
Visit Kyoto, Japan
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Kyoto is the Japan of the imagination: a city of grand palaces, Shinto shrines and exquisite gardens, mercifully spared from the bombing of World War II that razed other Japanese cities. While Kyoto is an undeniably modern city, pockets of historic Japan linger here, where kimono-clad geisha still shuffle along narrow, lamp-lit streets.
Having been the capital of Imperial Japan for over 1,000 years, Kyoto has built up an impressive collection of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. In southern Kyoto, Fushimi Inari Shrine has so many red torii gates — each one donated — that they create vermillion tunnels between individual shrines and the honden (prayer hall).
To the north, Kinkaku-ji (golden pavilion) is a Zen Buddhist temple set in a traditional strolling garden. The top two tiers are covered in a thick layer of gold leaf that glows yellow against the surrounding greenery. Nearby you can visit Ginkaku-ji (silver pavilion). Modeled on its gilded cousin, it was built by shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa as his retirement villa. Without a slither of silver in sight, it’s thought that he ran out of money, but it’s also suggested that at night rays of moonlight hit the pavilion, making it shine silver.
Many temples sit in carefully curated gardens, an art form that was refined in Kyoto. So much so that the definition can be questioned at Ryoanji Temple’s Zen garden. Here, you can sit and reflect while resting your gaze on an arrangement of rocks and raked gravel.
If you like your gardens green, Joruri-ji is a short train ride away in Nara. This 11th-century paradise garden is a concept from Pure Land Buddhists, who built the gardens around a pond which represents the ocean separating birth from death. As you walk the neatly-raked paths, you’ll pass ancient juniper trees, lichen-stained rocks and boughs of wisteria.
The refinement of arts, crafts and pastimes has made Kyoto Japan’s cultural hub, bringing together artists, academics, geisha and artisans. The Women’s Association of Kyoto have established a range of short introductions to various aspects of Japanese culture, craft and cooking that invite visitors to visit a Japanese home and try their hand at traditional skills. Courses are run by women eager to share their hobbies with visitors, including ikebana flower arranging, calligraphy, paper crafts and the tea ceremony.
The tea prepared during a tea ceremony is likely to come from Uji, in south Kyoto. You can visit a tea factory to learn more about the process — the revered matcha tea is grown under three layers of shade to encourage chlorophyll production.
For a stronger tipple, some of the breweries in the Fushimi Sake District offer tastings. Attracted by the clear-flowing Horikawa River, some have been here since the 17th century and still brew in huge timber barns. The Gekkeikan brewery also has a museum which shows the brewing process through glass-sided vats.
Suggested itineraries featuring Kyoto
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Kyoto, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Map of Kyoto
Places & hotels on the map
Places near Kyoto
- Nara 24 miles away
- Osaka 27 miles away
- Mount Koya 58 miles away
- Kinosaki Onsen 69 miles away
- Tottori 94 miles away
- Tokushima 95 miles away
- Shirakawago 108 miles away
- Naoshima 109 miles away
- Takamatsu 109 miles away
- Tsumago 111 miles away
- Takayama 114 miles away
- Kanazawa 119 miles away
- Iya Valley 124 miles away
- Kurashiki 125 miles away
- Kamikochi 139 miles away
- Tateyama 143 miles away
- Matsumoto 150 miles away
- Shikoku 154 miles away
- Matsue 156 miles away
- The Japanese Alps 162 miles away
- Hakuba 165 miles away
- Izu Peninsula 182 miles away
- Hakone & Mount Fuji 185 miles away
- Matsuyama 190 miles away
- Yudanaka 191 miles away
- Noto Peninsula 193 miles away
- Hiroshima 194 miles away
- Miyajima Island 204 miles away
- Kamakura 215 miles away
- Tokyo 230 miles away
- Nikko 251 miles away
- Beppu 273 miles away
- Yufuin 279 miles away
- Kurokawa 297 miles away
Our expert guides to exploring Kyoto
Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Kyoto, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Kyoto at its best.

What it’s like to stay in a machiya, a traditional Kyoto townhouse
If you’re after a typically Japanese stay during your time in Japan, a ryokan isn’t your only option. Japanese specialist Clio describes what it’s like to stay in a machiya, a traditional wooden townhouse that’s a signature of Kyoto.
Accommodation choices for Kyoto
We’ve selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Kyoto. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.

Kanra Hotel
Hotel Kanra is a great boutique hotel offering spacious modern rooms centrally placed for sightseeing in Kyoto. The integration of Kyoto style, whether it is in the hotel's cuisine, décor or design, will make your stay in Hotel Kanra enjoyable and relaxing.

Hyatt Regency
Providing a relaxing stay with all the comforts of an international chain, the Hyatt is a great option when visiting Kyoto. It is clear that the designer of the hotel paid close attention to detail adding thoughtful Japanese touches throughout.

Screen Hotel
One of only a rare few boutique properties, the Screen is a well-located hotel with individually designed rooms

Citadines Karasuma-Gojo
Situated just off Kyoto’s main Karasuma Dori, the Citadines boasts an excellent location. It makes a convenient, comfortable stay for travelers, with stylish décor and modern amenities.

Sakura Terrace The Gallery
Located a short distance from Kyoto Station, Sakura Terrace The Gallery offers a convenient base from which to explore the city. A modern, boutique-style hotel, it offers a bright and playful retreat.

Vista Premio
The Vista Premio in Kyoto featues Japanese touches throughout. Its standard rooms are themed to reflect the bamboo groves of Arashiyama and deluxe rooms are decorated in the hues of a Kyoto autumn.

Gion Hatanaka Ryokan
The Hatanaka Gion in Kyoto is located close to Kiyomizu Temple and Yasaka Shrine. It spreads over the wooded hillside, making it a peaceful retreat from the frenetic downtown area.

Yoshikawa Ryokan
A stay at Yoshikawa Ryokan will open the doors to some of the many unique customs of staying in a traditional inn and leave you with some wonderful memories of Kyoto's famed hospitality.

Tawaraya
There is a prevailing sense of calm and quiet at the Tawaraya and a stay here should leave you rested and revived, aided not least by the solid hinoki wood baths in each room.

Sakura Ryokan
The Sakura Ryokan is only a 10 minute walk from Kyoto Station and offers an excellent stay at a fraction of the price of some of its more distinguished neighbors.
Ideas for experiencing Kyoto
Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting Kyoto, and which use the best local guides.

Dinner with Maiko Performance
Maiko are trainee Geisha (Geiko in Kyoto dialect) who train for six years before becoming fully fledged Geisha. They learn skills such as dance, singing, instrument playing as well as how to entertain guests with conversation.

Traditional Kyoto Cuisine Walking Tour
Enjoy a day of culinary delights with trips to Kyoto's Nishiki Market, Horino Sake Museum to learn all about sake production and then a traditional machiya (tea house) for a Japanese cooking class.

Geisha District Walk
Explore around the Gion district and other parts of Kyoto to help shed some light on the exclusive and mysterious world of the Geisha and other aspects of Japanese culture.

Nara Excursion
Like nearby Kyoto, Nara was once the Japanese capital and a source of enormous cultural and religious outpourings. Unlike its more celebrated neighbor, however, Nara has survived relatively untouched by modern advances and remains a relaxed town dotted with temples, shrines and parkland.

Kyoto Cultural Experience
Take the opportunity to learn more about a traditional Japanese pastime of your choice. These courses are instigated and run by the Women's Association of Kyoto and you will visit the home of one of the members.