Kyoto, one of the most visited cities in Japan, is home to many temples, shrines, places, and lush gardens. Many Kyoto attractions keep drawing people to Japan year in and year out. These locations are not just attractions; many are World Heritage Sites conferred by UNESCO. If you’re visiting Japan as a tourist, you can never go wrong with Kyoto, which has many must-see spots. Before you get a tourist visa and book your ticket to Japan, let’s explore the top 20 Kyoto attractions you should visit when you next go to Japan.
1. Gion Geisha District
Are you ready to explore one of the popular districts in Kyoto? Gion is usually the first stop if you're coming from the Kyoto Station. It's a district in Higashiyama-ku that is purely known for its entertainment and bubbly city center. Talking of traditional culture and modern charm, Gion is a blend of both, making it the center of Kyoto's culture. Not only are there many things to see, but there are also many things to do. You can stroll down the street of Hanamikoji, a street lined with traditional wooden structures known as the Machiya houses that show Kyoto's traditional architecture.
If you’re lucky, you can catch a glimpse of Maiko and Geiko performing, and if you’re interested in the performance, you can stop to watch. You can watch their beautiful performance, which involves traditional dance and music. You can also have a tea ceremony in the Gion Geisha district. Here, you can learn how to prepare and serve Japanese tea, such as matcha, while you bask in Japanese culture alongside other tourist crowds.
If you’re up for a temple visit, the Kennin-Ji temple is a great choice. It was founded in the 12th century and is one of the oldest temples in Kyoto. Another temple you can visit is the Sanjusangendo temple, also known as the Goddess of Mercy temple. Founded in the 11th century, it's a place where you can learn about the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, who originated from China.
2. Kyoto National Museum
If you’re a history lover and love exhibitions that give insight into Japanese history, you should visit the Kyoto National Museum once you visit the city. Kyoto National Museum is one of the oldest museums in Japan. In addition to learning about Japanese history, you get to see cultural properties that date back hundreds of years in real time. This includes ceramics, calligraphy, archaeological relics, costumes, sculptures, and paintings that hold historical relevance.
3. Nijo Castle
If you want to see and experience one of the attractions with historical meaning, you shouldn’t visit Kyoto without exploring the Amojo Castle. Nijo Castle is a captivating UNESCO World Heritage Site housing other attractions. It houses the Nimomaru palace, a place where tourists are spellbound by the beauty of the breathtaking Karamon gate that leads to the castle. Everything from the gate to the Nightingale floors, decorations, gardens, and the pond garden is worth seeing.
Another place you can explore is the Honmaru Palace, which served as an imperial palace for a short time but has now been donated to the city and is open to the public. Another place you can explore within the Nijo Castle is the Seiryu-en garden. If you are lucky enough to travel during the cherry blossom season, you should also see the cherry blossom trees.
4. Fushimi Inari Shrine
Kyoto has many shrines, but the Fushimi Inari shrine is exceptional. Located in southern Kyoto, Fushimi Inari Shrine is a 1,300-year-old temple popular for its infamous Torii gates. The history behind this shrine is that it’s dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. Many tourists visit this shrine to explore the Torii gates. The Torii gate leads to the sacred Mount Inari. The trails to Mount Inari are a path of vibrant torii gates that seem endless, and you should ensure you walk through them. You can also explore the mountain, check out souvenir shops, and try fortune cookies.
5. Nishiki Market
When history meets the market, that’s what the Nishiki market is all about. The Nishiki market dates back hundreds of years and is still standing strong. Popularly known as Kyoto’s kitchen, Nishiki Market is a place to explore Japanese food culture. There are hundreds of shops and restaurants at Nishiki Market, where you can shop for food, seasonal ingredients, sweets, and cookware.
When visiting the Nishiki market, you need to be cautious of the visiting time. Since it’s not a regular market, it doesn’t open early, so you can go anytime from 11 a.m. or later to experience the full market vibe.
6. Entoku-In
Kyoto attractions include more temples, and the Entoku-In is one of these temples that offers a peaceful escape. This Buddhist temple is a popular Kodao-Jo temple that is relevant to Japanese history. Aside from learning history, there are other things you can explore in this must-see spot, such as the two Zen gardens present there, the North Garden, and the South Garden, which features rocks from the Fushimi Castle. You can also explore the sliding doors paintings from talented artists. The cultural experience at the Entoku-In temple is something you should experience when you visit the temple, such as during the tea ceremony and the zazen meditation sessions.
7. Kyoto Imperial Palace
Beautiful gardens, calming atmosphere, mesmerizing architecture, and a peaceful escape. That’s what you see as the Kyoto Imperial Palace embraces you. One of the things you can do at the Imperial Palace is explore the Kyoto Gion National Garden, where the palace is situated. It's a beautiful escape from the rowdiness of the city. Shodaibunoma screen door painting is an activity you should not miss if you visit the place. It’s a scene where you can view different dynamic artworks that speak to the soul. Booking a tea ceremony at the Shu Sui Tei tea house should be on your list. It’s a ceremony where you learn about tea making.
8. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Nonomiya Shrine
Lost yourself in the magic of the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. This forest is a stack of slender bamboo stalks reaching to the sky. The Arashiyama bamboo grove is situated along the beautiful Katsura River right on the foothills of Mount Arashiyama. This peaceful bamboo grove is one of the iconic landmarks in Kyoto and will be one of your core memories in Kyoto.
When exploring the Arashiyama bamboo grove, ensure you do so when the sun is up so that you can see the sunlight seeping through the trees. Another thing you might want to explore is the Nonomiya shrine, a small sacred shrine in the middle of the bamboo forest. It’s a place known for good marriages, and many people come there to pray for a happy marriage and healthy children. If that’s your thing, you can give it a try.
9. Samurai and Ninja Museum
If you love anime, you will love the Samurai and Ninja Museum. At this museum, you can learn about the fascinating history of the Samurai and Ninja in Kyoto. You can also see a massive collection of Samurai swords displayed on the Wall of Swords.
If you want an in-moment experience, you can rent the traditional armor and transform it into a Samurai while you learn basic sword techniques (Kenjutsu). You can do the same for the Ninja activity while you learn and practice stealth techniques, blowgun training, and throwing Ninja stars at targets. Don’t forget to seal the memories by taking photos in your attire.
10. Ine Fishing Village
The Ine Fishing Village is known for its Funaya (boat houses). These wooden houses serve as lodges where tourists and visitors stay overnight. The best way to explore Ine fishing village and the Funaya houses is to take boat tours to see them in their full element. However, you need to make reservations for boat tours.
11. Kyoto International Manga Museum
If you’re a manga fan, the Kyoto International Manga Museum is one of the Kyoto attractions that will pique your interest. Visiting this Manga Museum is not limited to Manga lovers; if you’re curious about manga, you can get answers to any questions you have once you visit. Get your admission tickets and get ready to explore one of the biggest manga collections.
With three floors and a basement, this museum houses manga shelves with a massive collection of 300,000 permanent manga collections. The best part is that they have an exhibition of manga based on different themes, which is incredible. It has a beautiful collection of manga dating back to the 19th century, from historical to foreign works. As a manga fan, you can buy manga copies at the museum from the extensive collection of manga, which is something to add to your collection.
12. Kiyomizu-dera
Kiyomizu-dera temple delivers various experiences, from standing on the Kiyomizu stage to basking in the mesmerizing view of Kyoto that embraces you once you climb onto that wooden stage.
If you believe in nature, you can explore this temple further by drinking from the streams of Otowa waterfall. It is said that each stream offers different blessings, such as finding love, having a long life, and doing well academically. However, you can't drink from all the streams, which is considered bad luck, so be careful.
Other things you can do at Kiyomizu-Dera temple are enjoy traditional Japanese food, explore souvenir shops, and explore as much as possible. Since Kiyomizu-Dera is a temple, be aware of its rules and abide by them.
13. Kawai Kanjiro Memorial Hall
If you love art and you’re interested in having an insight into Japanese history, this memorial hall will give you answers. Kawai Kanjiro Memorial Hall is of unique importance. It’s a place that showcases the life and work of Kawai Kanjiro, a Mingei artist known for his pottery and craftsmanship. He’s a potter who combines modern methods with traditional ones to produce both traditional and modern designs. You can check out the work of Kawai Oanjiro at this memorial hall to enrich your cultural experiences.
14. Ryoanji Temple
The Ryoanji temple is a Zen temple that houses the popular Zen rock garden. It’s a place where serenity meets tourism. This garden is unlike the typical garden of flowers; it’s a Zen rock garden with a rectangular pool of pebbles and about 15 rocks arranged in small groups between the pebbles. At this garden, you can meditate, explore the Zen temple surroundings, and learn about Zen Buddhism.
15. Kizakura Kappa Country
Popularly known for its Sake Brewery, Kizakura Kappa Country is a must-visit combination of a museum and a restaurant. It’s a popular spot in Fushimi, a Kyoto attraction with an on-site brewery where tourists can see the process of sake-making in real time. The exhibitions and workshops are another thing that attracts tourists and visitors. Visitors can learn, ask questions, and participate in sake tasting at these exhibitions.
Since Kizakura Kappa Country is a combo of a museum and restaurant, you can explore the memorial hall and other things that showcase the history of sake breweries. You can explore the Kizakura Sakaba, a restaurant that serves a variety of traditional Japanese foods alongside sake and beer. Kizakura is a great destination if you love good food and are not afraid to try new food.
16. Kifune Shrine
Nestled in the serene mountains of northern Kyoto, the Kifune shrine is a mesmerizing destination that screams beauty. It’s dedicated to the deity of water, Takaokami-no-kami, and for over 1,300 years, it has been a place of worship. Likewise, many tourists go there to seek blessings. If you visit the Kifune shrine, don’t miss out on walking through the lantern pathway. This walking path gives a magical ambience, especially at night, which you must experience.
In addition, you can go hiking along the trail connecting the shrine to the Kurama-dera temple. This path will take you through the cedar forest and mountains so you can exercise while you connect deeply to the environment. After you hike, you can try out a meal on a Kawadoko, a platform built over the flowing Kibune river.
17. Kaleidoscope Museum of Kyoto
Patterns, color, and prism – The Kaleidoscope Museum of Kyoto is home to about 50 permanently displayed kaleidoscopes. If you visit, you can explore the dazzling collection of kaleidoscopes. Also, you can actively participate in kaleidoscope making, where you make unique patterns. However, to participate, you have to go on days when kaleidoscope makers are invited to the museum to organize workshops; that way, you won’t miss out on kaleidoscope making.
18. Chion-in Temple
Here’s another one of the Kyoto attractions and one of the must-visit Buddhist temples in Kyoto. Chion-in is a beautiful temple with a rich history and many things to learn. You can start your tour at the Sanmon gate, a prominent feature of the temple and Japan's largest wooden gate. Once you enter the temple through the gate, you can explore the temple grounds while you enjoy the atmosphere and views.
You can visit the gardens in the temple, particularly the Hojo and Yuzen-en gardens. Depending on your vacation period, you can check for special events at the temple. If there is, you can attend, and it will add to your experience of Kyoto attractions.
19. Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) Temple
Kinkakuji Temple, popularly known as the Golden Temple, was conferred UNESCO World Heritage status in 1994. If you’re interested in historical accounts, the Golden Temple might be a place you want to visit. To learn about the temple's history, you can explore the Sikh museum within the temple, where you will hear and learn about the history of Sikhism in relation to the temple.
In addition, you can explore different activities at the Kinkakuji temple, including taking a holy dip in the sacred pool surrounding the temple. Watching the night view at the Golden Temple is a must, as the temple has a mesmerising night view. There are rules for visiting the temple. You must dress modestly, cover your head, avoid wearing leather, and remove your shoes at the temple entrance.
20. Murayama-Koen
Murayama-Koen is one of the Kyoto attractions that should be on your tour list. Visiting one of the oldest parks, from 1886, is an overwhelming experience. If you visit during the cherry blossom season, you can participate in Hanami, a cherry tree viewing activity, where you can see the beauty of the cherry blossom trees. Taking a stroll in the park is another thing you can do, where you can see tranquil ponds and lush gardens. The street food at the Maruyama-Koen is a must-try, where you can enjoy different local delicacies. It’s also an ideal spot for picnics and casual dining.
Conclusion
Vacations are necessary, especially after a long work period, and a perfect getaway to Japan is to explore one of its best cities, Kyoto. Whether for solo travel or family vacations, Kyoto attractions keep you engaged while you explore, learn new things, and relax. From historic tea houses and iconic landmarks to watching cherry blossoms and visiting antique shops, there’s so much to do. If you’re due for a vacation and don't have a Kyoto traveler's to-do list, you can follow this list of detailed Kyoto attractions.
