Kyoto
Your getaway to Kyoto
Kyoto gives a little bit of everything, no extremes required. Spend a morning at Fushimi Inari, then a slow lunch of soba in the old town. Wander Higashiyama's sloped lanes past temples, teahouses, and souvenir shops. Catch the golden hour from Kiyomizu-dera's wooden terrace, view worth the walk. Get lost for an hour in Nishiki Market, tasting whatever looks interesting. Stroll Arashiyama's bamboo grove, then drift along the river by rented boat. Sit down for a casual kaiseki-style dinner, Kyoto's flavors without the fuss. Explore Gion's lantern-lit backstreets as evening settles in. Leave room in the schedule for whatever catches your eye along the way. One trip, a fair taste of everything that makes Kyoto Kyoto.
Places to love in Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Taisha
A famed Shinto shrine renowned for its thousands of vermilion torii gates winding up Mount Inari. Travelers come for the iconic gate pathways and mountain trail.
attraction
Kinkaku-ji
The Golden Pavilion, a Zen temple covered in gold leaf and reflected in a surrounding pond, and one of Kyoto's most famous sights. Travelers come for its dazzling appearance and gardens.
attraction
Kiyomizu-dera
A celebrated hillside Buddhist temple famous for its large wooden stage overlooking Kyoto and its sweeping views. Travelers visit for its architecture, panoramas, and the historic approach streets.
attraction
Nijō Castle
A UNESCO World Heritage flatland castle built by the Tokugawa shogunate, famous for its ornate palace, 'nightingale' floors, and landscaped gardens. Travelers visit for its history, architecture, and grounds.
attraction
Arashiyama
A scenic district in western Kyoto known for its riverside landscapes, mountain backdrop, temples, and traditional charm. Travelers come to wander among natural beauty and historic sites.
attraction
Gion
Kyoto's most famous geisha district, characterized by traditional wooden machiya townhouses, teahouses, and atmospheric lantern-lit streets. Travelers come to experience historic Japanese culture and possibly glimpse geiko and maiko.
neighborhood
Ginkaku-ji
The Silver Pavilion, a Zen temple famed for its refined garden, sand cone, and moss grounds. Travelers visit for its serene aesthetics and classic Japanese landscape design.
attraction
Kyoto Station Building
A vast, futuristic transportation hub and architectural landmark whose steel-and-glass atrium houses shops, restaurants, an observation deck, and a grand staircase. Travelers pass through as Kyoto's main rail gateway and visit for its striking modern design and city views.
attraction
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
A famous grove of towering bamboo stalks with walking paths that create a striking natural corridor. Travelers visit for its otherworldly atmosphere and photography.
attraction