Kyoto京都

The old capital: temples, gardens, geisha districts and quiet lanes. Spring and autumn are very busy, so start early.

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食 food夜 nightlife寺 temples買 shopping遊 anime and games山 nature湯 onsen芸 art and design屋 indoor and immersive+ 5 moreShow fewer

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Good fitTraditional dance show舞A short evening show of music, dance and tea. A simple way to see the arts.because art and design芸art and design屋indoor and immersive1.5 h

Good fitKimono rental and a walk着Wear a kimono for the day and walk in the old streets. Shops include hair and shoes.because art and design芸art and design寺temples4 h

Good fitMatcha sweets and a tea house茶Green tea parfaits, soft serve and warm sweets. Kyoto is known for this tea.because art and design食food芸art and design1 h

Good fitEvening temple light-up夜In some seasons temples open at night with lights on the trees. Check the dates.because art and design寺temples芸art and design2 h

Good fitFushimi sake district tasting酒Old breweries by a canal where you can taste local sake in small cups.because nightlife食food夜nightlife2 h

Good fitCraft workshop: dyeing or ceramics工Try a local craft with a teacher and take your work home.because art and design芸art and design屋indoor and immersive2 h

Good fitLate-night ramen after dinner夜A bowl of rich ramen to end a night out. Many shops open until late.because nightlife食food夜nightlife1 h

Good fitNintendo Museum (Uji)遊Games and toys from the first cards to today. Entry is by timed ticket, and a lottery may decide who gets one.because anime and games屋indoor and immersive遊anime and games3 h

Okay fitKaiseki multi-course dinner懐A set meal of small seasonal dishes. It is a special meal, so book well ahead.食food2 h

Okay fitZen meditation session禅A short guided sit with a monk in a quiet hall.寺temples屋indoor and immersive1 h

Okay fitPhilosopher's Path walk道A stone path beside a canal with cherry trees and small temples. Best in spring.山nature寺temples1.5 h

Okay fitHome cooking class料Make sushi or home dishes with a local teacher, then eat what you made.食food3 h

Okay fitMoss garden at a quiet temple苔Some temples keep moss gardens and ask you to reserve and copy a sutra. A slow, calm morning.山nature寺temples1.5 h

Okay fitCycling in the east side輪The city is flat. Rent a bicycle and cover many temples in one day.山nature寺temples3 h

Okay fitKyoto Imperial Palace park苑A very large green park in the middle of the city, with wide gravel paths and old gates.山nature寺temples1.5 h

Okay fitKyoto Aquarium魚An inland aquarium near the station with river animals and a dolphin show. Good in the rain.山nature屋indoor and immersive2.5 h

Reading for this place

Guides5 min readGion after dark: how to walk it respectfullyGion at night is beautiful, and people live and work there. Here is how to walk its lanes, take photos and eat with respect for the neighbourhood.About this placeGuides5 min readHimeji Castle: a day trip from Osaka or KyotoHow to spend a day at Himeji Castle from Osaka or Kyoto: the castle, the garden next door, the route and what to check first.About this placeGuides5 min readArashiyama in a half day, away from the crowdsArashiyama is busy at midday. Go early for the bamboo grove, walk the river and choose one temple garden. Here is a half day that avoids the worst crowds.About this place