If you’re ready to pop the question, Kyoto is a great place to do it. Kyoto is an incredibly romantic city and it’s filled with beautiful, quiet spots. Here is our guide to the best places to propose in Kyoto. I’ve included a map to these places, with guidance to the very best spots within these gardens, temples, parks and lanes.
Introduction
Kyoto is a city of pure romance. It’s filled with picturesque gardens, temples and shrines. It’s got hundreds of atmospheric lanes and pathways. There are countless cozy little restaurants that serve brilliant food. And there are lots of traditional inns where you can dine in your room and relax in yukata robes.
We assume that you want some privacy when you propose, especially if you’re going to do it the old school way by dropping down on one knee. And we assume you want the spot to be truly beautiful and memorable.
We’ve given a lot of thought to this and come up with a list of places that are just right for asking the big question.
Now, all you have to do is buy a ring and screw up your courage.
The Best Places To Propose In Kyoto
Daimonji Viewpoint
If you want a grand setting, then hike up to the viewpoint on Mount Daimonji, which towers above the northeast side of the city. It’s a relatively easy 25-minute climb to the broad clearing where they burn a huge kanji character during the August fire festival. Even if there are people around, you can climb a bit higher or walk out to the side of the clearing for privacy. Highly recommended!
Okochi-Sanso Villa
This superb villa in Arashiyama has a network of beautiful pathways through a sublime garden. The magical spot here is the Gekkou-tei Arbor (月香亭) at the top of the garden (I’ve indicated it our my map below). It’s quiet, private and the view is magnificent. And with a name that means “Arbor of the Scent of the Moon,” how could it be more romantic? I’ve sent several couples up here with our guides (who stood guard to guarantee privacy) and proposals were made with affirmative answers.
Shisen-do Temple
This lovely temple in the far northern Higashiyama area is often deserted, which is puzzling, because the garden is beautiful. If you take a quick look around, you can be pretty sure that no one will burst in at the crucial moment.
Manshu-in Temple
Close to Shisen-do in far northern Higashiyama, this temple is similar to Shisen-do: It’s got a beautiful garden that sees very few visitors.
Enko-ji Temple
This is another lovely temple in northern Higashiyama. The garden is sublime and there’s a nice little bamboo forest. If you’re really intent on having absolute privacy, you can walk from Enko-ji to Shisen-do to Manshu-in until you find a place that you can have totally to yourself.
Imperial Palace Park
The expansive Kyoto Imperial Palace Park has kilometer after kilometer of pathways leading through forested glens and by lovely ponds (check out the one at the south end). Even in the most crowded season, you can find a place to be alone here.
Kurama-dera Temple
If you’ve found someone you want to hike with for the rest of your life, you might as well pop the question at one of the viewpoints up at Kurama-dera Temple, in the mountains north of Kyoto. You can get a good view up and down the trails so you can be sure of privacy when the moment is right.
Nene-no-Michi or Ishibei-koji Lane in the evening
These superb pedestrian alleys are absurdly romantic in the evening. Ishibei-koji Lane has a few quiet corners where you can usually find the privacy you need.
Yasaka-jinja in the evening
The main plaza in front of Yasaka-jinja Shrine is magical in the evening, when all the lanterns on the halls are illuminated. If there are too many people around, you can duck into one of the smaller subshrines, or walk up into Maruyama-koen Park. And, best of all, after you’ve popped the question, you can head right over to the main hall of the shrine and wish for a long and happy life together.
Gion Shirakawa in the evening
The stone-paved street along the canal here is the most picturesque street in all of Asia. It will be packed here in cherry blossom season, but in other seasons, it can be pretty quiet. You can always duck into a side alley if you need more privacy.
Kamo-gawa Riverside
Local couples use the banks of the Kamo-gawa River as their lover’s lane. In warm months, you’ll see them sitting along both sides of the river in the early evening. Why not join them and pop the question there? The east side, between Sanjo and Shijo is particularly lovely in the evening when the lights of Pontocho are illuminated.
Map Of The Best Places To Propose In Kyoto
Here are the best places to propose in Kyoto. Where necessary, I’ve placed the pin in the best spot for popping the question. Good luck!
You can view a full screen version too.
Best Places To Stay When You’re Planning To Propose
If you’re going to propose, you gotta stay somewhere special. And, what could be more special than a Kyoto ryokan? In fact, a good ryokan is the epitome of romance. But, don’t underestimate how romantic a fine hotel room can be, especially if it’s got a view over a beautiful river. Oh, and let’s not forget a private Kyoto-style house or machiya. The fact is, these places are all so romantic that you might not even need the above list. Sitting together looking at a beautiful garden in your private paradise might just be the perfect place to propose!
The Old Modern Garden Suite.
Old Kyoto Machiya
Whether you choose Amber House, Gion House, Indigo House or The Old Modern, you will find yourself in the perfect romantic cocoon. These beautifully restored traditional townhouses are highly recommended for your special trip.
Ritz-Carlton Kyoto guest room.
Ritz-Carlton Kyoto
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Get a riverside room here and enjoy the views over the Kamo-gawa and the Higashiyama Mountains. This hotel is pure romance.
Garden and pond at the Four Seasons Kyoto.
Four Seasons Kyoto
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
The rooms are superb here and the garden and pond are perfect for a proposal. And, if you need more privacy for your question, there are some lovely temples nearby.
Hoshinoya Kyoto ryokan.
Kyoto Ryokan
Traditional Japanese inns, or ryokan, are by definition romantic. For our top ryokan pics, see our Kyoto Ryokan page.
Where Are These Places Located?
- Open the Kyoto map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- ESSENTIALS – For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- HOTELS – Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- BULLET TRAIN – You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- WHERE TO STAY – Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- PACKING LIST – See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- SIM CARDS – You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- FLIGHTS – Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- JAPAN RAIL PASS – If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- TRAVEL INSURANCE – World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- WANT HELP? – Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
Kyoto District Map
Click a Kyoto District for detailed info on attractions, places to eat and accommodation
About InsideKyoto.com and Chris Rowthorn
- Chris Rowthorn is the co-founder of InsideKyoto.com and has an unparalleled travel knowledge of Kyoto spanning three decades. Chris has written or commissioned and edited every page on the Inside Kyoto website.
- A former author of Lonely Planet Kyoto and Lonely Planet Japan guidebooks, Chris is also the director of the Kyoto walking tour company Chris Rowthorn Tours, and Japan Travel Consulting, where you can get bespoke travel advice for your Japan trip.
- InsideKyoto.com has been cited by the New York Times and The Times of London, among many other publications and websites.
