Kyoto Station, where trains and buses arrive and depart, is Kyoto's sightseeing hub. The nearby East and West Honganji Temples and Toji Temple can also be reached on foot. Kawaramachi is lined with department stores, apparel stores, and gourmet restaurants.
Kyoto Station and Kawaramachi are home to Kyoto Tower, Higashi Honganji Temple, Nishi Honganji Temple, Sanjusangendo, Nishiki Market, Shijo Kawaramachi, Ponto-cho, Toji Temple, Shoseien, Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, and other tourist spots.
Also recommended are local gourmet restaurants such as Kaiseki Cuisine, Shinpuku Cuisine, and Daiichi Asahi.
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. ...»
The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, also known as the Bamboo Forest Path, is one of Kyoto’s most iconic sightseeing destinations. Towering bamboo stalks stand in orderly rows on both sides of a path, extending high into the sky and creating a spectacular green canopy overhead. The carefully maintained bamboo groves stretch for approximately 400 meters. Visitors can enjoy the gentle rustling of bamboo le...»
Togetsukyo Bridge is one of Kyoto’s most celebrated landmarks and a symbol of the scenic Arashiyama district. The bridge spans the Katsura River at the foot of Mount Arashiyama, a 382-meter-high mountain famous for its cherry blossoms in spring and colorful foliage in autumn. The combination of the gently flowing river and the green mountains in the background creates one of Kyoto’s most recogniz...»
Located at the foot of Mount Inari, Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine of Inari shrines throughout Japan, a network said to include approximately 30,000 shrines. The entire mountain is considered sacred, with the main sanctuary standing at its base. Affectionately known as Oinari-san, Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of Japan’s most historic and frequently visited Shinto shrines. Its most famous ...»
Saihō-ji Temple, popularly known as Kokedera, or the Moss Temple, is famous for its grounds carpeted in beautiful green moss. The soft, velvety landscape creates the impression of a lush green carpet, giving the temple a tranquil and almost otherworldly atmosphere. The temple garden consists of two distinct styles: a dry landscape garden created by the renowned Zen Buddhist monk and master garden...»
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. ...»
Tenryu-ji Temple was founded in 1343 by Ashikaga Takauji, the first shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate, to commemorate Emperor Go-Daigo. Closely associated with both the Ashikaga shoguns and Emperor Go-Daigo, the temple was ranked first among Kyoto's Five Great Zen Temples. The temple is especially famous for its magnificent garden, designed by Muso Soseki, a distinguished Zen Buddhist monk and one...»
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...»
Shogunzuka Seiryuden is a temple complex on the summit of the Higashiyama hills in Kyoto. It is an outlying precinct of Shoren-in Temple and is renowned for its sweeping views over Kyoto's cityscape. The grounds also contain the historic Shogunzuka mound, which legend says was created by Emperor Kanmu when he selected the site for the new capital of Heian-kyo in the late 8th century. One of the t...»
Jojakko-ji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple nestled halfway up Mount Ogura in the Arashiyama area of Kyoto. Surrounded by lush greenery and renowned for its spectacular autumn foliage, the temple offers a peaceful retreat where visitors can appreciate the changing beauty of Japan's four seasons. The temple is associated with the Buddhist priest Nichishin Shonin, who chose this quiet mountains...»
Suzumushi-dera Temple, also known as Kegon-ji Temple, was founded in 1723 as a temple of the Kegon school of Buddhism. It is now affiliated with the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism. Nestled at the foot of Mount Matsuo in western Kyoto, the temple stands at an elevated location reached by climbing a flight of stone steps. From here, visitors can enjoy sweeping views across Kyoto City. The temple is ...»
Ninna-ji Temple was founded in 888 by Emperor Uda. From that time onward, members of the imperial family who had entered the Buddhist priesthood served as its head priests. The temple was known as Omuro Gosho, meaning the residence of Omuro, reflecting its close ties to the Imperial Household. As a prestigious temple traditionally headed by imperial princes, Ninna-ji has a distinguished history a...»
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...»
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...»
Toei Kyoto Studio Park, known in Japanese as Uzumasa Eigamura, is a film-themed amusement park in Kyoto. The Uzumasa area has long been associated with Japanese cinema and is often described as the birthplace of Japanese period films, earning a reputation as Japan's answer to Hollywood. The park was created to help preserve the tradition of filmmaking in Kyoto. Its main attraction is an open-air ...»
Kyoto National Museum, located in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district, is one of Japan’s leading museums dedicated to traditional Japanese art and cultural heritage. Established in 1897, the museum preserves, researches, and exhibits a wide range of historical objects, including paintings, calligraphy, sculptures, crafts, and archaeological materials. Its collections focus primarily on Japanese art and ...»
Okochi Sanso Garden is a beautiful Japanese garden in the Sagano area of Ukyo-ku, Kyoto. It was developed over approximately 30 years by Denjiro Okochi, a celebrated Japanese film actor of the early Showa period. The garden reflects his passion for Japanese landscapes and his distinctive aesthetic sensibility....»
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....»
Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum is a popular attraction in Fushimi, Kyoto, one of Japan's most celebrated sake-producing districts. The area is home to numerous historic breweries, including Gekkeikan, a renowned sake maker founded in 1637. Located near the company's headquarters, this museum introduces visitors to the history, techniques, and culture of Japanese sake brewing....»
Ryoan-ji Temple is a historic Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple belonging to the Myoshin-ji school, located in Kyoto. It forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto and is best known for its iconic dry landscape garden, one of Japan's most celebrated examples of Zen garden design....»
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...»
Umekoji Park is a spacious urban park in Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, covering approximately 110,000 square meters. Opened in 1995, it provides a relaxing green space where visitors can enjoy nature, cultural attractions, and seasonal scenery in the heart of the city. One of the park's highlights is Suzakunoniwa Garden, a traditional Japanese garden created to commemorate the 1,200th anniversary of Kyot...»
Located at the eastern end of Nishiki Market, Kyoto's famous food market, Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine is affectionately known as “Nishiki no Tenjin-san.” Dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the revered deity of learning, the shrine attracts students, scholars, and visitors praying for academic success. In addition to its association with education, Nishiki Tenmangu is widely worshipped for blessings ...»
Mibuna is a traditional Kyoto vegetable named after the Mibu area near Mibu-dera Temple, where it was widely cultivated from the 19th century onward. It is a naturally occurring variant of mizuna, another well-known Japanese leafy green. Mibuna has long, narrow leaves with rounded, spoon-like tips....»
GRAND MARBLE is a Kyoto bakery that values the city’s traditions and culture, placing great emphasis on handcrafted pastries rather than relying on machines. One of its signature long-selling products is its Marble Danish, available in a variety of flavors, from classic favorites to seasonal limited editions. The popular Maple Caramel Marble Danish combines the rich aroma of maple syrup with the ...»
Kogetsu Senju Senbei has been a beloved confection since its debut in 1963. Kogetsu, a Kyoto confectionery established shortly after the end of World War II, entered a city already rich with long-established Japanese sweet shops. Being a newcomer gave the company the freedom to break away from convention and develop innovative sweets of its own. The name “Kogetsu” was bestowed by Master Daiko Fur...»
Gion Koishi is a traditional Kyoto candy shop located at the foot of the famous Gion stone steps. With more than 70 years of history, the shop continues to make Kyō-ame, traditional Kyoto candy, using time-honored techniques. The candy is cooked at high temperatures in a copper pot known as an akanabe, then cooled rapidly and shaped. This process gives the finished sweets their clear, glossy appe...»
Tsubame Sauce was established in 1930. Its name is said to have been inspired by the Tsubame express train, which began operating on Japan’s national railway around that time. The sauce is known for its rich, concentrated vegetable flavor and distinctive tanginess. Whole chili peppers and a variety of spices are used to create a deep, robust taste that adds character to a wide range of dishes....»
Founded in 1913, Shinshindo has grown into one of Kyoto’s most renowned bakeries. Its founder, Hitoshi Tsuzuki, was a Christian who studied the Bible and modern thought. He reportedly established the bakery with the belief that making bread could be a way to serve both God and humanity. His successor was also deeply knowledgeable about French language and literature and is known for being the fir...»
Nishiri, founded in 1940, is one of Kyoto’s best-known makers of traditional Japanese pickles, known as kyō-tsukemono. Guided by the philosophy “Seasonal ingredients, deliciously and gently,” the company preserves the skills and wisdom passed down by generations of artisans to create pickles with a time-honored flavor. Key ingredients are sourced from Nishiri’s own farms and trusted contract grow...»