Best Things To Do in Kyoto Japan 4K

@Island Hopper TV

Island Hopper TVyoutubethe post

Explore Kyoto, Japan's cultural capital, with this guide to 26 top activities, from bustling food markets and historic temples to ninja training and scenic river walks.

23 places · 6 experiences

1
Nishiki Market
Market · Kyoto
4.3 (53,488)Open now
Creator's voice
One of the best food streets I've ever been to, with an incredible variety of food from seafood and tempura to sushi, wagyu beef, and sea urchin. It's open from 9 AM to 6 PM, but I recommend getting there early to avoid the crowds on this narrow street.
Nishiki Market, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8055, Japan
2
Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine
Shinto shrine
4.3 (4,464)Closed · opens 8 AM
Creator's voice
A Shinto shrine located at the end of Nishiki Market, right at the intersection of Teramachi Shopping Street. It's a unique spot to visit after exploring the market.
Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, 537 Nakanocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8042, Japan
3
Teramachi Shopping Street
Shopping mall · Kyoto
4.2 (12,309)
Creator's voice
A covered shopping street adjacent to Nishiki Market, offering plenty of retail stores beyond food. It's a great place to shop, and you're completely protected from rain or snow.
Teramachi, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan
Experience · 1 place
Throw Ninja Stars at Samurai & Ninja Museum
Step into the Samurai & Ninja Museum to learn about Japan's rich history, from samurai to shogun and emperors. The highlight is definitely getting to throw ninja stars at the end, where you can compete against others in your tour group. It's a small museum but packed with fascinating history.
4
Samurai & Ninja Museum Kyoto
Amusement center · Kyoto
4.8Closed · opens tomorrow 9:30 AM
Creator's voice
A small but jam-packed museum on Teramachi Street, offering a deep dive into the history of samurai, shogun, and emperors. It's worth going in for the historical insights and the interactive ninja star throwing experience.
SAMURAI NINJA MUSEUM Kyoto, 109 Horinouecho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8117, Japan
Experience · 1 place
360-Degree Views from Kyoto Tower
Head up Kyoto Tower, the tallest structure in Kyoto, for incredible 360-degree views overlooking the city and the surrounding mountain ranges. I recommend going up during sunset for the best experience. Plan for about an hour to enjoy the views. Tickets are 800 Yen, which is around $5.40, making it a fun and affordable activity. There's also a bar and restaurant downstairs if you want to grab a drink or a bite, but you need to be a customer to hang out and take pictures.
5
Kyoto Tower
Observation deck · Kyoto
4.2 (213)Closed · opens tomorrow 10 AM
Creator's voice
A steel observation tower over 100 meters tall, located right next to Kyoto Central Station. It offers great 360-degree views of the city and mountains. Entry is 800 Yen (around $5.40). There's also a bar/restaurant and a food court at the bottom.
Nidec Kyoto Tower, 721-1 Higashishiokojicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8216, Japan
6
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Buddhist temple · Kyoto
4.6 (72,172)Closed · opens tomorrow 6 AM
Creator's voice
A Buddhist temple dating back to 778 AD, owned by the Hosso sect. It's one of several UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kyoto, offering several shrines and temples with great views overlooking the city from the mountains.
Kiyomizu-dera, 1 Chome-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan
7
Arashiyama
Scenic spot · Kyoto
4.5
Creator's voice
The second most important sightseeing area around Kyoto, offering a variety of attractions including the famous bamboo forest, shrines, and temples. It's a great place to explore and find unique foods.
Arashiyama, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan
8
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Tourist attraction · Kyoto
4.4 (24,591)Closed
Creator's voice
A naturally occurring forest in Arashiyama, consisting mostly of moso bamboo with several pathways for tourists to walk around. There are multiple groves to explore, along with shrines and temples in the area.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8394, Japan
9
Kyoto Railway Museum
Rail museum
4.5 (226)Closed · opens Friday 10 AM
Creator's voice
An interesting museum showcasing the evolution of railway technology in Japan. If you're into transportation and trains, this is a must-visit. Tickets cost 1,500 Yen per person (around $10) and are well worth it. Japan is known for its trains, including the Shinkansen and the world's fastest train, the L0 Series Maglev.
Kyoto Railway Museum, Kankijicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8835, Japan
Experience · 1 place
Relaxing Stroll along Kamo River
Take a nature walk along the Kamo River that goes right through the city. Depending on the season, you'll see different colors – cherry blossoms in spring or fall foliage. Even in late October when the trees hadn't fully transitioned, I found it to be a very relaxing place for some exercise and a leisurely stroll. People also like to fish from here.
10
Kamo River Walk
River · Kyoto
4.6
Creator's voice
A nature walk that runs through the city, offering different scenic views depending on the season, from cherry blossoms in spring to fall colors. It's a relaxing spot for exercise and a stroll, and people also enjoy fishing here.
Kamo River, Kyoto, Japan
11
Gion
Kyoto
Creator's voice
An old heritage area and popular geisha neighborhood in Kyoto, known for its historical charm, food, and shrines. It's a great place for nightlife, with cozy streets and hole-in-the-wall pubs. It bumps right up next to Shijo Avenue, between Yasaka Shrine and the Kamo River.
Gion, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Japan
12
Kiyamachi-dori Street
Kyoto
Creator's voice
My favorite nightlife area in Kyoto, located right along the river. This street offers a cozy ambiance with hole-in-the-wall pubs and ramen noodle spots. I'd even suggest getting a hotel nearby Kiyamachi if you're looking for nightlife.
Kiyamachi-dori, Kyoto, Japan
13
Kinkaku-ji Temple
Buddhist temple · Kyoto
4.6 (70,689)Open · until 5 PM
Creator's voice
A Zen Buddhist temple known as the Golden Pavilion, a golden building situated on a lake. It's one of the most popular buildings in Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The surrounding grounds and area are even more impressive than the temple itself, especially beautiful during the fall colors.
Kinkaku-ji, 1 Kinkakujicho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8361, Japan
Experience · 1 place
Hike through 10,000 Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari
Embark on a 2-3 hour round trip hike up Mount Inari, passing through a tunnel of over 10,000 closely spaced orange torii gates. This Shinto shrine, representing Japan's ethnic religion, is a popular tourist spot. I hiked all the way to the observatory at the top, which offers great vantage points looking down into the Kyoto Valley, connecting to Osaka. Bring your hiking shoes, as going up is brutal, but coming down is a breeze, about three times faster! The orange color of the gates is said to ward off evil spirits. There's no entrance fee, and the best time to visit is early morning (7-8 AM) or at night, especially in summer.
14
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
Shinto shrine · Kyoto
4.6 (90,859)Closed
Creator's voice
A Shinto shrine famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that wind over Mount Inari. It's a popular tourist destination with no entrance fee, offering a 2-3 hour round-trip hike to an observatory with views of the Kyoto Valley. The best times to visit are early morning (7-8 AM) or at night.
Fushimi Inari Taisha, 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-0882, Japan
15
Yasaka Shrine
Shinto shrine · Kyoto
4.4 (33,681)Closed
Creator's voice
Also known as Gion Shrine, it's one of Kyoto's most famous shrines, founded around 1350 years ago. It hosts many festivals and ritual events, supporting local performances and ceremonies. I even saw a wedding happening here! It's located in the popular geisha neighborhood of Gion.
Yasaka Shrine, 625 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0073, Japan
16
Nijo Castle
Castle · Kyoto
4.4 (2,895)Closed · opens tomorrow 8:45 AM
Creator's voice
Built in 1603, this castle served as the primary residence for the first Shogun of the Edo period (1603-1867). It's a significant historical site in Kyoto, which was the former capital of Japan from 794 to 1868.
Nijō Castle, 541 Nijojocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8301, Japan
17
Tenryu-ji Temple
Buddhist temple · Kyoto
4.5 (17,007)Closed · opens tomorrow 8:30 AM
Creator's voice
A Zen Buddhist temple in Arashiyama, ranked highest among the five Zen temples in the Kyoto area. It's famous for its beautiful Japanese garden. Zen Buddhism emphasizes meditation and intuition over ritual or scripture study.
Tenryu-ji, ６８ Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8385, Japan
18
Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street
Tourist attraction
4.4Closed · opens Friday 10 AM
Creator's voice
An old town area near Arashiyama, about a 20-minute walk away. It's a great place to walk around, featuring cemeteries and a cool old village at the foot of the mountains. Perfect for those who want to escape the city bustle and experience old Japan in a natural environment.
Saga-toriimoto preserved street, 嵯峨鳥居本 Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8435, Japan
19
Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka Streets
Tourist attraction · Kyoto
4.5Closed
Creator's voice
A very crowded food street that I came down from Kiyomizu-dera. It's definitely worth trying some of the food if you're hungry. Each city in Japan has different popular cuisines, and here you'll find more fried foods and ramen.
Ninenzaka, Higashiyama Ward, Masuyacho, 2 Chome-363-12 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0826, Japan
- Japanese beef and pot stickers — I ended up getting some Japanese beef along with pot stickers here, adding a little chili powder to the beef. It's a great spot for fried foods and ramen.
Experience · 1 place
Rent and Wear a Kimono
If you've ever wanted to try on or rent a kimono, Kyoto is the place to do it! It's very popular with both tourists and locals to wear one while exploring the city.
20
Kyoto Imperial Palace
Historical landmark · Kyoto
4.5 (10,351)Closed · opens tomorrow 9 AM
Creator's voice
The Imperial Palace is open to the public year-round with free admission. It's a great place to walk around and learn about the history of old Japan, the emperors, and the shoguns. While many mansions and tea houses have been torn down due to fires, you can still find Japanese gardens and koi fish ponds here.
Kyoto Imperial Palace, 内 Kyotogyoen, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-0811, Japan
21
Kyoto (Kimono Rental)
Costume rental service · Kyoto
5.0 (106)Open · until 6 PM
Creator's voice
Kyoto is a very popular place for tourists and locals to rent and wear kimonos. You'll find many shops offering this cultural experience throughout the city.
Hikari Kimono Rental Kyoto, GIONKOTOビル, 4階, 329 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0073, Japan
Experience · 1 place
Get a Japanese-Style Haircut
I got a Japanese-style haircut here, and it was totally different from any haircut I've ever received. The methods and cutting techniques they use are interesting. While there might be a language barrier, if you're up for it, go for it! It was one of the best haircuts I've ever gotten – very clean cut and done with precision.
22
Kyoto Aquarium
Aquarium
4.2 (57)Closed · opens Friday 10 AM
Creator's voice
Japan is known for its aquariums, and while this one isn't on the level of Osaka's, it's recommended if you have kids. The highlight for kids is probably the dolphins, but for me, it was the salamanders.
Kyoto Aquarium, 梅小路公園, 内, 35-1 Kankijicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8835, Japan
23
Kyoto (Hair Salon)
Hair salon · Kyoto
4.8 (501)Open · until 8 PM
Creator's voice
Kyoto offers unique Japanese-style haircuts with distinct methods and cutting techniques. Despite potential language barriers, the experience can result in a very clean and precise cut.
due hair Kyoto Ekimae, ネオヒルズビル 5F 172 Higashisakaicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8217, Japan

5 extraction issues

collection "Arashiyama Temples and Nature Outing": member is an unresolved stream id: {"ref":7,"placeId":"ChIJ49PvUVQHAWARTAF7WU_Wqqs"}
collection "Arashiyama Temples and Nature Outing": member is an unresolved stream id: {"ref":8,"placeId":"ChIJrYtcv-urAWAR3XzWvXv8n_s"}
collection "Arashiyama Temples and Nature Outing": member is an unresolved stream id: {"ref":18,"placeId":"ChIJI443HRiqAWARdDvT7yb5yEs"}
collection "Arashiyama Temples and Nature Outing": member is an unresolved stream id: {"ref":19,"placeId":"ChIJlwyrGNAIAWARNb5hUHdZruY"}
collection "Arashiyama Temples and Nature Outing": 0 member(s); a collection has at least 2