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Top things to do in Kyoto

Attractions, tours and activities in Kyoto

Kyoto: the city's best neighbourhoods

Find a great area to stay in Kyoto

About Kyoto

Including tips for the best time to visit Kyoto

Kyoto, formerly the Japanese capital, flourished for centuries as the country’s centre of culture, religion and economy. This era is preserved by intricate Buddhist temples, palaces, beautiful gardens and time-honoured traditions like the geisha of the Gion district.

In fact, there are 17 locations that make up the 'Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto', found all across Kyoto city. The gold leaf-covered Kinkakuji temple (the Golden Pavilion) – said to have been burned to the ground by a monk who thought it was ‘too beautiful’ – is a popular place to start. So too is the Kiyomizu-dera, known for its wishing wells, wooden veranda and sweeping views of cherry and maple trees.

In spring and autumn, these trees blossom into canopies of pink and red, while the towering bamboos of Arashiyama stay bright green all through the year. This colourful canvas extends to another of the city’s top attractions: the Fushimi Inari Shrine, which features 10,000 orange ‘torii’ gates that form a tunnel through the surrounding forest.

Japan is renowned for its food, and Kyoto is its best advert. Nishiki Market is packed with Michelin-starred restaurants, sushi bars and ‘izakaya’ bar, where you can sample everything from Kitsune Udon noodles to ‘kaiseki’ – Japan’s take on haute cuisine.

Tonight

From £44 per night

This weekend

From £83 per night

Next weekend

From £79 per night

Most popular time to visit October–December
Cheapest time to visit January–March
Local currency ¥1,000 = £5.43
Language Japanese
Average weekend price £93 per night
Average weekday price £92 per night
Typical stay 1 night

Points of interest in Kyoto

Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Kyoto

Kyoto reviews

What other travellers say about Kyoto

10

To leave Japan without visiting Kyoto is a missed...

14 August 2023

To leave Japan without visiting Kyoto is a missed opportunity! We enjoyed Kyoto more than Tokyo. The city is more modern than we expected, but the sense of history is palpable and intentionally well maintained. It is a city with several universities in it, so there are many young adults in town. Very chill, easy to navigate, interesting contrast to Tokyo or Osaka. Kyoto has several universities in town, so there is a palpable respect for scholarship here. This also means there are many young adults who bring a different energy to nightlife on weekends. We had a wonderful time there.

Kevin
Kevin
10

Kyoto is a beautiful city with so much history and beauty...

8 August 2023

Kyoto is a beautiful city with so much history and beauty to offer. I wish we had more time there but alas we wanted to see to many things in Japan. What we experienced in Kyoto was the big Buddha in Nara and the Bamboo forest. Our Ryokan was wonderful and very hospitable.

Lyndra
Lyndra
10

Kyoto is a scenic wonderland, surrounded by mountains and...

7 August 2023

Kyoto is a scenic wonderland, surrounded by mountains and temples. It is a must visit if you come to Japan and truly want to experience the culture. Also an awesome place for shopping, any organic/plant based/gluten free foods, day trips to kobe, mt kurama and more.

Forreste
Forreste Australia
10

Geisha live and work here.

5 August 2023

Geisha live and work here. They call them Maiko and Geiko not geisha. You might be lucky to see one going to work between 5 - 7pm. Lots of culture and traditions here. A few more rules too (compared to other Japanese districts) so if you can do some research first you won't offend anyone. Great place for souvenirs. There's really great restaurants open at all hours of the night so you'll never be hungry.

Tara Straker
Tara Straker Australia
8.0

We enjoyed our tine in Kyoto with its many beautiful sites.

30 July 2023

We enjoyed our tine in Kyoto with its many beautiful sites. Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) and Fushimi Inari Taisha were highlights. The food was amazing everywhere. But don't visit in late July -- the weather was so hot and humid that it slowed us down.

John
John
10

I have made several trips to Japan, but this was my first...

28 July 2023

I have made several trips to Japan, but this was my first trip to Kyoto. I was not disappointed. My daughter and I stayed in an old-fashioned Japanese-style inn, a renovated Geisha house in a charming area between the river and a canal. The famous Fushimi Inari Shrine was a short train ride away, Gion was walking distance, and other sites were easy to reach by bus. I would love to return someday, but due to Kyoto's extremely hot humid weather, I would never go back in the summer.

LISA
LISA United States

Popular places to stay in Kyoto

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