Things To Do In Kyoto

Kyoto is world famous for its wonderful temples and shrines. But that’s only the beginning of the story. There’s also incredible shopping, bicycling, hiking, museums, galleries and green spaces. Here’s a full list of things to do in Kyoto.

[Couple at Yasaka-jinja Shrine in Kyoto: Benny Marty / Shutterstock.com]

This page is a directory of all the essential things to see and do in Kyoto. On this page, we list the main things to do in Kyoto to give you an overview and we link out to our pages where you can get all the details about each specific activity.

Visit an Incredible Buddhist Temple

There are more than a thousand Buddhist temples in Kyoto, ranging from world-famous spots that are always crowded to quiet places where you can have the place to yourself. Check out our list of The Best Temples in Kyoto. My Walking Tours page includes the perfect introduction to Kyoto’s temples.

There’s nothing like having a quiet, peaceful temple all to yourself. That’s never going to happen at Kyoto’s world-famous temples, but there are hundreds of lesser-known temples in the city that few tourists ever visit. Even in busy seasons you might be the only person there. Good choices include the subtemples of Daitoku-ji, Myoshin-ji and the temples in far northern Higashiyama, like Enko-ji.

Try a Night in a Ryokan

A hotel is a hotel anywhere in the world. But, a ryokan is a distinctly Japanese form of accommodation and Kyoto has some of the best. Sure, a good ryokan is more expensive than a hotel, but a stay usually includes two great meals. You can also have a simple ryokan experience, usually without the meals, at many budget or mid-priced ryokan in the city. And, if you’re traveling with a family, a ryokan is the best way to fit everyone in one room. See our Kyoto Ryokan page for more details.

Walk Through a Shinto Shrine

To feel the spiritual energy of Japan, walk through the mystical gates of a Shinto shrine. For a list of the most powerful shrines, check out our list of the Best Shinto Shrines in Kyoto, such as the essential Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine. My Kyoto Walking Tours include some of the city’s most awe-inspiring shrines.

See a Geisha Dance

If you’re going to be in Kyoto in April, May or November, you should definitely see one of Kyoto’s five annual geisha dances. They range from the opulent Miyako Odori to the quaint Kitano Odori. There is simply nothing else like them in the world. For more details, see our Kyoto Geisha page.

Contemplate a Perfect Japanese Garden

Kyoto is home to the most beautiful gardens in Japan, with everything from tiny Zen gardens to expansive stroll gardens. Check out our list of Kyoto’s Best Gardens. Highlights include the zen garden at Ryoan-ji Temple and the strolling garden at Ginkaku-ji Temple. You’ll get to see some of my favourite Kyoto gardens by joining one of my private walking tours.

Soak in an Onsen or Sento

A soak in a steaming hot Japanese bath is the ideal way to relax after a day of sightseeing. A natural hot spring (onsen) is the luxury way to do this, but if you’re in a hurry, you can pop into a local public bath (sento) for about four dollars. For more details, see our Kyoto’s Best Onsen and Kyoto’s Best Sento pages.

Take an Evening Walk

It’s no secret that Kyoto is crowded these days. However, even in the busiest season, you can escape the crowds by taking an evening stroll. Streets like Nene-no-Michi, which can be shoulder-to-shoulder during the day in cherry blossom season, can be completely deserted in the evening. And, Kyoto looks magical by night.

Here are some places to try: Ninen-zaka/Sanen-zaka/Nene-no-Michi, Kiyamachi-dori south of Shijo-dori, the Path of Philosophy, and Ishibei-koji. My Gion Evening Walk is a private Kyoto tour exploring the world of the geisha after dark.

[Yasaka-no-to Pagoda in Southern Higashiyama in the evening © David CJ | Shutterstock]

Immerse Yourself in Japanese Arts

Kyoto is THE place to experience the wonders of the Japanese arts. For all the details, check out our Kyoto Arts page. These include the expected museums and galleries, such as the Kyoto National Museum, but also the traditional artforms such as Kabuki, Noh, and Geisha entertainment. Traditional Japanese arts can be very popular, so it’s worth booking in advance. Geisha and Maiko events, for example, can be found via GetYourGuide and cultural events like tea ceremonies are available through Klook.

Stroll Through a Soothing Green Space

Had enough of crowds, concrete and neon lights? Why not head to one of Kyoto’s wonderful parks or other green spaces? Check out our list of Kyoto’s Best Green Spaces, such as huge Kyoto Gyoen, the park surrounding Kyoto Imperial Palace. If you need some alone time, you’ll have no trouble finding a quiet place in Kyoto. For starters, try one of our Kyoto Off-the-Beaten-Track Itineraries. My Kyoto Walking Tours include some of the city’s most beautiful parks.

Eat a Fantastic Meal

You’ll have the best Japanese meals of your life in Kyoto. For our top picks, check out our Best Restaurants in Kyoto page. In addition, each of our district pages has a full list of restaurants in that area. There are some excellent traditional Kyoto food activities you can book through GetYourGuide, as well as guided restaurant and bar tours via Klook. Some of Kyoto’s best restaurants can also be booked through Klook.

Get a Personal Introduction to the World of Sake

Most sake brewery tours are impersonal group tours that require a long journey into the countryside, but there’s one brewery in central Kyoto that offers private tours and sake tasting. It’s called Sasaki Shuzo and they offer private tours led by the head brewer. Wabunka, which offers a variety of carefully curated private Japan cultural experiences, has worked with Sasaki Shuzo to create a perfect brewery tour and tasting experience. As with all their experiences, this one is fully private, so it will only be you and your family or friends. And, like their other experiences, they provide a fully bilingual guide/interpreter so communication is painless.

[Sake samples and snacks. Photo courtesy of Wabunka]

Go for a Bike Ride

A bicycle is the perfect way to explore Kyoto. For all the details, check out our Cycling in Kyoto page, which includes information on how and where to hire a bike, as well as some of our favourite cycling routes. Booking a Kyoto bike tour is a fun way to get to know your way around without having to worry about getting lost.

Shop for the Perfect Souvenir

For the perfect gift or souvenir, you won’t find a better selection than in Kyoto. Check out our Kyoto Shopping page and Kyoto Arts and Antiques page. From art and antiques to lacquerware and washi (traditional Japanese paper), there is a plethora of quintessential Japanese items you can take home.

Go for a Hike

Kyoto is a hiker’s paradise. There are mountains on three sides of the city and they’re latticed with hiking trails. For our top picks, check out our Best Kyoto Hikes page. The Mt. Daimonji-yama Climb, for example, brings you up to the best viewpoint over Kyoto, and the Takao to Hozukyo Hike follows a beautiful river that’s great for swimming in the hot months. If you’d prefer to have your hikes organised, GetYourGuide and Klook both offer guided hikes, tailored around different experiences and day trips.

Escape the Crowds

With all these great things to see and do, it’s no surprise that Kyoto can get a little crowded, especially in the spring. But, it’s easy to escape the throngs. Check our guide for How to Escape the Crowds in Kyoto, with plenty of suggestions for the lesser-visited landmarks.

Take a Daytrip Outside the City

If you’ve got a few days in Kyoto, why not take a daytrip outside the city? Check out A Day Trip to Ohara and the Kitayama Area. And, of course, there’s always Nara.

For a relaxing overnight break, why not head to bubbling hot springs Kinosaki Onsen? Or, for lovely beaches and hot springs, why not rent a car and explore the Tango-hanto Peninsula?

Taking part in an organised tour is the most stress-free way to take a day trip. GetYourGuide has a great choice, including hotel pickup, and Klook offers trips to Nara and further afield.

Check out a Department Store Food Floor

Kyoto’s department store food floors (“depachika” in Japanese) are like Aladdin’s Cave — filled with wonders that will dazzle your eyes and whet your appetite. The two best are Daimaru and Takashimaya, both in downtown Kyoto. If you can’t make it to these, you can dash into the food floors at Isetan Department Store before jumping on the shinkansen.

See the show GEAR!

For something totally different that both kids and adults will enjoy, we strongly recommend checking out the non-verbal multimedia performance called GEAR, that brings together music, dance, magic, and truly groundbreaking set design and lighting effects. To avoid disappointment, you can buy tickets in advance.

[GEAR cast and stage — image © Kishi Takako, courtesy of GEAR]

Enjoy a Cup of Tea in a Traditional Teahouse

You can drink coffee at Starbucks anywhere in the world, including Kyoto. But, you’ve come all this way, why not try something unique to the city? A hot cup of frothing matcha paired with a Japanese sweet is a real Kyoto experience and there are some great places all around the city to try it. Visit our Tea in Kyoto page for some top picks.

[Sakamaruyama Teahouse in Maruyama-koen Park, Southern Higashiyama — image © Michael Lambe]

Go to a Kyoto Market

Kyoto’s big flea markets, Tenjin-san (25th of every month) and Kobo-san (21st of every month), are some of the best markets of their kind in all of Asia. You will be amazed at the offerings, from antiques to ceramics to used kimono, with plenty of food to boot.

If you aren’t in town when those are held, you can try the Chion-ji Handicraft Market (15th of every month) or the Kamigamo-jinja Handicraft Market (fourth Sunday of every month). Finally, if you love antiques, you cannot miss the Pulse Plaza Grand Antiques Fair (held irregularly). You can book a guided tour around Nishiki Market or shop as part of a food tour.

[Tenjin-san flea market at Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine © Yasemin Olgunoz Berber | Shutterstock]

Keep the Kids Happy

Traveling with kids? I know what that’s like. Check out our Kyoto With Children page for a list of suggestions of how to engage the little ones’ attention. The guide includes the most kid-friendly attractions, as well as the best places to eat and stay when you have children in tow.

Suggested Itineraries

If you want some ideas about how to put it all together, check out our Kyoto Itineraries page.

Other Useful Links

• For help planning your days in Kyoto, visit our Kyoto Itineraries page.
• For some recommendations for things to do in Kyoto, visit our Things to Do in Kyoto page.
• For some recommended Kyoto activities, see our Kyoto Activities page.

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