Top Things To Do in Kyoto Rankings

The best attractions, experiences, and things to do in Kyoto.

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All Items (50)

Fushimi Inari Taisha — thousands of vermilion torii gates climbing Mount Inari, go at dawn—

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove — the ethereal tunnel of towering bamboo, magical at sunrise—

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) — the three-storey gilded Zen temple reflected in a mirror pond—

Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) — wabi-sabi perfection in a moss and sand garden—

Ryoan-ji — the most celebrated Zen rock garden in Japan, 15 stones in white gravel—

Nijo Castle — the shogun's Kyoto residence, nightingale floors and painted sliding doors—

Kiyomizu-dera — the wooden stage temple on a hillside, city views and sacred waterfall—

Philosopher's Path — the canal-side stone path between Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji—

Nanzen-ji — the grand Zen temple complex with a Roman-style brick aqueduct—

Tenryu-ji — UNESCO World Heritage Zen temple with a pond garden in Arashiyama—

Daitoku-ji — vast Zen temple complex with extraordinary sub-temples and gardens—

Gion district — Kyoto's geisha district, machiya townhouses and the sound of shamisen—

Hanamikoji Street — the most beautiful street in Japan, lanterns and ochaya teahouses—

Nishiki Market — the Kitchen of Kyoto, 400-year-old covered market of food stalls—

Pontocho Alley — the narrow lantern-lit alley of restaurants along the Kamo River—

Kamo River dining platforms (yuka) — summer outdoor dining on platforms over the river—

Higashiyama district — cobblestone lanes, tea houses and Kiyomizu-dera approach—

Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka — preserved Edo-period stone-paved lanes, the most photogenic in Japan—

Maruyama Park — Kyoto's favourite cherry blossom park, the weeping cherry is famous—

Imperial Palace and Gardens — the former seat of the emperor, free guided tours—

Kyoto Imperial Palace Park — vast park around the palace, cycling and picnicking—

Ninna-ji — UNESCO temple with stunning five-storey pagoda and cherry blossoms—

Tofuku-ji — Kyoto's finest autumn foliage temple, the garden bridges in November—

Daitoku-ji Zuiho-in — the finest hidden garden in Kyoto, a Christian cross in moss—

Moss garden at Saiho-ji (Kokedera) — requires reservation months in advance, worth it—

Geisha spotting in Gion in the early evening — respectful photography only—

Maiko/geiko tea ceremony — book an authentic tea ceremony or a Gion ochaya experience—

Noh theatre performance — the world's oldest surviving theatrical form—

Gagaku court music at a shrine — ancient imperial court music, unique to Japan—

Shijo-Kawaramachi area — Kyoto's modern shopping and dining heart—

Daimaru and Takashimaya department stores — Kyoto's finest depachika food halls—

Matcha at Ippodo Tea or Nakamura Tokichi — the finest matcha in the world's matcha capital—

Tofu kaiseki at Okutan near Nanzen-ji — the most delicate tofu cuisine in Japan—

Nishiki tuna cutlet sandwich at Mishima-tei — the hidden lunch of Kyoto insiders—

Kyoto ramen at Ippudo or Shin-Shin — Kyoto's distinctive light chicken broth ramen—

Obanzai at a traditional Kyoto restaurant — the subtle home cooking of Kyoto—

Yudofu (tofu hot pot) in Arashiyama — warming, simple and deeply Japanese—

Sake tasting in Fushimi — Kyoto's sake-brewing district, walk between the kura breweries—

Cycling the city — Kyoto is the most bicycle-friendly city in Japan—

Day trip to Nara — giant Buddhas, free-roaming deer and the great Todai-ji temple—

Day trip to Osaka — 15 minutes by shinkansen, Dotonbori and the world's best street food—

Day trip to Hiroshima & Miyajima — the Peace Memorial and the floating torii gate—

Arashiyama Monkey Park — wild Japanese macaques overlooking the city—

Tenryu-ji's garden in autumn — the finest garden in Kyoto, maple reflections in the pond—

Bamboo forest at Sagano — rent a rickshaw (jinrikisha) for the ultimate Arashiyama experience—

Ohara village — mountain hamlet north of Kyoto, moss temples and countryside serenity—

Kurama Onsen — hot spring bath in the mountains above Kyoto, reached by a tiny railway—

Cherry blossom season — late March to early April, Maruyama and the canal paths unforgettable—

Autumn foliage season — mid to late November, Tofuku-ji and the entire city ablaze—

New Year at a Kyoto shrine — Hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year, transcendent—