Discover the 10 best things to do in Kyoto.
Kyoto is known as the cultural capital of Japan. During your trip I recommend spending time in both the Gion and the Arashiyama districts.
Gion is the entertainment district of Kyoto and is known for its photogenic streets and spotting Geshia. In contrast, Arashiyama has temples, shrines, and top tourist attractions such as the Arashiyama Monkey Park and Bamboo Forest.
Regarding the time you should spend in this authentic haven, it is down to you.
I suggest 2 days in Kyoto as a minimum and 3-5 days if you are on an extended trip so you can explore the districts steadily.
1. HIKE UP FUSHIMI INARI TAISHA SHRINE
My first stop when arriving in Kyoto was Fushimi Inari Taisha. This significant Shinto shrine is famous for its thousands of tori gates and beautiful trails.
The shrines are dedicated to Inari, the Shinto God of rice, and represent the distinction between the sacred and the human world.
However, many tourists, including myself, visit Fushimi Inari Taisha for its beautiful tori gates and stunning views of the city from the summit.
You should allow yourself 2-3 hours here to explore the mountain trails and enjoy the views.
2. WATCH A GEISHA/ MAIKO SHOW
When I travel, I love immersing in cultural experiences, and a fun way I found to do that in Kyoto is to watch a Maiko Show.
I stumbled across this experience while wandering the streets in the afternoon, where I came across some Geisha taking photos outside a theatre. I was in luck as I got tickets to watch Miyako Ordori, the best dance show in Kyoto that only runs in April.
Miyako Odori depicts the well-known Japanese novel The Tale of Genji. To help me understand the story, I was given a printout in English, which was a nice touch.
Watching a Geisha or Maiko show is a must-do cultural experience you should take advantage of while in Kyoto.
There are different shows available throughout the year. Click here to discover more. Or, if you fancy watching the amazing Miyako Ordori like I did, check out next April’s dates here.
3. DEVOUR THE BEST GYOZA DUMPLINGS AT GYOZA HOHEI
Ok, disclaimer: I did queue for 2 hours to get into Gyoza Hohei, but was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY.
Before heading to Kyoto, I heard Gyoza Hohei was the place to go if you are on the hunt for a good gyoza. Many locals filled the restaurant, too, so that in itself tells you, you should be there.
The gyoza dumplings were cooked to perfection and flavorsome. They also served the best pickled cucumbers I’ve ever tasted and some excellent sake. The gyoza’s were so delicious I ordered 3 rounds of Gyoza with different fillings.
If you are a foodie and love a good dumpling, I highly recommend eating gyoza at Gyoza Hohei as one of the best things to do in Kyoto.
However, please bear in mind the restaurant is tiny with limited seating, so be prepared to queue if you want to dine during peak hours.
4. ENJOY A SCENIC TRAIN & HOZUGAWA RIVER CRUISE
ALL ABOARD!!
One of my highlights in Kyoto was the combined activity of the Sagano Scenic Railway and Hozugawa River Cruise. During my travel time, tickets could only be purchased directly at the station and on the boat. But you can now reserve tickets online ahead of time on Klook.
The scenic Sagano train ride is around a 25-minute journey moving slowly, showcasing breathtaking mountain views in an open-air carriage-style train to rural Kameoka.
After the train ride, I boarded a flat-bottomed boat where the pilots used oars and bamboo poles to steer the way.
The boat ride lasted around 2 hours, and the views were magnificent. We also had a chance to buy sweet treats off passing boats selling food, which added a local cultural experience.
The Sagano and Hozugawa river boat ride is one of the best things to do in Kyoto and should not be missed.
5. VISIT MONKEY FOREST
One of the best tourist attractions in Kyoto is the Arashiyama Monkey park. You must embark on a 20–30-minute hike up a steep hill to meet the famous Japanese monkeys. The length of time will depend on your walking pace and fitness abilities.
There is no need to rush your way to the top, making yourself out of breath, just take your time and enjoy the views along the way. You may even see a few monkeys swinging in the trees on your way up.
Once you reach the top of the hill, you will meet the semi-wild Japanese Macaque monkeys. The monkeys roam free, so follow the no-eye contact and no-touch park rules for your safety. You do not want to scramble with a monkey now, do you?
However, if you want to interact with the monkeys, you can enter a cage-like hut and purchase fruit snacks from the desk to feed the monkeys. The cage is for your safety, and the monkeys will jump onto the cage and take the food from you through the cage gaps.
The Opening Times for the Arashiyama Monkey Park is 9am-4pm.
6. ENJOY A RICKSHAW RIDE IN BAMBOO FOREST
The bamboo forest, also known as the bamboo grove in Arashiyama, mainly consists of bamboo. It’s every Instagrammers paradise as it’s one of the most photographed spots in Kyoto.
Upon arrival to the bamboo forest, it was bustling with tourists trying to get their perfect photos and walking the several walkways.
I went in the middle of the afternoon, which meant the most photographed part of the forest was too busy to get the perfect shot. Rickshaw rides are also offered in this area, so I set off on a ride after agreeing on a price and route.
I must admit I did feel uncomfortable at first with him pulling my weight along as he ran by foot, pulling the rickshaw. However, as time passed, I relaxed and enjoyed the beautiful nature surrounding me the further we went into the forest and around Kyoto. I also learned more about Japanese culture and the bamboo forest along the way.
7. EXPERIENCE A TEA CEREMONY AT MAILKOYA
Wearing a kimono and attending a Tea Ceremony is one of Japan’s most famous cultural experiences in Kyoto.
I attended two tea ceremonies in Japan, one in Tokyo and one in Kyoto. Kyoto was hands down the better of the two.
I booked the experience with Maikoya Tea Ceremony experience. The experience included a kimono rental along with a traditional tea experience for only £39.
The tea ceremonies are also in groups, which is excellent if you are a solo traveller like myself, as it means you get to meet others to share the experience with.
The experience begins with selecting a kimono, followed by the staff dressing and styling you ready for the ceremony.
You are probably now wondering what happens at a tea ceremony besides drinking tea. Well, you do drink tea, but the primary purpose of a tea ceremony is for the guests to enjoy the hospitality of their hosts in a different atmosphere. Various intricate hand movements and ceremonial rituals are carried out while preparing powdered green tea called matcha. It ends with the tea being drunk in a particular way, followed by a sweet treat.
8. SPOT GEISHA IN GION & HANAMIKOJI
Gion and Hanamikoji are the most photogenic areas of Kyoto and the best places to spot Geisha.
If you are on a budget and not indulging in geisha entertainment at private dinners or events, you can head to the Gion or Hanamikoji area to spot geisha.
The best time to spot Geisha is during the early evening on a weekend when they are on their way to an event.
Although spotting geisha may be exciting to us in the Western world, remember it’s not customary for the geisha to take photographs with you, so be respectful.
9. SAMPLE STREET SNACKS AT NISHIKI MARKET
Nishiki Market is a busy five-block shopping street five minutes walk from Shijo station. With over 100 shops and restaurants, it’s a great place to sample seasonal and local specialties, with many stalls handing out FREE food samples or selling small dishes or skewers.
10. TAKE A PHOTO OF THHE MOST PICTURESQUE TEMPLE KINKAKUJI
The last one is the Kinkakuji Temple. I never had the time to visit this temple, but I wish I had. It is known as the most famous picturesque temple in Japan. It’s just outside the city, so there is only a little to do around, like strolling through the gardens; However, if you have time in your Kyoto itinerary, you should add it. I will be on my next visit.
SHARE
YOU'LL ALSO LIKE
Follow Me On
YOU'LL ALSO LIKE
Hi! 🙂
Lookes amazing!<3 was just in Japan myself and it was awesome, the best trip i ever had in my life!
I like that you put the google maps link in the post, then it is a lot easier to see where the places are if i am going there another time for example.
From reiseroglivet
Thank you, yes it is an incredible place. Still one of my favourite countries I’ve ever visited!