Why go
- It holds the deepest concentration of classical Japanese architecture, gardens and craft anywhere — 17 UNESCO sites in one city.
- The seasons are an event here: cherry blossom in spring and the maple turn in November are worth planning a trip around.
- It is a food city — kaiseki, tofu cuisine, Nishiki market, and some of Japan's best coffee and sweets.
- Spared the WWII bombing, its old neighbourhoods of wooden machiya townhouses survive to be walked.
History
Founded in 794 as Heian-kyō and modelled on the Tang Chinese capital, Kyoto was the seat of the emperor and the heart of Japanese court culture for over a thousand years, until the capital moved to Tokyo in 1869. Deliberately left off the list of WWII bombing targets for its cultural value, it kept its temples, gardens and much of its old fabric — which is why it remains the country's cultural touchstone even as it modernised around the edges.
Major sights
Fushimi Inari Taisha
The shrine of ten thousand vermilion torii gates climbing a wooded mountain. Free and open 24 hours — go at dawn to walk it in near silence.
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
A gold-leafed pavilion mirrored in its pond — the postcard of Kyoto. Small and always busy; a 30-minute stop, best first thing.
Kiyomizu-dera
A vast wooden temple on stilts over the hillside, with the old Higashiyama lanes of shops and tea houses below leading up to it.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
The famous towering bamboo path, plus the moss temple, monkey park and river beyond. Arrive before 8am or accept the crowds.
Gion & Higashiyama
The old geisha district of wooden machiya, lantern-lit lanes and tea houses. Wander respectfully in the evening; the maiko are working, not performing.
Nishiki Market
The 'kitchen of Kyoto' — a covered lane of 400 years of food stalls: pickles, tofu, skewers, sweets. Lunch and a lesson at once.
When it rains
Kyoto National Museum
Japanese art and antiquities in Higashiyama — Buddhist sculpture, ceramics, scrolls. The dry-weather anchor of the east side.
Nijō Castle
The shogun's Kyoto residence, with 'nightingale' floors that chirp to warn of intruders and painted screens throughout the palace rooms.
A tea house
Sit for a bowl of matcha and a sweet — the tea ceremony, or just a garden café. Kyoto invented this as a rainy-day art form.
Kyoto Railway Museum
For families or a washout: steam locomotives, a roundhouse and a working turntable near the station.
Where to stay
445-3 Myohoin Maekawacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0932, Japan · fourseasons.com
Japan, 〒604-0902 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Hokodencho, 543 鴨川二条大橋畔 · ritzcarlton.com
396-1 Sayamachi 1chome, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0902, Japan · sakura-cross.com
Japan, 〒600-8005 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Tachiuri Higashimachi, 25-1 · hotelforza.jp
Japan, 〒600-8310 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Ebisunocho, 708 · tune-stay.com
26-1 Higashikujo Nishiiwamotocho, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8005, Japan · almont.jp
423 Matsuyacho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8105, Japan · sotetsu-hotels.com
Japan, 〒600-8180 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Shimomanjujicho, 498番地 · vessel-hotel.jp
Japan, 〒600-8004 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Naramonocho, 363 · grandbach.co.jp
7-7-5 Higashikujo Kitakarasumacho, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8017, Japan · kyohotel.jp
Japan, 〒607-8012 Kyoto, Yamashina Ward, Anshusajikicho, ２３−23 23番地 · sanraku.kenhotels.com
325 Maruyacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8086, Japan · princehotels.co.jp
41 Motoakuojicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8091, Japan · kyohotel.jp
114 Nishikiomiyacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8365, Japan · hotelms.jp
181 Bokumikanabutsucho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8333, Japan · kyotorokujo.oriental-hotels.com
Indoor
616番 Azuchicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8040, Japan · amanekhotels.jp
410-3 Shimomaruyacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8006, Japan · kyohotel.jp
Japan, 〒600-8472 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Myodenjicho, 707-1 · gardenhotels.co.jp
17 Nishikujo Inmachi, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8412, Japan · miyakohotels.ne.jp
579 Higashishiokojicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8216, Japan · hankyu-hotel.com
Japan, 〒600-8412 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward · hotel.kyoto
Japan, 〒602-0912 Kyoto, Kamigyo Ward, Tatsumaecho, 605 · hotelgp-kyoto.com
Japan, 〒600-8003 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Otabimiyamotocho, 2 Chome−30 · kyotocentralinn.com
240 Yamazaki-cho, 2 chome, Kawaramachi-dori Sanjo-sagaru, shi, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8032, Japan · travelodgehotels.asia
30 Nishinokyo Enmachi, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8463, Japan · excellence.mollette.jp
Restaurants & places to go
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-22:00 Wikipedia: ja:高瀬川二条苑 · 木屋町通 · gankofood.co.jp
Tantanmen, Ramen, Restaurant · Tantanmen/Ramen restaurant · 長岡京市, 617-0833
Breakfast, Cafe · Cafe during the day. Izakaya in the evening Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-12:00; Sa-Su 07:00-09:00; PH off · sites.google.com
Ramen, Restaurant · 東京 東池袋 Opening hours: 11:00-22:00 Features: step-free access · 901, 京都市, 600-8216 · tai-sho-ken.com
Japanese, Restaurant · Authentic Edo-style Handcrafted Soba Noodles in Kyoto. 6 minutes walk from Kiyomizu-dera Temple. We grind carefully selected buckwheat… · google.com
Moroccan, Restaurant · Closed the first, second, third Tuesday. Opening hours: We-Mo 11:30-22:00 · r.goope.jp
Savory Pancakes, Restaurant · smokers only Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-00:00 · nishikiwarai.com
Steak House, Restaurant · 持ち帰り ゴロゴロ野菜肉じゃが 500円 茄子と牛肉の山椒煮 500円 牛タンと和牛バラの角煮500円 Features: takeaway · moritsuru.shop-pro.jp
Italian, Restaurant · A key historical feature is the Ebisugawa-tei, a preserved 18th-century machiya (traditional Japanese townhouse) that was originally… · lalocanda.ritzcarltonkyoto.com
French, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-20:00 Features: takeaway · 京都市 · laduree.fr
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-19:00 Features: takeaway · 2, 京都市, 604-8185 · stumptowncoffee.com
Chinese, Gyoza, Restaurant · Opening hours: 10:45-23:30 Features: takeaway, step-free access · 向日市, 617-0004 · map.ohsho.co.jp
Curry, Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: 11:00-23:45 Features: takeaway · 向日市, 617-0004 · tenpo.ichibanya.co.jp
Fried Food, Fast Food · Opening hours: 10:30-24:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · 1, 向日市, 617-0004 · shop.arclandservice.co.jp
Barbecue, Restaurant · Opening hours: 11:00-23:30 · 1, 京都市, 601-8212 · tomato-a.co.jp
Pasta, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-24:00; PH,Sa,Su 10:00-24:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · 向日市, 617-0004 · maps.jolly-pasta.co.jp
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 16:00-22:30; PH,Sa,Su 11:00-22:30 Features: takeaway · 12, 長岡京市, 617-0828 · pizza-la.co.jp
Indoor
Beef Bowl, Fast Food · Opening hours: 24/7 Features: takeaway · 607-8132 · mb.yoshinoya.com
Udon, Fast Food · Opening hours: 24/7 Features: takeaway · 472-1 姉小路通, 604-8332 · nakau.co.jp
Noodle, Restaurant · Opening hours: 11:00-21:30 Features: delivery, step-free access · 向日市, 617-0004 · friendly-co.com
Bagel, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-17:00 Features: takeaway · 369 河原町通, 602-0877 · rabbitbagels.jp
Sandwich, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-18:00 · 3, 京都市, 605-0862 · takusandokyoto.com
Sushi, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · shop.kurasushi.co.jp
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-21:00 Features: takeaway · 5, 京都市 · patisserie-jouvaud.com
Korean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo,We-Su 11:30-14:30,17:30-22:00; Tu off · jundouhutaikou.foodre.jp
Indoor
Nepalese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-22:00 Features: vegetarian options, step-free access, air conditioning · caferestaurantoa.com
American, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-22:00 · 大津市, 520-0021 · branch-sc.com
STEAK, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-14:30 · 京都市, 616-8371 · steak-otsuka.com
Cake, Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: We-Mo 09:00-16:00 · stylecoffee.jp
Grill, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:30-14:30, 17:00-00:00 · kyookonomi.com
Tea, Coffee, Cake, Cafe · Opening hours: Sa-Su 13:00-18:00 · muabunko.com
Chicken, Japanese, Noodles, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-21:30 · hachikian.com
Friture, Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:30-15:00, 17:00-22:00 · gion-endo.com
Tonkatsu, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-20:30; Sa-Su 11:00-21:00 · katsukura.jp
Fine Dining, Restaurant · Opening hours: We, Fr-Mo 12:00-14:00, 17:00-20:00 · 15 下鴨森本町 · grillseikenkaikan.com
Yakiniku, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-23:00; Th[2,4] off · nikumonkawaramachi.owst.jp
Local, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo,We-Su 12:00-15:00,17:00-22:00 Features: vegan options
Mexican, Restaurant · Opening hours: Th-Mo 12:00-20:00 · 22 東大路通, 606-8236
Chocolate, Cafe · Opening hours: Tu-Su 11:00-19:00 Features: takeaway · 京都市 · jeanpaulhevin.com
Turkish, Restaurant · Opening hours: 11:00-21:00 · kyotorosecafe.jp
Indonesian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-We,Su 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00 · instagram.com
Okonomiyaki, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 17:00-01:00 · kyoto-donguri.co.jp
Regional, もつ鍋, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 17:00-24:00 · kamehachi-kyoto.jp
355 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
Osaka Itami International Airport (ITM) 37 km to the centre
Osaka, 27, JP — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 4 airlines (Japan Airlines Domestic, All Nippon Airways, Ibex Airlines, American Airlines) · direct flights to 22 destinations incl. Fukuoka, Oita, Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 4 airlines, 22 direct destinations
- Japan Airlines Domestic JL (Embraer 170, CRJ, 737-800, 777-300, 767, 777) · 20 routes: Akita*, Amami*, Aomori*, Fukuoka, Hakodate*, Hanamaki*, Kagoshima*, Kumamoto*, Matsuyama*, Misawa*, Miyazaki*, Nagasaki*, Niigata*, Oita*, Okinawa, Sapporo, Sendai*, Tokyo, Tokyo, Yamagata*
- All Nippon Airways NH (A320, 735, 767, DH8, 737, 737-800…) · 16 routes: Akita*, Fukuoka, Fukushima*, Kagoshima, Kochi*, Kumamoto, Matsuyama*, Miyazaki, Nagasaki, Niigata, Oita*, Okinawa, Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo, Tokyo
- Ibex Airlines FW (CRJ) · 5 routes: Fukuoka, Fukushima, Oita, Sapporo, Sendai
- American Airlines AA (737, 777-300) · 1 route: Tokyo
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Getting there by ferry
Keage
Ferry terminal · 3.7 km from the centre · びわ湖疏水船受付事務局
Yamashina
Ferry terminal · 6.8 km from the centre · びわ湖疏水船受付事務局
十石舟乗り場
Ferry terminal · 8.3 km from the centre
伏見船着場
Ferry terminal · 8.4 km from the centre
Midera
Ferry terminal · 9.6 km from the centre · びわ湖疏水船受付事務局
背割堤船着場
Ferry terminal · 13 km from the centre
Lake Biwa Canal Cruise
Ferry route · びわ湖疏水船受付事務局
びわ湖疏水船 山科=>蹴上
Ferry route · びわ湖疏水船受付事務局
びわ湖疏水船 大津=>蹴上
Ferry route · びわ湖疏水船受付事務局
びわ湖疏水船 蹴上=>大津
Ferry route · びわ湖疏水船受付事務局
びわ湖疏水船 大津=>山科
Ferry route · びわ湖疏水船受付事務局
Hozu-gawa River Bort Ride
Ferry route · 保津川遊船企業組合
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
Late March – April (blossom), November (maples)
The two peak weeks of the Japanese calendar. Extraordinary and mobbed — book accommodation months ahead and start sightseeing at dawn.
Shoulder season
May – June, October, early December
Green and comfortable, or crisp and clear, without the blossom-and-maple crush. Often the smarter visit.
Worth avoiding
July – August
Hot and very humid, with a rainy spell in June–July. The Gion Matsuri in July is a genuine reason to brave it, otherwise the least pleasant time.
Getting there & around
Getting there. Kyoto has no airport of its own — fly into Osaka's Kansai International (KIX), 75 minutes by the Haruka express, or Itami (ITM). Kyoto Station is a Shinkansen stop: Tokyo is 2h15, Osaka 15 minutes, Hiroshima under 2 hours. By water: 6 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Keage, 3.7 km); routes include Lake Biwa Canal Cruise, びわ湖疏水船 山科=>蹴上, びわ湖疏水船 大津=>蹴上.
Getting around. Buses reach most temples and a flat-fare day pass is good value, but they crawl in peak season; the two subway lines and the JR/private rail lines are faster where they go. Central Kyoto is flat and very bikeable, and the Higashiyama temple district is best on foot. Taxis are plentiful for tired legs.
Local transit
Subway, bus · Two subway lines and the city bus network that reaches the temples. · Fares: ICOCA or one-day pass · Airport: Haruka train from Kansai airport, about
Trains & rail
Rail operator
Rail operator
Rail operator
Rail operator
Rail operator
Rail operator
Rail operator
National rail
Coaches & shuttles
Intercity coach
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.
Charter, management · Gulfstream, Global · Tokyo and Hong Kong business-jet operator.
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Tours & experiences
Sightseeing