Fushimi Inari ShrineAttraction
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Thousands of red torii gates climbing a wooded hill. Free, and open at all hours.
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Things to do in Kyoto
Compare tickets, tours, transfers, hotels and flights for Kyoto in one place, and see who provides each one before you book.
Photo: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
AirportsKansai International (KIX), Osaka Itami (ITM)
Getting aroundBuses, subway, trains and bicycles
CurrencyJapanese yen (JPY)
Best monthsMarch to May, October and November
Kyoto in brief
Kyoto was the capital of Japan for more than a thousand years, and it holds well over a thousand temples and shrines. Seventeen of its sites are on the World Heritage list.
The great sights sit around the edges of the city: Kiyomizu-dera and Gion in the east, the Golden Pavilion in the north-west, Arashiyama in the west and Fushimi Inari in the south.
Kyoto is very busy in the cherry blossom and autumn leaf seasons. Go to the famous places at opening time, and leave the middle of the day for quieter temples.
Top attractions in Kyoto
Tickets and guided visits for the city’s best-known sights.
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)Attraction
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
A Zen temple whose upper floors are covered in gold leaf, reflected in a pond.
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Kiyomizu-deraAttraction
Kiyomizu-dera
A hillside temple with a great wooden terrace over the trees and the city.
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Arashiyama Bamboo GroveAttraction
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
A path through tall bamboo in the west of the city, beside temples and a river.
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Gion
Nijo CastleAttraction
Nijo Castle
The palace of the shoguns in Kyoto, with painted screens and floors that squeak underfoot.
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Photo: Fushimi Inari Shrine — Basile Morin (CC BY-SA 4.0); Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) — Martin Falbisoner (CC BY-SA 4.0); Kiyomizu-dera — Martin Falbisoner (CC BY-SA 4.0); Arashiyama Bamboo Grove — Basile Morin (CC BY-SA 4.0); Gion — 663highland (CC BY 2.5); Nijo Castle — 京都東 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons
Tours and day trips
Guided tours, day trips and experiences, with photos, reviews and prices.
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Getting there and around
Airport transfer from Kansai International Airport (KIX)A pre-booked car or shared shuttle to your hotel. Alternatives are the Haruka express train or the airport bus.
Trains from KyotoTrains reach Osaka in about half an hour and Nara in about forty-five minutes. Bullet trains reach Tokyo in a little over two hours.
Car rentalNot needed in the city, where streets are narrow and parking is scarce. Useful for the countryside to the north.
Flights
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Where to stay
Pick a neighbourhood first, then compare hotels.
1
Kyoto Station area
The transport hub, with many hotels. Practical for day trips and for arriving with luggage.
2
Downtown (Kawaramachi)
Shops, restaurants and Nishiki Market in the centre, close to Gion on foot.
3
Gion and Higashiyama
Traditional streets near the eastern temples, with inns in old wooden houses.
4
Arashiyama
A quiet district by the river in the west, with traditional inns. Far from the centre.
Hotels in Kyoto with live prices
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Kyoto day by day
- Day 1: Higashiyama and GionKiyomizu-dera at opening, the old lanes below it, Yasaka Shrine, then Gion in the evening.
- Day 2: Fushimi Inari and the centreFushimi Inari early in the morning, lunch at Nishiki Market, then Nijo Castle.
- Day 3: The Golden Pavilion and ArashiyamaKinkaku-ji in the morning, the rock garden of Ryoan-ji, then the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in the afternoon.
- With a fourth dayTake a day trip to Nara.
Local tips
- Visit the famous sights at opening time. By mid-morning they are crowded.
- City buses are often full. Use the subway and trains where you can, or cycle.
- In Gion, keep out of the private lanes and do not photograph geiko or maiko without permission.
- You remove your shoes in many temple halls. Wear shoes that slip off easily.
- Carry cash. Many temples take only cash for the entrance fee.
Before you go
Travel insuranceCover for medical costs and cancellations.
Luggage storageLeave bags near the station or the sights.
Flight delay compensationCheck whether a delayed or cancelled flight qualifies.
Everything for Kyoto
Ten services for the trip, all in one place.
Travel guide
Kyoto is best in late March to early April and in November, but both periods are very crowded, and three days covers the main temples and districts. Kyoto has no airport of its own, so most visitors arrive via Kansai Airport or by bullet train.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Kyoto?
Late March to early April brings cherry blossom, and November brings autumn leaves. Both seasons are very crowded, and summer is hot and humid.
How many days do I need in Kyoto?
Two to three full days cover the main sights. Add a day for Nara.
What should I book ahead in Kyoto?
Most temples need no booking. Hotels fill months ahead for the blossom and autumn seasons, and a few gardens and imperial villas need a reservation.
How do I get from the airport to the centre?
From Kansai International, the Haruka express train runs direct to Kyoto Station in about eighty minutes. Airport buses and shared shuttles are also available. Choose by luggage, arrival time and budget.
Can I visit Kyoto on a day trip?
From Osaka, easily: the train takes about half an hour. From Tokyo it is possible by bullet train, but a night or two in Kyoto is far better.