The main area for sightseeing in Kyoto. There are 17 World Heritage Sites including Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Kinkaku-dera Temple (Rokuon-ji Temple). Kyoto is also home to Gion and Arashiyama, both of which are filled with the atmosphere of the ancient capital and offer a wide variety of sightseeing opportunities, including walking around the city and eating out.
The ancient capital of Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan for a long time. You can visit many famous temples such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kinkaku-dera Temple (Rokuon-ji Temple), and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. You can also tour around the Arashiyama and Kibune areas, where you can enjoy the natural beauty of the area, and the Gion area, which is ideal for walking around town!
There is also a wide variety of gourmet food available, including lunch in a machiya townhouse, authentic Kyoto kaiseki cuisine, and obanzai (traditional Japanese dishes). This sightseeing area also offers a variety of traditional cultural experiences, such as dressing up in kimono and tea ceremony, which are perfect for the atmosphere of the ancient capital.
To enjoy sightseeing in Kyoto
The Kyoto area is filled with famous temples registered as World Heritage Sites, such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kinkaku-ji Temple (Shikakuen-ji Temple), Kodai-ji Temple, and Tenryu-ji Temple, as well as nationally renowned shrines, such as Yasaka Shrine, Heian Shrine, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, and Matsuo Taisha Shrine.
Visitors can experience Japanese traditions, history, and culture by experiencing tea ceremony and tatami room games in Higashiyama and Gion, where machiya townhouses stand side by side, or by soaking up the atmosphere of the ancient capital at Noryokoyoko (summer evening tea-lighting on the Kamo River).
The area is also rich in natural beauty, with bamboo forest walks in Sagano in spring, the Daimonji Gozan Okuribi bonfire in summer, autumn leaves changing colors, and snow-covered Togetsu Bridge in autumn in Arashiyama, Ohara, famous for Sanzenin Temple, and the mysterious atmosphere of Kibune Shrine and Kurama Temple in the mountains of Ukyo Ward.
The area around Kyoto Station, the gateway to Kyoto's sightseeing, is also well served by sightseeing around the station, including Honganji Temple, Toji Temple (Kyo-o-gokoku-ji), and Tofuku-ji Temple.
History of Kyoto
Kyoto has served as the capital of Japan for a long time since the capital was relocated to Heian-kyo in 794. In the late Heian period, aristocrats and warriors took the lead, and many temples and shrines were built and the Higashiyama area developed.
Later, when the Muromachi shogunate was established in Kyoto, a purely Japanese culture developed, including the Kitayama and Higashiyama cultures. The city was eventually destroyed during the Onin War, but under the policies of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Kyoto once again flourished and became one of the three largest cities along with Edo (Tokyo) and Osaka (Osaka).
The city became the scene of turmoil at the end of the Edo period (1603-1867), with the Shinsengumi, a group of samurai who opposed the Meiji Restoration, and others taking part in the uprisings.
During the Pacific War, Kyoto was not subjected to air raids, and many of its valuable cultural assets and buildings were unscathed, making it a tourist destination that conveys Japanese culture to this day.
Local gourmet foods, food culture, and specialties of Kyoto
Kyoto offers many fashionable and healthy local gourmet foods, such as vegetarian cuisine using soybeans, including yudofu and yuba dishes, Kyoto kaiseki using an abundance of Kyoto vegetables, and town cafe lunches popular among women. You can enjoy such purely Japanese delicacies as traditional hamo (hamo duck) dishes and Saikyo zuke (fish marinated in Saikyo miso, a type of fish marinated in miso).
On the other hand, Kyoto is actually a treasure trove of B-class gourmet food. In particular, ramen is characterized by Kyoto ramen, a soup made from chicken stock that is simmered until it becomes a thick, white soup, and the Ichijyoji area, a fierce battleground, is crowded with famous ramen stores featuring white soup.
In the city center, there are many long-established Chinese noodle shops, and recently new ramen shops have opened, selling ramen with a thick broth made from a combination of chicken stock and pork bones.
Kyoto is also rich in souvenirs, from Kyoto pickles such as Shibazuke, Senmaizuke, and Suguki, to Japanese sweets such as Yatsuhashi, Mamemochi, kompeito, Kintsuba, and Warabimochi, all of which are highly appreciated as sweet treats. There is also a wide variety of crafts such as bamboo crafts, Gamaguchi, Nioidama, and Kyo-kumi-string.
Founded in 778, Kiyomizu-dera is a historic Buddhist temple with roots dating back to the Nara period (710–794). The temple complex covers approximately 130,000 square meters on the slopes of Mount Otowa in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district. The main hall, rebuilt in 1633 during the Edo period, is designated a National Treasure. Famous for its large wooden terrace known as the “Stage of Kiyomizu,” the...»
To-ji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Minami-ku, Kyoto. Its official name is Kyo-o-gokoku-ji, and it serves as the head temple of the Toji branch of Shingon Buddhism, an esoteric Buddhist tradition. It is particularly renowned for its magnificent five-story pagoda, the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan, as well as its remarkable collection of Buddhist statues and cultural treasures. ...»
Yasaka Pagoda is one of Kyoto’s most recognizable landmarks, rising above the traditional streets near the approach to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. This elegant five-story pagoda features a traditional Japanese architectural style and a tiled roof, standing approximately 46 meters tall. The pagoda stands within the grounds of Hokan-ji Temple. Because the temple grounds are relatively small and the pagod...»
Ginkaku-ji Temple, widely known as the Silver Pavilion, is officially named Jisho-ji Temple. It was originally built as a mountain retreat called Higashiyama-dono by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the eighth shogun of the Muromachi shogunate, after he handed over his position to his son. Yoshimasa devoted his retirement to the refined pursuits of Japanese culture, including painting, calligraphy, and the te...»
Kifune Shrine is the head shrine of approximately 500 shrines dedicated to the deity of water throughout Japan. Located near the source of the Kamo River in Kyoto, it has long been revered as a sacred place associated with water, love, and good fortune. The shrine stands in a lush, forested mountain valley between Mount Kibune and Mount Kurama. The Kibune River, an upstream tributary of the Kamo ...»
Sanzen-in Temple is a Buddhist temple of the Tendai school, located in the Ohara Raigo-incho area of Sakyo Ward, Kyoto. With a long and distinguished history, it is one of the five principal monzeki temples of the Tendai tradition—temples historically associated with members of the imperial family and aristocracy. It is also regarded as one of the most sacred sites in northern Kyoto. The temple's...»
The Kamogawa Riverside Dining Platforms, known in Japanese as Kamogawa no Noryo-yuka, carry on the lively and sophisticated merchant culture of the Edo period (1603–1868). Every summer, restaurants along the Kamo River set up open-air dining platforms where visitors can enjoy meals while feeling the refreshing river breeze. Approximately 100 establishments participate in this seasonal tradition. ...»
Located in Kyoto’s Kamigyo Ward, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, a renowned scholar and statesman of the Heian period (794–1185). Known affectionately as “Tenjin-san” or “Kitano-san,” it is regarded as the head shrine of approximately 12,000 Tenmangu and Tenjin shrines throughout Japan. The shrine is particularly famous as a place to pray for academic success and goo...»
Yasaka Shrine, affectionately known as “Yasaka-san,” is famous for the Gion Festival, one of Japan's three great festivals. The festival originated as a religious ceremony held at the shrine and has become one of Kyoto's most celebrated annual events. The shrine's main hall, rebuilt in 1654 under the patronage of Tokugawa Ietsuna, is designated a National Treasure. Twenty-nine other structures ar...»
Nijo Castle was built in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. Located in the heart of Kyoto, this flatland castle was constructed to protect the city and serve as a residence for the shogun when visiting the imperial capital. After his victory at the Battle of Sekigahara, Ieyasu established the castle as a strategic base in Kyoto. In 1603, he held a ceremony there to ce...»
Kyoto Gyoen National Garden lies in the heart of Kyoto. Covering an area approximately 700 meters from east to west and 1,300 meters from north to south, this expansive park was once a residential district for court nobles during the Edo period, when more than 200 residences of various sizes stood throughout the area. In 1869, after the imperial capital moved to Tokyo, the former aristocratic dis...»
Heian Jingu Shrine was established in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the founding of Heian-kyo, the ancient capital of Kyoto. Its impressive great torii gate, which stands approximately 24 meters tall, spans Jingu-michi Avenue and is registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan. The shrine's vivid vermilion-and-green buildings are modeled after the architecture of the Chodo...»
Rengeo-in Temple, commonly known as Sanjusangendo, is a Buddhist temple in Kyoto famous for its extraordinary collection of 1,001 statues of the Thousand-Armed Kannon, the Buddhist deity of compassion. The temple is an affiliated hall of Myoho-in Temple and is renowned for its remarkable Buddhist sculptures, many of which are designated National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties of Japan....»
Kamigamo Shrine, officially known as Kamo-wakeikazuchi Shrine, is one of Kyoto’s oldest and most historically significant Shinto shrines. Its main shrine buildings are said to have been established in 677, and its long history is closely connected with the development of Kyoto as Japan’s ancient capital. Kamigamo Shrine and Shimogamo Shrine, officially known as Kamo Mioya Shrine, are collectively...»
Shimogamo Shrine, officially known as Kamo Mioya Shrine, is one of Kyoto’s oldest Shinto shrines. Together with Kamigamo Shrine, officially known as Kamo-wakeikazuchi Shrine, it forms the pair of shrines collectively called the Kamo Shrines. The shrine grounds are designated a historic site, and the complex preserves an exceptional collection of traditional Japanese architecture. The East and Wes...»
Tofuku-ji Temple is a major head temple of the Tofuku-ji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism, located in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district. It is renowned for its spectacular autumn foliage and its important role in preserving the Zen Buddhist culture of the Kamakura (1185–1333) and Muromachi (1336–1573) periods. Tofuku-ji was ranked fourth among Kyoto’s Five Great Zen Temples, a prestigious group establish...»
Kibune Kawadoko is a beloved summer tradition in Kyoto, offering a unique dining experience on wooden platforms built directly above the clear waters of the Kibune River. Also known as noryo-yuka, or riverside dining terraces, this tradition allows visitors to escape the summer heat while enjoying traditional Kyoto cuisine surrounded by lush green mountains. As a source stream of the Kamo River, ...»
Gozan no Okuribi is one of Kyoto’s most iconic summer traditions, held annually on August 16. During this solemn and visually striking event, enormous bonfires are lit on five mountains surrounding Kyoto, creating glowing symbols against the night sky. The ceremony marks the end of the Obon season, a traditional Japanese Buddhist period when the spirits of deceased ancestors are believed to retur...»
Kurama-dera Temple is a historic Buddhist temple nestled in the forested mountains of northern Kyoto. It is famous for its connection to Ushiwakamaru, the childhood name of the legendary samurai Minamoto no Yoshitsune, who is said to have trained here during his youth. The temple grounds feature the main hall, the Kon-dō Hall, and other religious buildings scattered among the trees. The Kurama Mou...»
Maruyama Park, located in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district, is a historic green space loved by both local residents and visitors. Opened in 1886, it is regarded as the oldest park in Kyoto City. Centered around a traditional Japanese strolling garden, the park features restaurants, teahouses, and peaceful paths where visitors can enjoy the changing scenery throughout the year. The park is especially ...»
The Kyoto Railway Museum is one of Japan’s largest railway museums, offering visitors an opportunity to explore the history and development of the country’s railways. Located in Umekoji Park, a popular recreational space for Kyoto residents, the museum opened in April 2016. The museum preserves the legacy of Japan’s railway heritage, with a particular focus on steam locomotives, commonly known as...»
Kennin-ji Temple, located in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district, is one of Japan’s oldest Zen temples and the head temple of the Kennin-ji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism. Founded in 1202 by the Zen master Eisai, it was Kyoto’s first Zen temple and remains an important center of Japanese Buddhist culture. The spacious temple grounds feature traditional halls, temple buildings, and subtemple...»
Nishi Hongan-ji Temple, officially known as Ryūkoku-zan Hongan-ji, is the head temple of the Jōdo Shinshū Hongwanji-ha school of Buddhism. Located in Kyoto’s Shimogyō Ward, it is one of the city’s most important religious and cultural landmarks and forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. The spacious temple grounds contain magnificent halls, ...»
Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, officially known as Shinshu Honbyo, is the head temple of the Otani branch of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Located in Kyoto’s Shimogyo Ward, it is an important religious center dedicated to the teachings of Shinran, the founder of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. The temple’s impressive grounds are centered around two principal halls: the Founder’s Hall, which enshrines a wooden image o...»
Kyoto Gyoen National Garden is a spacious public park in the heart of Kyoto, centered around the Kyoto Imperial Palace, the former residence of Japan’s emperors. The grounds extend approximately 700 meters from east to west and 1,300 meters from north to south. During the Edo period, this area was home to more than 200 residences belonging to court nobles and aristocratic families. After the capi...»
Chion-in Temple is the head temple of the Jōdo (Pure Land) school of Japanese Buddhism. Located in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district, it stands on a site closely associated with Hōnen, the founder of the Jōdo school. Hōnen established a hermitage in the Yoshimizu area here and began teaching his Buddhist beliefs. He also spent his final years at this location. The temple complex features magnificent b...»
The Museum of Kyoto, located in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, introduces visitors to the city’s rich history, traditional crafts, fine arts, folk culture, archaeology, and audiovisual heritage. Since opening in 1988, it has played an important role in preserving and presenting Kyoto’s cultural treasures and artistic achievements....»
Shokoku-ji Temple, located in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, is the head temple of the Shokoku-ji branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. Founded in 1382 by the powerful shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, it has played an important role in the development of Zen Buddhism and Japanese culture. The temple became a major center of Zen administration and Gozan literature, a literary tradition that flourished among Zen monks. ...»
Kyoto Aquarium is a large inland aquarium located in Umekoji Park in Kyoto. It was the first aquarium in Japan to use only artificially produced seawater and is housed in a three-story building. Through carefully designed exhibits, the aquarium introduces visitors to Japan’s diverse aquatic environments and wildlife. Highlights include a large tank recreating the Sea of Japan, a rural landscape i...»
Standing 131 meters tall in front of Kyoto Station, Kyoto Tower is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. Opened on December 28, 1964, the tower was designed with the image of a lighthouse in mind. Its height was chosen to reflect Kyoto's population of approximately 1.31 million at the time. From the observation deck, located 100 meters above ground, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of K...»
Opened in 1903, Kyoto City Zoo is one of Japan’s oldest zoos, second only to Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. Located in the Okazaki district of Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, it is also known as Okazaki Zoo. The zoo has a long history of welcoming local residents and visitors, offering opportunities to observe animals up close and learn about wildlife conservation....»
Located in northern Kyoto, the Kyoto Prefectural Botanical Garden is one of Japan’s oldest botanical gardens. Opened in 1924, it covers approximately 24.2 hectares and features an extensive collection of plants, with around 11,000 to 12,000 species and approximately 100,000 individual plants. The garden emphasizes natural plant communities and seasonal beauty. Visitors can enjoy colorful flowers,...»
Senmaizuke is one of Kyoto's most celebrated traditional pickles, known for its delicate flavor, refined appearance, and subtle elegance. It is made from thinly sliced Shogoin turnips, a traditional Kyoto vegetable prized for its large size, tender texture, and mild, sophisticated taste. Along with suguki-zuke and shibazuke, senmaizuke is considered one of the Three Great Pickles of Kyoto. Unlike...»
Kyoto-style ozoni is a traditional Japanese New Year's soup made with white miso and round rice cakes. Its mildly sweet, comforting broth and carefully selected ingredients reflect Kyoto's distinctive culinary traditions and the importance of welcoming the new year....»
Suguki-zuke is a traditional Kyoto pickle made from suguki, a local turnip cultivated in the Kamigamo area of northern Kyoto. Known for its distinctive, tangy flavor, it is one of Kyoto's three most famous pickles, alongside senmaizuke and shibazuke. Made using only suguki greens and salt, the pickle develops its characteristic sourness through lactic acid fermentation. This simple preparation al...»
Kamo eggplant dengaku is a traditional Kyoto dish that highlights the rich flavor and firm texture of Kamo eggplant, one of Kyoto's most highly regarded traditional vegetables. The eggplant is sliced, slowly grilled in generous amounts of oil, and topped with sweet miso paste. The skin is also eaten, allowing diners to enjoy the vegetable's full flavor and texture. Kamo eggplants are known for th...»
Awa-fu is a traditional variety of nama-fu, a soft, chewy cake made from wheat gluten and glutinous rice flour, with millet added for a distinctive texture. It is an important ingredient in obanzai, Kyoto's traditional home-style cooking, and is valued for its delicate flavor and versatility. Nama-fu is made by washing starch out of a kneaded mixture of wheat flour and water to extract gluten. Gl...»
Kyo-tsukemono, or Kyoto-style pickles, are a beloved part of the city's food culture. Made with lightly salted vegetables, they preserve the ingredients' natural flavors while offering delicate aromas, attractive colors, and a refined, refreshing taste. Popular varieties include senmaizuke, thinly sliced pickled turnip; suguki-zuke, a traditional fermented pickle made from suguki turnips; shibazu...»
Guji kabura-mushi is a classic winter dish in Kyoto's traditional home-style cuisine, known as obanzai. It combines guji, the local name for tilefish, with Shogoin turnip, a celebrated Kyoto vegetable. The result is a delicate, comforting dish that showcases the refined flavors of traditional Kyoto cooking....»
Shibazuke is one of Japan’s best-known traditional pickles, distinguished by its vivid reddish-purple color and pronounced sourness. Along with suguiki-zuke and senmaizuke, it is celebrated as one of Kyoto’s Three Great Pickles. Traditionally, shibazuke was made by salt-pickling eggplant with chopped red shiso leaves. Today, recipes may also include cucumbers and Japanese ginger (myoga), creating...»
Saba-zushi, or mackerel sushi, is a beloved specialty of Kyoto that reflects the creativity of the city’s residents and their efforts to enjoy fresh seafood far from the coast. In the past, Kyoto had no easy access to fresh fish from the sea. Mackerel caught in Wakasa Bay was salted to preserve it during transport inland. As a result, the fish was often very salty and primarily used as a preserve...»
Kyoto udon is a traditional noodle dish known for its medium-thin noodles, which readily absorb the broth and blend beautifully with its delicate flavors. The noodles are soft yet pleasantly chewy, making them an ideal match for Kyoto’s carefully prepared dashi stock....»
Shojin ryori is a traditional Japanese style of Buddhist cuisine prepared without meat or fish. Instead, it features grains, beans, vegetables, and other plant-based ingredients. It originated as the daily food of Buddhist monks, who followed religious precepts against taking life. As the cuisine developed, cooks found ways to create balanced, flavorful meals despite the absence of meat and fish....»
Chirimen sansho is a traditional Kyoto side dish made by simmering tiny dried fish, known as chirimen jako, with Japanese sansho pepper berries in a sweet-savory sauce. The combination of tender little fish and the pepper’s distinctive, tingling aroma makes it a beloved accompaniment to steamed rice. It is also a popular souvenir from Kyoto....»
Kuri gohan, or chestnut rice, is a classic Japanese dish enjoyed in autumn. It combines fluffy, naturally sweet chestnuts with freshly cooked rice seasoned with a delicate touch of salt. Chestnuts have been a familiar part of the Japanese diet for thousands of years, with evidence suggesting they were eaten in Japan around 9,000 years ago....»
Nanohana-zuke is a traditional Kyoto pickle made from rape blossoms, also known as rapeseed flowers. Enjoyed in early spring, this delicate dish preserves the flowers' fresh aroma and vivid colors while retaining their characteristic gentle bitterness. Using the traditional techniques of Kyoto's pickling culture, freshly picked blossoms are lightly salted to create a refreshing seasonal specialty...»
Winter melon, known as tōgan in Japanese, is a staple ingredient in Kyoto's traditional home-style cuisine, called obanzai. Although it is harvested in summer, it can be stored in a cool, dark place until winter, which is how it got its name....»
Mizuna is a leafy vegetable native to Kyoto that has been cultivated since the early Edo period (1603–1868). It is sometimes called Kyona, or Kyoto greens, in other parts of Japan. One explanation for its name is that it was traditionally grown using only water and soil, without fertilizer. True to its name, mizuna has long been associated with careful water-based cultivation....»