Kyoto Travel Guide
Overview
A former capital city of Japan, Kyoto played an essential part in the history of the country, being the official residence of the emperor for more than one thousand years, from 794 to 1868.
Today, it is world-renowned for its many well-preserved shrines, temples, and other important historical landmarks that receive millions of tourists from around the world every year.
When To Go
- Springtime, especially from mid-March to mid-April, is peak tourist season in Kyoto as it is when the cherry trees reach their full bloom. During this period, expect dense crowds in the city’s parks and gardens as people want to get the best seats to view the cherry blossoms.
- During summertime, from July to August, the city offers a number of festivals that are worth watching, such as the Gion Matsuri and the Gozan Fire Festival.
- In autumn, particularly in mid-October to mid-November, temples and shrine complexes, such as the Kiyomizu-dera and Tofukuji, get throngs of people who want to enjoy the beautiful colours of the autumn leaves.
- Wintertime (December – February) in Kyoto is dry and mildly cold, with an average temperature of 10 degrees Celsius. It is generally an off-season for tourism so it is the best time to go for travellers who want to avoid long queues and crowds.
Things To See
See the Kyoto Imperial Palace
The past residence of the Imperial Family when the emperor and capital were located in Kyoto. It is located in Kyoto Imperial Park in the centre of the city and is a great recreational space.
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Kinkaku-ji Temple – An ancient Zen Buddhist temple that is also called the “Golden Pavilion”
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple – A 7th century Buddhist temple located in eastern Kyoto
- Ginkaku-ji Temple – A 500-year-old Zen temple also known as the “Temple of the Silver Pavilion”
- Nijo Castle – A castle built during the Tokugawa shogunate to serve as residence of the Tokugawa leaders in Kyoto
Other UNESCO World Heritage Sites that are must-visits if you are staying for a longer time in Kyoto are the Tenryu-ji, Ryoan-ji, Saiho-ji, To-ji, Ninna-ji, Nishi-Hongan-ji, Enryaku-ji, Shimogamo-jinja, Daigo-ji, Byodo-in, Kozan-ji, Kamigamo-jinja, and Ujigami-jinja.
Have a look around Kyoto Station
If you have time to spare before a train trip, or even make spare time because below Kyoto Station is the Porta Underground Shopping Mall and Cube Shopping Mall. Full of restaurants, Cafes, souvenir shops, fashion and accessories, underground Kyoto Station is definitely worth exploring.
Enjoy fresh seafood and other local dishes at Nishiki Market
A long, narrow shopping street lined with restaurants and shops on both sides, Nishiki Market is dubbed “Kyoto’s Kitchen”. It is a dynamic and vibrant market that offers fresh fish and other seafood, fruits and vegetables, and local cuisines and delicacies.
See Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
Renowned for its thousands of torii gates that form hiking trails leading to the summit of sacred Mt Inari, the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine is a Shinto shrine found in Kyoto. A round trip hike, which takes you through the woods and past a number of smaller shrines and observation decks, takes approximately two to three hours.
Where To Explore
- Arashiyama – A popular tourist district situated in western Kyoto, home to many temples, restaurants, a river, the famous Bamboo Path and even the Iwatayama Monkey Park
- Philosopher’s Path – A two-kilometre long stone path along a canal in northern Kyoto that stretches from the Ginkaku-ji Temple area to the Nanzen-ji neighborhood and is a popular cherry blossom viewing spot
- Gion – Known as the city’s geisha district, with an abundance of restaurants, teahouses, shops, and old merchant houses
- Downtown Kyoto – Comprised of the Kyoto Station, Kyoto Tower, and surrounding attractions, including the Kyoto International Manga Museum, several temples, shrines, malls, and restaurants
- Kawaramachi – Teramachi and Shin-Kyogoku Shopping Arcades, which branch off Shijo Street around the Kawaramachi intersection, are great spots for souvenir shopping. They are also packed with clothing shops and restaurants that are a little bit cheaper than the surrounding high class department stores.
- Pontocho – Lined with restaurants that serve a diverse range of traditional and modern Japanese dishes and foreign cuisine, Pontocho is a narrow alleyway and popular dining spot in Kyoto. Starting at 5 pm, visitors flock to this part of the city to enjoy sumptuous meals while enjoying the fantastic views of the nearby Kamogawa River and its surroundings.
Getting Around
Kyoto’s transportation network consists of many railway lines, two subway lines, and a highly-reliable bus network. Because a lot of the train and subway stations are not located at convenient distances from each other for transfer, buses, as well as bicycles, are quite popularly used.
Learn more about how to get around Kyoto here.