The latest Japan travel restrictions have been great news for all travellers, starting with the country’s decision to drop pre-departure testing, and now being able to enter Japan without getting a special visa or booking through a travel agency from October 11 onwards!
With Kyoto being home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, palaces, and gardens, we celebrate the reopening of a country that has always been a family’s favourite, by bringing you a list of the 10 best things to do in Kyoto, which is also known as the cultural capital of Japan.
Here are the 10 best things to do in Kyoto:
- Book a Kyoto Tea Ceremony experience
- Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- Hike through the Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Do some local shopping at the Nishiki Market
- Spend a whole day at Arashiyama
- Book a Shodo (Japanese Calligraphy) class
- Be at peace at the Ryoanji Zen Garden
- Cycle along the Kamogawa River
- Train like a ninja at the Samurai and Ninja Museum
- Join an Okonomiyaki cooking class
READ MORE: Here’s our Japan travel guide to help you get started on your journey
Why visit Kyoto?
Kyoto encapsulates Japan. It is the country’s cultural and historical centre. It is the best place in Japan for traditional temples, shrines, gardens, geisha, shops, restaurants, and festivals. To summarise, Kyoto is the most rewarding destination in Japan and should be at the top of any Japan travel itinerary. Indeed, we may be biased, but we believe Kyoto is the most rewarding single city in all of Asia.
Kyoto also has close to the most Unesco World Heritage Sites on the planet, with 12 Buddhist temples, three Shinto shrines, and one historic castle. So, you’ll never run short of things to do in Kyoto no matter how hard you try.
Let’s get straight into the list of the best things to do in Kyoto:
Experience a traditional Kyoto Tea Ceremony
Experiencing a traditional tea ceremony, especially in Kyoto, is more significant than we think. With most historical teahouses that have been listed as national treasures by the Japanese government being located in Kyoto City, it is also said that the founder of tea ceremonies, Sen no Rikyu, built and developed many teahouses in Kyoto back in the day.
With the main purpose of experiencing a traditional tea ceremony being that of improving the bonding between the host and the guest, as well as gaining peace of mind in the midst of our very busy lives, why not take the time out of your busy itinerary to experience a traditional Kyoto Tea Ceremony?
Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Literally translated to “Pure Water Temple”, Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺) is one of Japan’s most famous temples. Founded in 780 AD, the temple was added to the list of UNESCO world heritage sites in 1994.
Be sure to check out the Otowa Waterfall which is located at the base of Kiyomizu-dera’s main hall. The waters, which are divided into three separate streams, are said to have a different benefit when visitors drink from them. Choose between having longevity, success at school, and fortunate love life, but do not drink from all as you would be considered greedy.
Kiyomizu-dera is open from 0600 to 1800 in the evening, though it is sometimes opened till 2130 during special evening illuminations. All you need to do is pay 400 yen for admission, and you’ll have your eyes treated to the beautiful views that this famous temple has to offer.
Hike through Fushimi Inari Shrine
Ever curious about where so many of your friends and relatives have been taking photos of themselves with these red gate structures and uploading them on their social media accounts? Well, you have found the place!
Famous for its thousands of torii gates, the trails of the Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社) lead into the wooded forest of Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters tall. It is one of the best things to do in Kyoto.
The torii gates along the trail are actually donations that have been made by individuals and companies, and the words inscribed on the back of each gate include the donator’s name and the date that the donation was made.
Take a hike along the gates and head towards the summit of the mountain if you are adventurous enough. Otherwise, you can stop by some of the restaurants that are along the way, many of which offer locally themed dishes!
Shop at the Nishiki Market
Better known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen”, Nishiki Market (錦市場) holds over 100 shops and restaurants within a narrow, five-block-long shopping street. Whatever you want, you can find it here in Nishiki Market!
It is said that Nishiki Market started as a fish wholesale district, with the first shop opening around 1310. Today, it is now a retail market, but it is still an important market for the city and for the people.
Feel free to accept samples from shop owners, but just remember to bear this in mind: try not to eat while walking as it is considered bad manners in Japan, as well as a major nuisance by local shoppers around you!
Relax out for a day at Arashiyama
Even though it is located in the far west of Kyoto, where travelling to the area would take about 30 minutes, Arashiyama (嵐山) has always been a popular destination, even as we date back to the Heian Period of 794 to 1185.
The most notable of all attractions in Arashiyama would definitely be Bamboo Grove. It is one of Kyoto’s top sights and for many good reasons – you would feel as though you are in another world as you walk along these soaring stalks of bamboo.
There are also many other attractions, like the Togetsukyo Bridge, and the Monkey Park Iwatayama right next to it. With so many things to see and do, you might end up really spending a whole day here. There won’t be a lack of things to do in Kyoto when you visit Arashiyama.
Take part in a Shodo Class
Shodo is a Japanese word that is often translated to “the way of artistic handwriting”, otherwise known as traditional calligraphy.
In Japan, the art of Shodo is essential to the world of Zen. As a city that is home to many traditional temples, Kyoto holds many Zen temples that hold short courses on Shodo and Japanese calligraphy for all, regardless of whether you are a local or a foreigner.
In Shodo, it is believed that what comes out of your brush as you make the brush strokes on paper is your true spirit, so take this time to find your true self with your friends and family through this bonding activity. This is a fun and great way to spend time together if you are looking for things to do in Kyoto.
Find inner peace at the Ryoanji Zen Garden
Ryoanji Temple (龍安寺) is where Japan’s most famous rock garden is located. This site was converted into a Zen temple in 1450 after it was originally a villa belonging to an aristocrat during the Heian Period and now belongs to the Myoshinji school of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism.
The rock garden consists of a rectangular plot of pebbles that are surrounded by low earthen walls, and an interesting feature to note about this garden’s design is that, from any one vantage point, at least one of the 15 rocks will remain hidden from the viewer’s sight.
As the true meaning behind the garden has never been made explicit, it is up to each and every viewer and visitor to find the meaning of the garden for themself.
Cycle along the Kamogawa River
The Kamogawa River runs throughout Kyoto Prefecture, running from the Kyoto Basin down south to the Yodo River. As Kyoto’s scenic main waterway, the Kamo River is the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city at any point of the day.
Rent a bike near Gion-Shijio station and you will be able to explore many places along the banks as you soak in the sights of the wonderful scenery around you as well as the marvellous sound of the river flowing. It is one of the most fun and easy things to do in Kyoto.
It is advised that you visit the Kamogawa River during dusk, or just when the sun is about to set so that you can catch the sunset as you are cycling. Afterwards, you can cycle through Gion, where the alley would be lit up with street lights and traditional lamps.
Train like a Ninja at the Samurai and Ninja Museum
Did you know that the ninja tradition actually originated from the skirts of Mount Hiei, which is in Kyoto?
Try a variety of activities at one of the few experience-based museums in Kyoto and Japan, by visiting the Samurai and Ninja Museum! From trying on samurai armour to using model ninja weapons like the shuriken (ninja stars) and the fukiya (blowgun), you too can become a ninja for a day!
You can also experience a guided tour of the Museum to have a better understanding of the samurai and ninja traditions in Japan. It is fun and the whole family can enjoy, so put it on your list of things to do in Kyoto.
Sign up for an Okonomiyaki cooking class
Lastly, what better way to experience the true Japanese lifestyle than to learn how to master one of the best Japanese dishes to ever exist – the okonomiyaki!
The okonomiyaki is a Japanese savory pancake dish that consists of wheat flour batter and other ingredients and is cooked on a teppan. If the okonomiyaki is not enough of a challenge for you, you could consider signing up for a cooking class for other foods!
Go truly authentic by learning from the locals themselves on how to master this dish, and wow your friends and family back home with your skills once you have grown confident!
Becoming one with the Japanese culture in Kyoto
And there you have it, our list of the 10 best things to do in Kyoto. Filled with so many different types of activities, we hope that this list makes it easier for you to plan out your next itinerary to the Land of the Rising Sun.
Comment below if you have any recommendations for us as well!
