocho

Gion is the historic entertainment district known for wooden machiya buildings and the chance of seeing geisha culture, while Pontocho is a narrow lantern-lit alley of restaurants. Walk through in the evening. Respect local etiquette by not blocking lanes or chasing people for photos.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

West of the centre, this area has a bamboo path, a river with a famous bridge and several temples. Allow half a day. The grove is small and very busy, so arrive early and continue to quieter temples.

Nijo Castle and the Imperial Palace

Nijo Castle has painted interiors and creaking corridors that date from the shogunate, and the Imperial Palace sits in a large park. Allow one to two hours for each. Check opening times and access rules, as some sites require booking or have closure days.

Philosopher’s Path and Nanzen-ji

This canal-side walk links temples in the east and takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Nanzen-ji and its brick aqueduct are nearby. It is especially pleasant in cherry blossom and autumn leaf seasons, though crowds then are heavy.

Kyoto has four distinct seasons, and the most popular times are cherry blossom season, roughly late March to early April, and autumn leaf season, roughly mid-October to late November. Both are beautiful and very crowded, with higher hotel prices and busy temples, so book accommodation months ahead.

Summer is hot and humid, with a rainy season in June and high temperatures from July to August. The Gion Festival takes place in July and draws crowds. Winter is cold but quieter, and occasional snow on temples makes for atmospheric visits. Early mornings are generally the best time to avoid crowds in any season, and weekdays are quieter than weekends and national holidays such as Golden Week.

Kyoto has no major international airport of its own. Most visitors fly into Kansai International Airport (KIX) and take a direct express train, which usually takes under 90 minutes, or use Osaka Itami Airport for domestic flights. Kyoto is also on the Shinkansen line, around two to three hours from Tokyo by bullet train, and Osaka is about 15 to 30 minutes away, depending on the service.

The city has a subway, an extensive bus network and local trains, and each reaches different sights, so check the route before you set out. Buses to popular temples can be crowded, and traffic slows them, so trains or taxis may be quicker for some trips. Passes and prepaid transit cards can simplify fares.

Central districts such as Gion and Higashiyama are walkable, and cycling is practical on the flat central grid. Distances to places like Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari are longer, so plan the day by area to reduce transit time.

Because the sights are spread out, pick a base with a good train or subway connection and allow for the cost of peak seasons.

Around Kyoto Station is the most practical base for rail connections, with a wide range of hotels and good access to Fushimi Inari and day trips. It is less atmospheric but convenient.

Gion and Higashiyama put you among temples, tea houses and traditional streets. They suit couples and travellers who want evening atmosphere, though prices are high and some ryokan have fixed meal times.

Central Kyoto (Kawaramachi and Karasuma) offers shopping, dining and a mix of business hotels and guesthouses, and is a strong all-round choice.

Arashiyama is quieter in the evening and suits travellers who want early access to the bamboo grove, though it is farther from other sights.

Three days covers the main sights without feeling rushed, though many visitors stay four or five to move at a gentler pace and avoid doing too much. Two days works if you pick one or two areas, and a week lets you add Nara, Osaka and slower days.

1. Day 1: Fushimi Inari in the early morning, then Kiyomizu-dera and Higashiyama, ending with an evening in Gion.
2. Day 2: Arashiyama early, then Kinkaku-ji and other north-west temples in the afternoon.
3. Day 3: Nijo Castle, the Imperial Palace park, the Philosopher’s Path and a final dinner in Pontocho.

Nara

Nara, Japan’s earlier capital, has Todai-ji with its huge Buddha, and a park with free-roaming deer. It is under an hour by train. Plan a half or full day, and avoid feeding the deer anything other than the approved crackers.

Osaka

Osaka is a lively city known for street food and nightlife, about 15 to 30 minutes away depending on the train. It works as a day or evening trip. Dotonbori is the well-known food district, and the castle is a classic sight.

Kobe and Himeji

Kobe is a port city and Himeji is known for its well-preserved white castle. Both are reachable in around an hour or so by train. Combine them in a long day if you enjoy castles and city views.

Hiroshima and Miyajima

Hiroshima is a longer day trip by Shinkansen, roughly two hours each way, with the Peace Memorial and nearby Miyajima. Most travellers prefer an overnight stay. Check train times and book seats in advance in busy periods.