Kyoto is one of the oldest municipalities in Japan. It was the seat of Japan’s imperial court in the 8th century and emperors continued ruling from Kyoto until 1869. With its temples, gardens and history, you can’t go far without finding yourself at a UNESCO World Heritage Sight. It’s a slower version of Tokyo or even Osaka and is worth the trip. Kyoto can be done as a day trip from Osaka (take the bullet train) or find a place to stay and spend a few days wandering the country’s cultural capital.

Getting Around Kyoto

Kyoto, like most places in Japan, has excellent public transportation. You can choose from train, subway, bus, bike, walking or taxi. Subway and bus seem to get you anywhere you want to go in Kyoto and you can walk anywhere in-between. You can buy tickets at the machines at most stops. The Kyoto Sightseeing Card lets you ride subways and buses all day for one price and makes it an easy tap on and off. These can also be bought at the kiosks or any tourist center.

Walking is also a great idea. Find some cool walking itineraries here.

What to do in Kyoto

From teatime and fish markets to monster hunting and temple wandering, you’ll have plenty to do in Kyoto.

I’ve separated the city into districts, with most of the activity in Downtown Kyoto, Southern Higashiyama and Southeast Kyoto. But the other regions are worth exploring if you have the time.

Downtown Kyoto

Downtown has shops, bars, good restaurants and good people watching. While not the main sightseeing district, be sure to check out the following sights.

Explore the Nishiki Market

I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times, I LOVE STREET FOOD MARKETS! And Nishiki Market doesn’t disappoint. Walking down the packed narrow alleyway to the market, you know you’re coming up on something tasty.

The entire market is just five blocks but has more than 100 stalls. There are traditional treats like freshly pounded mochi, Japanese pickles, sweet red beans, Kyoto’s famous tofu, dumplings, freshly roasted tea, fish cakes, and yakitori. Even if you don’t want to eat anything (which you should!) its still fun to walk around and see what you can see. 

Go Monster Hunting on Yokai Street

Found on one of my favorite pre-travel resources, Atlas Oscura, I made my way to the Ichijo-Dori neighborhood, in the northwest part of downtown to go on a monster hunt. There are a lot of Yokai (monsters) in Japanese folklore that haunt people for one reason or another. And on this street, you’ll find about 30, one of a kind Yokai made by the local businesses.

This isn’t a touristy area, just a local neighborhood who wanted to do something fun. I walked around the quaint neighborhood and came to the local temple.

How to get there: From the south exit of the shrine on Imadegawa dori, take the street towards the east that leads south and after a bit you’ll see some small shops and go west. Soon you’ll start seeing in front of most local businesses.

Explore & Eat in Pontocho Alley

Near the Kamogawa River, Pontocho is a lively alley with restaurants lining each side. There are hundreds of restaurants offering everything from fine dining to inexpensive yakitori.

The best restaurants are usually small, hidden, and might not advertise their menu in English, but walk on in to wherever strikes your fancy. 

Southern Higashiyama

From geishas, temples, massages and gangsters the Southern Higashiyama district has it all.

Walk to Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kiyomizu-dera Temple is one of Japan’s most celebrated temples, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and was founded in 780. It offers stunning views of Kyoto and is a great place to see the cherry blossoms or fall leaves.

Getting to the temple is part of the experience. Kiyomizu-dera Temple is on a mountain, and if you’re walking, which is recommended, you go up some steep narrow streets and through the Higashiyama District. The area is touristy and crowded but is part of the hustle and bustle charm. Take your time and stop by some of the shops, grab a snack or three.

As you walk in, you’ll be greeted by large, orange structures – Nio-mon, the main entrance gate; Sai-mon, the west gate and a three story pagoda, constructed in 1633, that’s one of the tallest in Japan. Stroll the grounds, making your way towards the back of the complex.

The temple is best known for the Butai, or wooden stage, a wooden deck made of 168 pillars without using a single nail, instead using locking wooden joints. It has beautiful views of the city. Unfortunately, when I was there it was getting renovated, so it was closed. But if you get a chance to see it, do it.

Past the Butai, head to the Otowa waterfall. Here, the water is funneled through 3 streams each symbolizing longevity, success, and love. Visitors take a drink out of the stream(s) they wish for, but taking a sip from each stream is considered greedy.

You can easily spend the day here, including the walk and back. Take your time exploring the temple grounds and appreciating the scenery and landscape.

VISIT | KIYOMIZU-DERA TEMPLE (kiyomizudera.or.jp)

Cruise around the Yasaka Pagoda

I ran into this pagoda on accident and it was one of the most visually appealing areas on Kyoto. The 5-story pagoda is the last remaining structure of a 6th-century Buddhist temple complex known as Hōkan-ji Temple.

Get Weird in Gion

Gion is the traditional entertainment district of Kyoto where on Hanami-koji Lane, the main street of Gion, you’ll find traditional restaurants, bars, gangsters and “teahouses” (places where geisha entertain clients). This is a great place to stroll after grabbing some dinner.

Southeast Kyoto

The primary draw to this area is the…

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

Kyoto’s most iconic treasure, the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine is located at the end of a flamed colored walkway made up of thousands of traditional torii gates. Visitors can easily spend a day wandering through the trails surrounding the network of ornate shrines. Half way up the mountain, expect incredible views of Kyoto at the Yotsutsuji Intersection. The Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine honors the Shinto god, Inari, known as being the god of rice. Sadly, I wasn’t able to make it here while in Kyoto but see amazing pictures of Fushimi Inari-taisha here.

Try a Tea Ceremony

No matter where you are in Kyoto, or JApan in general, be a part of a tea ceremony. Japanese tea ceremonies are done sitting down. The woman enters in a beautiful Kimono, puts her supplies down, and sits on her feet with knees bent. She’ll stay in this position throughout the 30-minute ceremony. She explains the tools – a wooden ladle-type device, a teapot, a long spoon – all made from rustic materials. 

Each cup of tea is prepared carefully and mindfully, like a gift being prepared for a dear friend, as they say. After walking a lot, it was nice to sit for a while, have some tea and a snack, and learn about this beautiful tradition.

Find more to do in Japan!