Kyoto
Japan's ancient capital with over 2,000 temples and shrines. The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Fushimi Inari's 10,000 torii gates, geisha districts, and traditional tea ceremonies define this cultural treasure.
Things to do in Kyoto
Tours in Kyoto
1,964 tours · prices per person, book with partner
Kyoto was Japan's capital for over a thousand years, and it remains the country's cultural soul. With more than 1,600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines and preserved geisha districts, it is where centuries-old traditions still shape daily life — yet everything is wrapped in a strikingly modern, efficient city.
Top Things to Do in Kyoto
Walk through the thousands of vermilion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine, ideally early morning before the crowds. The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and golden Kinkaku-ji pavilion are equally iconic. In the evening, the lantern-lit streets of Gion offer the chance to glimpse a geiko or maiko hurrying to an appointment.
A traditional tea ceremony or a hands-on kaiseki cooking experience adds depth, while spring cherry blossoms and autumn maples turn the whole city into a painting.
Tours Worth Booking
- Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama day tours
- Gion evening walking tours with a local guide
- Tea ceremony and kimono experiences
- Nara day trips to see the great Buddha and free-roaming deer
Best Time to Visit
Late March to early April for cherry blossoms and November for fiery autumn leaves are the most spectacular — and busiest — times. Early summer and winter are quieter, though summer can be hot and humid. Book accommodation far ahead during blossom and autumn seasons.
Getting Around
Kyoto is served by buses, two subway lines and JR trains. Buses reach most temples but can be slow in peak season; cycling is a pleasant alternative for the flat central areas. An IC card (ICOCA or Suica) makes hopping on and off effortless.