The 37 Best Things to Do in Kyoto, Japan

And during our 3 weeks in Japan, it quickly became a highlight for us as well. Not only did we love the more laid back, smaller feel of the city, but it also boasted some of our most memorable experiences of the trip, like making our own ramen, attending a tea ceremony, and riding bikes with a local!

Want to experience some of the best things to do in Kyoto for yourself? We’re sharing our must-visit free spots, favorite paid activities, delicious local eats, and so much more! Plus, many tips to help you plan your trip, including where to stay and how to avoid the crowds.

Before we dive into the best things to do in Kyoto, there’s something important to know: Kyoto is crowded. You may have seen the news articles discussing how overtourism has impacted the city and they’re not wrong. Not only did we experience some of the largest crowds here, but we also saw way more foreigners than we did anywhere else. And from what we hear, not all of them are on their best behavior. 😬

We’ll be sharing some tips on how to avoid the crowds later on, but first, here’s how you can ensure you visit responsibly and are respectful of the local culture. 

• Do not stop, touch, or take photos of geisha or maiko. 
• Respect all “no photo” signs, including on private streets and at temples.
• Be quiet on public transportation and at religious sites (and just in general–Japan is a quieter country).
• Do not block roadways or sidewalks.
• Always dispose of your trash properly. We did see some trash cans in Kyoto (a rarity in Japan!), but if you do not see one, make sure to take it back to your hotel.
• Do not smoke outside of designated areas.
• Learn the history about the places you visit, so you can connect deeper with them.
• Support local businesses as much as you can!

For even more Japan travel tips, check out our guide full of our top things to know before visiting Japan (coming soon)!

There are countless things to do in Kyoto for all interests! This is not an exhaustive list of everything to do in Kyoto, but rather the top sights and experiences we think are worth prioritizing, especially if it’s your first visit. 

But even 37 things to do is still a lot to decide between. So if you need help narrowing it down further, our favorite things to do in Kyoto were:

• Attending a traditional tea ceremony
• Making our own ramen at Ramen Factory
• Going on a bike tour with The Good Day Velo
• Sunset drinks along the Kama River
• Riding the Hozugawa River boat ride
• Walking through Fushimi Inari Shrine

Tips for visiting Fushimi Inari Shrine

It’s no secret this is one of the most popular things to do in Kyoto. And if you’re like us and wonder if it’s worth visiting despite its crowds…the answer is YES! It’s a very beautiful and unique experience. However, before you go, here are a few important things to know to make your visit more enjoyable:

• Hours & cost: Fushimi Inari Shrine is FREE to enter and is open 24/7.
• Visit early or late! For less crowds, visit before sunrise or just before sunset. You will not be alone, but you’ll encounter less people. Also, this gives you the chance to see it both in the darkness and daylight!
• Go as far as you can! We personally visited about 2 hours before sunset and it was still very busy at the beginning. But we followed this trail and the further we went, the more the crowds thinned out. We even had quite a few sections all to ourselves for a bit! So if it’s jam packed when you arrive, just keep walking.
• The summit does not have a view. The trail linked above takes you to the top of Mount Inari. However, the summit does not have a view, but rather another shrine. We are still glad we went to the top because it took us to the least busy sections along the way. But you can find the best views about 1.6 km (1 mile) up.
• There are a lot of stairs. According to Google, there are 12,000 stairs to get all the way to the top. So keep this in mind if stairs are tough for you!

Want to experience Fushimi Inari with a knowledgeable guide? This hiking tour will take you to some hidden gems within the shrine, including a bamboo forest. You could also go on this night tour, for the chance to see the shrine with less crowds in the dark.   

As big coffee drinkers, we had to try as many coffee shops as we could while in Kyoto. And just like everywhere else we went in Japan, the coffee was top notch!

Since you’ll likely have many early mornings to beat the crowds while checking out the best things to do in Kyoto, make sure to schedule some time to enjoy a little coffee break. Some of the best coffee shops to check out are:

• Goodman Roaster Kyoto: Get the banana bread and carrot cake too!
• WEEKENDERS COFFEE: A cool, tucked away coffee stand (no seating) in a parking lot.
• Kurasu: We went to their coffee stand near Kyoto Station and loved it! But this location is closer to some of the best things to do in Kyoto.
• % Arabica (multiple locations): A now international chain that started in Kyoto. Prepare for LONG lines!
• WIFE & HUSBAND: Quite possibly the most beautiful coffee shop in Kyoto. Get their honey cheese toast!
• COYOTE the ordinary shop: Another good coffee option when traveling to or from Kyoto Station. 
• Söt Coffee Kyoto Shichijo: High quality coffee and delicious sweet treats.
• IOLITE COFFEE ROASTERS: Also known for their toast, this is a good spot if you want a bite to eat with your coffee.

Gion is one of the most popular areas to visit and stay in Kyoto. Known as the Geisha District, this area is home to many ochaya, which are exclusive teahouses where geisha and maiko (apprentice geisha) perform for guests. 

Ochayas are normally not open to the public. However, on this tour you will get the chance to meet a geisha, enjoy dinner, and see a performance. 

Important to know: Many people visit this area in hopes of catching a glimpse of geisha or maiko. And you do have a pretty good chance of seeing them walking at certain times of the day. But if you see one, it’s very important to act respectfully. Do NOT touch, follow, harass, or take photos of them.

But besides the geisha culture in Gion, the area is known for its many traditional wooden machiya merchant houses, plus some beautiful areas to walk around, like Maruyama Park (great for cherry blossoms) and Shirakawa Canal. We loved walking around Shirakawa Canal at night, when the lights glisten off the water!

Located in Kyoto’s Higashiyama Ward are Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, two stone-paved pathways built in the 800s, surrounded by different temples and shrines. Today they are two of Kyoto’s most picturesque streets, with efforts being taken to hide power lines, disguise vending machines, and maintain the buildings in their traditional look.

Walking these streets feels like walking back in time and we loved exploring here! And besides just admiring the buildings, there are different stores, restaurants, and coffee shops (including a stunning and uniquely Japanese Starbucks!) to check out.

A+K Tip: These streets are some of the most crowded in Kyoto, so make sure to arrive early! Even arriving around 6 AM, we encountered quite a few people here, including a line to get a photo of the Yasaka Pagoda. Also, there are private streets nearby that do not allow photos, so please respect this rule!

One of the best ways to explore Kyoto is by bike! And while you could rent a bike and explore on your own, we highly recommend booking a bike tour to learn more about the city along the way.

During our time in Kyoto we went on a morning tour with The Good Day Velo. And it was one of the highlights of not only our time in Kyoto, but our entire trip to Japan! The owner, Naoki, guided us around Kyoto for 4 hours as he showed us cultural and historical landmarks of the city that we wouldn’t have seen otherwise. All while giving us interesting information about what you’re seeing, plus sharing what life is like living in Kyoto and Japan. Naoki was so kind, patient, and knowledgeable and it made for a perfect morning!

Plus, upon returning to the coffee shop Naoki can brew you up a delicious drink. His slogan is “slow bike, slow coffee, sweet life” afterall!

We love exploring markets when we travel, so visiting Nishiki Market was a must for us while in Kyoto! 

This 5 block market is over 400 years old and is referred to as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” with more than 100 shops and stalls, selling all kinds of different food items and gifts. It has definitely become more of a tourist spot than local spot over the years, but we still really enjoyed walking around here, admiring the colorful ceiling, and trying a bunch of foods!

Some of our must try spots at Nishiki Market are:

• Ajisai no Toyo: This spot has been here since 1912 and makes some delicious unagi (eel) rice bowls, with charcoal grilled unagi and a sweet, carmelized sauce. 
• Gomafuku-do: Their curry pan is hot and fresh, with beef curry inside and rolled in golden sesame.
• Tako-tamago: This spot is known for tako tamago, which is octopus stuffed with a quail egg and cooked in a sweet/salty sauce. Adam enjoyed this a lot more than he thought he would!
• Konna Monja: Their soymilk donuts are light, bouncy, and crispy, without feeling overly fried. We got them topped with soy flour and brown sugar!
• Hanayori Kiyoe: For their croquettes, especially their yuba (tofu skin) croquette!

Want to explore the market with a guide? Check out this Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Tour which includes 7 different tastings, plus brunch. Or this Nishiki Market Lunch Tour and Kyoto Nishiki Market Food and Culture Walking Tour, which both include between 5-7 food stops.

Want to experience Kyoto’s food scene beyond Nishiki Market? Go on a food tour in the city! Not only will you get to try some local dishes, but you will also learn about the city along the way.

There are quite a few different food tours to choose from in Kyoto, but our top picks are:

• Kyoto Night Foodie Tour in Gion: On this tour you’ll get to try 9+ dishes and do 6 sake tastings at small bars and local restaurants.
• Kyoto: Gion Food Tour 13 Dishes at 4 Eateries: The name says it all! 
• Kyoto Foodie Night Tour: This tour makes a quick stop at Nishiki Market, but mostly focuses on hidden gems in other parts of the city!

If you prefer to explore the city’s food scene on your own, there are tons of restaurants to choose from. It can be a bit overwhelming at times deciding where to go! Here are some of our favorite restaurants from our time in Kyoto, plus a couple spots that came highly recommended to us that we ran out of time for!

• Gyoza Hohei: This was one of the best meals we had in all of Japan. Their gyozas are perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Plus their sauces and their marinated cucumbers were delicious! We normally try to eat at a new restaurant for every meal when traveling, so we can try as many spots as possible, but we loved their gyozas so much that we went twice!
• Hyakuten Manten: Their curry ramen is delicious!
• Pizzeria LUGARA: If you are wanting a break from Japanese food, grab some delicious pizza here (it’s owned by an Italian!). With its location right by Arashiyama, it’s the perfect lunch after exploring that area. 
• Gyukatsu Motomura: This is another spot we visited twice in Japan, once in Tokyo and once in Kyoto. The gyukatsu is so tender and we loved getting to grill it!
• Sushitetsu: Our fish loving friends raved about this sushi spot!
• Ichimonjiya Wasuke: This teahouse was founded in 1000 (!!!) and serves aburi-mochi, which are grilled over charcoal, with a miso sauce. We wanted to go here so badly, but it was a bit further north than we ventured.

A+K Tip: When looking for restaurants in Kyoto (and in Japan in general), use Tabélog! This is Japan’s top restaurant review website, with over 886,000 restaurants. While we typically shoot for as close to 5 stars as possible on Google Maps, we had read that on Tabélog, anything over 3.5 is considered to be really good!

If you haven’t picked up on it, eating is one of the best things to do in Kyoto, but to take your food experience to the next level, go to a cooking class! You not only get to learn some new skills, but you get to eat a tasty dish at the end. It’s a win win!

During our time in Kyoto we took a ramen cooking class with Ramen Factory and it was a blast! Our ramen master expertly led us through the step by step process to make ramen, including making our own noodles (and punching the dough 🤣). We also got to customize our broth and toppings, allowing us to personalize the ramen to our tastes and make a one of a kind dish. 

It was educational, super hands on, and so much fun!

Kyoto is known for its matcha. Uji, located just south of the city of Kyoto, is one of the top producers of green tea in the country. So beyond just attending a tea ceremony in Kyoto, we also recommend enjoying some matcha treats!

You can find matcha goodies all over town. Some popular stores to buy matcha or enjoy matcha desserts are:

• Ippodo Tea Kyoto Main Store
• MACCHA HOUSE 抹茶館 京都祇園四条 
• Tsujiri Kyoto Gion Store  
• Fukujuen Kyoto Main Store 
• Nanaya Kyoto Sanjo Shop
• Gion Tsujiri Main Store 

A+K Tip: Don’t forget to try hojicha as well! This is roasted green tea and has a toasted, nuttier flavor that is a bit less earthy than matcha. We actually prefer it to matcha! You can get it in latte form or in treats and they also sell hojicha powder, but we struggled to find it. So if you see some, buy it!

If you’ve done any research on the best things to do in Kyoto, you will likely have seen photos of a bamboo grove. The most famous bamboo grove in Kyoto is the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, which is located in Arashiyama Park, about an hour train ride(s) from the Gion area of Kyoto.

This bamboo grove is relatively small, only taking a few minutes to walk through, but it is pretty magical, with thousands of tall bamboo stalks towering over you! However, like many of the popular things to do in Kyoto, it is a very busy spot. So before you head there, here are a few important things to know!

• It is FREE to visit and open 24/7, so you can go anytime of the day.
• We suggest going around sunrise to avoid the largest crowds (there will still be people though). 
• It takes a bit for the sun to rise and illuminate the grove. When we visited at sunrise, it was pretty dark, so we had to wait around a bit for it to be light enough for photos. The downside of this is that it got busier by the second. 
• Getting photos without people in them is very hard, even in the morning. And downright impossible mid-day. Be patient and get creative with angles!

Across the river from Arashiyama Park is Arashiyama Monkey Park. It’s a steep hike to the top, where you’ll have amazing views and can see semi wild macaque monkeys! 

If you’re like us and are hesitant about animal experiences, it is worth noting that these monkeys are able to freely wander around the park and are not caged. However, there is a chance to feed them in a special area, where you’re the one who is in an enclosure!

Regardless if you feed them or not, please treat the monkeys with respect and follow all rules. They are wild animals and are unpredictable.

Want to explore Arashiyama with a guide? This tour takes you to all of the spots we mentioned above in the Arashiyama area! 

One of our top things to do in Kyoto is ride the Hozugawa River boat ride to Arashiyama! 

This 2 hour boat ride takes you along the Hozugawa River, which was originally utilized to transport logs that were used to build many of the famous temples and castles in Kyoto and Osaka. During the early 1600s the river was widened so that it could be used to ship rice and other cargo, but with the creation of trains and trucks, river transport became obsolete. 

Now, the river is popular with rafting, including this ride, where you can ride on traditional style, flat-bottomed boats that are expertly navigated by boatmen with oars and bamboo poles. Along the way, you have amazing views of the river and surrounding mountains, the chance to see trains go by, and even go on some rapids! Despite going during low water, we had a handful of rapid sections and Kathryn’s pants got soaked. It was a lot of fun!

A few logistics to know before you go:

• We bought our tickets in advance, but you can get them there as well.
• The boat ride starts just 10 minutes from the end of the Sagano Romantic Train. They have a bus (extra fee) you can hop onto right after you get off the train, which makes it super easy. 
• If you don’t take the Sagano Romantic Train, you can take the JR San-In line from Saga-Arashiyama Station to get to the start of the boat ride. 
• Once you arrive at the boat area, you’ll get a ticket and wait for your number to be called to go on a boat. We waited probably around 30 minutes. They have snacks and drinks you can buy, plus toilets.
• The ride is fully exposed to the sun, so make sure to bring sun protection!

Kyoto is located close to many other amazing destinations in Japan, so we highly recommend spending a day going on a day trip! And one of the most popular day trips from Kyoto is to Nara, about 1 hour south.

Established in 710 and once the site of the first permanent capital of Japan, Nara is loaded with history and stunning temples. But is quite possibly most famous for its adorable free roaming sika deer. There are 1,300 of them in town and they are everywhere! And definitely not shy around humans. 😅

To see exactly how to spend one day in Nara (plus important things to know about the deer), check out our one day Nara itinerary (coming soon)! But here are just a handful of our favorite stops:

• Seeing the deer: No visit to Nara is complete without seeing the deer! While we had mixed feelings on the human interaction with the deer, we can’t deny that they were VERY cute.
• Nakatanidou: This famous mochi shop has amazing mochi, plus a quick pounding demonstration you can watch if you time it right.
• Yoshikien Garden: This free garden is so beautiful and we hardly saw any people here in the morning!
• Tōdai-ji: WOW, what an impressive temple! It was once the world’s largest wooden building and today is still home to one of Japan’s largest bronze statues of Buddha. 
• Mount Wakakusa: This is a great little hike from town, with amazing views of the area!
• Wakakusa Curry: We had an insanely delicious curry sampler here! 

Another popular destination to visit from Kyoto is Osaka! During our time in Kyoto we spent a day in Osaka and had a blast. It’s a super easy train ride from Kyoto (about 30 minutes-1 hour) and offers so much to see and do!

And while you need more than one day in Osaka to truly experience it, you can still accomplish a lot in one day. We focused our day mostly on food, as Osaka is nicknamed “Japan’s Kitchen” and is home to some iconic dishes and street food. To see everywhere we ate, check out our ultimate Osaka food tour guide (coming soon)!

But if you want to explore the city with a guide, here are some fun tours that will help you experience the city’s top sights and eats in a short period of time.

For food-focused tours we suggest checking out:

• Hungry Osaka Street Food Tour: 15 Tastings & 3 Drinks with a Local 
• Osaka Food Tour: 13 Dishes at 5 Local Eateries
• Osaka Backstreet Nightlife & Street Food Walking Tour 

But if you prefer a city-focused tour, check out one of these!

• Osaka Kickstart: Hotspots & Hidden Gems Tour 
• Private Osaka Walking Tour: Highlights & Hidden Gems 

How to get to Kyoto

Kyoto is located on Japan’s main and largest island of Honshu, about 57 km (35 miles) from Osaka, making it fairly easy to get to from many popular destinations. Here’s a quick rundown of how to get to Kyoto by train or plane!

By air

Kyoto does not have its own airport, but you can find two nearby in Osaka: Osaka Itami Airport and Kansai International Airport. From Kansai it takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to get to Kyoto Station via the Haruka express train. And from Osaka Itami it’s about 1 hour via bus or a combination of trains.

We’d only suggest flying to Kyoto if you plan to spend time in Osaka first or if Kyoto is the first destination on your Japan trip. Otherwise, we’d suggest taking the train!

By train

If you’re coming from Tokyo or another major city in Japan, we highly recommend the Shinkansen bullet trains. They are the easiest and most convenient way to get to Kyoto. The Shinkansen travels up to 320 kilometers per hour (180 mph) and takes less than three hours. Multiple trains leave every hour from Tokyo, so there are plenty of options throughout the day to choose from!

We loved our Shinkansen experience! It was on schedule, clean, quiet, and easy to use. And one advantage to taking the Shinkansen to Kyoto is that you’ll be dropped off right in the center of Kyoto. If you stay near the main tourist sites you’ll have to take another train, but it’s much easier than flying to Osaka first.

A+K Tip: If traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto, get either the D/E seat (ordinary car) or C/D (green car) to have a chance to see Mount Fuji! And don’t forget to grab a bento box at the train station to eat along the way. The Shinkansen is the one exception to eating on public transportation in Japan.

One of the (many) things we loved about Japan was how easy it was to get around. The public transportation is excellent! And Kyoto is no exception. The city has trains, although not as expansive of a system as Tokyo. But to bridge the gap between areas without trains there are plenty of busses. Whenever something was too far to walk, we had no issue finding a bus or train. You can also rent a bike to ride around!

A+K Tip: We personally used a Suica card to pay for transportation, which works all across Japan. You can add to your Apple Wallet (search for Suica on the “transit card” section) and then just tap your phone to pay. You don’t even have to open your phone and you can always see your balance, plus add money through Apple wallet. It is so easy and convenient! 

Figuring out where to stay in Kyoto was tough, as there are many different areas to choose from. But for the ultimate convenience, we would suggest staying in Gion, Higashiyama Ward, Nakagyo Ward, or Shimogyo Ward.

During our visit, we opted to stay in Gion, so we could be close to most of the best things to do in Kyoto. And we were super happy with that choice! Despite being a popular area, we found it to be quiet at night and we were able to walk to so many places! 

We personally stayed at Laon Inn Gion Nawate. It’s nothing fancy, but our room was spacious and it was relatively affordable (by Kyoto standards). 

Some other good options in the Gion, Higashiyama Ward, Nakagyo Ward, or Shimogyo Ward areas are:

• Hotel Muso (our friends stayed here and recommended it!)
• Carta Hotel Kyoto Gion Bettei 
• The Gate Hotel Kyoto Takasegawa by Hulic  
• Kyoto Kamanza Hotel 
• Ace Hotel Kyoto

There are so many things to do in Kyoto that you could easily spend a month and not see it all. But if you want to see the major highlights, we suggest spending at least 3 days. This will allow you to visit the top areas and sights, plus do a couple fun experiences and tours.

To see how to structure your time in the city, check out our 3 day Kyoto itinerary (coming soon)!

Only have one day? Check out this one day tour bus tour or this full day Kyoto tour! These tours will help you experience some of the best things to do in Kyoto, while learning from a knowledgeable guide and not having to worry about transportation logistics.

Fall

Fall is, in our opinion, the ultimate time to visit Kyoto. Not only have the temperatures cooled down some, but the city turns into a rainbow of colors with fall foliage (mid-November through early December). It looks just as beautiful as cherry blossom season, in our opinion!

We visited Kyoto in late October and while we were too early for the foliage, we managed to see some trees turning and loved the cooler weather. Plus the crowds weren’t as bad as they would’ve been during the peak foliage!

Winter

Winter will be less busy in Kyoto, but also a lot colder and in our opinion, slightly less scenic, with more dormant trees. However, if you want to visit during the least busy time of year, this would be a great time to go! Just keep in mind that the daylight is shorter, so you may want to spend more time in the city to ensure you can see everything you want to see.

A+K Tip: Besides the month you’re visiting, keep in mind holidays, like Golden Week (early May), that could impact crowd levels as well.