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Trip.Best Popular Best Things to Do in Kyoto Prefecture [2024]

Explore the best things to do in Kyoto Prefecture! Uncover top activities and experiences for an unforgettable visit.
Updated Oct 2024
  • top_1

    Gion

    󰺂8.7
    4.8/5
    7647 Review
    Free
    "Gion is Kyoto's famous geisha district, known for its traditional wooden machiya houses and teahouses. It's the perfect place to delve into Kyoto's culture, with opportunities to see geiko (geisha) and maiko (apprentice geisha) in their stunning kimonos. The area also features historic streets like Hanamikoji and beautiful temples such as Yasaka Shrine, making it a captivating destination."
    Kyoto.Gion
    2.8km from downtown
    Featured in 2024 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do
    Highlights: 400-yr-old geisha district | Edo vibes | Traditional art performances & tea ceremonies | Cultural immersion
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  • top_2
    󰺂8.2
    4.5/5
    808 Review
    From7.7
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 921 reviews
    "The No. 5 carriage I bought specially, because there is no window glass, it is opener, and there is no need to worry about glass reflection when taking pictures. I asked the staff when I changed the ticket, and I needed to log in to the mailbox to download the QR code. In fact, the progress is not checked. Japan is a country with a spirit of contract. They believe that since you have to cross the gate, you will have a ticket. Because the red leaves were not red when I went, the scenery must be a little worse."
    Kyoto.Arashiyama
    6.8km from downtown
    Highlights: The Sagano Romantic Train is a sightseeing train line in Arashiyama that runs along the Hozukyo gorge. Passengers can enjoy spectacular natural scenery as they make their way through the surrounding forest. The little train takes you on a journey through the beauty of Arashiyama, with blooming cherry trees in spring, a refreshing babbling brook in summer, fluttering red leaves in autumn, and a captivating silvery-white valley in winter.
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  • top_3
    󰺂8.1
    4.7/5
    2283 Review
    Free
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 6771 reviews
    "Really nice little syreet littered with shops selling yummy japanese foods and souvenirs. Also tasted some really good matcha while I was there!"
    Kyoto.Arashiyama/Sagano/Takao
    8.2km from downtown
    Featured in 2024 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do
    Highlights: Bamboo Grove | Togetsukyo Bridge | Okochi-Sanso Villa | Numerous temples | Onsen | Cultural immersion
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    4

    󰺂7.8
    4.7/5
    2486 Review
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 11717 reviews
    "Very beautiful pagoda and temple/shrine. was there at the end of september, not full autumn yet but very magnificent view of kyoto."
    Kyoto.Gion/Kiyomizu Temple
    4km from downtown
    No.2 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Kyoto Prefecture
    Highlights: Kiyomizu-dera is an ancient temple that represents Kyoto. It was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1994. The main hall, famous for its stage that juts out from the mountain slope, is designated as a national treasure. Surrounded by trees, you can enjoy cherry blossoms in full bloom in the spring and autumn leaves in the fall. Kiyomizu-dera is one of Kyoto's most famous historical sites, along with Kinkaku-ji and Arashiyama. There is a constant stream of worshippers and tourists throughout the year.
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    5

    󰺂7.7
    4.7/5
    1722 Review
    Free
    "If the shrine of the day is the fireworks of the world, then the shrine of the night is the unseen and mysterious, passing through the Zhuqi bird residence that separates the land of the gods, and has a feeling of being separated from the world."
    Kyoto
    6.3km from downtown
    No.3 of Night Attractions in Kyoto Prefecture
    Highlights: Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto. People come to worship Inari Okami, the god harvest and commercial success. The Torii leading to the main shrine is a famous landscape of this shrine. This long and endless pathway is arranged from the foot of the mountain to the mountain. It is one of the representative landscapes of Kyoto and has appeared in the movie “Memoirs of a Geisha”. Because the fox is regarded as the messenger of the Inari Okami, the fox-faced shaped emas are a major feature here.
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  • No.

    6

    󰺂7.6
    4.6/5
    1566 Review
    From34.7
    "More ordinary, Jianye Temple tickets did not book before booking the two cities, summer night is very hot, even if it is dark, it is still very hot, there is not all open inside, the open place is very limited, walk a circle soon out, buy tickets at the door should be 2200-2300 yen, Trip.com booking will be cheaper, But it is a little boring, it is recommended that those who have been to Jianren Temple do not have to go to this anymore."
    Kyoto.Nijo Castle
    1km from downtown
    No.2 of Night Attractions in Kyoto Prefecture
    Highlights: Once the acting residence of the Tokugawa shoguns while in Kyoto, Nijo Castle is also serves as a symbol of the power of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The castle is surrounded by high walls and a moat, with the inside rooms connected by a corridor installed with the famous "nightingale floors". These floors were designed to make a chirping sound when walked upon so as to prevent intruding assassins at night. The castle opens in the evening during cherry blossom season, attracting flocks of visitors to view the magnificent cherry blossom trees.
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  • No.

    7

    󰺂7.1
    4.6/5
    499 Review
    From7.88
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 6 reviews
    "When you come to Kiyomizu Temple, you must visit it for two years and three years. This is the oldest and bustling commercial street in Kyoto. Therefore, this place has been a place with a strong commercial atmosphere since ancient times. There are really many people and the scenery of the commercial street is really beautiful. Up and down steps, There are a variety of shops on both sides, and there are everything to eat, drink and shop. This is really a place that can represent Kyoto. It is a must-come place to come to Kyoto."
    Kyoto.Gion
    3.6km from downtown
    Highlights: Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka, located near Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto, make up two of the historically protected blocks here, the other one being Kiyomizuzaka. Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka are two small stone-paved slopes lined with steps, with Sannenzaka a small path linking Kiyomizuzaka with Ninenzaka. The houses here are mostly Machiya-style wooden houses built in the Edo period, with most vendors selling Kiyomizu ware and ancient Kyoto porcelain products. There are also quaint restaurants and souvenir shops to be found.
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  • No.

    8

    󰺂7.1
    4.7/5
    1953 Review
    "🌈 Attraction features: Because the cartoon "Smart One Hugh" is known for the Golden Pavilion, the most eye-catching of course is the Golden Pavilion full of gold foil, the original one has been burned by a monk, and now this one is newly built decades ago, and the new one is of course much more beautiful than the old one. However, in addition to the Golden Pavilion, there are many other places worth seeing: 🎟️ Ticket related: 1. The ticket is very distinctive, and it is a Zhu Yinfu that can bless the whole family's safety and health (if it is a group tour, you must remember to find a tour guide to come back), the fare is very cheap, a dozen yuan. 🕐️ Scenic Area opening hours: 2, 9:00-17:00 (closes early, it is best to go forward at 16:00) 💗 Other tips: 3, there is a handwritten light yellow large-word newspaper at the gate, writing five rings, similar to the Chinese temples can not kill, can not eat meat and other rules, you can use WeChat to scan and translate, If you make a mistake, try not to go in 😂. 4. Come in and look at the Jinge Temple across the lake. This is the best landscape location. The flow of people will take you away. You must seize the opportunity. After passing this village, there is no such store. 5. On the east side of the lake is the abbot's abbot's house, the atmosphere is beautiful, can you go in to see the character. There is a pine tree bonsai at the entrance, one of the "Kyoto Sansong", the name is "Luzhou Song", trimmed into the appearance of a sailing ship, the bow rushes west, symbolizing the meaning of advocating the Western Bliss World. (Recently in the pruning solid type, below the shelf) 6, there is a small waterfall behind the Golden Pavilion Temple, there is a "squid stone" in front of the waterfall, here is called "squid jumping dragon gate", is also a place to pray. 7, "the white snake's head", the small minarets behind is the grave of the white snake, is the incarnation of wealth and wisdom. There were three statues and a coin-throwing bronze in front of them, but there were few coins in the bronze, and the three statues were full of potholes. 8, along the "shunlu" wooden sign, through a small earth slope, overlooking the entire Golden Pavilion Temple, here is also the ancient tea ceremony master's favorite tea place. 9. The Jinge Temple is built near the lake, and the lake is also a must. There are several small islands with five pines in the middle of the lake, which are unique in the traditional Japanese courtyard. 10. The Jinge Temple is small, but it has its unique Buddhist characteristics. The exit has a place for praying for blessings and signings. 11. Finally, when walking down the long ladder, don't forget to taste the special "golden powder matcha ice cream" (other article)."
    Kyoto.Ohara/Kibune/Kurama
    3.1km from downtown
    No.5 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Kyoto Prefecture
    Highlights: Kinkaku-ji is an ancient Japanese temple in Kyoto. Completed in 1397, it originally served as the villa of shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, but was later transformed into a Zen Buddhist temple. Originally named Rokuon-ji (literally "Deer Garden Temple"), it is also known as the Temple of the Golden Pavilion owing to the gold foil that the outside of the building is wrapped in. In addition to being a famous tourist attraction, Kinkaku-ji has also been designated as a National Treasure by the Japanese government and is a symbol of Kyoto.
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  • No.

    9

    󰺂6.6
    4.6/5
    578 Review
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 1659 reviews
    "Kyoto's Ohaka Shrine covers a large area. In a broad scale, it covers some small roads around branches and forks. There are many small shrines distributed, including large forests and lawns around, as well as many small restaurants, coffee shops and various snacks. Handicraft shops. Open 24 hours, another lively scene at night. This is not only a must-check-in place for tourists from all over the world, but also a place for local residents to take a leisure walk. At noon, there are a group of students, with lunch boxes on the grass, and noisy. The first time I came here was six years ago, and it didn't change at all, and I will definitely come again!"
    Kyoto.Gion
    2.9km from downtown
    No.7 of Night Attractions in Kyoto Prefecture
    Highlights: Located in the Higashiyama scenic area of Kyoto and commonly called Gion Shrine, Yasaka Shrine is the most important Shinto shrine of the approximately 3,000 sub-shrines throughout Japan. The rather unique mikoshi (divine palanquin) within allows visitors the chance to pray to the God of Beauty. The shrine's ritual activity is known as the Gion Festival (Gion Matsuri), which is one of the three great Shinto festivals of Japan, together with the Kanda Festival (Kanda Matsuri) in Tokyo and the Tenjin Festival (Tenjin Matsuri) in Osaka. Yasaka Shrine is also a popular hanami (cherry blossom viewing) site in spring.
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  • No.

    10

    󰺂6.6
    4.6/5
    527 Review
    From7.88
    taCommentScoreUrlbased on 1236 reviews
    "Buying a ticket will be able to enter immediately, very smooth. Going in is catching up with the sunset, it is worth it. The big telescope above is free, you can clearly see the Kiyomizu Temple, etc., the price is not expensive, the overall feeling is cost-effective, it is worth a visit."
    Kyoto.Kyoto City Centre
    3.8km from downtown
    No.1 of Night Attractions in Kyoto Prefecture
    Highlights: • Offers a lot of entertainment inside. • Enjoy the panoramic view from Kyoto Tower's observatory deck. • Get a new angle on sightseeing famous sights such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Toji Temple and so on.Standing tall in front of Kyoto Station, Kyoto Tower is one of the landmarks of Kyoto, remembered by almost every visitor to the city. The tower itself is designed in the shape of a candle, while the observatory deck provides a great place to look out over the streets of Kyoto and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding shrines, temples, and Higashiyama mountains. In addition to the observatory, a restaurant, hot spring, and hotel can be found inside the tower.△ The elegant white and slim structure of Kyoto Tower was built with the motif of a lighthouse.△ A glance at the night view of Kyoto△ The 100-meter observation deck is the highest in the city of Kyoto and provides picturesque panoramic views of the former capital.
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FAQ

What Best Things to Do are there in Kyoto Prefecture?
These are all Best Things to Do in Kyoto Prefecture:Gion, Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train, Arashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Kyoto Prefecture?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Kyoto Prefecture include:Gion:4.8, Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train:4.5, Arashiyama:4.7, Kiyomizu-dera Temple:4.7, Fushimi Inari Taisha:4.7
At what locations in Kyoto Prefecture can Best Things to Do in Kyoto Prefecture be found?
The Best Things to Do in Kyoto Prefecture are mainly located in:Gion:Kyoto, Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train:Kyoto, Arashiyama:Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera Temple:Kyoto, Fushimi Inari Taisha:Kyoto
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