Kyoto is world famous for its wonderful temples and shrines. But that’s only the beginning of the story. There’s also incredible shopping, bicycling, hiking, museums, galleries and green spaces. Here’s a full list of things to do in Kyoto.
Couple at Yasaka-jinja Shrine in Kyoto: Benny Marty / Shutterstock.com
This page is a directory of the best things to see and do in Kyoto as of 2025. We list the most important sights and activities and we link out to our pages which give all the details.
Visit A Sublime Buddhist Temple
There are more than a thousand Buddhist temples in Kyoto, ranging from world-famous spots that are always crowded to quiet places where you can have the place to yourself. Check out our list of The Best Temples In Kyoto. My Walking Tours page includes the perfect introduction to Kyoto’s temples.
There’s nothing like having a quiet, peaceful temple all to yourself. There are hundreds of lesser-known temples in the city that few tourists ever visit. Even in busy seasons you might be the only person there. Good choices include the subtemples of Daitoku-ji, Myoshin-ji and the temples in far northern Higashiyama, like Enko-ji.
Ishibeikoji Muan Ryokan
Try A Night In A Ryokan
A hotel is a hotel anywhere in the world. But, a ryokan is a distinctly Japanese form of accommodation and Kyoto has some of the best. Sure, a good ryokan is more expensive than a hotel, but a stay usually includes two great meals. You can also have a simple ryokan experience, usually without the meals, at many budget or mid-priced ryokan in the city. And, if you’re traveling with a family, a ryokan is the best way to fit everyone in one room. See our Kyoto Ryokan page for more details.
Walk Through A Shinto Shrine
To feel the spiritual energy of Japan, walk through the mystical gates of a Shinto shrine. For a list of the most powerful shrines, check out our Best Shinto Shrines In Kyoto, such as the mesmerizing Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine. My Kyoto Walking Tours include some of the city’s most awe-inspiring shrines.
Geisha in Kyoto
See A Geisha Dance
If you’re going to be in Kyoto in April, May or November, you should definitely see one of Kyoto’s five annual geisha dances. They range from the opulent Miyako Odori to the quaint Kitano Odori. There is simply nothing else like them in the world. For more details, see our Kyoto Geisha page.
Contemplate A Perfect Japanese Garden
Kyoto is home to the most beautiful gardens in Japan, with everything from tiny Zen gardens to expansive stroll gardens. Check out our list of Kyoto’s Best Gardens. Highlights include the zen garden at Ryoan-ji Temple and the strolling garden at Ginkaku-ji Temple. You’ll get to see some of my favourite Kyoto gardens by joining one of my private walking tours.
Tenzan-no-yu Onsen Kyoto © Chris Rowthorn
Soak In An Onsen Or Sento
A soak in a steaming hot Japanese bath is the ideal way to relax after a day of sightseeing. A natural hot spring (onsen) is the luxury way to do this, but if you’re in a hurry, you can pop into a local public bath (sento) for about four dollars. For more details, see our Kyoto’s Best Onsen and Kyoto’s Best Sento pages.
Yasaka-no-to Pagoda in Southern Higashiyama in the evening © David CJ | Shutterstock
Take An Evening Stroll
It’s no secret that Kyoto is crowded these days. However, even in the busiest season, you can escape the crowds by taking an evening stroll. The city looks absolutely magical in the evening once the crowds have gone home. Our Kyoto’s Most Romantic Walks page covers three sublime evening routes and it includes a detailed map of each. My Gion Evening Walk is a private Kyoto tour exploring the world of the geisha after dark.
Immerse Yourself in Japanese Arts
Kyoto is THE place to experience the wonders of the Japanese arts. For all the options, check out our Kyoto Arts page. These include world-class museums and galleries, such as the Kyoto National Museum, as well as traditional performing arts like geisha dances and kabuki. Both GetYourGuide and Klook offer a variety of cultural experiences including geisha dances and tea ceremony.
Relax In A Soothing Green Space
Had enough of crowds, concrete and neon lights? Why not head to one of Kyoto’s wonderful parks or other green spaces? Check out our list of Kyoto’s Best Green Spaces, such as huge Kyoto Gyoen, the park surrounding Kyoto Imperial Palace. If you need some alone time, you’ll have no trouble finding a quiet place in Kyoto. Another way to find some peaceful quite spaces is with our Kyoto Off-The-Beaten-Track Itineraries. My Kyoto Walking Tours include some of the city’s most beautiful parks.
Miyazaki-san in the main hall of Kosei-ji Temple. Photo courtesy of Wabunka
Meditate In A Zen Temple
Go deep into Japanese religious culture and learn a skill that will improve your life by taking a private Zen meditation lesson at a quiet Zen temple. A private lesson with a Zen priest is offered at beautiful Kosei-ji Temple. The lesson includes an interpreter and concludes with a lovely simple tea ceremony. It’s highly recommended for those with an interest in Japanese spirituality.
Eat A Fantastic Meal
You’ll have the best Japanese meals of your life in Kyoto. For our top picks, check out our Best Restaurants In Kyoto page. In addition, each of our district pages has a full list of restaurants in that area. There are some excellent traditional Kyoto food activities you can book through GetYourGuide, as well as guided restaurant and bar tours via Klook. Some of Kyoto’s best restaurants can also be booked through Klook.
Sake samples and snacks. Photo courtesy of Wabunka
Get A Personal Introduction To The World Of Sake
Most sake brewery tours are impersonal group tours that require a long journey into the countryside, but there’s one brewery in central Kyoto that offers private tours and sake tasting. It’s called Sasaki Shuzo and they offer private tours led by the head brewer. Wabunka, which offers a variety of carefully curated private Japan cultural experiences, has worked with Sasaki Shuzo to create a perfect brewery tour and tasting experience. As with all their experiences, this one is fully private, so it will only be you and your family or friends. And, like their other experiences, they provide a fully bilingual guide/interpreter so communication is painless.
Go For A Bike Ride
A bicycle is the perfect way to explore Kyoto. For all the details, check out our Cycling in Kyoto page, which includes information on how and where to hire a bike, as well as some of our favourite cycling routes. Booking a Kyoto bike tour is a fun way to get to know your way around without having to worry about getting lost.
Shop For The Perfect Souvenir
For the perfect gift or souvenir, you won’t find a better selection than in Kyoto. Check out our Kyoto Shopping page and Kyoto Arts And Antiques page. From art and antiques to lacquerware and washi (traditional Japanese paper), there is a plethora of quintessential Japanese items you can take home.
Go For A Hike
Kyoto is a hiker’s paradise. There are mountains on three sides of the city and they’re latticed with hiking trails. For our top picks, check out our Best Kyoto Hikes page. The Mt. Daimonji-yama Climb, for example, brings you up to the best viewpoint over Kyoto, and the Takao to Hozukyo Hike follows a beautiful river that’s great for swimming in the hot months. If you’d prefer to have your hikes organised, GetYourGuide and Klook both offer guided hikes, tailored around different experiences and day trips.
Escape The Crowds
With all these great things to see and do, it’s no surprise that Kyoto can get a little crowded, especially in the spring. But, it’s easy to escape the throngs. Check our guide for How To Escape The Crowds In Kyoto, with plenty of suggestions for the lesser-visited landmarks.
Take A Daytrip Outside The City
If you’ve got a few days in Kyoto, why not take a daytrip outside the city? Check out A Day Trip To Ohara and the Kitayama Area. And, of course, there’s always Nara.
For a relaxing overnight break, why not head to bubbling hot springs Kinosaki Onsen? Or, for lovely beaches and hot springs, why not rent a car and explore the Tango-hanto Peninsula?
Taking part in an organised tour is the most stress-free way to take a day trip. GetYourGuide has a great choice, including hotel pickup, and Klook offers trips to Nara and further afield.
Daimaru Department Store Food Floor
Check Out A Department Store Food Floor
Kyoto’s department store food floors (“depachika” in Japanese) are like Aladdin’s Cave – filled with wonders that will dazzle your eyes and whet your appetite. The two best are Daimaru and Takashimaya, both in downtown Kyoto. If you can’t make it to these, you can dash into the food floors at Isetan Department Store before jumping on the shinkansen.
GEAR cast and stage © Kishi Takako, courtesy of GEAR
See The Show GEAR!
For something totally different that both kids and adults will enjoy, we strongly recommend checking out the non-verbal multimedia performance called GEAR, that brings together music, dance, magic, and truly groundbreaking set design and lighting effects. To avoid disappointment, you can buy tickets in advance.
Sakamaruyama Teahouse in Maruyama-koen Park, Southern Higashiyama © Michael Lambe
Enjoy A Cup Of Tea In A Traditional Teahouse
You can drink coffee at Starbucks anywhere in the world, including Kyoto. But you’ve come all this way, why not try something unique to the city? A hot cup of frothing matcha paired with a Japanese sweet is a real Kyoto experience and there are some great places all around the city to try it. Visit our Tea In Kyoto page for some top picks.
Go To A Kyoto Market
Kyoto’s big flea markets, Tenjin-san (25th of every month) and Kobo-san (21st of every month), are some of the best markets of their kind in all of Asia. You will be amazed at the offerings, from antiques to ceramics to used kimono, with plenty of food to boot.
If you aren’t in town when those are held, you can try the Chion-ji Handicraft Market (15th of every month) or the Kamigamo-jinja Handicraft Market (fourth Sunday of every month). Finally, if you love antiques, you cannot miss the Pulse Plaza Grand Antiques Fair (held irregularly). You can book a guided tour around Nishiki Market or shop as part of a food tour.
Keep The Kids Happy
Traveling with kids? I know what that’s like. Check out our Kyoto With Children page for a list of suggestions of how to engage the little ones’ attention. The guide includes the most kid-friendly attractions, as well as the best places to eat and stay when you have children in tow.
Kamo-gawa River on a summer evening. Photo by Mike Herrin
Not Enough? What Else Is There To Do?
If you’re still looking for things to see and do, check out our What Else Is There To Do In Kyoto? page. It’s a great list of all kinds of things that most travelers never even consider. It’s a great way to escape the crowds and meet the locals.
Suggested Itineraries
If you want some ideas about how to put it all together, check out our Kyoto Itineraries page. And, if you want some help planning your trip, we’d be happy to help you plan things with Japan Travel Consulting.
Other Useful Links
- For help planning your days in Kyoto, visit our Kyoto Itineraries page.
- For some recommendations for things to do in Kyoto, visit our Things To Do In Kyoto page.
- For some recommended Kyoto activities, see our Kyoto Activities page.
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- 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
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- 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
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
