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Japan
Kyoto
Golden and silver pavilions, thousands of red torii at Fushimi Inari, the Arashiyama bamboo grove, Gion's lantern-lit lanes and Nishiki Market's food stalls.
The best of Kyoto, according to 4 travel creators
We read 4 Kyoto itineraries and counted which places come up again and again. Higher on the list means more creators recommend it.
Save to PinterestBest things to do in Kyoto
1.Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Arashiyama4 of 4 creators recommendFree
Path through towering bamboo beside Tenryu-ji and Nonomiya Shrine.
2.Fushimi Inari Taisha
Fushimi-ku4 of 4 creators recommendFree
Head Inari shrine with thousands of vermilion torii climbing Mt Inari.
Tip: Open 24 hours. Go early or late to beat the crowds.
3.Gion
Higashiyama4 of 4 creators recommendFree
Historic geisha district of teahouses and wooden machiya along Hanamikoji and Shirakawa.
Tip: No photos in the private side lanes off Hanamikoji: fines are posted.
4.Kinkaku-ji
Kita-ku4 of 4 creators recommendfrom $3.16
Zen temple whose gold-leaf pavilion sits over a mirror pond.
5.Nijo Castle
Nakagyo-ku4 of 4 creators recommendfrom $5.05
Tokugawa shogun's castle, known for Ninomaru Palace's nightingale floors and its gardens.
6.Ginkaku-ji
Sakyo-ku (Higashiyama)3 of 4 creators recommendfrom $6.32
Zen temple with the Silver Pavilion, a raked-sand garden and a hillside moss walk.
Tip: Entry went up to 1,000 yen on 1 April 2026.
7.Kiyomizu-dera
Higashiyama3 of 4 creators recommendfrom $3.16
Hillside temple famed for its wooden stage over the valley and the Otowa spring.
8.Yasaka Pagoda
Higashiyama3 of 4 creators recommendfrom $2.53
Five-storey pagoda that forms Higashiyama's classic sloping-street view.
9.Yasaka Shrine
Higashiyama (Gion)3 of 4 creators recommendFree
Gion's guardian shrine and home of the Gion Matsuri, lit with lanterns at night.
10.Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama
Arashiyama2 of 4 creators recommendfrom $5
Hilltop park with free-roaming macaques and city views, reached by a steep 20–30 min climb.
11.Heian Jingu
Okazaki, Sakyo-ku2 of 4 creators recommend
1895 shrine with a giant torii and a paid strolling garden.
12.Kyoto Imperial Palace
Kamigyo-ku2 of 4 creators recommendFree
Former imperial residence set in the large Kyoto Gyoen park.
13.Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka
Higashiyama2 of 4 creators recommend
Preserved stone-stepped lanes of shops and teahouses leading to Kiyomizu-dera.
14.Philosopher's Path
Sakyo-ku2 of 4 creators recommend
Two-kilometre canal-side stone path between Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji, lined with cherry trees.
15.Pontocho
Nakagyo-ku2 of 4 creators recommend
Lantern-lit alley of restaurants and bars along the Kamo River.
Where to eat in Kyoto
1.Nishiki Market
Nakagyo-ku (Downtown)4 of 4 creators recommendFree
Narrow covered food street of about 100+ stalls, nicknamed 'Kyoto's Kitchen'.
2.Gion Kappa
Gion (Sueyoshicho)1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $2.46
Late-night izakaya serving kushiyaki skewers.
3.Hachidaime Gihey
Gion1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $11
Rice-focused restaurant run by a rice merchant, serving donabe-cooked set meals.
4.Hanamakiya
Arashiyama1 of 4 creators recommend
Soba restaurant where noodles are made in view of diners.
5.Honke Daiichi-Asahi
Shimogyo-ku (Kyoto Station east)1 of 4 creators recommend
Long-running shoyu-pork ramen shop with constant queues.
6.Kobe Beef Steak Mouriya Gion
Gion1 of 4 creators recommend
Teppanyaki steakhouse grilling Kobe beef in front of diners.
8.Menya Inoichi Hanare
Shimogyo-ku (downtown)1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $7.58
Michelin-listed dashi-forward ramen shop.
9.Monk
Sakyo-ku (Philosopher's Path)1 of 4 creators recommend
Small wood-fired omakase restaurant by the Philosopher's Path.
10.Sushi no Musashi
Nakagyo-ku1 of 4 creators recommend
Local conveyor-belt sushi chain with colour-coded plates.
Where to stay in Kyoto
1.Aman Kyoto
Kita-ku (near Kinkaku-ji)1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $2,947/night
Secluded luxury resort in a forest garden below Hidari Daimonji.
2.Len Kyoto Kawaramachi
Shimogyo-ku, near Kamo River1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $16/night
Design hostel with a ground-floor café-bar near the Kamo River.
3.Rinn Gion Yasaka
Higashiyama (Gion)1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $282/night
Midrange apartment-style hotel near Yasaka Shrine.
4.TUNE STAY KYOTO
Shimogyo-ku (Kyoto Station north)1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $33/night
Simple modern hotel a short walk from Kyoto Station.
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