Kyoto: what's actually worth it
When the imperial capital moved to Tokyo in 1868, Kyoto refused to fade, instead preserving its soul amidst modernity. Walking through Gion feels like stepping into a quiet dream where geishas glide past wooden machiya houses, embodying a serene resilience that defines the city’s character. Today, it remains Japan’s cultural heart, not just a museum but a living tapestry of ancient traditions and contemporary life, inviting you to slow down and savor every moment of its enduring grace.
Top things to do in Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Shinto Shrine · ★ 4.6 (90,094 reviews)
Mountainside Shinto shrine dating from 711 A.D. featuring a path with hundreds of traditional gates.
Check tours & tickets →Kiyomizu-dera
Buddhist Temple · ★ 4.6 (71,292 reviews)
Iconic Buddhist temple on Mount Otowa known for the scenic views afforded from its sizable veranda.
Check tours & tickets →Kinkaku-ji
Buddhist Temple · ★ 4.6 (69,365 reviews)
Historic, tranquil temple with a gold-leaf facade set amid landscaped gardens & a reflecting pond.
Check tours & tickets →SAMURAI NINJA MUSEUM Kyoto
Museum · ★ 4.8 (24,771 reviews)
Small museum with Edo-period armor & sword displays & family-friendly instruction in warrior skills.
Check tours & tickets →Nijō Castle
Castle · ★ 4.4 (42,524 reviews)
Built in 1603, this cypress-wood castle with extensive gardens was a home for the shogun Ieyasu.
Check tours & tickets →Nishiki Market
Market · ★ 4.3 (53,214 reviews)
400-year-old iconic market studded with stalls offering all manner of Japanese edibles.
Check tours & tickets →Sanjūsangendō Temple/1001 Statues
Buddhist Temple · ★ 4.7 (17,273 reviews)
This iconic Buddhist temple is known for its 1,001 life-sized wooden statues of the goddess Kannon.
Check tours & tickets →To-ji Temple
Buddhist Temple · ★ 4.5 (19,771 reviews)
Historic Buddhist temple with a 5-story wooden pagoda & sculptures of deities from the 8th century.
Check tours & tickets →Kyoto Railway Museum
Museum · ★ 4.5 (19,719 reviews)
Contemporary space with exhibits on the railway & an array of locomotives & trains on display.
Check tours & tickets →Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Scenic Spot · ★ 4.4 (24,063 reviews)
A popular sightseeing path runs uphill through this forest of towering bamboo stalks.
Check tours & tickets →Where to eat
Nishiki Market
Market · ★ 4.3 (53,214 reviews)
400-year-old iconic market studded with stalls offering all manner of Japanese edibles.
Website →GYUKATSU Kyoto Katsugyu Teramachi Kyogoku
Japanese Restaurant · ★ 4.8 (11,700 reviews)
Website →Kyoto Tonkatsu Katsuda Shijokarasuma
Restaurant · ★ 4.9 (9,201 reviews)
Website →GYUKATSU Kyoto Katsugyu Pontocho Honten
Japanese Restaurant · ★ 4.8 (10,830 reviews)
Website →Kyoto Tonkatsu Katsuda Sanjo Kawaramachi
Restaurant · ★ 4.9 (7,180 reviews)
Website →Kyoto Tempura Ten no Meshi Gionhonten
Japanese Restaurant · ★ 4.9 (5,686 reviews)
Website →TONKATSU KATSUDA kyoto station store
Restaurant · ★ 4.9 (5,326 reviews)
Website →Halal Wagyu Sukiyaki Kyoto Panga | Kyoto Halal restaurant
Restaurant · ★ 4.9 (5,027 reviews)
Website →Tours worth booking ahead
Hozugawa River Boat Ride Start Point
tourist_attraction, point_of_interest · ★ 4.6 (5,492 reviews)
River boat trips taking in rapids & a gorge, with dramatic rock formations & vivid foliage.
Check tours & tickets →Fushimi Jukoku-bune Boats
tourist_attraction, point_of_interest · ★ 4.3 (1,353 reviews)
Leisurely cruises under footbridges & cherry blossoms on a repurposed, flat-bottomed cargo boat.
Check tours & tickets →Get outside
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Scenic Spot · ★ 4.4 (24,063 reviews)
A popular sightseeing path runs uphill through this forest of towering bamboo stalks.
Website →Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama
Wildlife Park · ★ 4.5 (14,592 reviews)
Popular area atop Mt. Arashiyama for viewing wild macaque monkeys & sweeping city views.
Website →Kyoto Gyoen National Garden
National Park · ★ 4.5 (9,941 reviews)
Landscaped grounds with cherry blossoms & a stream, plus former imperial palace structures & events.
Website →Arashiyama
Scenic Spot · ★ 4.5 (7,419 reviews)
Scenic location showcasing a host of monkeys, plus a bamboo forest & water vistas.
Website →Maruyama Park
City Park · ★ 4.4 (6,885 reviews)
Popular green space with an outdoor music hall, bronze statues & colorful, seasonal cherry blossoms.
Website →After dark
WORLD KYOTO
Night Club · ★ 4.9 (3,683 reviews)
Website →Nightclub 【KITSUNE KYOTO】
Night Club · ★ 4.7 (2,262 reviews)
Website →L'Escamoteur
Cocktail Bar · ★ 4.7 (1,622 reviews)
Website →MUSIC BAR universe -GION-
Bar · ★ 5 (579 reviews)
Website →More guides
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