Travel guide · Japan
Kyoto travel guide
Temples, Zen gardens, geisha districts and Japan's finest traditional food
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Nina R from Africa, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
Japan's imperial capital for more than a thousand years, Kyoto holds most of the 17 temples, shrines and castles of the UNESCO-listed Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, among them Kinkaku-ji's golden pavilion, Kiyomizu-dera's wooden stage and the thousands of vermilion gates at Fushimi Inari. The city sits in a basin ringed by forested hills, with the Kamo River running through a compact downtown of covered arcades and the old geisha district of Gion. Kyoto is busy year-round, so early starts and quieter temples make the difference. Plan 4 days for a first visit; the best months are March–May and October–November.
Key facts
- Country
- Japan
- Best time to visit
- March–May and October–November
- Ideal stay
- 4 days
- Main airports
- KIX, ITM
- Mid-range daily budget
- $150–$280 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Temples and shrines, Fushimi Inari torii gates, Geisha district of Gion and Zen gardens
Why visit Kyoto
- Fushimi Inari's tunnel of torii gates, Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera and Ryoan-ji's rock garden are among Japan's defining sights.
- Gion and Pontocho's wooden teahouses and lantern-lit lanes preserve the world of geiko and maiko.
- Kyoto cuisine — kaiseki, tofu and yuba, Buddhist shojin ryori, matcha sweets — is the most refined in Japan.
- Cherry blossom along the Philosopher's Path in spring and maple colour at Tofuku-ji in late autumn draw visitors from around the world.
- Nara, Uji and Osaka are all under an hour away by train, making Kyoto an easy base for the Kansai region.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 19 things to do.
Religious site · Fushimi
Fushimi Inari Taisha
The head shrine of Inari, god of rice and commerce, is famous for the thousands of vermilion torii gates donated by businesses that tunnel up Mount Inari.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Photo spot
- Active
- Kids
- After dark
Religious site · Higashiyama
Kiyomizu-dera
Founded in 778, this UNESCO-listed temple is known for its wooden main hall stage, built without nails and projecting 13 metres above the hillside, with views across Kyoto.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Religious site · Kita
Kinkaku-ji
The Golden Pavilion is a Zen temple whose upper two floors are covered in gold leaf, reflected in the Mirror Pond.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- History
Nature · Arashiyama
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji
A short path between towering bamboo stalks leads from the north gate of Tenryu-ji, a UNESCO-listed Zen temple whose 14th-century pond garden borrows the hills behind it as scenery.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Couples
- Kids
Neighbourhood · Gion
Gion and Hanamikoji Street
Kyoto's best-known geisha district has wooden teahouses (ochaya) and restaurants along Hanamikoji Street and the willow-lined Shirakawa canal.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- After dark
- Couples
- History
Market · Downtown Kawaramachi
Nishiki Market
A five-block covered street known as 'Kyoto's kitchen', Nishiki has more than a hundred stalls selling pickles, tofu, dashi rolled omelettes, fresh seafood, wagashi and knives.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Rainy day
- Shopping
- Iconic
Where to stay
Kyoto Station area is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$ · Best for first-timers, families and budget
Kyoto Station area
Transport hub with big hotels, Kyoto Tower and department stores
$$$ · Best for first-timers, food lovers, nightlife and shopping
Downtown Kawaramachi
Covered arcades, Nishiki Market and the Kamo River bars of Pontocho
$$$$ · Best for couples, culture and luxury
Gion and Higashiyama
Teahouses, wooden machiya, temples and stone-paved slopes
$$$ · Best for quiet stays, culture, families and couples
Okazaki
Heian Shrine, museums and canals at the foot of the eastern hills
What to eat
- Kaiseki — A multi-course seasonal meal of small, carefully presented dishes — sashimi, simmered vegetables, grilled fish, rice and pickles — rooted in tea-ceremony cuisine.
- Yudofu — Silken tofu simmered gently in kombu broth at the table and dipped in soy and condiments — a Zen temple dish suited to cold days.
- Yuba — The delicate skin that forms on heated soy milk, eaten fresh with soy sauce, rolled, or in soups and rice bowls — a Kyoto speciality.
- Shojin ryori — Buddhist temple cuisine with no meat, fish, onion or garlic, built on tofu, sesame, mountain vegetables and seaweed in balanced courses.
- Matcha and Uji tea — Powdered green tea whisked to a froth, often served with a seasonal sweet; Uji, just south of Kyoto, has grown prized tea for centuries.
- Wagashi — Traditional sweets made from bean paste, rice flour and sugar, shaped to reflect the season — cherry blossoms in spring, maple leaves in autumn — and eaten with matcha.
When to go
The best times to visit Kyoto are late March to May and October to November, when the weather is mild and cherry blossom (early April) or autumn foliage (mid to late November) colours the temples — but these are also the most crowded and expensive weeks. January, February and June are quieter and lower-priced, while July and especially August are very hot and humid.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Plum blossom in March, cherry blossom in early April and fresh green maples in May; Golden Week and blossom season bring heavy crowds. |
| Summer | June–August | The rainy season in June and early July, then intense heat and humidity; Gion Matsuri in July and the Okuribi bonfires in August. |
| Autumn | September–November | A hot start, then dry, clear days and spectacular maple colour from mid-November, with evening temple illuminations. |
| Winter | December–February | Cold and quiet, with low prices, occasional snow on the temples and New Year rituals at shrines. |
Getting there and around
Kyoto has no airport. From Kansai International Airport, the JR Haruka limited express reaches Kyoto Station in about 75–80 minutes, and limousine buses run to major hotels. From Osaka's Itami Airport, the limousine bus takes about 55 minutes to Kyoto Station.
Kyoto combines two subway lines, several private railways and JR lines with an extensive city bus network that reaches temples away from rail stations. Buses get very crowded at peak sights, so combine trains and walking where you can. An ICOCA or other Japanese IC card works on nearly everything.
Plan your days
Two days covers Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera and Higashiyama, Gion, Kinkaku-ji and Arashiyama at a brisk pace. Four days lets you add Nijo Castle, the Philosopher's Path, Zen temples and Nishiki Market without rushing; with five or six, add day trips to Nara, Uji and Himeji.
Practical information
- Currency
- JPY
- Language
- Japanese
- Plugs
- Type A (two flat pins), 100 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 110 (police), 119 (fire and ambulance)
- Tipping
- Tipping is not practised in Japan and can cause embarrassment.
Kyoto has very low crime. The main issues are crowding at major sights, heat exhaustion in July and August, and cyclists on pavements. Typhoons can disrupt travel in late summer and early autumn.
Flights to Kyoto
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Kyoto?
Two days covers Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera and Higashiyama, Gion, Kinkaku-ji and Arashiyama at a brisk pace. Four days lets you add Nijo Castle, the Philosopher's Path, Zen temples and Nishiki Market without rushing; with five or six, add day trips to Nara, Uji and Himeji. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Kyoto?
The best times to visit Kyoto are late March to May and October to November, when the weather is mild and cherry blossom (early April) or autumn foliage (mid to late November) colours the temples — but these are also the most crowded and expensive weeks. January, February and June are quieter and lower-priced, while July and especially August are very hot and humid.
+What is Kyoto known for?
Temples and shrines, Fushimi Inari torii gates, Geisha district of Gion, Zen gardens, Kaiseki cuisine, Matcha and Cherry blossom and autumn colour. Fushimi Inari's tunnel of torii gates, Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera and Ryoan-ji's rock garden are among Japan's defining sights.
+Is Kyoto expensive?
Kyoto is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $150–$280 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Kyoto?
No. Traffic and parking are difficult; trains, buses, bikes and walking cover the city and day trips.