Best Things To Do in Kyoto: Top 15 Attractions in Kyoto

Are you searching for the best things to do in Kyoto, Japan? If yes, then you have come to the right place!

Recently, I traveled to Japan and South Korea and spent close to a month in these Asian destinations.

On this trip, Kyoto was one of my favorite Japanese cities I recommend you not skip.

You will find amazing things to do in Kyoto, especially nature and culture enthusiasts.

Kyoto is home to numerous temples and shrines and is surrounded by tall mountains.

It is a popular travel destination for people around the world.

The magnificent Kyoto Tower, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and Kiyomizu-Dera Temple are wonderful places to visit in Kyoto.

If you wish to chase cherry blossoms it is also one of the best places to visit in Japan

Are you still wondering about what to do in Kyoto?

Then, keep reading this list of the Best Things To Do in Kyoto: Top 15 Attractions in Kyoto that you must visit!

Where is Kyoto?

Kyoto is a small Japanese town in the Kansai Region of Honshu Island. It lies in a valley, surrounded by mountains.

The city is bordered by Nara in the South and Otsu in the East. Plus, it is just 30 miles (50 km) from Osaka so, you can reach it easily.

Since it was the ancient capital of Japan, it is the center of Japanese culture. The town is home to over 400 Shinto shrines and 1,600 Buddhist temples.

That’s not all, you will also find around 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites here!

You can experience several unique Japanese experiences here such as tea ceremonies, staying in a ryokan, eating Japanese cuisine, and more.

With a rich history and culture, Kyoto is one of the top places to include on your Japan itinerary.

Book Here: Kyoto Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Ticket

Best Things To Do in Kyoto: Top 15 Attractions in Kyoto

Explore Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

I cannot miss mentioning the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine when recommending sightseeing in Kyoto.

This is one of the top places to see in Kyoto and one of the most unique attractions in Japan.

You will find thousands of torii gates through the forest into the mountain. So, it is a kind of hike but more fun and beneficial.

You will find several smaller shrines with stone fox statues along the way. The fox is said to be the messenger of Inari – the Shinto god of rice.

The complete hike can take around 1-2 hours and the views from the lower loop are incredible.

But if you want some peace and solitude here, visit the mountains as fewer tourists venture that far.

Book Here: Full-Day Best UNESCO and Historical Sites Bus Tour

Book Here: Early Morning Tour with English-Speaking Guide

Nishiki Market

If you are looking for the top places to go in Kyoto, visit the famous Nishiki Market.

This food market is 400 years old and features over 100 stalls where you can find all kinds of Japanese food.

You can find all kinds of delicacies here from sushi to sakura mochi to Ichigo daifuku.

You can even buy souvenirs and raw food materials to make your food.

It can get a little overwhelming. So, if you don’t like crowded areas, take a guide here.

Another good option is to join a cooking and sightseeing tour. They will take you around the market and help you buy the ingredients you will later use to learn how to make Japanese dishes.

For a true Japanese experience, one of the top things to do in Kyoto is to visit the Nishiki Market.

Book Here: Nishiki Market Food And Culture Walking Tour

Spend a Day in Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Of course, one of the top tourist spots in Kyoto, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest should be on your list when visiting Kyoto.

Although it has become a bit crowded now, it is still a unique sight you cannot miss when visiting Japan.

You walk around this forest path and explore the numerous temples found here.

After visiting the bamboo forest, you head to Kameyama Park for a short hike to the Katsura River.

Arashiyama Park near this river is filled with cherry blossoms during the Sakura season.

So, if you are looking for the best things to do in Kyoto, visit the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.

Book Here: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Monkey Park and Secrets

Drink Matcha in a Teahouse

Did you know that Kyoto is famous for its green tea?

So, one of the top things to do in Kyoto Japan is to try green tea at one of the teahouses in Kyoto.

Green Matcha tea is slightly bitter and served in a beautiful bowl with wagashi, i.e. small Japanese sweets.

It might not be everyone’s cup of tea but you should try it once for the cultural experience in Japan. You can also buy tea as a souvenir and have a wide range of options to choose from.

I also was quite fascinated with their tea ceremony which you can observe to learn more about the local culture.

Book Here: Tea Ceremony In A Traditional Tea House

Marvel at the View from the Kiyomizu-Dera Temple

Kiyomizu-Dera Temple is one of the must-see attractions in Kyoto as it offers the most gorgeous views of the city.

What I love about this temple is that the main hall is built on a cliff. It uses the Japanese architectural style, without the use of any nails.

Behind the main hall, is a shrine dedicated to the god of love and matchmaking. Plus, the main temple is surrounded by gorgeous gardens blooming during the Sakura and the Momiji seasons.

Otawa waterfall which is said to have many benefits is at the base of the temple. You will find both tourists and locals drinking water from here.

If you are looking for the best things to see in Kyoto, you cannot miss the Kiyomizu-Dera Temple!

Look here: Nijo Castle and Ninomaru Palace Ticket

Yasaka Pagoda

One of the most photographed sights in Kyoto is the Yasaka Pagoda in the Higashiyami district of Kyoto.

This five-story pagoda is one of the tallest wooden structures in the city and features a Japanese architectural style with wooden carvings and a sloping roof.

They also have a local legend that if you can crawl under the huge stone here, you can get rid of your bad luck. Now, I do not know how true it is but worth a try!

Look Here: Welcome to Kyoto Private Walking Tour with a Local.

Kyoto Tower

One of the top things to see in Kyoto is the Kyoto Tower across the main station.

It is the tallest structure in the city at 131m and was completed in 1964. The architect Mamoru Yamada gave it a unique candle-like shape that symbolizes a beacon of light for the city.

Apart from its unique architecture, the tower also features several souvenir shops, restaurants, and a public bath.

Also, I loved the city and the temple view from the observation deck at 100m here. You can see Kiyomiza-Dera Temple and To-Ji Temple. And on some clear days, as far as Osaka too!

This is one of the main tourist spots in Kyoto that you cannot miss.

Book Here: Kyoto Tower Admission Ticket

Enjoy a Food Tour in Kyoto

Trust me, if you want to make the most of your time here, try the food here.

You can start your food tour with a visit to the Nishiki Market, popularly known as the ‘Kyoto’s Kitchen’. You can sample delicacies such as fresh sashimi, Tako Tamago, and Tsukemono (Japanese Pickles).

Don’t forget to try traditional Japanese sweets like Yatsuhashi and you cannot miss Matcha ice cream at Tsujiri.

Later, you can try Kaiseki Meal or Yudofu and explore local delicacies like Soba, Udon, or Yuba.

Honestly, there is no shortage of delicious meals and street food in Kyoto.

So, if you are a foodie like me, one of the best things to do in Kyoto is explore the food scene here.

Book Here: 3-hour food tour with tastings in Nishiki Market

Book Here: Nishiki Market & Depachika Four Tour with a Local

Gorgeous blooming cherry blossoms during my trip to Kyoto in April.

Visit Ginkaku-ji and Kinkaku-ji Temples

Are you wondering about what to see in Kyoto?

Well, the city is full of amazing temples and two famous ones you must see in Kyoto are Ginkaku-ji and Kinkaku-ji Temples.

They are not located close but resemble each other a bit.

Kinkaku-ji Temple (the Temple of Golden Pavilion) has a unique architecture with a pure gold-leaf coating that covers the top two levels.

Ginkaku-ji (the Temple of Silver Pavilion) was meant to be the silver version of the Kinkaku-ji Temple but is still unfinished. It is surrounded by a lovely pond that you can visit.

Both the temples are great for self-reflection.

Book Here: Golden Pavilion & Nijo Castle UNESCO Tour

Wander Around Southern Higashiyama and Other Neighbourhoods

If you love strolling then, one of the best things to do in Kyoto Japan is walking around the streets of Southern Higashiyama.

This includes the famous Gion district which is home to the wonderful Geishas.

Sadly, a few streets in Gion are closed to tourists due to their unruly behavior towards Maiko and Geishas.

I loved the streets of Kyoto as they are narrow, stone pathways with wooden houses and lanterns lighting the way. There are plenty of temples to explore around here as well.

Trust me, if you want to soak up Japanese culture, one of the top things to do in Kyoto is wander through the narrow streets here.

Look Here: Night Owl Walking Tour

Dress Up in Traditional Japanese Clothes

Are you still looking for suggestions on what to do in Kyoto?

If yes, I suggest you try Japanese clothing for a fully immersive cultural experience.

You can rent a kimono or a Yukata in Kyoto and explore around the city. You can also take some memorable photos to show back at home to your friends and family.

Moreover, you can also dress up as a maiko (makeup included) and enjoy a photo shoot in the streets of Kyoto.

The Japanese don’t mind you wearing traditional clothes as long as you wear them properly.

So, this can be a great experience for you when traveling in Japan.

Book Here: Traditional Kimono Rental Experience

Look here: Kimono Rerntal Provided by RikaWafuku

Enjoy an Onsen or Sento in Kyoto

If you want to enjoy a traditional Japanese experience, one of the best things to do in Kyoto Japan is take a bath in an onsen or a sento in and around Kyoto.

An onsen is a hot spring bath with lots of minerals while a sento is a public bath. You will find several good onsens around the town such as Arima Hot Spring, Kurama onsen, etc.

But if you want to enjoy a public bath in Kyoto, you can check out the sentos here such as Nishiki-yu and Goko-yu.

You can also get the onsen experience in most ryokans and hotels.

So, you can book a traditional Japanese inn with onsen for the complete traditional Japanese experience.

Walk the Philosopher’s Path

One of my favorite places in Kyoto was the Philosopher’s Path. Why?

Well, this is the best place to admire the cherry blossom trees during the Sakura season in Japan!

Tetsugaku no Michi, a.k.a Philosopher’s Path, is a beautiful path near the canal. It was named after a famous philosopher, Kitaro Nishida, who strolled through this path to meditate.

So, if you like strolling, you can walk on this serene path from the Keiage incline and end at Ginkaku-ji Temple.

Explore Nanzen-ji Temple

One of the most amazing sights in Kyoto that you cannot miss is the Nanzen-ji Temple.

This is a huge Zen temple complex located at the end of the Philosopher’s Path. And it is a must-see in Kyoto.

Here, you can stroll around the ground to admire the stunning Sanmon entrance gate and a Meiji-period brick aqueduct.

I loved climbing the hill to the forest and the Nanzen-ji inner sanctuary beside a small waterfall.

Although it is free to enter the grounds of this shrine, you need to pay 500 yen to enter sub-temples such as Tenjuan.

But if you have some time and budget, visit the temples as they feature private gardens and offer you a chance to get away from the crowds when sightseeing in Kyoto.

Go Shopping in Kyoto

One of the best things to do in Japan is to go shopping in Kyoto.

What I love about this place is that you can take advantage of tax-free shopping at most shops!

All you need to do is to carry your passport so that they can note your details.

Moreover, you can find not only branded products here, but also several traditional and antique pieces you won’t find in other places in Japan.

Plus, there are shopping areas to suit your budget and needs.

If you want to buy traditional craft items, you can head to Kyoto Handicraft Center or Kyoto’s Textile District. Here, you can buy traditional craft items and local clothing like kimonos, and more.

But if you want to buy modern brands, visit Shijo Street, Kawaramachi, Teramachi, and Shinkyogoku Shopping Arcades.

There are plenty of specialty shops and flea markets to explore here as well.

As I said earlier, the city is a paradise for shopping lovers. So, if you are looking for the best things to do in Kyoto, don’t miss shopping here!

How to Travel Around Kyoto

One of the things that I loved about this city is that it was so easy to get around!

They have an amazing public transport system so, you can easily use local trains and buses to get around the city.

If you have a Suica card from Tokyo like me, then you can use that to pay for the journey here.

No need to buy another transport card!

You can also get a virtual IC card on your iPhone and fill it easily to travel around Japan.

You can also rent a bicycle and easily explore the town and surrounding area. As well as busses and trains

Can I Store My Luggage At Kyoto Station?

If you plan to spend the day in Kyoto, Luggage storage options are available at the Kyoto Station

I took a late afternoon train to Osaka allowing me to explore Kyoto for an additional day by storing my luggage at the train station.

You can choose a locker based on the size of your luggage. The price can be anywhere between 300 to 700 Yen.

One thing to remember is that the fee is to open the locker. So, if you forget something inside and need to open it again, you will pay the fees twice.

As for the size of the lockers, they are quite deep and the smallest locker can easily fit a 10kg backpack and a little more.

Best Things To Do In Kyoto Packing List

Here are some tips on packing lightly for your visit to Kyoto Japan 

This unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors.

These RFID sleeves would be handy in preventing identity theft.

World Traveler adapter kit can charge several devices at the same time.

This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry with me on all of my trips.

My daughter gifted me this FugeTek Selfie Stick and Tripod for my birthday.

I never leave home on a trip without my Bobble filtration bottle. The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for travel.

The Bobble replaceable carbon filter ensures fresh clean water whenever and wherever you fill the Bobble.

Then this collapsible silicone foldable water bottle would work well for you.

I was never a fan of packing cubes until I tried them out! Now I am sold. These Bagail packing cubes are the exact ones I use whenever I travel.

This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great.

They are very comfortable. I also sometimes bring along my Vionic Tides flip-flops. The toe post is comfortable which makes wearing these very easy.

This cotton unisex lightweight scarf is versatile and can be worn in any season.

These unisex polarized sunglasses come in lens colors and frame designs and are extremely affordable.

If you are fond of aviator-style sunglasses these polarized aviators may interest you.

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