The 8 Best Things to Do in Kyoto, Japan
I recently went to Japan for 10 days, spending 3 of those days in Kyoto. This was one of my favorite places I’ve ever been in the world – it’s a lot smaller than Tokyo and Osaka, with more history and a traditional Japanese feel to the city. It’s an absolute must-see if you are traveling to Japan this year. Keep on reading for my recommendations on what to do in Kyoto.
1. Walk Through Kiyomizu-dera Temple
As you climb up to Kiyomizu-dera, you’ll walk along so many charming streets filled with souvenir shops, snack stalls, and traditional teahouses. Once at the top, you’ll see the temple and incredible panoramic views over the city. The temple’s wooden stage, uniquely built without nails, dramatically sits overlooking the hillside. I’d recommend allocating about an hour to walk through and take in the views.
2. Shop on Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka Streets
These beautifully preserved stone-paved streets are some of my favorite streets in Kyoto. The streets are lined with traditional wooden houses, local boutiques, and tea shops; it’s the perfect place to wander slowly and window shop in old Kyoto. Don’t miss the chance to try yatsuhashi (a local cinnamon-scented sweet) or browse handmade crafts as you make your way toward Kiyomizu-dera.
3. Nishiki Market
Also known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” Nishiki Market is a narrow, covered street packed with stalls that sell fresh seafood, pickled vegetables, wagashi (Japanese sweets), and a variety of specialized ingredients. Sampling your way through the market is the highlight of coming here—don’t miss shrimp tempura or sesame mochi. Be sure to come with an empty stomach around lunch time as there is so much amazing food to try here. This is actually my favorite market I visited in all of Japan.
Walking distance from Nishiki Market was the Le Labo Cafe which I highly recommend stopping by if you’re looking to get a coffee or matcha! The cafe is located in a beautiful garden space behind the storefront where you can shop their products.
4. Participate in a Kimono Tea Ceremony
Dressing in a traditional kimono and learning the ritual of a Japanese tea ceremony is one of the more immersive cultural experiences in Kyoto. The ceremony emphasizes mindfulness, respect, and appreciation for beauty in simplicity. I booked mine directly through Maikoya which helped us dress into Kimono’s, explained the traditions and customs of a tea ceremony, and then we got to make our own matcha in a small group. The whole experience took about 1.5-2 hours; I highly recommend squeezing this into your itinerary if you have the time.
5. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is one of Kyoto’s most photographed sites so you’ve likely seen photos of it online before. The bamboo trees lining the walking trail is absolutely breathtaking to experience in-person. As you walk through the forest, you’ll stumble upon various temples, shrines, and a beautiful lily pond. Make sure to dedicate a few hours to walking around here and really taking it all in! The grounds are massive with many directions you can take along various walking paths.
I recommend going early morning or evening time to avoid larger crowds as this is one of the most visited areas in Kyoto.
6. Get Dinner in the Gion Geisha District
Gion, Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, comes alive in the evening with lantern-lit streets and traditional wooden machiya houses. Dining here ranges from casual izakayas to high-end kaiseki (multi-course meals), which are often focusing on more seasonal ingredients. We ate at a teppanyaki place here where they cooked in front of us in a small 6-seater restaurant. It was a very cool local experience with incredible Wagyu.
7. Fushimi Inari Taisha
Perhaps Kyoto’s most iconic landmark, Fushimi Inari Taisha is famous for its thousands of bright red torii gates that wind up Mount Inari. The hike to the summit takes around 2–3 hours, offering panoramic views of Kyoto along the way. Note, however, you don’t need to climb all the way to the top to enjoy the shrine. We only went about halfway up which was still further than most visitors. It’s surrounded by so much nature, it was one of the more serene spots I visited in Kyoto.
8. Kiyomizu-dake Onsen
After a full day of temple-hopping and sightseeing, I highly recommend soaking in a traditional Japanese bath. Kyoto may not be a hot spring hub like Hakone, but it still offers wonderful sento (public baths) and onsen-style escapes. For a local favorite, try Funaoka Onsen, one of Kyoto’s oldest and most atmospheric public baths with tiled murals and unique themed baths. If you want something more modern, Goko-yu Bathhouse offers a sleek take on the tradition while keeping the authentic community vibe.
It’s the perfect way to relax your muscles and experience an essential part of Japanese culture.
