Kyoto Travel Guide

Attractions

Central Kyoto

1 Nijo Castle

Former Kyoto residence of the shogun.
User rating: 86/100 (891 votes)
Visited by: 1598 users

2 Kyoto Imperial Palace

The Imperial Family's residence until 1868.
User rating: 83/100 (639 votes)
Visited by: 1206 users

3 Nishiki Market

Fresh food market street in central Kyoto.
User rating: 82/100 (402 votes)
Visited by: 739 users

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Eastern Kyoto

1 Kiyomizudera

Temple famous for its large wooden terrace.
User rating: 95/100 (1140 votes)
Visited by: 1985 users

2 Higashiyama

Preserved historic district around Kiyomizudera.
User rating: 89/100 (103 votes)
Visited by: 216 users

3 Sanjusangendo

Temple with 1001 human sized statues.
User rating: 88/100 (466 votes)
Visited by: 816 users

4 Ginkakuji

Beautiful temple not actually covered in silver.
User rating: 86/100 (842 votes)
Visited by: 1576 users

5 Gion

Kyoto's most famous geisha district.
User rating: 85/100 (1043 votes)
Visited by: 1830 users

6 Philosopher's Path

Walking trail famous for cherry blossoms.
User rating: 85/100 (535 votes)
Visited by: 908 users

View more sights in Eastern Kyoto

Northern Kyoto

1 Kinkakuji

Temple building covered in gold.
User rating: 92/100 (1367 votes)
Visited by: 2373 users

2 Shugakuin Villa

Imperial villa at the outskirts of Kyoto.
User rating: 89/100 (54 votes)
Visited by: 117 users

3 Ohara

Rural area famous for Sanzenin Temple.
User rating: 86/100 (98 votes)
Visited by: 232 users

4 Ryoanji Temple

Zen Temple with famous rock garden.
User rating: 86/100 (602 votes)
Visited by: 1069 users

5 Kurama

Rural town with temple and hot spring.
User rating: 85/100 (99 votes)
Visited by: 213 users

6 Sanzenin Temple

Popular Temple in rural Ohara north of Kyoto.
User rating: 84/100 (80 votes)
Visited by: 169 users

View more sights in Northern Kyoto

Western Kyoto

1 Kokedera

Called moss temple because of its garden.
User rating: 88/100 (76 votes)
Visited by: 176 users

2 Katsura Villa

Imperial villa with stunning landscape garden.
User rating: 87/100 (99 votes)
Visited by: 199 users

3 Arashiyama

Pleasant district at the outskirts of Kyoto.
User rating: 90/100 (584 votes)
Visited by: 1104 users

View more sights in Western Kyoto

Southern Kyoto and Uji

1 Fushimi Inari Shrine

The ultimate torii gate experience.
User rating: 95/100 (643 votes)
Visited by: 1076 users

2 Byodoin Temple

Temple with a beautiful Pure Land Garden.
User rating: 86/100 (320 votes)
Visited by: 689 users

3 Tofukuji Temple

Temple with spectacular autumn leaves.
User rating: 82/100 (250 votes)
Visited by: 483 users

View more sights in Southern Kyoto and Uji

Events

1 Gion Matsuri

The most famous festival of Japan.
User rating: 90/100 (235 votes)
Visited by: 452 users

2 Hanatoro

Twice annual light up event.
User rating: 88/100 (53 votes)
Visited by: 105 users

3 Aoi Matsuri

Historical parade from the Heian Period.
User rating: 84/100 (46 votes)
Visited by: 111 users

4 Jidai Matsuri

Historical parade covering an entire millenium.
User rating: 77/100 (31 votes)
Visited by: 81 users

Special Interest Guides

Kyoto Shopping Guide
Guide to Kyoto's shopping districts.

Kyoto Food Guide
Guide to Kyoto's local cuisine.

Kyoto Museum Guide
A list of some of Kyoto's best museums.

Kyoto Cherry Blossom Spots
A list of popular cherry blossom spots in Kyoto.

Kyoto Autumn Color Spots
A list of popular autumn color spots in Kyoto.

Side Trips from Kyoto

1 Mount Koya

Atmospheric temple mountain.
User rating: 93/100 (224 votes)
Visited by: 416 users

2 Nara

Japan's first permanent capital.
User rating: 91/100 (1405 votes)
Visited by: 2752 users

3 Himeji

Site of Japan's most beautiful feudal castle.
User rating: 86/100 (778 votes)
Visited by: 1526 users

4 Osaka

Largest city of the Kinki Region.
User rating: 86/100 (1747 votes)
Visited by: 3420 users

5 Miho Museum

Unique art museum in the mountains.
User rating: 91/100 (34 votes)
Visited by: 56 users

6 Kinosaki

Pleasant, old-fashioned hot spring resort.
User rating: 85/100 (87 votes)
Visited by: 175 users

7 Amanohashidate

One of Japan's three most scenic views.
User rating: 82/100 (120 votes)
Visited by: 234 users

8 Kobe

Harbor city, recovered from 1995 earthquake.
User rating: 81/100 (811 votes)
Visited by: 1716 users

9 Iga Ueno

Former castle town famous for ninja.
User rating: 75/100 (141 votes)
Visited by: 320 users

Accommodation

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	Ryokan Motonago A real traditional inn at Gion with 11 rooms, friendly staff. Walking distance of Kiyomizu-dera, Yasaka-jinja and more.
	Gion Shinmonso A fine ryokan in the Gion near geisha streets. Easy access to Kiyomizu-dera and Yasaka-jinja. Special offers available.
	Backpackers Hostel K's House Kyoto Voted No.1 hostel chain worldwide for 2010 by Hostelworld.com customers. 9 min. walk from JR Kyoto Station. Bed from 2,300 yen.
	Gion Hatanaka A real Japanese inn in a quiet area of Gion, famous for Geisha. 15min walk to Kiyomizu-dera. 5min to Yasaka-jinja.
	Japanese hotel, Ryokan Nishiyama Experience the real Japan at our affordable ryokan. Close to major tourist spots in Kyoto.
	Guest house Yahata Bed and breakfast with dormitories from 2500yen. One stop from Kyoto Station by subway. Walking distance to downtown Kyoto.

Tours and Packages

Kyoto Tours
Various tours and travel packages for Kyoto and surroundings.

Travel Community

Ratings for Kyoto:

japan-guide.com Rating:		best of the best
User Rating (by 2316 users):	97/100	highly recommended

Popularity of Kyoto:
Users who have been to Kyoto: 4516
2nd most visited of the 140 destinations in our sightseeing guide.

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