Top 15 Things to Do in Kyoto

Of the many things to do in Kyoto, this one features on top of the list as it is the iconic landmark of the city. An important Shinto shrine in Kyoto Fushimi Inari Shrine is famous for its bright vermilion torii gates that are part of a trail that leads to the forest of sacred Mount Inari. there are several shrines that are built in Inari’s honor, the Shinto god of rice. It’s hard not to say that exploring the mountain trails under the endless tori gates doesn’t produce the deep feeling of wanderlust as you understand the way of life in the foregone eras. The Senbon Torii are actually donations by individuals and companies and would cost between 400,000 yen to 1 million yen to make. The hike takes about 2-3 hours to and fro, but if you’re short of time you can go as far as you like and then return. Along the way you can grab yourself a quick bite and indulge in local dishes like Inari Sushi, aburaage and Kitsune Udon. The trail also covers good viewpoint of the city at about 30-40 minutes, at the Yotsutsuji intersection. An insta worthy location, the beautiful skyline with the backdrop of the towering mountains are sure to set your socials on fire. To reach tha shrine, you can take the JR Nara Line and get off at JR Inari Station. From the station it’s about a 5 minute walk.

A unique temple that was founded in 780, Kiyomizudera is situated in the hills east of Kyoto at the Otowa waterfall. Originally associated with the Hosso sect of Japanese Buddhism, the temple eventually formed its own schooling termed the Kito sect in 1965. A UNESCO World Heritage site, visiting is one of the top things to do in Kyoto due to its unique style and architecture. The temple is most famous for its large wooden terrace and stage that extends out from the main area. If you’re there in the spring, the burst of natural colors from the blossoming cherry and maple trees underneath you as you look down the hillside is a sight like no other. Visiting the temple is a must-do for couples as the Jishu shrine in the temple is dedicated to the deity of love! The Otawa Waterfall, located at the base of the main hall is divided into three streams with a cup attached to each stream. Drinking from each of the streams is believed to provide distinct benefits – longevity, education and love. But choose wisely as drinking from all three is considered greedy. On the way to the temple, you will pass along the buzzing Higashiyama district. There are several things to do in Kyoto’s Higashiyama including shopping and dining. A specialty of the place is the Kiyomizu-yaki pottery. Take Bus number 100 or 206 from Kyoto station to get to the place. From the Kiyomizu-michi bust stop it’s a ten a minute walk uphill to reach the temple.

Kyoto’s most famous Geisha district, Gion is filled with some of Kyoto’s best restaurants and teahouses where geiko and maika entertain the guests. The rows of beautiful wooden machiya houses built in the traditional style are a sight to behold, and something not be missed on the things to do in Kyoto bucket list. Some of the most exclusive dining establishments in Japan can be found at the Hanami-Koji Street. Most restaurants here serve traditional Kyoto style kaiseki ryori cuisine. At the Shikarawa Area you can take a nice beautiful stroll along the canal lined by willow trees. The ochaya here are beautiful and serve real good tea that are sure to enhance your palette for the bitter drink. Almost all ochaya provide you with the ultimate experience of being entertained with music, dance and light conversations by geisha. The Gion Corner holds performances of tea ceremony, ikebana and bunraku making it one of the top cultural things to do in Kyoto. Gion can be reached by buses 100 or 206 from Kyoto Station. You could also take a train to Gion-Shijo station on the Keihan Line.

A pleasant district on the outskirts of the city, visiting the place cannot be missed if you’re there during fall or spring. The beautiful cherry blossom trees and the fall colors are a natural beauty that one can witness only in Japan. Near the Togetsukyo Bridge, you can find several things to do in Kyoto including visiting the Tenryuji Temple. A natural haven, you could also take a boat ride along the river or spend time in Arashiyama’s famous bamboo grooves to really understand the calm and peace of life in Japan. A good way to enjoy the place would be to rent a bicycle to travel around here. If you’re there during December during the Hanatoro, all the streets and bamboo groves are illuminated with lanterns! One of the unique things to do in Kyoto, would be to take the Sagano Scenic Railway tour from Arashiyama to Kameoka alongside the beautiful Hozu river. Take the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station to reach the place.

Nishiki Ichina a small narrow shopping street housing more than a hundred shops and restaurants. It is colloquially known as Kyoto’s kitchen as the market is set alive by the variety of fresh seafood, sweets, pickles, dried seafood and sushi you can indulge in here. The place is a culinary delight and you can even try some tasters and samples while shopping here. As a very old market, many stores here have been operated by generations and specialize in particular items. The market is about a 5 minute walk away from Shijo Station on the Karasuma Subway Line.

Built in 1603, this massive palace took 23 years to complete! Shogun Tokugawa leyasu called this palace home. The place has a very interesting history to it and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. You can rent the English tour good as you walk around the place and take in the history of this beautiful site. The tour route takes you through several waiting rooms and audience rooms. The Ninomaru Garden, an extension of the palace, is a beautiful Japanese garden featuring a large pond featuring ornamental stones and manicured pine trees. For the nature enthusiasts, a variety of cherry trees have been planted across the castle and during the bloom season the place looks really scenic. You can reach the place by taking the Tozai Subway line to Nijojo-mae Station.

If you want to indulge in Sake, there’s no better place to do it than Fushimi. For the alcohol enthusiasts, this area offers a variety of traditional sake breweries. One of the exclusive things to do in Kyoto is to take a walk along the Horikawa River and go sake hopping. The most famous brewery here is Gekkekian, founded in 1637. There are several breweries that offer tastings and even sell products that are not available anywhere else. If you’re not of legal age, there’s still a lot of fun things to do in Kyoto’s Fushimi. You can take sightseeing cruise in wooden boats along the river. Fushimi can be accessed through Keihan Main Line, JR Nara Line and Kintetsu Kyoto line.

Famous for the 1001 statues of Goddess of mercy Kannon, Sanjusangendo is a beautiful temple that dates back to 1164. The largest wooden structure of Japan, the temple’s hall houses a large 1000-armed Kannon statue flanked by 500 human-sized statues of Kannon on each side. A noteworthy sight in itself, indulging in the temple’s brilliant history and the stories associated with it provide for some interest things to do in Kyoto. The temple can be reached by the Keihan Line, abiut a 5 minute walk from Schichijo station.

A trip to Japan is hardly complete if you don’t come across dozens of destinations that help you channelize your Zen. Aptly named Philospoher’s Path that runs along a canal bordered by numerous cherry blossom trees fast tracks that progression like no other. A photographer’s paradise, it’s not uncommon to see couples and families walking down the path as they take a breather from daily life. Approximately two kilometers ling, the path also houses several restaurants, cafes and boutiques along the way where you can enjoy a cuppa while stopping to take in the enchanting views. A scene from a movie as it may seem, the trees are multiple colors of red green and yellow in the autumn while they turn bright pink in the springtime. The Philosopher’s Path is situated in the northern end of Kyoto’s Higashiyama neighborhood between Ginkakuji and Nanzenji.

A Zen temple of the Rinzai sect, Kinkaku-ji is bright display of ornate architectural elements of the Kitayama culture during the reign of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. A marvelous structure surrounded by a pond, the top two floors of the temple are completely covered in gold leaf. Each floor displays a different architectural style and the garden has also retained the style of the Yoshimitsu days. There is also a tea house and a small tea garden where you can enjoy a cup of matcha tea. Take the Karusuma Subway Line to Kitaoji station. Take a bus or a taxi to Kinkakuji from there to reach the temple.

Opened in November 2006, this place must be on top of the list of things to do in Kyoto for artists and Manga fans. Three floors and basement of just Manga after Manga, the museum also has a small section that displays translated works. In addition to the massive collection, the museum also displays works of featured artists from around the world. With several temporary exhibits that highlight various themes related to Manga, the museum offers uniqueness with every visit. The museum is about a 2-minute walk from the Karasuma-Oike Subway Station.

Considered Kyoto’s most exquisite dining area, Pontocho overlooks the Kamogawa River and is packed with restaurants offering a wide range of Japanese cuisine, including everything from yakitori to modern Kyoto cuisine. If you usually tend to miss home food on your vacations, probably keeping Pontocho on the list of things to do in Kyoto would be wise as it also features several foreign-themed restaurants. If you’re there between May and September, you may be able to enjoy open-air dining in some of the more eclectic establishments offering kawayuka. It is recommended that you reserve tables over the weekend as it tends to get crowded. You can reach Pontocho via bus numbers 17 and 205 from Kyoto stations. You could also take the Keihan Line to Shijo Station.

Located in Arashiyama, Monkey Park is a quick and funs stopover on your day at the scenic place. Located on the opposite side of the Oi river, the park is inhabited by more than 170 Japanese macaque monkeys. If you are qith family, this could be one of the fun things to do in Kyoto with the kids, as you can purchase food for the monkeys at the site and get up close with them.

A vast expanse of tea plantations, Wazuka is a charming prefecture in Kyoto. You can take several Japanese tea tours to understand the lifecycle of the plant before it gets placed on your table. The place accounts for more than half of the tea production in Kyoto. An endless green carpet comprising of rolling hills interspersed by the cute little wooden tiled roof houses, Wazuka holds a scenic beauty like no other. If you’re into it, you could also book a guesthouse here and stay in one of the plantations for a day to really make the most of your relaxed vacation.

A small fishing place offering beautiful scenery, Ine no Funaya is most well-known for the 230 line houses that overlook the lake with the hills as the backdrop. Considered “The Venice of Japan”, the place is a hidden gem in Kyoto and is great weekend getaway. The rustic boat houses are specifically built to accommodate for fishing, wherein the first floor is used for boat storage and the upper floors are for residence. You can choose to stay at one of these boathouses which also double function as a guest house for visitors. The hosts can also arrange boat tours around the village for you. It’s the best to experience life in rural Kyoto.

A scenic city that is comparable to no other in the world, Kyoto holds an inviting persona that is sure to mesmerize the young and the old alike. With its many beautiful temples, willow-lined canals, cherry blossom gardens, charming mountainscape and more, Kyoto is sure to make you feel welcome right from the start.