What To Do In Kyoto, Japan | Travel Tips

'You know it's raining outside right?'. That was the response I got when I went to rent a bike from the front desk of my hostel. I said, 'Yeah, that's fine.' I was only in Kyoto for a short time and I can't let the rain stop me, plus I had my rain jacket and water proof shoes, I'd be fine. Turns out, I'm almost positive my cheap packable rain jacket was designed for light rain. I was walking into places looking like I had taken a shower with my clothes on. I'm sure I looked ridiculous riding a beach cruiser in what at times was a heavy down but that bike came in handy as I road it to the east side of Kyoto and knocked out a bunch of temples in one day.

This is the list of things to do I used when I explored Kyoto and if you are interested in knowing how I got this list you can learn more here. 

If you want to see what I did in Kyoto you can here, how I recommend you get to Kyoto, what I bring on all my trips, how to get to the bamboo forest, click those link!

To see a video of the Top 10 of what to do in Kyoto click here or a video on the Best Way to Spend $40 in Kyoto click here. 

1. Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine 
This is one of the most iconic things to do in Kyoto. Inari was originally and still is the God (kami) of rice and agriculture. It is also worshipped as the patron of business and each of the roughly thousand arches (torii) were donated by a Japanese business.  

The shrine sits at the base of Inari mountain and you can hike it if you want. The hike is pretty easy and about half way up there is a look out that I'd recommend you stop at if you are wanting a view. I went the whole way up thinking there would be a better one but it is just more shrines. There is a bamboo forest area that I thought was bigger and less crowded than the famous one in Arashimya.

2. Bamboo Forest (Arashiyama)
Another of the most popular things to do in Kyoto is the Bamboo Forest. I'm not going to lie, the pictures are pretty cool online, it's similar to the one I have above. That was not my experience while I was there. It was extremely crowded and not at all as peaceful as they made it out to be.  This is actually the only picture I have from there, other than this selfie because I wasn't able to get one without giants crowds in it. I got lost on my way there so here's an easy to use map!

3. Kinkaku-ji Temple - It's officially name is Rokuon-ji but you might as well call it the Golden Temple. It was the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu that turned into a Zen Buddhist temple after his death in 1408. You'll need a ticket to get in.

4. Kiyomizu-dera - This Buddhist temple in Eastern Kyoto opened in 778 AD. It is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage site. 

5. Restaurant in Pontocho - Pontocho is a neighborhood that is famous for the preservation of traditional architecture and entertainment. There are numerous restaurants that sit along the Kamo River. This is something I didn't get a chance to do because I ran out of time. If you want a cheaper option you could grab some food and sit by the river instead! 

6. Eikando Zenrinji Temple - It is the head temple for the Seizan branch of Japan's Jōdo-shū Buddhist sect. The temple is famous for it's fall foliage and it's prominence in the past as a center of learning. You'll need a ticket to get in.

7. Kyoto Tower - The tallest structure in Kyoto has an observation deck that sits at 100 meters with it's top being at 131 meters. 

8. Gion District - If you are looking to get more exposure to Japanese culture or to see people in Giesha's this is the place you'll want to go.

9. Rent a Kimono for a Day -  Want to take your experience up a notch? Might as well throw a kimono on yourself!

10. Higashiyama Jisho-Ji (Ginkakuji Temple) - Built in 1482 as a retirement home for Ashikaga Yoshimasa it was modeled after Kinkakuji which was his grandfather's retirement villa. After his death in 1490 it was converted into a Zen temple.  ​You'll need a ticket to get in.

11. Hokanji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda) -  ​A 5-story Buddhist pagoda temple,  with great views from the top!

12. Philosopher’s path - It earned it's name because two influential Japanese philosophers used it as a place for daily meditation. The canal is lined with cherry trees and is a great place to check out the blossoms when they are in bloom!

13. Ryoanji Temple - A Zen temple with  Japan's most famous rock garden! ​You'll need a ticket to get in.

14. Kifune Shrine -  Kibune is a small town in the northern mountains of Kyoto City and is the home of the Kifune Shrine. It has a famed entrance surrounded by maple trees to worship Kami. 

​15. Mount Kurama Hot Springs - Only a 30 minute train ride north of Kyoto are hot springs surrounded by forested mountains. 

16. Wazuka Tea Plantation -  Kyoto is one of the biggest producers of green tea and matcha. If you want you can check out  the town of Wazuka which has a great tea farm and tea fields! ​

17. Nishiki market - ​A marketplace that is rich with history and tradition and a great place to get some of Kyoto's famous foods and goods.

18. Chion-in Temple -  This is the headquarters of the Jodo Sect and the home of Japan's largest temple bell.  You'll need a ticket to get in.

19. Maruyama Park  - This is close to Chion-In Temple and is a great place to check out cherry blossoms with the main attraction being a large cherry tree that will light up at night. Naturally this area will get very busy when they are in bloom but also around New Year's Eve. 

20.  Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama - Google had this as the Arashiyama bamboo forest when I was there. If you are looking to hang with some monkeys this is a great option. ​You'll need a ticket to get in.

21. Sanjusangendo Temple​ - Officially known as Rengeo-in it's an iconic Buddhist temple that is known for it's 1,001 life-sized wooden statues of the goddess Kannon. The temple was originally built in 1164 for the Emperor Go-Shirakawa and is apart of the Myoho-in temple complex. You'll need a ticket to get in and was why I wasn't able to check it out since I was running low at the time!

22. Tenryuji Temple​ - Originally built in 1339 it remains the most famous Buddhist temple in the Arashiyama district. 

23. Okazaki Park/ Heian Shrine  - This Shinto shrine was built in 1895 to celebrate the 1100th anniversary of Kyoto. It is free but there is a fee to check out the gardens which have cherry blossoms in them. 

24. Kyoto Night Foodie Tour - If you are looking to check out local food these are always great options! ​

25. Nijo Castle - A world heritage site was built as a residence, not defense, for Tokugawa Ieyasu who was one of the most powerful men in Japan. The castle consists of two rings of various buildings and gardens. You'll need a ticket to get in!

If you want to see what I did in Kyoto you can here, how I recommend you get to Kyoto, where to eat, or what I bring on all my trips, or see a video of the Top 10 of what to do in Kyoto click here or a video on the Best Way to Spend $40 in Kyoto click here. 

What to Bring

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