The ultimate guide to the best experiences in Kyoto

Kyoto feels like an artist woke up from a fever dream to paint a scene where antiquity and modernity dance a pas de deux. Everything tells a story in Japan’s former capital, and it has been weaving its tales for a millennium and then some.

But Kyoto isn't merely the patchwork of postcard-perfect temples and dazzling shrines. It's the symphony of silk kimonos rustling down stone-paved streets. The anticipatory hush that blankets a room as a tea ceremony commences. The electrifying chance of spotting a geiko (the Kyoto word for geisha) in Gion, her old-world elegance contrasting the modern cityscape. And the slow-burning warmth of sake trickling down your throat, or the explosion of umami from almost every precisely prepared dish. In essence, the city is a curated carnival of the senses.

Looking for the very best things to do while you’re in Kyoto? Consider this guide your golden ticket for an exhilarating carousel ride through Kyoto’s greatest experiences, both celebrated and hidden.

1. Delve into the Zen at Jotokuji Temple

Offering much more than a break from the urban humdrum, Jotokuji Temple beckons those yearning for a dip into the deep well of Japanese history. Swathed in a lush embrace, this architectural testament whispers tales of a bygone era through its timber structures and luminous paper lanterns.

Highlights

Make sure to attend a chanoyu, or tea ceremony. It's a visual and spiritual dance, a choreographed paean to the art of matcha preparation that unfolds amidst the temple's tranquil ambiance.

Address and opening hours

556, Gojo-sagaru, 556 Motoshiogamacho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8119. Open 9 AM-4 PM every day.

2. Step into the mesmerizing world of the geiko in Gion

Gion, a district that seems to have stepped straight out of a sepia-tinted photograph, is the living embodiment of Japan's cultural heritage. Its streets, lined with traditional wooden machiya houses and bathed in the soft glow of lanterns, hum with the legacy of geisha and maiko culture.

Highlights

As dusk descends, make your way to the heart of Gion, Hanami-koji Street. The tranquil Yasaka Shrine, with its verdant gardens and serene ponds, serves as an oasis. Meanwhile, Gion Corner offers a cultural buffet of traditional live performances.

Address and opening hours

Kawabatacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0076. Open 24 hours every day.

3. Sip sake straight from the source

The Fushimi Sake District in Kyoto's Fushimi Ward is centered around Japan’s national drink. There are a staggering 30 breweries all producing sake, a rice wine that has been produced in Japan for around 2,000 years.

Highlights

The Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum unravels the age-old brewing techniques passed down through generations. The tasting session, guided by an expert sake sommelier, is a must-try experience.

Address and opening hours

Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-8057. The museum is open 9:30 AM-4:30 PM every day.

4. Conquer the trails of the emblematic Fushimi Inari Taisha

The Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, famed for its vermilion torii gates, forms a mesmerizing path up the sacred Mount Inari. It pays homage to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. As you ascend, smaller shrines scattered across the landscape tell a tale of spiritual significance.

Highlights

Weave through a peaceful neighborhood peppered with quaint shrines, traverse bamboo groves, pass under the shrine's iconic red torii gates, and celebrate your mountain conquest before descending through a forested trail. The best time to go is at sunset or sunrise.

Address and opening hours

68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-0882. Open 24 hours every day.

5. Taste the gastronomic grandeur of Nishiki Market

Nishiki Market is Kyoto's answer to a culinary catwalk. This historic market is a sensory feast, where every stall has a tale to tell, every taste is a revelation, and every moment is a snapshot waiting to happen.

Highlights

Try the soy milk donuts, bean crackers, eel rolls, and takotamago (a quirky treat of tiny octopus head stuffed with a quail’s egg). Beyond food, discover home goods stores like Aritsugu, home to the very best Japanese chef’s knives.

Address and opening hours

Sakaicho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8055. Hours vary by shop but the general opening hours are 9 AM-6 PM every day. Most shops tend to close on Wednesdays and Sundays.

6. Time travel through Nanzen-ji Temple and down Philosopher's Path

In search of ancient wisdom, profound Zen, and a hint of Roman pizzazz in Japan? Then a visit to Nanzen-ji, one of Japan's most vital temples, should be at the top of your to-do. With its impressive entrance gate, gardens, and panoramic views for postcard-perfect views of Kyoto, you’ll be wowed at every turn.

Highlights

The massive San-mon entrance gate, the Zen-tastic Leaping Tiger Garden, and the intriguing Roman-style aqueduct are just some of the highlights of this 13th-century gem.

Address and opening hours

Nanzenji Fukuchicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 606-8435. Open 8:40 AM- 5 PM every day.

7. Experience some tranquility at Ginkaku-ji Temple

What is it?

Ever wondered where the Zen masters chill? It's at Ginkaku-ji Temple, or "Silver Pavilion," a perfect balance of elegance and tranquility tucked away in Kyoto's eastern mountains. It may not be silver-plated, but this retirement villa-turned-Zen-temple shines with the luster of Japanese Higashiyama Culture.

Highlights

Ginkaku-Ji isn't all about Zen minimalism. Its painstakingly restored architecture is a feast for the eyes, with heavy wooden beams and the quintessential Japanese sliding doors with rice paper.

Address and opening hours

2 Ginkakujicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8402. Open 8:30 AM-5 PM every day.

8. See the city in bloom at Kyoto Botanical Gardens

What is it?

A leafy oasis in Kyoto's urban jungle, the Kyoto Botanical Gardens are a veritable diverse space of flora, with over 12,000 plant species from across the globe.

Highlights

Bask in the pink glow of the cherry blossoms during the spring hanami season. The massive greenhouse that transports you straight to the Amazon rainforest is also magnificent.

Address and opening hours

Shimogamo Hangicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-0823. Open 9 AM-5 PM every day.

9. Discover a masterpiece mashup at Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art

What is it?

The Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art carries on Kyoto’s plotline of the old and the new coming together in a beautiful waltz. Here, it’s played out in art from, treating you to a vast collection of works from various eras and continents.

Highlights

It's not just about what's on the walls. The building is a masterpiece, with its stunning glass façade and lush, landscaped garden. Don’t skip the rooftop terrace — the view from it is art in itself.

Address and opening hours

124 Okazaki Enshojicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8344. Open 10 AM-6 PM every day. Closed on Mondays.

10. Explore the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and beyond

Seeking an escape from the city? Head for the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, where the sky-high stalks create a hypnotic green cathedral that's part magic, part Insta-paradise. Traveling in October for the fall leaves or March for the blossoms? It doesn’t matter — the bamboo forest is evergreen.

Highlights

After exploring the bamboo forest, continue walking through the neighborhood to Saga-Toriimoto Street until you reach the Otagi Nenbutsuhi Temple. This temple has 1,200 Rakan statues, each with a different facial expression.

Address and opening hours

Sagatenryuji Tateishicho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8375. The bamboo forest is open 24 hours every day.

11. Embark on an enchanting journey through Nijo-jo Castle and Ninomaru Palace

Who needs a time machine when you can explore the Nijo-jo Castle and Ninomaru Palace? These captivating relics of Japan's past are more than just a nod to the country's architectural genius — they're a standing ovation. Once home to the powerful Tokugawa Shogunate and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this sprawling complex is an international hotspot for history buffs and Instagram influencers alike.

Highlights

What's on the must-see list? Start with the eye-popping Kara-mon Gate, a wooden wonder adorned with intricate carvings and finery. Then, wander over to the Ninomaru-goten Palace to gawk at its lavish interiors. Finish up in the tranquil Ninomaru Garden, an impeccably landscaped haven that's as Zen as it gets.

Address and opening hours

541 Nijojocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8301. Open 8:45 AM-4:10 PM every day.