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Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do in Kyoto [2025]
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Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train
4.4
/5
1337 reviews
8.5
From £4.41
Based on 951 reviews
Arashiyama/Sagano/Takao | 8 km from downtown
Address: Saga Tenryuji Kurumamichicho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8373 Kyoto Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
25-minute drive for stunning views
Cherry blossom (spring) & foliage (fall)
Saved by 3763 users985 positive reviews
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For a more interesting train journey, book a glass-top open-air carriage online in advance. However, it rained that day, so the passenger doors retracted to normal carriages. I'll definitely come back to see the autumn leaves if I have the chance.
If you want to take the return trip, don't go downstairs with the crowd. Just stop for a few minutes and get on the bus directly from the entrance after getting off. Otherwise, you will have to wait for an hour. You can walk down from Arashiyama.
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Kiyomizu-dera Temple
4.7
/5
3344 reviews
7.9
Based on 11,811 reviews
Gion/Kiyomizu Temple | 2.4 km from downtown
Phone +81755511234
Address: 1 Chome-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Featured in 2025 Global 50 – Spring Outings
Highlights:
Kyoto's cherry blossoms & foliage
World Cultural Heritage
Saved by 3205 users1028 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
I ran around,
It was not easy to walk to this temple.
It was very strenuous to go up the slope,
even if there were no steps.
When I arrived at the temple gate,
there were a lot of people.
They gathered in front of the temple to take pictures,
and it was not easy to wait for a group of people to take pictures.
After taking pictures, I went in to visit directly.
There was a place for divination,
and there were quite a lot of people.
The temple was looming in the mountains,
and it was said that it had a different flavor under the red maple leaves in autumn.
It was beautiful from a distance and close up,
and it was worth the trip.
Kyoto is a famous "thousand-year-old capital" in Japan. Its urban landscape is full of Tang Dynasty style and charm. Many shrines, Buddhist pavilions and other historical sites are listed as World Cultural Heritage. Kiyomizu Temple is the oldest temple in Kyoto. It is surrounded by green trees. Standing on the Kiyomizu stage and looking far into the distance, the modern outline of Kyoto Tower and the thousand-year-old temple complement each other.
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Fushimi Inari Taisha
4.7
/5
2235 reviews
7.4
Based on 25,111 reviews
5 km from downtown
Phone +81756417331
Address: 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-0882, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No.3 of Night Attractions in Kyoto
Highlights:
Fox statues & unique charms
View Kyoto cityscape
Saved by 3105 users818 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
I ran around and walked around.
This place climbs up the stairs,
step by step,
looking at the words on the pillars on both sides with each step,
it feels very meaningful.
The higher you go,
looking down at the dark crowds of people below,
the more you feel superior,
a feeling of looking down at all the mountains.
It is said that there are more than a thousand pillars in this place,
lined neatly on both sides,
the scenery is very good,
a very good spot for physical exercise.
To get a feeling of serenity, I suggest early mornings or late evenings. It really is beautiful and the buzzing of the cicadas in summer make it feel like you're away from the city and in nature for a while. we even saw wild boar after dark.
No.
4
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Arashiyama
4.7
/5
2609 reviews
7.4
Based on 6,849 reviews
Arashiyama/Sagano/Takao | 9.2 km from downtown
Phone +81752224130
Address: Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 6-8 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Rafting through picturesque canyons
Cherry blossom (spring) & maple (fall)
Saved by 2777 users1619 positive reviews
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Lying serenely on the banks of the Hozu River in the western suburbs of Kyoto, Arashiyama takes its name from "mountain mist," and indeed, a thin mist often lingers in the mornings, like a veil covering the face, adding a touch of mysterious beauty.
In spring, Arashiyama's waters shimmer beneath the Togetsukyo Bridge, where cherry blossoms shimmer in the water. A blanket of pink and white cherry blossoms hangs down, weighing down branches. Occasionally, petals drift onto the river, drifting eastward with the current, like a scene from a ukiyo-e painting come alive. Visitors row boats upstream or stroll along the shore, mesmerized by this fleeting beauty. The Sagano train whirrs through the mountains, its windows framing a moving painting.
In late autumn, a different atmosphere unfolds. The mountains transform from green to red, layer upon layer, a vibrant display. The stone steps of Jojakko-ji Temple, blanketed in crimson leaves, rustle as they step, like the earth's own sigh. The bamboo forest path is deep and secluded, the rustling of bamboo tips like crackling jade, and sunlight filtering through the gaps creates a dappled, shimmering scene. The tranquility of this place contrasts perfectly with the bustle of tourists not far away. Movement and stillness, noise and silence, coexist in remarkable harmony.
There are temples in the mountains, and within these temples are monks. In the dry landscape garden of Tenryu-ji Temple, one or two monks can often be seen sweeping fallen leaves with brooms, their movements slow and Zen-like. They sweep more than just leaves; they clearly sweep the grime of our hearts. Occasionally, the long, deep ring of a bell echoes from the Great Compassion Pavilion, startling a few jackdaws, which suddenly fly off into the distance.
Drifting down the Hozu River, the water is clear and shallow, and fish swim and flutter. The boatman, holding a bamboo pole, tells legends of mountain spirits and water monsters in a raspy yet intimate Kansai dialect. A teahouse stands on the shore, where an elderly woman kneels to serve tea. The bitter aroma of matcha blends with the sweetness of wagashi, evoking a sense of tranquility.
The beauty of Arashiyama lies not in its dramatic heights but in its tranquility; not in its bustle but in its serene stillness. The scenery changes with each season, but the beauty of its tranquility remains constant, inviting one to forget the worries of the world and simply wish to become a wisp of mist in the mountains, a leaf in the forest, living with nature.
Stunning natural beauty, definitely a must visit if in Kyoto. Convenient to get to, I took a bus there and train back to hotel. Definitely set aside a good few hours, beautiful scenery overlooking the riverside and lake. Many shops and restaurants in the village. Definitely take the romantic train, stunning views!
No.
5
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Gion
4.8
/5
7798 reviews
7.3
Gion | 1.2 km from downtown
Phone +81755312288
Address: Gion, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-2 hours
Featured in 2024 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do
Highlights:
Geishas in kimonos at night
Traditional Kyoto performing arts
Saved by 2693 users7233 positive reviews
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I went for a quick walk.
It's not a big place,
but it's very interesting.
I had a lot of fun wandering around.
There are many shops,
including a wide variety of cultural shops.
For example, shops that preserve Kyoto crafts,
and some delicious Kyoto snack shops.
Some of the snack shops even advertise themselves as long-established,
passing down their seasoning recipes.
There are also interesting street scenes along the way,
displaying traditional Japanese items.
Gion: Geisha phantom and capital meat grinder, Kyoto's most dangerous Ukiyo-e Is it worth going? If you want to dissect the dark fairy tale of Japanese aesthetics, it's worth it! But under the stone slabs of each flower-viewing path are tourists' IQ taxes - this is the Disneyland of geisha culture, and you are a human ATM.
Hard-core truth: blood and gold on the shamisen strings
Chemical war on the back of the neck of the maiko: under the white powder is not the legendary "swan neck", but the scar of collodion burns - traditional geishas need to use glue to straighten the neck lines. The young girl kneels in front of the mirror at 3 a.m. and uses a bone brush knife to smooth the skin texture, just for a 0.5-second glimpse in your lens at dusk.
The indulgence system of Ichiriki Tea House: The private banquet behind the door curtain costs ￥300,000 per night, and what they drink is not wine but class sacrifice. But when you open the tatami secret compartment, the contract signed by the prostitutes in the Meiji period sleeps with this morning's credit card bill - a century of exploitation has never evolved, only the payment method has changed.
The physical scam of Yasaka Tower: Internet celebrity photographers will not say: The best camera position is on top of the power distribution box in the back alley of Tatsumi Daimyojin. What's even darker is that the tower lighting is sponsored by Sharp, and the LED color temperature is adjusted according to the new mobile phone products of the season - faith has long been adjusted by capital.
The cyber torture device of Shirakawa Tsutsumi: pressure sensors are installed on the stone steps, and hidden spray devices (officially called "moisturizing system") are triggered when the crowd is overloaded. The "poetic scene" of your kimono being wetted by water mist is actually a sewer strategy of big data to disperse the flow of people.
Anti-harvest survival guide (more important than booking Kaiseki)
Morning attack on ghost theater:
5:00 squatting at the back door of Gion Kobu dance practice hall**, watching the geisha with bruises on her eyes after removing her makeup ride a shared bicycle home
6:30 rush into the **Kenninji** abbot garden, the sand sound of monks sweeping fallen leaves is the real "Kyoto sound"
Unlocking the midnight secret path:
- 22:00 climb into the **Shimbashi Shirakawa** restricted area in the dark (Google Map 33.995°N, 135.768°E), the century-old chimney is reflected in the water like a giant harp
- Every Friday on garbage day, throw away the sake lees in the back alley of Inoue Brewery, and dig out the yeast that brewed the geisha's lip balm with bare hands
Fatal peak staggering technique:
-Standing at Yasaka Shrine with a transparent umbrella on a rainy night, watching the red lanterns turn into blood mist in the rain curtain
- On the 10th of every month, on Geisha Emblem Day, follow the kimono delivery truck to the Nishijin weaving workshop and pick up the gold thread scraps from the tailor's knife
Magical realism attack
When you scoop up matcha shaved ice in the tea house, the "geisha" outside the window suddenly takes off her wig - that's a part-time cross-dressing job for a Ukrainian student earning ￥1,500 per hour. Even more absurd is the Hanamikoji vending machine: put in ￥5,000 to get a "Geisha Breathing Air Can", scan the code to display the ingredients list
No.
6
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Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka
4.7
/5
687 reviews
7.2
Based on 8 reviews
Gion | 2 km from downtown
Phone +81752223397
Address: 2-chome, Masuya-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0826, Kyoto Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 hour
Highlights:
Kiyomizu Temple's panoramic city view
Ghibli souvenir shop "Donguri no Mori"
Saved by 1983 users255 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
I went to this place for a walk.
It is actually the only way to Kiyomizu Temple.
It was like going back to the Tang and Song dynasties.
The buildings and scenery on the street have well preserved the style of ancient China.
I didn't expect that I could travel through Kyoto in a completely natural way.
There were a lot of pedestrians wearing kimonos,
both men and women,
and their hairstyles matched,
which was very eye-catching.
There was a scene every step up the slope.
Walk and rest and look at the goods in the surrounding shops.
It was very local and a very leisurely street.
The feeling in the morning and evening was completely different.
The lights were dim at night,
and it was still very beautiful.
People would not feel tired while walking around.
It was really great!
Go here if you want to explore street food in Kyoto. These two alleys have food stalls and restaurants to fill your cravings for dango, daigaku, kobe beef, wagyu burger, matcha ice cream, etc.It's a good sidetrip when you're going to Yasaka Pagoda and Yasaka Koshindo Temple.
No.
7
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Kinkaku-ji
4.7
/5
2684 reviews
7.0
Based on 17,477 reviews
Ohara/Kibune/Kurama | 4.7 km from downtown
Phone +81754610013
Address: 1 Kinkakujichō, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8361, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Featured in 2025 Global 50 – Fall Viewing Attractions
Highlights:
Japanese architectural masterpiece
Maple (fall) & snow (winter)
Saved by 1761 users791 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
I was surprised that there were many foreign tourists after getting off at the bus stop. The direction signs stand out. There are security personnel wearing uniforms on the crosswalk at the entrance. Admission tickets are only available in cash. The size of the tourist area is not large, so you don't have to walk for a long time. The trees are well managed. I can't get close to the building, but I was moved enough just to see it from a distance. If I live nearby, I might come here for a walk every day.
Kinkaku-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan is a Zen temple with a long history. What is striking is that its top two floors are covered with glittering gold foil. As a national treasure of Japan, it has been listed as a World Cultural Heritage. Here, you can appreciate the glittering light of gold foil in the sun and feel the unique charm of traditional Japanese culture.
No.
8
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Kyoto Railway Museum
4.8
/5
249 reviews
6.8
From £7.52
Based on 747 reviews
Kyoto City Centre | 3.6 km from downtown
Phone +81570080462
Address: Kankijicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8835, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No.1 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Kyoto
Highlights:
Experience train work simulator fun
Train driven by a steam locomotive
Saved by 520 users220 positive reviews
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Located next to the aquarium, this museum displays trains from various eras. You can explore them from the inside out, from top to bottom. There are also many interactive displays on train mechanics, signal lights, simulated driving, and more. It's perfect for taking kids out, studying abroad, or taking photos.
super big and nice place, a lot of things to do here.. the kids sure learn a lot, we try the train simulation and ride on the steam train too with additional cost. super love the museum ❤️
No.
9
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Nijō Castle
4.7
/5
1946 reviews
6.8
Based on 7,158 reviews
Nijo Castle | 1.8 km from downtown
Phone +81758410096
Address: 541 Nijojocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8301, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Featured in 2025 Global 50 – Spring Outings
Highlights:
Cherry blossoms & maple leaves
World Cultural Heritage
Saved by 1176 users1021 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
I rode my bicycle from Shijo Hilton and saw a rainbow. There was a delicious izakaya next to it. I drank until I was tipsy and waited for the night to arrive. I toured the castle of the Shogun at night. The feast of light and shadow was worth the price of the ticket.
Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kyoto, Japan, showcases stunning architecture and rich history. Here's a detailed description:*Architecture*1. *Main Keep (Donjon)*: Five-story, 32.9-meter-tall structure with a unique blend of Japanese and Chinese architectural styles.2. *Ninomaru Palace*: Intricately decorated with traditional Japanese art, featuring "nightingale floors" that squeak when walked upon.3. *Kuroshoin*: A beautifully designed study and reception room.4. *Seiryuen Garden*: A tranquil garden with walking paths and scenic views.5. *Togetsukyo Bridge*: A scenic bridge over the castle moat.6. *Stone walls and moats*: Well-preserved feudal-era defenses.*Gardens*1. *Karesansui Garden*: A beautiful Zen garden with raked gravel and stones.2. *Seiryuen Garden*: A tranquil garden with walking paths and scenic views.3. *Ninomaru Garden*: A traditional Japanese garden with ponds, bridges, and teahouses.*Interior*1. *Intricate woodwork*: Elaborate carvings and ornate details adorn the ceilings, walls, and floors.2. *Traditional Japanese art*: Beautiful frescoes, paintings, and decorative screens.3. *Nightengale Floors*: Squeaky flooring designed to alert guards of intruders.*Historical Significance*1. Built in 1603 for Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate.2. Served as the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa shoguns.3. Played a key role in Japan's Edo period (1603-1867).*Visitor Information*1. *Address*: 541 Nijojo-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto2. *Opening Hours*: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM)3. *Admission*: ¥600 (adults), ¥350 (high school students), ¥200 (elementary/junior high students)4. *Access*: Kyoto Station (JR), then bus #50 or subway (Tozai Line)*Tips*1. Wear comfortable shoes for walking.2. Audio guides available in multiple languages.3. Photography allowed, but flash and tripods restricted.4. Traditional Japanese tea ceremonies held periodically.
No.
10
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Rurikō-in Temple
4.4
/5
156 reviews
6.7
Based on 262 reviews
Ohara/Kibune/Kurama | 6.9 km from downtown
Phone +81757814001
Address: 55 Kamitakano Higashiyama, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-0067, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Featured in 2025 Global 50 – Fall Viewing Attractions
Highlights:
50-meter wooden pagoda inside
Open during green & red maple seasons
Saved by 843 users41% positive reviews
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Rurikoin is a place in Kyoto that leaves a deep and lasting impression with its serene beauty. When I first stepped through its gate, the tranquility of the garden took my breath away. This is not just a temple—it feels like a space where time itself has stopped. With each step, the gentle rustling of fallen leaves and the distant sound of birds seemed to cleanse my soul.
Kyoto Rurikoin is a Zen secret place that is beautiful in all seasons. In spring, you can enjoy the fresh green in the window, in summer, you can listen to the rain hitting the moss, in autumn, you can watch the glazed courtyard reflecting the red leaves, and in winter, you can enjoy the snow. In the century-old academy, the glazed bed is like a mirror, turning the garden scenery into an ink painting, and the Zen spirit flows in the light and shadow. Sit quietly and copy the sutras, drink tea and enjoy the scenery, and the hustle and bustle will disappear. It is recommended to visit in late autumn, when the maple forest is dyed, and every step and every scene in the courtyard becomes a poem. You need to make an appointment in advance to avoid the crowds to immerse yourself in the beauty of wabi-sabi. A must-visit healing place in Kyoto, a double pilgrimage for the camera and the soul.
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