Kyoto, Japan • Asia

Kyoto

Japan's thousand-year capital - golden temples, geisha lantern-lit alleys, bamboo groves and the country's finest kaiseki cuisine.

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7 Attractions

5 Restaurants

5 Hotels

2 Itineraries

About Kyoto

Kyoto was Japan's imperial capital for more than a thousand years, and it still feels like the soul of the country. With over 1,600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines, 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and entire neighbourhoods of preserved wooden townhouses, it is the place travellers come to meet the Japan of their imagination - quiet gardens, vermilion torii gates, tea houses and the soft shuffle of geisha on their way to work. The city rewards slow wandering. Mornings are for the great temples - the golden Kinkaku-ji, the cliff-top stage of Kiyomizu-dera, the endless tunnel of torii at Fushimi Inari. Afternoons drift through the bamboo grove and gardens of Arashiyama or the food stalls of Nishiki Market. Evenings belong to Gion and Pontocho, the lantern-lit lanes where you might glimpse a maiko and where Kyoto's celebrated kaiseki restaurants serve seasonal multi-course feasts. Kyoto is also a perfect base for day trips - the great bronze Buddha and tame deer of Nara, the lakeside temples of Otsu, and the sake breweries of Fushimi are all under an hour away. Compact, walkable and superbly connected by bus, subway and bicycle, Kyoto blends deep tradition with effortless modern travel, and it is at its most magical under spring cherry blossom and fiery autumn maples.

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Things to Do in Kyoto

Religious

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Shinto shrine famous for thousands of vermilion torii gates winding up Mount Inari. The full loop takes 2-3 hours and rewards you with city views and quiet sub-shrines.

2-3 hours Free4.8(38,000)

Religious

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

A Zen temple whose top two floors are covered in gold leaf, mirrored in a tranquil reflecting pond. One of Japan's most photographed buildings.

1 hour JPY 5004.7(29,000)

Nature

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

A soaring green tunnel of bamboo on the city's western edge, beside the Tenryu-ji temple gardens, the Togetsukyo bridge and a riverside monkey park.

2-3 hours Free4.6(22,000)

Religious

Kiyomizu-dera

A UNESCO hillside temple with a vast wooden stage projecting over the maples, sweeping views of Kyoto, and the lively Higashiyama lanes leading up to it.

2 hours JPY 4004.7(26,000)

Culture

Gion District

Kyoto's historic geisha quarter of wooden tea houses, lantern-lit alleys and the Hanamikoji and Shirakawa lanes. Best explored on foot at dusk.

2 hours Free4.6(18,000)

Food

Nishiki Market

A narrow five-block covered market nicknamed Kyoto's Kitchen, packed with stalls selling pickles, tofu, sweets, skewers and street snacks.

1-2 hours Free4.5(15,000)

Historical

Nijo Castle

A 17th-century shogun residence with ornate gates, painted screens and famous nightingale floors that chirp underfoot to warn of intruders, set in beautiful gardens.

1.5 hours JPY 1,3004.5(12,000)

Where to Eat in Kyoto

Kikunoi Honten

Kaiseki / Fine Dining $$$$4.9(3,400)

Three-Michelin-star kaiseki in a Higashiyama villa, serving exquisite seasonal multi-course menus. Reserve well ahead.

Gion Karyo

Kaiseki / Japanese $$$4.7(2,100)

Approachable modern kaiseki in the heart of Gion, with beautifully presented seasonal courses at a gentler price than the grand houses.

Omen Nippon

Udon / Japanese $$4.6(5,200)

Beloved handmade udon house near Ginkaku-ji, famous for its sesame dipping noodles and seasonal vegetable sides.

Arashiyama Yoshimura

Soba / Japanese $$4.5(4,300)

Handmade soba with a panoramic view over the Togetsukyo bridge and the Arashiyama hills, ideal after the bamboo grove.

Ippudo Nishikikoji

Ramen $4.4(8,800)

Rich tonkotsu ramen from the famous Hakata chain, a reliable and satisfying stop near Nishiki Market.

Where to Stay in Kyoto

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

Luxury $900/night4.9(2,600)

Riverside luxury on the Kamogawa with garden views, a serene spa and acclaimed dining.

Hoshinoya Kyoto

Resort $800/night4.8(1,500)

A secluded riverside ryokan reached by private boat in Arashiyama, blending modern comfort with deep tradition.

Park Hyatt Kyoto

Luxury $700/night4.8(1,200)

Hillside elegance steps from Kiyomizu-dera, with views over the Yasaka pagoda and Higashiyama.

Hotel Granvia Kyoto

Mid-Range $220/night4.5(7,400)

Directly above Kyoto Station, unbeatable for transport, with comfortable rooms and many restaurants.

Piece Hostel Sanjo

Hostel $35/night4.4(3,900)

A stylish, social hostel downtown with clean dorms and private rooms, great for solo travellers and backpackers.

Kyoto Itineraries

3-day trip

3 Days in Kyoto: Temples & Geisha Districts

easy $350 total

A first-timer's loop through Kyoto's greatest temples, the bamboo grove and the lantern-lit lanes of Gion.

View day-by-day plan

5-day trip

5-Day Kyoto & Nara Explorer

moderate $650 total

A deeper week pairing Kyoto's highlights with day trips to Nara's great Buddha and the sake town of Fushimi.

View day-by-day plan

Kyoto Budget Guide

Category	Budget	Mid-Range	Luxury
Flights	$700 - $1,500	$700 - $1,500	$700 - $1,500
Accommodation	$30/night	$120/night	$450/night
Food	$20/day	$45/day	-
Activities	$20/day	$20/day	$20/day
Local Transport	$8/day	$8/day	$8/day
Daily Average	$70	$160	$400