Best Tours & Things To Do in Kyoto

See Also

• Where to Stay in Kyoto

The Best Kyoto Tours

• 1. Nishiki Market Meal Tour
• 2. Gion Evening Food Tour
• 3. Private Japanese Cooking Lesson & Lunch
• 4. Kyoto Bike Tour
• 5. Half-day Sightseeing Walk of Kyoto

The 30 Best Things To Do in Kyoto

1. Gion

Of Kyoto’s five geisha quarters, none is more renowned than Gion. Whilst those in the profession of geiko (as geisha are known in Kyoto) used to number in the hundreds, nowadays just 250 approximately remain, with under 70 in Gion. One of the most popular activities for visitors to Kyoto is to gather around Gion’s primary boulevard, Hanamikoji Dori, at dusk – with hopes of seeing a geiko or maiko (geisha trainee) on her way to sing, dance, play the shamisen (three-stringed musical instrument) and carry out other traditional art forms at a Gion entertainment house. If one wants to gain more understanding about the lifestyle of a maiko in training, the best choice is to participate in the excellent Gion Evening Food Tour, which will guide you through Gion’s back streets as you learn how to identify a boarding house where maiko reside and how to distinguish maiko and geisha. In Gion is also Gion Corner, providing a one-hour introduction to Japan’s ancient cultural art forms with performances of flower arranging, the tea ceremony, music, dance and bunraku (Japanese puppetry)).

• Closest subway station: Shijo-Kawaramachi.

2. Chionin Temple

It’s not one of Kyoto’s most renowned temples, but Chionin’s convenient location on the northern edge of Maruyama Park and its remarkable Samnon main entrance (one of Japan’s largest) make it a worthwhile brief stop for sightseers. On the other hand, for the millions of Japanese who follow the Jodo Shu (Pure Land Sect), this temple devoted to one of country’s most popular Buddhist denominations is a magnet. Jodo Shu was founded by Honen (1133-1212), a monk who disregarded Buddhist practices of the time as being too aristocratic and too difficult for commoners to follow. Instead, he preached that anyone could attain enlightenment simply by chanting Namu Amida Butsu (“I entrust myself to Amida”) repeatedly and mindfully. If you have time, pay the small admission fee to stroll through Chionin’s two gardens, one dating from the early Edo Period and the other reconstructed in 1954 with a dry rock garden and a spring-fed pond. Its Mieido hall, home to a sacred image of Honen, however, is closed for renovation until 2019.

• Nearest subway station: Higashiyama.
• Nearest bus stop: Chionin Mae.
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3. Eikando Temple

Formally referred to as Zenrin-ji (“Temple in a Peaceful Grove”), this place of worship popular name honors chief monk Eikando (1033-1111), beloved among Japanese for his care of the ill impoverished and planting plum trees to distribute as cures. The temple’s most famous attraction is the 12th-century statue of Mikaeri Amida, glancing backward over his shoulder. According to common lore, Eikando was circling a statue of Amida while reciting chants. Suddenly, he saw that Amida had descended from the altar, a sight so startling that Eikando stopped in his tracks, whereupon the Amida peered over his shoulder and remarked, “You are delaying.” Other highlights include paintings drawn on fusuma (sliding doors), a hillside pagoda with views of Kyoto and a garden with a pond at its center. Autumn’s changing maple leaves and nighttime illuminations make this a busy place in November, but the rest of the year you might just have it to yourself).

• Nearest bus stops: Nanzen-ji Eikando-michi and Tenno-cho.
• Reviews of Eikando Zenrinji Temple in Kyoto can be found here.

4. Kyoto Imperial Palace

This serene garden located in the heart of the city served as the imperial home from 1331 until 1868, when the emperor regained authority, the rising city of Tokyo was declared the new capital, and the imperial court left Kyoto. Those visiting the Kyoto Imperial Palace grounds can independently tour along a designated route, passing the main ceremonial hall, the emperor’s residence and other structures, as well as the emperor’s private garden. It is important to note that what you see is not the authentic original: like essentially all ancient structures in Japan, the imperial palace has been leveled by fire over a dozen times, with present buildings dating from 1855. Yet similarly to most historic treasures, it has been rebuilt virtually exactly as before, in this case reproducing palace architecture from Kyoto’s glorious Heian Period (749-1185). While this palace cannot compare to the extravagance of Kyoto’s imperial villas like Katsura, it is much easier to tour and more conveniently placed (entry is through the palace’s west Seishomon Gate).

• Nearest subway stop: Imadegawa.
• Nearest bus stop: Karasuma-Imadegawa.
• Reviews

5. Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine with its 5,000 orange-colored torii gates has stood here for over 1,300 years, but only lately has become a must-see spot for foreigners. It was founded in 711 when Inari, the god of rice and sake, was enshrined on nearby Mt. Inari. In the ensuing years, it became a favorite destination for merchants praying for success, and has accumulated thousands of vermillion-colored torii donated through the centuries by worshippers (and more recently by Japanese businesses). These form a neon-colored tunnel along sloping pathways, and make for one of the most photogenic shrines in Japan. On the hillside are also shops selling refreshments, many miniature shrines and monuments, and stone statues of foxes, said to be messengers of the gods and keepers of granaries because of the keys dangling from their mouths. Although you can come just for a quick photo op (it’s on the same train line between Kyoto and Nara), pathways leading through woods to the top of Mt. Inari also make for a good outing).

• Closest train stations: Inari and Fushimiinari Station.
• Reviews can be found on TripAdvisor.

6. Kyoto International Manga Museum

Considered to be the world`s premier collection, the manga museum located in Kyoto is highly recommended not solely for devotees of Japanese graphic novels but in addition for individuals hoping to comprehend why this popular style has captivated the planet. Housed inside a 19th century elementary institution, it possesses roughly 300,000 pieces within its holdings, with the goal not simply to preserve manga both conventional and modern but in addition to facilitate exploration. Visits start with the museum’s major exhibition, called “What is Manga,” which extends far beyond a mere introduction: displays include antique cartoons from the latter Edo Period, examples of the extensive diversity of Japanese and international manga, explanations of how manga is developed and mass-produced, and related subjects like anime and cosplay. One of the museum’s most popular features is its “Wall of Manga,” with about 50,000 publications from the 1970s to the present arranged on bookshelves that anybody can choose and read. While there are samples of manga in English and other languages, most publications here are in Japanese, but that doesn’t make the illustrations any less fascinating. (There’s also a children’s library with manga and picture books aimed toward them.) True connoisseurs won’t want to miss the museum shop for its manga, postcards, pastries, and initial goods you can’t find anywhere else.

• Nearest subway station: Karasuma-Oike.
• Visitor reviews

7. Ginkaku-ji

Renowned for its architectural excellence, miniature replica of Mount Fuji, and moss garden despite lacking any silver adornments, The Silver Pavilion was originally constructed in 1482 as a retirement residence for shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa then transformed into a temple following his passing in 1490. While Yoshimasa`s dream to mimic his grandfather`s Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji) by entirely overlaying the pavilion in silver foil was never achieved, Ginkakuji`s basic wood composition is arguably more visually pleasing just as it is. In addition to the pond encircled by the pavilion, there is also a sandy garden featuring an enormous cone-shaped replica of Mount Fuji made of sand said to appear particularly magical beneath a full moon. The property contains streams where Yoshimasa drew clear water for his tea ceremonies as well as a moss garden sure to charm any poet.

• Nearest bus stop: Ginkakuji-mae.
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8. Byodoin Temple

The Byodoin Temple, located approximately 29 kilometers southeast of Kyoto, is so renowned that it is depicted on the Japanese 10 yen coin. It was transformed from a previous villa in 1053, and though only its main Phoenix Hall (Hoo-do) still remains (and represents one of the few structures to have endured the fires and wars of the past approximately 1000 years), it is considered one of the finest examples of temple architecture from the Heian Period (794-1192). Said to resemble a phoenix with its two side wings and rear corridor extending like a tail, it contains the seated Buddha Amida Nyorai carved by the most renowned sculptor of the Heian Period. Both Phoenix Hall and its Buddha are National Treasures, as are its massive temple bell and its 52 carvings of bodhisattvas flying through the clouds. To safeguard its priceless treasures, entrance to Phoenix Hall is restricted to 50 visitors at a time, on a guided tour conducted in Japanese (but with an English handout). If the wait is too prolonged (up to two hours in peak season), you can still appreciate yourself viewing Byodoin from across a small lake and visiting the Treasure Museum, which does an excellent job portraying Phoenix Hall’s interior with virtual-reality exhibits, computer graphics and murals).

– The nearest station is Uji, then a 10-minute walk.
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9. Heian Shrine

This replica constructed in 1895 of Kyoto`s original imperial palace might be one of Kyoto`s most renowned sanctuaries, but its Shin’en Garden is what captures attention. Considered an exemplary model of a recreational garden common during the Meiji Time period (1868-1912) and highlighted in the motion picture Lost in Translation, it encircles a central pond and is renowned for its weeping cherry trees in springtime, its irises and water lilies that blossom in summer and its fiery-red maple leaves in autumn. Note, however, that those seasons also bring sizable crowds, so feel equally fortunate if you visit during the more placid off-season. The shrine itself is a riot of orange, green and white, representative of Heian-era architecture, and was built to honor the 1,100th anniversary of Kyoto`s founding in 794. Heian Shrine hosts one of Japan’s most prominent rituals, the Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Eras), held on October 22 to commemorate Kyoto’s founding, and including a parade of 2,000 people dressed in period costumes).

• Nearest bus stop: Kaikan Bijutsukan-mae.
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10. Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts

This free museum showcases Kyoto’s long record of conventional craftsmanship, numerous created by specialists to serve the imperial court amid the 1,100 years the city served as the nation’s capital. More than 75 sorts of hands on work are on show, including complex kimono textures, lacquerware, Buddhist altars, earthenware, folding fans, stone lights, noh covers, Japanese dolls, and even angling poles and boxwood combs. Instructive depictions and recordings portray the step-by-step procedure expected to create Kyoto’s craftsmanship, alongside specialists showing their abilities for the most part days of the week. Maiko (geisha understudies) perform a short move each third Sunday of the month, and on the off chance that you might want, you can participate in a workshop on stencil-dyeing for a little charge (check the site for a refresh on exercises). It merits exploring the numerous great products in the historical center’s blessing shop.

• Nearest subway station: Higashiyama.
• Nearest bus stops: Higashi-Nijo or Kyoto Kaikan Bijutsukan-mae.
• Reviews

11. Katsura Imperial Villa

Katsura is considered the finest illustration of conventional structure and gardening in Japan. Constructed in the 1620s as the personal estate for customers of the imperial loved ones, it highlights a strolling backyard around a pond and is as excellent as they come, with every single bend in the pathway and every single islet, tree, bush, stone lantern, and connect carefully positioned to afford an graceful and harmonious look at. There’s a moon-viewing pavilion, teahouse and other uncomplicated yet elegant buildings, made with natural materials that blend flawlessly with their surroundings. Katsura can be visited only on one-hour guided excursions carried out in Japanese (free audio guides in English are provided) – make reservations online in advance, or chance it: 20 slots are available at the villa on a first-come first-served basis, but you should arrive well ahead of the scheduled tour if you want to snag a spot. Check the website for more information. While a visit here is rewardingly memorable, seeing Katsura takes time and effort, so make sure you’ve seen the ancient city’s other must-see stops before coming here).

· Nearest station: Katsura, followed by a twenty-minute walk.
• Nearest bus stop: Katsura Rikyu-mae stop, followed by an 8-minute walk.
• Reviews of Katsura Imperial Villa in Kyoto can be found here.

12. Kawai Kanjiro Memorial House