Central Kyoto

Central Kyoto contains two of the most important tourist sites in the city: the Kyoto Gosho (Imperial Palace) and Nijo Castle, as well as a few smaller sights and attractions.

[Nijo Castle gate: cowardlion / Shutterstock.com]

Where Is Central Kyoto?

Central Kyoto is basically everything in the wide plain in the middle of Kyoto, with the exception of the areas we cover in the Downtown Kyoto, Kyoto Station Area, and Nishijin sections of this guide.

Central Kyoto Highlights

• Kyoto Gosho
• Shimogamo-jinja Shrine
• Kyoto Botanical Gardens
• Nijo-jo Castle

[Kyoto Gosho: InnaPoka / Shutterstock.com]

Things To Do And See In Central Kyoto

• Kyoto Gosho (Kyoto Imperial Palace)
  Kyoto’s Imperial Palace (known as Gosho in Japanese) is the Emperor’s official residence in Kyoto. The structures, though modern reconstructions, are lovely.
• Sento Gosho
  The Sento Gosho is a sprawling walled garden with gorgeous ponds and meandering walkways through towering trees and blooming plants of every sort.
• Kyoto Gyoen (Kyoto Imperial Palace Park - the park that surrounds the Kyoto Gosho)
  A green sanctuary in the middle of the drab plain of Kyoto, the Kyoto Gyoen (Kyoto Imperial Palace Park) is Kyoto’s Central Park.
• Gosho Imperial Palace Playground
  If you need some fresh air and the kids need a good play in the great outdoors, you cannot beat this playground at the north end of the Kyoto Imperial Palace Park (Gosho). It’s our go-to spot when we’re in Kyoto with the kids.

[Shimogamo-jinja Shrine: Piroshi / Shutterstock.com]

• Shimogamo-jinja Shrine
  Shimogamo-jinja Shrine is second only to Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine as Kyoto’s best and most beautiful Shinto Shrine. It’s a brilliant place for a stroll.

[Kyoto Botanical Gardens: weniliou / Shutterstock.com]

• Kyoto Botanical Gardens
  Often overlooked by visitors, the Kyoto Botanical Gardens is one of the city’s hidden treasures. It’s great for picnics, strolling or cherry blossom viewing.
• Kamigamo-jinja Shrine
  One of Kyoto’s least visited but most historically important shrines, Kamigamo-jinja Shrine is a great place to catch your thoughts up north.

[Nijo Castle: Sanga Park / Shutterstock.com]

• Nijo-jo Castle
  Nijo-jo Castle is one of Kyoto’s most popular and impressive sights. It shows the power that the Shoguns wielded over the emperors throughout the Edo Period.
• Funaoka Onsen
  Funaoka Onsen, which is actually a sento, is the best public bath in Kyoto. It’s well worth a trip across town to relax in this beautiful bath house.
• Kamo-gawa Riverside
  The Kamo-gawa riverside is really just one long park which Kyotoites use for relaxation, exercise and contemplation.
• Goko-yu Sento
  Goko-yu Sento is a large public bath on the southwest side of Downtown Kyoto. It’s a “destination sento” with a wide variety of baths spread over two floors.
• Sumiya Pleasure House
  A beautifully preserved ageya (geisha entertainment house), Sumiya is a truly sublime showcase of Japanese architecture, design and decorative traditions.
• Kamigamo-jinja Shrine Handicraft Market
  One of Kyoto’s least visited but most historically important shrines, Kamigamo-jinja Shrine is a great place to catch your thoughts up north.
• Sauna no Umeyu Sento
  Sauna no Umeyu is one of the most approachable sentos (public baths) in Kyoto. It’s crowded, friendly and fun and it’s right in the middle of one of the most interesting neighborhoods in Kyoto.
• Samurai Kembu Theater
  Kembu is a Japanese martial art that combines sword play with dance. At the Samurai Kembu Theater in Kyoto you can watch a performance of this traditional dance and enter the world of the samurai warrior.

Getting To Central Kyoto

• By subway from Kyoto Station: Take the Karasuma Subway Line to Marutamachi or Imadegawa Stations (for the Kyoto Gosho) or to Kitayama Station (for the Kyoto Botanical Garden). Take the Karasuma Subway Line to Karasuma-Oike Station, switch to the Tozai.

Subway line going west and get off at Nijo-jo-mae for Nijo-jo Castle.

• By bus from Kyoto Station: Kyoto City Bus #4 to Kawaramachi-Marutamachi (about 25 minutes).
• By Keihan Line: Take the Keihan Line north to the last stop, Demachiyanagi, for Shimogamo-jinja Shrine.
• By taxi from Kyoto Station: A taxi from Kyoto Station to the Kyoto Gosho or Nijo-jo Castle will cost about ¥1200.
• By bicycle from Kyoto Station: Cycle up the Kamo-gawa River (scenic and uncrowded) or go straight up Karasuma-dori (where you’ll jostle with traffic and wait at lights).

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