Take a look at our list of the top 20 things to do in Kyoto
Kyoto is a city located in the central part of Japan, and it was the capital city (Kyoto literally means “capital city”) for around a thousand years before that title was given to Tokyo. Kyoto, however, still remains a very important city, especially in a cultural and religious aspect. Tokyo shows the more modern side of Japan, while Kyoto symbolizes the traditional side. Palaces, shinto shrines and buddhist temples are located all around the city, really keeping look of a traditional imperial city from back in the day, but there are modern buildings as well of course. If you come to Japan, then definitely visit Kyoto as well since if you don’t, then it is like missing half of the real Japan. Tourist attractions are therefore numerous, so we have collected a list of the top 20 best things to do in Kyoto for you.
- Fushimi Inari Shrine
One of the most unique shinto shrines of Japan is the Fushimi Inari Shrine. The shrine is located on a hillside and is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto deity of rice and sake. The main feature of the shrine is the almost 10,000 red and orange lacquered torii gates that line the long path up Mount Inari, where the shrine itself is located. They are engraved with the names of those who donated them and even just regular people coming here. Thousands of people come here to see this beautiful line of mesmerizing gates, but of course the numerous fox sculptures and statues are just as popular.
2. Kiyomizu Temple
Another hugely popular place in Kyoto is the Kiyomizu Temple, a buddhist temple sitting on a hillside. The templecomplex has multiple shrines, but the main attraction here is the veranda of the temple that overlooks Kyoto and which sits on huge pillars. The view from up there is truly stunning, so going there is easily one of the best things to do in Kyoto, even if there are often quite a lot of people there.
3. Gion
Gion is a district of Kyoto that’s popular for both the historic buildings located here, including historic tea houses, willow-lined roads, kaiseki restaurants, wooden ryokan and shops selling local crafts and antiques, and the geisha that are often seen here, the Japanese female entertainers and hostesses dressed in traditional clothing. While they might be a beautiful sight to see, be mindful of them, as they are probably coming from and going to work.
4. Arashiyama
If you want to see a more agricultural and smaller part of Japan, then definitely come to Arashiyama, an outer district of Kyoto. The neighborhood’s most iconic landmark is the wooden Togetsukyo Bridge, which has spanned the Katsura River since 1934.
5. Sagano Bamboo Forest
The Sagano Bamboo Forest is located near Arashiyama and it’s quite possibly one of the most beautiful groves in the world, especially considering that it’s filled with not regular trees but bamboos. It’s often referred to as a great soundscape because the sound of the countless cicadas and the wind as it goes through the leaves and creaks of the trees. It’s a tranquil experience that shouldn’t be missed on the list of things to do in Kyoto.
6. Ryoanji Temple
Zen rock gardens are popular and frequent in Japan, but perhaps one of the best of them is found in the Ryoanji Temple of Kyoto. The garden and the temple is more than 500 years old, but there is also a 1000-year-old pond fringed with lily pads and tree-lined walking trails. The garden itself is of course quite simple, but beautiful and visitors are free to come up with their own idea on why it is set like the way it is.
7. Nishiki Market
Nishiki Market can be quite overwhelming for those not accustomed to Japanese cuisine. It’s a large market with numerous stalls that sell countless types of Japanese food and ingredients, which we advise you to try out. You can buy different kinds of squids, fish, green tea, onigiri, tofu and much more.
8. Nijo Castle
After unifying the country and becoming shogun with the help of others, Tokugawa Ieyasu had Nijo Castle built as a demonstration of his power. This white structure decorated with ornate wood carvings was built for show, not for defense. Even the palace’s moat and inner wall stood only to not let in anyone else into the inner sanctum of the palace. “Nightingale floors” were also used so that anyone stepping on them would make it creak so they wouldn’t go unnoticed. Nevertheless, the fact remains that this castle is simply wonderful.
9. Sanjusangendo Hall
The Sanjusangendo Hall is famous both for being the longest wooden structure in Japan and for housing 1000 wooden statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy all lined up in rows. Archery contests are also often held in front of the long building, so you might get lucky if you can catch one while you go there.
10. Philosopher’s Walk
The Philosopher’s Walk is a cherry-tree-lined pedestrian path along the Lake Biwa Canal, that is popular for being used by Japanese philosopher Nishida Kitaro, who used to stroll here on his commute to Kyoto University in the early 20th century. It quickly became a popular site thanks to its beautiful setting with trees overhanging the canal and petals falling onto the path every time the wind blows.
11. Kinkaku-ji
Writing about attractions in Kyoto without mentioning the famous and popular Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) would be a sin. The gilded structure was built by an Ashikaga Shogun overlooking the Mirror Lake and has been used for decades before it was turned into a Buddhist temple. However, in 1950 de an extremist monk set the pavilion on fire, and had to be rebuilt later. The golden temple reflecting in the smooth lake makes for a great view, so definitely make sure to come here.
12. Ginkaku-ji
There also exists a Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) in Kyoto, although it isn’t coated in silver, but was intended to be. The shogun died before they could get the work done, but nevertheless, the building is still beautiful as it sits next to a glassy pond. It has been turned into a Zen shrine, and unfortunately closed to visitors, but the gardens and the building itself can still be seen from the outside.
13. Kyoto International Manga Museum
The Kyoto International Manga Museum is dedicated to the present times of Japan and its distinct and unique style of “comics”, called manga. The museum has a collection of around 300 thousand items, including many old manga and even newer ones. These are mostly in Japanese, but they can still be educational and entertaining to those who can’t speak Japanese. People can read many of these on the spot if they wish so, but other exhibits and historical chronology are also available.
14. Yokai Street
The Yokai Street of Kyoto is filled with little statues and sculptures of yokai (“monsters”). There is a wide range of yokai in Japanese legend ranging from good to mischievous to outright evil. Some are animals, some are human, and some are inanimate objects that have simply come to life.This street is home to around 30 of these creatures that have been created by the owners of the businesses they haunt.
15. Mimizuka
Mimizuka is a monument dedicated to the sliced noses and ears of Korean soldiers and civilians taken as war trophies during the Japanese invasions of Korea from 1592 to 1598. Back in the day it was custom to take heads as trophies, but due to the distance they only brought back noses and ears this time. It’s a cruel and brutal memorial which some want to demolish while others want it to stay as a sign of the savagery of the past.
16. Gion Matsuri
If you happen to come to Kyoto around July, make sure to see the Gion Matsuri, a festival held every year as a tradition to banish evil spirits from the city, due to an epidemic a millennium ago. At least 32 floats, or pikes, many of them hundreds of years old and all constructed without iron or nails, are drawn through Kyoto’s streets, while music and chantings can be heard. It’s a spectacular festival, to say the least.
17. Hair Rope of Higashi Hongan-ji Temple
The Hair Rope of Higashi Hongan-ji Temple is just as gross as it may sound. During the building of the main hall of the temple the hoisting and moving of massive wooden beams required strong rope, but unfortunately it wasn’t available for them, so the female devotees volunteered their hair which was then put used for the job. It is still kept there, but it may be quite disturbing for some.
18. Go’o Shrine
The Go’o Shrine is dedicated to wild boars due to a local legend. The shrine is visited by individuals who suffer from leg and foot injuries like that of the legend in hopes of it healing, since a stone block bearing footprints is said to heal the injuries. Sculptures and statue of boars can be seen all around.
19. Kyoto Tower
If you want to see Kyoto from an amazing perspective, head to the Kyoto Tower, the highest structure in the city at a 100 metres. While it may be not a traditional building, it can provide you with a wonderful view of the city from up there.
20. Kyoto Imperial Palace
The Kyoto Imperial Palace is, just like its name suggests, the main palace of Kyoto which was used until the capital became Tokyo. The palace is breathtaking to say the least, and is filled with numerous beautiful buildings, shrines, temples and gardens that are available to tourists for a visit.
