25 of the Very Best Things to Do in Kyoto

Kyoto was our favourite city in Japan. While Tokyo is all about neon lights, crowds, and constant energy, Kyoto feels more traditional, with centuries-old temples, beautiful gardens, and historic streets around almost every corner.

We also found there was enough variety to keep the kids interested, which is not always easy in a city with so many temples. In fact, one of the biggest challenges when planning a trip to Kyoto is deciding which temples are actually worth visiting.

That's because there are over 1,600 temples in Kyoto, so trying to narrow them down can be overwhelming. Temple fatigue is real too. After a few days, many of them begin to blend together, so being selective about which ones make it onto your itinerary can make a big difference.

The good news is that Kyoto offers far more than temples. From historic castles and traditional tea houses to food markets, museums, monkey parks, and cultural experiences, there's plenty of variety to break up your sightseeing and keep both adults and kids engaged.

We've pulled together 25 of the best places and experiences to consider in Kyoto, mixing our own favourites with some of the city's most popular attractions. Whether it's your first visit or you're travelling with kids, these are the spots we'd start with.

If you're planning your own trip, our Kyoto 5-day itinerary shows exactly how we structured our visit, and our Arashiyama one-day itinerary covers that district in a lot more depth.

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Map of Best Things to Do in Kyoto

Whenever we plan a trip, we always start with Google Maps. It helps us visualize locations and create efficient itineraries. We’ve added everything in this post to the map below to help you see where everything is and plan your own visit.

To save the map to your Google Maps account, click the star next to the title. To access it later, open Google Maps, go to “Your Places,” and find it under “Maps.”

1. Walk Through the Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari

Fushimi Inari is probably one of the first images that comes to mind when people think of Kyoto.

The shrine is famous for its thousands of orange torii gates, which wind their way up the forested slopes of Mount Inari. Walking through them feels almost like entering a tunnel, and it's hard not to be impressed by the sheer number of gates stretching seemingly endlessly up the mountainside.

That said, it is one of Kyoto's most popular attractions, so you could be forgiven for wondering whether it's worth it as you join the crowds making their way through the gates. But keep going. The further you walk, the thinner the crowds become.

The full trail takes several hours, but there's no need to hike all the way to the summit. We recommend continuing uphill until the crowds start to thin out, then turning around whenever you've had enough.

Fushimi Inari is free to visit and open 24 hours a day. If you can manage an early start, the experience is much more peaceful before the tour groups arrive.

We visited later in the day, and by the time we made our way back down it was dark and the pathway was illuminated, creating an almost spooky atmosphere that our kids loved.

2. Visit Kiyomizu-dera

Kiyomizu-dera is one of Kyoto’s most famous temples and one of the best places to start when exploring the city’s eastern side.

The temple is built into the hillside and has a large wooden viewing platform overlooking Kyoto. The views are especially beautiful during cherry blossom season and autumn, but the temple is worth visiting at any time of year.

Beyond the views, there are plenty of opportunities to experience some of the temple's traditions firsthand. We took our shoes off to go inside, and the girls took part in a purification ritual, pouring water over a small Buddha statue.

Make sure you take the short walk to the famous viewpoint, where you'll get one of the best views of Kiyomizu-dera, with the main hall appearing to jut out from the hillside against a backdrop of forested mountains.

Getting to Kiyomizu-dera involves walking uphill through the busy streets of Higashiyama. There are plenty of shops and cafés along the way, and we'll take a closer look at this area next.

3. Explore Higashiyama

The area around Kiyomizu-dera is one of the most interesting parts of Kyoto to explore on foot, with an incredible amount to see and do within a relatively small area.

The streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka are lined with traditional wooden buildings, souvenir shops, cafés, and stalls selling Japanese sweets.

The streets are narrow and almost maze-like, and it's the kind of place where you don't necessarily need a plan. Just wander, stop when something catches your attention, and enjoy discovering shops and hidden corners along the way.

We found ourselves enjoying the traditional architecture and small craft stores more than the girls, but there was enough happening to keep everyone interested.

The streets can become very crowded, especially in the middle of the day, so go early if you want a quieter experience, and keep in mind that the stone lanes are steep in places.

4. Visit Kodaiji Temple and the Bamboo Grove

Kodaiji Temple is a peaceful spot in the Higashiyama district and a nice alternative to the busy streets of Ninenzaka and some of Kyoto’s busier temples.

The temple is known for its beautiful gardens, traditional wooden buildings, and peaceful walking paths. There is also a small bamboo grove on the grounds, which gives you a chance to experience the atmosphere of Arashiyama without the same crowds.

The bamboo grove is not very large, but we reckon that's a good thing as it wasn't busy at all.

5. Ryozen Kannon

Ryozen Kannon is a large memorial dedicated to Japanese soldiers who died during the Second World War. The enormous seated buddha statue is difficult to miss and is a bit of an unexpected landmark given the rest of the neighbourhood.

As you enter, you are each given an incense stick to place in the burner, as a tribute to the fallen soldiers from the war

We managed to fit Kiyomizu-dera, Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka, Kodaiji Temple, its bamboo grove, and Ryozen Kannon into a single afternoon. There is quite a bit of walking in this area, but plenty of shops and cafés where you can stop and take a break along the way.

6. Spend Some Time in Maruyama Park

Maruyama Park is a great place to take a break after visiting Gion or Higashiyama, as it adjoins both.

There are walking paths, ponds, trees, gardens, and open areas where kids can stretch their legs, along with a really photogenic bridge that makes for a great photo stop. If you are looking for an ice cream break, there is a nice little shop right by the bridge too.

Also located on the edge of the park is Yasaka Shrine, one of Kyoto's most important and well-known shrines, which is well worth stopping at too.

7. See Gion and Hanamikoji Street

Gion is Kyoto's most famous geisha district and one of the city's most historic areas. Hanamikoji Street is the main road most visitors come to see, but it's also worth wandering through the surrounding lanes, where you'll find quiet streets lined with traditional wooden buildings, small shops and tea houses.

While we didn't see any ourselves, it's fairly common to spot a geiko or maiko walking between appointments. If you do, please be respectful. Gion is a real neighbourhood, and taking photographs without permission is considered very rude.

Gion can easily be incorporated into a longer walk that also includes Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park.

8. Try Street Food at Nishiki Market

Nishiki Market is one of the best places in Kyoto to try a variety of Japanese foods without committing to a full restaurant meal.

It's a covered market that is filled with stalls selling grilled seafood, tofu, tea, sweets, skewers, and other local specialities. If Kyoto sells it, chances are you'll find it here!

Not sure what to try? Check out our Unique Foods for Kids to Try in Japan and Kid-Friendly Food in Japan guides for some inspiration before you visit.

Nishiki Market gets busy, and the walkway is quite narrow, so keep children close and avoid eating while walking, as it is considered rude in Japan.

9. Listen to the Floors at Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle is famous for its nightingale floors, which squeak as people walk across them. They were deliberately designed to alert the shogun's guards to anyone moving through the building. The kids loved hearing the floors 'sing' beneath their feet, and it is a unique feature you are unlikely to encounter anywhere else.

The castle grounds are just as impressive as the buildings themselves, with beautifully maintained gardens, imposing stone walls (that you can climb up), historic gates, and plenty of open space to explore.

It is a great way to add some Japanese history and culture to your itinerary without needing to set aside a whole day for it.

Plan on spending at least a couple of hours here, especially if the weather is pleasant.

10. Kyoto Imperial Palace

Kyoto Imperial Palace was once the residence of Japan's Imperial Family and sits within the expansive Kyoto Gyoen National Garden.

Unlike Nijo Castle, which requires a ticket, the palace grounds can now be visited without a guided tour, a self-guided wander through the courtyards and gardens is free and open daily (except Mondays).

While it may not be as visually impressive as Nijo Castle, it offers an interesting glimpse into Japan's imperial history and the role Kyoto played as the nation's capital for more than 1,000 years.

Even if younger children are not especially interested in the history, the open space makes this a relatively easy place to explore, plus the surrounding park is also a great spot for a picnic or a break between attractions.

11. Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion

Kinkaku-ji is one of Kyoto’s most recognisable landmarks and this golden pavilion sits on the edge of a reflective pond, surrounded by gardens and trees.

Of all the temples we visited in Kyoto, this was the one that made us say "wow" out loud. The main viewing area is straightforward to reach too, making this a manageable temple visit for families. The challenge is the crowds: the path is one way only and can become congested, particularly late in the morning.

It is not possible to enter the pavilion itself, so the visit is relatively short. Combine it with another attraction like Ryoan-ji in northern Kyoto rather than travelling across the city just for this one stop.

12. Visit Ryoan-ji

Ryoan-ji is best known for its famous Zen rock garden, that is made up of carefully arranged stones set in a bed of white gravel.

No matter where you sit on the viewing platform, at least one of the garden’s rocks is hidden from view.

The temple grounds also include a nice pond, walking paths, and gardens, so there is more to see than just the rock garden. It is a fairly calm stop compared with some of Kyoto’s busier attractions.

Ryoan-ji is close to Kinkaku-ji, making it easy to visit both on the same day.

13. See the Silver Pavilion at Ginkaku-ji & The Philosophers path

Ginkaku-ji, also known as the Silver Pavilion, is located along the eastern side of Kyoto at the start of the Philosopher's Path.

Despite its name, the pavilion is not actually covered in silver. Unlike Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), which appears higher on this list and is covered in gold leaf, Ginkaku-ji is known more for its peaceful gardens, moss-covered paths, and carefully raked sand garden than for the building itself.

After visiting Ginkaku-ji, continue along the Philosopher's Path toward Nanzen-ji. You do not need to walk the entire path, but it's a pleasant walk and it's only 2km long, with much of the route shaded by trees.

14. Visit Nanzen-ji Temple

After a few days of exploring temples, they can start to blend together, but Nanzen-ji is pretty unique as it has a red-brick aqueduct from the Meiji era that cuts right through the temple grounds.

The aqueduct was built in 1890 as part of a project to bring water into Kyoto and help the city grow after Japan's capital moved to Tokyo, and is now one of Kyoto's most recognisable and photogenic sights.

Make sure you also walk up to the canal above the aqueduct, where you can still see the water flowing through it today.

Nanzen-ji sits at the southern end of the Philosopher's Path too, so it pairs naturally with a visit to Ginkaku-ji, and if you've got time, Eikan-do is nearby too.

15. Daigo-ji Temple

If you only have time for a handful of temples in Kyoto, most lists will point you toward Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, or Fushimi Inari. They're all worth the hype, but after several increasingly crowded days of temple-hopping, Daigo-ji ended up being our favourite temple in the whole of Kyoto.

It's a quiet, UNESCO-listed site a little further out from central Kyoto, and is home to one of Japan's oldest pagodas and a stunning Japanese garden. It takes a bit more effort to get to than everywhere else on this list, but we think it's absolutely worth the effort.

We've written a full guide to visiting Daigo-ji here. It's also a great spot to pick up a goshuin if you're collecting them along the way.

16. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

If there was an award for the most overrated attraction in Kyoto, this would probably get our vote. But if you're visiting Arashiyama anyway (you should), it's still worth seeing, just lower your expectations.

The towering bamboo is genuinely impressive, but the main path gets so incredibly crowded with people trying to catch the perfect Instagram photo.

If you want it all to yourself, you'll need to arrive at the crack of dawn. Visit later in the day, and expect to share the path with tour groups and plenty of other visitors.

The Bamboo Grove is only one part of Arashiyama, so plan to explore the wider area rather than treating it as a quick photo stop, our full one-day Arashiyama itinerary covers everything else worth building into your visit.

17. Arashiyama's Temples

Tenryu-ji is Arashiyama's most famous temple, and it is located close to the Bamboo Grove, so it is an easy attraction to combine with it.

The temple's gardens are the main highlight, with ponds, landscaped paths, moss-covered areas, and views towards the surrounding mountains. Even if you're not planning to explore the temple buildings, the gardens are well worth your time.

It's one of the temples we'd most recommend in the area, along with Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, which sits further up in the hills and is home to more than 1,000 moss-covered stone statues, each with its own unique expression.  

We recommend taking a taxi or bus to Otagi Nenbutsu-ji and then walking down the hill into town along the Preserved Street, which is a charming lane lined with traditional buildings, many of them with thatched roofs.

You can see more from our day exploring this area in our daily diary entry.

18. Arashiyama Monkey Park

Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama is one of the most memorable family activities in Kyoto, especially for children who enjoy seeing animals up close.

The park sits on top of hillside above the city, so reaching it requires a moderately steep uphill walk. The climb takes a bit of effort, but the views at the top are great, and there are plenty of benches to stop and rest along the way.

At the top, Japanese macaques roam freely through the park, and they generally seem to ignore people, unlike in some other places in Asia!

We visited without really knowing what to expect or whether the animals were being looked after properly. Thankfully, it turned out to be a great experience, and we didn't have any concerns about their welfare.

You can even buy small bags of peanuts or apple pieces to feed the monkeys, but it can only be done from inside a screened hut. The monkeys stay outside and come to the windows for treats, which keeps things safe and controlled while still giving you a close-up experience.

19. Sagano Scenic Railway

The Sagano Scenic Railway, also known as the Romantic Train, travels through the scenic area between Saga-Arashiyama and Kameoka. You ride in an open-air carriage that gives you an uninterrupted view of the Hozu River gorge below, and the train deliberately slows down at the best photo spots along the route.

It's a fairly slow-moving train that follows the Hozu River through narrow wooded valleys, and takes about 25 minutes. It is particularly popular during autumn, when the hills are covered in colourful foliage.

The journey is a good option for families who want to see a different side of the Arashiyama landscape, without the crowds.

Seats can sell out on busy days, so it's worth booking ahead rather than turning up and hoping. You can also combine with a river cruise (see below).

20. Cruise the Hozu River

Looking for a different way to experience Arashiyama? Consider taking a boat trip along the Hozugawa River.

The traditional wooden boats travel through the gorge between Kameoka and Arashiyama, with experienced boatmen steering using long poles and oars, a skill that's been passed down through the same families for generations. 

The journey takes around two hours and offers beautiful views of the river, forests, and surrounding mountains along the way.

Many visitors combine the boat ride with the Sagano Scenic Railway, taking the train out and the boat back, or the other way around, so you see the gorge from two completely different angles in one day.

21. Visit the Nintendo Museum

The Nintendo Museum is a must-visit for families who grew up playing Nintendo games.

Tickets are extremely limited and need to be reserved well in advance, and we unfortunately didn't realize at the time and missed out. You can't wait until you arrive in Kyoto to try to book a visit.

We spent so long afterwards trying to figure out what we should have done differently, and whether there was still any way to get tickets, that we ended up writing a guide ourselves.

We've written a full guide explaining how the ticket lottery actually works and what to do if you miss out like we did. We also have another guide covering the most popular attractions and experiences in Japan that need to be booked well in advance.

22. Experience a Traditional Tea Ceremony

Kyoto is one of the best places in Japan to experience a traditional tea ceremony.

A family-friendly ceremony is a great way to introduce visitors to matcha, Japanese sweets, traditional utensils, and the careful movements that make the ritual so distinctive. It's certainly nothing like drinking a cup of tea in England!

We took part in a tea ceremony as part of our cooking class and were shown the proper etiquette, from how to hold and drink the tea to turning the bowl before sipping, wiping the rim afterwards, offering a compliment, and finishing with a respectful bow.

It was a fascinating glimpse into a tradition that places great importance on mindfulness, respect, and attention to detail.

23. Take a Cooking Class

In my opinion, a family friendly cooking class is one of the best ways to experience Japan beyond sightseeing.

We found a wonderful experience that we actually booked 9 months before arriving in Japan as the reviews were so good, and after spending the morning with Taka-San and Keiko-San in their home, it was clear why.

It was more than just a cooking class too. It combined a cooking class with several traditional Japanese cultural activities.

During the experience, we learned how to make udon noodles, sushi, and vegetable tempura, took part in a traditional matcha tea ceremony, and tried our hand at both origami and Japanese calligraphy.

If I had to choose one experience to do again from my whole time in Japan, this would be it. Although we did this particular class in Tokyo, there are plenty of highly rated cooking and cultural experiences available in Kyoto as well, and I'd strongly recommend adding one to your itinerary.

24. Try a Samurai Experience

A samurai experience is a fun way for kids to learn about one of Japan's most fascinating parts of history.

There are quite a few experiences available in both Tokyo and Kyoto, and depending on which you choose, you can learn basic sword techniques, practise samurai movements, hear stories about the warrior class, or dress in traditional armour.

Most experiences are designed for complete beginners, so no prior knowledge is needed.

It's also a genuinely good way to break up a day of temple-hopping, something active and participatory rather than another building to walk through.

25. Rent Kimonos

This isn't something we ever felt drawn to do ourselves, but it's genuinely popular, and it's easy to see why. Renting a kimono can make a day exploring Kyoto's historic districts feel even more memorable.

Most rental shops include the clothing, accessories, hairstyling, and help getting dressed, and many are set up specifically for tourists, so no prior experience with kimono is required.

Once you're ready, areas like Higashiyama, Gion, and Yasaka Shrine provide the perfect backdrop for photos, with traditional buildings and narrow lanes that feel like a step back in time.

It's also worth noting that this is a common and widely accepted part of tourism in Kyoto. You'll see plenty of both visitors and locals wearing kimonos, and it has become a popular way to connect with the city's cultural heritage while exploring.

Bonus: Take a Day Trip to Nara

Although Nara is outside Kyoto, it's one of the easiest and most rewarding day trips from the city, and it ended up being one of our most memorable days in Japan.

Nara Park is famous for its free-roaming, bowing deer, which the girls loved, but it's home to Todai-ji too, one of the largest wooden buildings in the world, and a completely different pace to anywhere else in Kyoto.

The deer are used to visitors, but they're still wild animals, follow the local guidance, keep any food out of sight until you're ready to hand it over, and be prepared for a bit of enthusiastic tugging at clothes and maps. Oh, and Jess got headbutted by one, more on that (very funny in hindsight) story in our daily diary entry.

We've put together a full guide to spending a day in Nara, covering exactly how we spent ours and everything else worth building into the trip.

Where to Stay

Kyoto is a genuinely easy city to base yourself in for a family trip, most of the temples and neighbourhoods on this list are within a short train or taxi ride of central Kyoto and the Higashiyama district.

We spent five nights at the DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto Higashiyama, and it worked out really well for us. The bed layout was great, with two double beds and a window bed that worked perfect for our family of four.

The location made it easy to get around, the nearby train station was handy, and after long days of sightseeing it was a comfortable place to return to.

Being based in Higashiyama meant Kiyomizu-dera, Ninenzaka, and Sannenzaka were all within walking distance, and everywhere else on this list was still an easy train ride away.

We've written a full review of the DoubleTree Kyoto Higashiyama, covering the rooms, location, and whether we'd stay there again.

Final Thoughts

That's 25 of our favourite places and experiences in Kyoto, including temples, gardens, markets, and everything in between. You won't need to do all of them to have a great trip, but hopefully this gives you a solid starting point for building your own.

If you're planning your own trip, our Kyoto 5-day itinerary walks through exactly how we structured our time, and our Arashiyama one-day itinerary covers that district in a lot more depth, and our review of the DoubleTree Kyoto Higashiyama has everything you need to know about where we stayed.

For more on our time in Japan, take a look at our full 100-day diary.

We’re a Calgary-based family that travelled for 100 days, documenting each step so other families can get an honest, real-life look at long-term travel with kids.