History · Kyoto · Japan
8 historic sites to see in Kyoto
The places that tell the story of how the city came to be.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: 663highland, CC BY 2.5
Quick answer
Start with Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji and Gion and Hanamikoji Street. Together the 8 picks below take roughly 10–13 hours across 6 areas; 3 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 8
- Free entry
- 3
- Time to see them all
- 10–13 hours
- Areas
- Higashiyama, Kita and Gion
Historic sites in Kyoto
Religious site · Higashiyama
1.Kiyomizu-dera
Below, visitors drink from the three streams of Otowa waterfall. The stone lanes of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka lead down to Gion.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Religious site · Kita
2.Kinkaku-ji
The original 14th-century building burned in 1950 and was rebuilt in 1955. The route through the grounds is one-way and takes about 45 minutes.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- History
Neighbourhood · Gion
3.Gion and Hanamikoji Street
At dusk you may glimpse geiko and maiko walking to appointments. Yasaka Shrine stands at the eastern end of Shijo-dori.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- After dark
- Couples
- History
Street · Northern Higashiyama
4.Philosopher's Path and Ginkaku-ji
It is lined with cherry trees that make it one of Kyoto's most popular blossom walks.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- History
Castle · Nakagyo
5.Nijo Castle
Moats, stone walls and gardens surround it, and it is where the shogunate returned power to the emperor in 1867.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Kids
Religious site · Higashiyama
6.Sanjusangen-do
Photography is not allowed inside.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
Garden · Kita
7.Ryoan-ji
The temple's pond garden is a quiet contrast.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Couples
Palace · Kamigyo
8.Kyoto Imperial Palace and Gyoen
The palace grounds can be visited free on a set route past the Shishinden ceremonial hall, and the park is a favourite for picnics and plum and cherry blossom.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Outdoors
- Kids
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Higashiyama | Kiyomizu-dera and Sanjusangen-do | 1.5–2 hours + 45 minutes |
| Kita | Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji | 1 hour + 1 hour |
| Gion | Gion and Hanamikoji Street | 1–2 hours |
| Northern Higashiyama | Philosopher's Path and Ginkaku-ji | 2–3 hours |
| Nakagyo | Nijo Castle | 1.5–2 hours |
| Kamigyo | Kyoto Imperial Palace and Gyoen | 1–1.5 hours |
Booking and timing
Of these 8, 3 free, 5 low cost. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Philosopher's Path and Ginkaku-ji; group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 3 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Higashiyama and Kita): Kiyomizu-dera → Sanjusangen-do → Kinkaku-ji → Ryoan-ji, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Gion and Northern Higashiyama): Gion and Hanamikoji Street → Philosopher's Path and Ginkaku-ji, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 3 (Nakagyo and Kamigyo): Nijo Castle → Kyoto Imperial Palace and Gyoen, at least 3 hours.
The quietest months for queues
- January: highs of 9°C (48°F), about 7 rainy days, quiet crowds. Cold, crisp and quiet after the New Year holidays; temples are calm and a rare snowfall turns Kinkaku-ji white.
- February: highs of 10°C (50°F), about 8 rainy days, quiet crowds. The coldest-feeling month and one of the quietest, with plum blossom starting late in the month.
- December: highs of 12°C (54°F), about 7 rainy days, moderate crowds. Late foliage lingers in early December, then the city turns quiet and cold before the New Year rush.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Kyoto Station area — Transport hub with big hotels, Kyoto Tower and department stores
- Gion and Higashiyama — Teahouses, wooden machiya, temples and stone-paved slopes
- Nishijin and Kitano — Weaving workshops, machiya streets and the shrine-temple belt of the north-west
More of Kyoto
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Kyoto?
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.
+Which of these are free in Kyoto?
Gion and Hanamikoji Street, Philosopher's Path and Ginkaku-ji and Kyoto Imperial Palace and Gyoen.