Top 10 Things To Do In Kyoto

The former Imperial capital of Japan is full of history, natural beauty and over 1,600 temples.  From cherry blossom viewing to ancient shrines and temples, here are the top 10 things to do in Kyoto, Japan.

Fushimi Inari Shrine
Located at the base of Mount Inari, Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of the best Shinto shrines in Kyoto.  The ancient shrine is famous for its thousands of orange torii gates that lead up the mountain trails.  Fushimi Inari Shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god of rice, Inari, and many visitors make offerings of sake and origami cranes.

Cherry Blossom Viewing
The tradition of viewing sakura or cherry blossoms is known as hanami, and Kyoto is one of the best places to view cherry blossoms.  Cherry blossom season typically begins in April, and one of the best places for hanami in Kyoto is the Philosopher’s Walk, which is a pathway along a picturesque cherry tree-lined canal. 

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Walking through Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is regarded as one of the best things to do while in Kyoto.  The sprawling bamboo grove is one of the most photographed places in all of Kyoto and has walking tours through the serene forest.

Jōjakkōji Temple
If you are a fan of idyllic fall foliage and quaint Buddhist temples, visiting Jōjakkōji Temple is one of Kyoto’s hidden gems.  Located near the Arashiyama sightseeing district, Jōjakkōji Temple features a small pagoda but its main draw is seeing the leaves of the Japanese maple trees changing colors in the autumn.

Nijō Castle
The former residence of the first shogun of the Edo Period, Nijo Castle was built in 1603 and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The grounds consists of the Ninomaru Palace, the ruins of the Honmaru Palace, and several other buildings and elaborate gardens, as well as cherry tree and plum tree orchards.

Mount Kurama
Located just north of Kyoto, Mount Kurama is best known for the Buddhist temple Kurama-dera as well as Kurama Onsen, one of the most accessible natural hot springs from the city of Kyoto.

Gion Geisha District
Kyoto is considered the birthplace of the geisha culture, and the historic Gion district is Kyoto’s most famous geisha district.  Known as geiko in Kyoto dialect, geishas are characterized by their traditional kimono and oshiroi makeup.  The best way to have an authentic geiko experience is to book reservations at a traditional tea house, which there are a number of in the Gion district.

Kinkaku-ji
No list of the top 10 things to do in Kyoto would be complete without the Kinkaku-ji temple.  Also known as the “Golden Pavilion,” this Zen Buddhist temple is one of the most iconic sites in all of Japan.

The Kyoto Imperial Palace
The Kyoto Imperial Palace was the former residence of the Emperor of Japan until 1868 when the capital was moved to Tokyo.  The grounds consists of the main palace and secondary palace, as well as a large recreational park.

Nishiki Market
Located in downtown Kyoto, Nishiki Market has more than 100 shops and restaurants where you can sample many of Kyoto’s specialties, such as pickles, dried seafood, Japanese sweets, and sushi.

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