Things to Do in Kyoto - Kyoto travel guide - Go Guides

Kyoto is an ancient city that has kept its roots and culture. You can still find many charming temples, palaces, and gardens spread out across the city. Exploring these fascinating bits of history is a real highlight of a visit to Kyoto.

If you’re looking for more 21st-century fun, then head to the downtown area around Kawaramachi station. Here, you’ll find a bustling city scene with shopping malls, games arcades, and numerous places to eat and drink. For a taste of the high life, head to the cobblestoned streets of Gion – home of the fabled geishas.

Best things to do in Kyoto

Featured stories & fun stuff

24 Best Temples and Shrines in Kyoto
Among the must-see temples and shrines in Kyoto, there's an incredible diversity in design and size. This variety reflects Kyoto's rich history of Buddhism and Shinto, Japan's ancient religion, which holds that everything has a spirit and should be respected. During...
10 Most Popular Dining Streets in Kyoto
Kyoto has many beautiful streets where you can enjoy the ancient capital's ambience and local food. Authentic Kyoto cuisine (Kyo-ryori),...
15 Best Things to Do in Kyoto
The best things to do in Kyoto invite you to explore both the history and present day of this unique...
10 Most Popular Streets in Kyoto
Kyoto's most popular streets appeared in ancient times, when the city of Kyoto was built as a grid running north,...
10 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in Kyoto
Kyoto has a great mix of old and new, with each of its most popular neighbourhoods presenting a different look,...
15 Best Secret Temples in Kyoto
Kyoto has many hidden temples that most visitors never see, but they are still magnificent. If you have already been...
10 Most Instagrammable Places in Kyoto
Kyoto is celebrated for its countless World Heritage Sites and highly Instagrammable places. There's historical architecture everywhere in the temples...
10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Kyoto
Looking for the best things to do for couples in Kyoto? Firstly, the former Japanese capital is one of the...
10 Places Where Locals Love to Go in Kyoto
Which places do locals love to go in Kyoto? Firstly, the ancient capital is rich in history and tradition and...
8 Best Family Things to Do in Kyoto
Looking for the best family things to do in Kyoto? The former Japanese capital is famous for its shrines and...
6 Best Temples to See Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto
Kyoto’s hanami season, or cherry blossom viewing, is a magical time when the fabled pink flowers of the sakura create...
10 Things to Do in Kyoto on a Small Budget
How do you enjoy Kyoto on a budget? For starters, the city is steeped in history, which happily means that...

what’s around Kyoto

Kiyomizu Temple

Kiyomizu Temple

Kinkakuji Temple

Kinkakuji Temple

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Where to stay in Kyoto

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