23 Epic Things to Do in Kyoto For Your Ultimate Japan Vacation

After spending three days in Kyoto during my second trip to Japan, it instantly became one of my favorite cities to explore in the entire world. And although I felt like I only scratched the surface, it was enough time to figure out which things to do in Kyoto were worth checking out on a first visit.

Kyoto has more than 1,600 temples and 400 shrines. No first trip could cover all of them, or the hundreds of other places vying for travelers’ attention. Here are the Kyoto tourist attractions I’d start with as a first-time visitor…

What to see & do in Kyoto

Beat the crowds at Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

In every photo I’d seen before my first trip, Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine looked completely empty. So, naturally, that’s where I thought I should start my first morning in Kyoto.

That fantasy ended the second I walked through the entrance. I showed up at Fushimi Inari-taisha just before 9 am. The Senbon Torii, the dense stretch of vermilion torii gates close to the shrine’s base that had been filling my social media feed, was already packed shoulder to shoulder.

With my fantasy shattered, I quickly learned that 9 am is NOT early enough by Fushimi Inari-taisha’s standards. If I were to replan a perfect day of sightseeing in Kyoto, I’d set my alarm to hit up the Senbon Torii a tad earlier in the day to avoid the thickest morning crowds. (Yep, they were that memorable.)

Fushimi Inari-taisha is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice and prosperity. Its more than 10,000 torii gates are donations from businesses hoping for good fortune in return. But there’s plenty more to see here than the gates.

Even if the crowds feel stifling, I would recommend venturing past the busiest areas closer to the main entrance. The crowds thin out fast as you start walking into the forest trails leading up Mount Inari.

The complete hike up to the summit of Mount Inari and back takes roughly 2 to 3 hours. Even if I didn’t plan to do the full hiking trail, I’d still spend about 10 to 15 minutes walking up here to escape the densest crowds.

Fushimi Inari-taisha is free to enter and never closes, so an early start here is always possible no matter what time your flight lands.

Watch the sunrise from Kiyomizu-dera Temple

I found no shortage of beautiful temples in Higashiyama. But Kiyomizu-dera stopped me in my tracks more than any other the first time I came around the bend and saw its wooden terrace jutting out over the hillside.

The main hall at Kiyomizu-dera rests on 13-meter columns, assembled without a single nail. The view from the terrace over Higashiyama and the city beyond is one of the finest vistas I experienced anywhere in Kyoto.

Kiyomizu-dera’s name translates to “pure water temple,” a reference to Otowa Waterfall running beneath the main hall.

The Otowa Waterfall splits into three separate streams. Each is said to grant a different kind of luck: a long life, success in school, or a good love life. Tradition says drinking from all three at once is greedy, so pick one stream and stick with it.

Just past the main hall sit three smaller halls: Amida-do, Okuno-in, and Shaka-do, each tied to a different strand of Buddha worship.

I’d budget five extra minutes after the terrace to make the walk down to the falls. Skipping it means missing half of what makes Kiyomizu-dera worth the climb.

Kiyomizu-dera opens daily at 6 am and closes at 6 pm, with admission at ¥500 for adults and ¥200 for kids. Like Fushimi Inari-taisha, I’d recommend getting there as close to opening as you can manage, as early as sunrise if possible!

Whisk yourself into the past at Gion District (Gion-Shinbashi)

Ever after walking through it several times over my three days in Kyoto, Gion District still got me every time.

The district’s main stretch, Hanamikoji-dori, looks exactly like the postcard version of old Kyoto I’d expected, with its wooden buildings flanked by bright red lanterns.

Shirakawa Minami-dori, a narrow canal-side lane lined with willow trees and machiya townhouses, might be the single best-looking street I’ve walked in the entire city. (I’d love to time a visit here for cherry-blossom season!)

North of Hanamikoji-dori, Shinbashi-dori preserves the same look with fewer crowds. Its wooden facades have remained largely unchanged since the district’s teahouse days.

My advice for Gion District is to skip the planning altogether. I’ve had better luck turning down whatever side street looks interesting than following any set route through the neighborhood.

Gion District rewards that kind of aimless wandering more than most parts of Kyoto do. Even if you only have a weekend in Kyoto, visiting this beautiful district is a must.

You might catch a glimpse of a geisha or maiko heading to an evening appointment in Gion District. If you do, keep your distance rather than crowding them for a photo. Simply wandering around Gion District in the evening and catching sight of one from a respectful distance makes a better story than any photo you’d get by chasing one down.

South of Shijo-dori, Yasaka Hall at Gion Corner runs seven short cultural performances daily from 6 to 7 pm, including tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and kyo-mai dances performed by maiko, for ¥3,150 admission. Yes, it’s less “authentic,” but it’s far more tourist-friendly than a “real” geisha experience. 

Eat your way through Nishiki Market

About a 15-minute walk from Gion District, Nishiki Market was one of my favorite places to eat in Kyoto. Nicknamed “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” the covered arcade has operated in some form for nearly four centuries. It runs about 390 meters through more than 100 food stalls serving all of Kyoto’s most famous culinary delicacies.

At Nishiki Market, I found fresh seafood, yuba (tofu skin), tsukemono (Japanese pickles), and matcha sweets all within a few stalls of each other to the tune of vendors shouting irasshaimase to beckon visitors to grab a tasty snack.

For a break from the food, I’d also try to stroll into one of Nishiki Market’s stationery shops to rustle through the never-ending selections of Japanese paper printed with colorful designs. (Keep an eye out for entertainingly bad English translations that’d brighten anyone’s day.)

I’d recommend getting to Nishiki Market by mid-morning if you can manage it. By lunchtime, it’s packed shoulder to shoulder.

Go for a stroll along the Philosopher’s Walk

I made it to the Philosopher’s Walk in late spring, after the cherry blossoms had already dropped. The bare tunnel of branches reaching over the canal still made the walk worthwhile as I ventured between Nanzen-ji and Ginkaku-ji.

The Philosopher’s Walk runs about two kilometers along the Lake Biwa Canal. The path takes its name from philosopher Nishida Kitaro, who reportedly walked this same stretch nearly every day for close to two decades on his way to teach at Kyoto University.

If peak cherry blossom bloom is the goal, the first two weeks of April are among the best times of year to visit Kyoto to experience the Philosopher’s Walk.

The path is a calmer alternative to the massive picnic crowds that take over Maruyama Park during the same stretch. A few small cafes sit right along the canal if you want a reason to stop halfway through.

Find bliss at Ginkaku-ji

Built in the 1480s by Ashikaga Yoshimasa as Jisho-ji, Ginkaku-ji Temple was near the top of my list for what to see in Kyoto. And although I found it a little less impressive at first glance than Kinkaku-ji (more on that in sec), I still think both are must-sees while temple hopping in Kyoto.

Yoshimasa planned to build Ginkaku-ji as a retirement villa covered in silver leaf, modeled after Kinkaku-ji, his grandfather’s Golden Pavilion. The story goes that he ran out of money before he could actually cover the building in silver. That’s why Ginkaku-ji is plain dark wood today instead of gleaming, as its name, The Silver Pavilion, suggests.

The main hall at Ginkaku-ji is almost beside the point. I ended up spending most of my visit wandering the smaller structures tucked between the ponds, plus the Sea of Silver Sand, a raked gravel garden, and Kogetsudai, a cone-shaped sand mound built for moon viewing.

Between Kyoto’s two “pavilion” temples, Kinkaku-ji won me over on first impressions, but Ginkaku-ji held up better with a slower look.

Ginkaku-ji is open year-round. Admission rose to ¥1,000 for adults and ¥500 for children as of April 1, 2026, the temple’s first fee increase since 1994.

Relax under the glow of lanterns at Yasaka Shrine

While exploring Kyoto, there’s a good chance that you’ll stumble upon Yasaka Shrine (also known as Gion Shrine).

I wasn’t looking for Yasaka Shrine and found it anyway, mid-wander as I walked from Kiyomiza-dera into Gion District. The number of locals stopping to pray here on an ordinary afternoon made clear that this shrine isn’t just here for tourists. With a history dating back about 1350 years, this Shinto shrine is one of the must-see places to visit in Kyoto for anyone passing through.

Compared to other more grandiose shrines and temples in Kyoto, I found small and subdued Yasaka Shrine a tad less dramatic. (Although it’s still pretty packed with visitors.)

Time a visit in the evening, when the shrine’s dance hall gets lit up with hundreds of lanterns donated by local businesses, hoping for a dash of extra luck.

(I’d pick dusk over midday every time. It feels like a completely different shrine once the crowds thin and the lanterns take over.)

Even better is visiting in July when the Gion Matsuri festival kicks off, with its main float procession on July 17th. It’s one of the most popular festivals in Japan, with a history dating back over a millennium, famous for its procession of colorful floats.

Yasaka Shrine is also a great area to explore during Kyoto’s cherry blossom season. Neighboring Maruyama Park is one of the top places to check out the sakura in Kyoto.

See the vestiges of the Japanese Empire at Kyoto Imperial Palace

The city’s history as the former imperial capital of Japan became immediately obvious when I stepped onto the grounds of the Kyoto Imperial Palace (also known as Gosho in Japanese). Once home to the emperor of Japan, this walled complex throws together a mishmash of gates, shrines, gardens, and halls that remind us of its former glory.

If Kyoto Imperial Palace factors in later on your itinerary, it might feel a little underwhelmed compared to the other more glorious temples, gardens & shrines elsewhere in Kyoto. (Especially right after visiting somewhere like Kiyomizu-dera or Fushimi Inari-taisha.)

Nonetheless, now that travelers are able to freely enter and explore the complex (but not the buildings themselves) without admission, I’d say it’s worth the short jaunt northward to see for yourself.

Free English-guided tours run twice daily, at 10 am and 2 pm, no booking required. The palace is closed Mondays and from December 28 through January 4.

Sink into Japanese history at Nijo Castle

No other attraction in Kyoto gave me a better glimpse into medieval Japanese history than Nijo Castle.

Constructed in 1601, Nijo Castle is an enormous collection of structures that demonstrate the power of the shogun warlords. While the major tower was destroyed centuries ago, the fortification walls and moats still remain intact. 

Inside the castle grounds are the five buildings of Ninomaru Palace, the Tozamurai guard house, and the Ohiroma grand chamber. The interiors feature decorative panels and the spectacular nightingale floors that squeak when intruders step down.

Nijo Castle’s gates open at 8:45 am, with last entry to the grounds at 4 pm, apart from a few select closure days each year.

If I had to choose between Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji with time for only one, I’d take Nijo Castle for the history and let Kinkaku-ji be the photo stop.

Marvel at the golden hues of Kinkaku-ji Temple

While I was researching things to do in Kyoto, I knew that I needed to carve out time to visit Kinkaku-ji Temple. Also known as the Golden Pavilion, this unmissable 13-meter-tall multi-tiered temple chills out next to a serene pond surrounded by forests that feel miles away, even though the city is right at its doorstep.

Between Kyoto’s two Yoshimasa-era pavilions, Kinkaku-ji is, in my opinion, far more dazzling than Ginkaku-ji. It’s one of the most beautiful scenes I’ve come across anywhere in Kyoto. (Even with the, at times, suffocating tourist crowds.)

The top two levels of Kinkaku-ji Temple are covered with brilliant gold leaves. The gorgeous façade is enhanced by its rippled reflection in the pond below, flanked by gnarled pines and green hills.

The golden reflections in summer at this UNESCO World Heritage Site are a scene to behold, but the sight of snow caps among the lush green background during winter would be equally beguiling.

As Kinkaku-ji is one of the top points of interest in Kyoto, I’d aim to visit as early as possible to see it at its least crowded. (It was my first stop on my third day in Kyoto, and it was already jam-packed with tourists.)

Admission runs ¥500 for adults and ¥300 for students. You can’t go inside the buildings themselves, but even just seeing them from the exterior, nestled into its ponds and forest scenery, is more than enough reason to make the trip out here.

Find your zen at Ryoan-ji Temple

Not far from Kinkaku-ji in northwestern Kyoto lies Ryoan-ji Temple, translated as the temple of the peaceful dragon. I planned on seeing it during my own trip, but felt short on time.

I only found out afterward just how close Ryoan-ji actually is to Kinkaku-ji, a 15- to 20-minute walk at most, and an even shorter bus ride. (I still regret skipping it.)

The current structure dates back to 1488, after the original was destroyed during the Onin Wars of 1467.

The mirror-shaped Kyoyochi Pond, dotted with numerous water birds, welcomes visitors to the Ryoan-ji Temple grounds before reaching the monk quarters.

Ryoan-ji is also home to Karesansui, one of the most spectacular Zen gardens in Japan. The Zen rock garden has 15 mysterious stones, laid so only 14 can be seen at the same time. Amazingly, the branches in the garden cast borrowed shadows filled with moss. The patterns on the rocks never remain the same twice.

Admission to Ryoan-ji is ¥600 for adults, ¥500 for high schoolers, and ¥300 for younger students. It’s open 8 am to 5 pm from March through November, and 8:30 am to 4:30 pm the rest of the year.

Grab a bite & drink at Pontocho Alley

If the buzzing traffic and modern shopping centers of Sanjo-dori have you second-guessing your visit, reset your cultural bearings at the riverside restaurant district of Pontocho Alley.

This ultra-narrow alley runs parallel to the Kamo River. It’s chock-loaded with small restaurants and bars serving both Japanese and international cuisine, making it one of the coolest places to go in Kyoto for a bite to eat and a drink.

Eating great food is only part of the bliss of Pontocho Alley. Along with the nearby Gion District, the district is one of the coolest areas I’ve found in central Kyoto to wander around. The wooden architecture, when combined with the alleyway’s delicate lanterns, is atmospheric and will keep you clicking the shutter on your camera or bombing your Instagram feed with shots.

If I were on a tighter travel budget, though, I’d stick to just wandering. Pontocho Alley is well-known for its less-than-budget-conscious pricing when it comes to food & drink.

(You’re no doubt paying for the river views.)

I was happy to make that trade myself during my three days in Kyoto. (An overpriced beer here, overlooking the Kamo River, beats a cheaper one in a faceless downtown building, in my opinion.)

Breathe in the mountain air at Arashiyama

In the far western part of Kyoto is the Arashiyama Mountains, where the famous Arashiyama trails lie. Although it’s just a short ride from central Kyoto, Arashiyama feels worlds away with its more relaxed, smaller-town feel. Even if you only have a weekend in Kyoto, visiting this beautiful district is a must.

For many, including myself, the highlight of the area is Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. This beautifully trimmed bamboo forest is among the most famous places to visit in Kyoto. And after getting here on my trip, I totally get why it shows up on every single list.

The oversaturated photos online do oversell its surrealism a little. I’ll admit that the bamboo grove starts out a little underwhelming. But I continued walking the paths to the deeper part of the forest where the denser, taller patches of bamboo grow, and I understood the magic.

(Most day-trippers turn back before they get that far.)

I will never forget the experience of walking here, far enough away from the biggest crowds, to hear the wind swirling through the bamboo trees and causing an eerie creaking sound to echo through the forest.

Besides the bamboo grove, I found a handful of other interesting things to do in Arashiyama. Monkeys at Kameyama-koen Park near the mountain top freely entertain you as you gaze at the spectacular Togetsu-kyo Bridge below.

Alternatively, the riverside Iwataytama Monkey Park is a great place to catch the sneaky little devils in action. Just don’t get too close or stare the monkeys in the eye. They can sometimes get aggressive and snatch up your belongings.

(I’ve seen it happen with my own eyes more than once to tourists elsewhere in Asia.)

Near the bamboo grove, you’ll also find Tenryu-ji Temple and its lovely gardens. I’d try to sneak into Gio-ji Temple for a glimpse of traditional dancing, or head to the right towards Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple and Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple for their one thousand famous stone statues.

A view of the 9th-century Daikaku-ji Temple or a visit to the Okochi Sanso Villa will leave you equally spirited.

Between all of it, Arashiyama deserves its own half day rather than a rushed hour squeezed into an already packed itinerary.

Frolic among the temples & deer of Nara

Okay, so it’s not in Kyoto per se. But if you’ve got a little time to spare, I’d highly recommend spending at least one day in Nara. Like Kyoto, Nara was once the capital of Japan. That distinction leaves Nara with innumerable cultural sites more than worth checking out for first-time visitors to Japan.

The highlight of Nara (especially for kids and animal lovers) is, without a doubt, the free-roaming deer of Nara Park. As you wander between the top tourist attractions in Nara, you’ll see these cute little creatures just about everywhere.

I grew up around deer in Northern Ontario, so I figured I knew what to expect. I didn’t.

One of the first deer I came across held eye contact with me and then bowed. (It felt less like an animal and more like an actual person enshrined, as the Shinto beliefs behind the deer claim. It was genuinely weird, and made the legend seem more likely to me.)

Despite being wild animals, the deer were mostly quite tame, other than getting a little unintentionally aggressive when they’re hungry.

I made the “mistake” of buying a pack of the deer crackers sold all over the park. Four of them closed in on me within about half a minute, greedily pecking away at the crackers in my hand. (I decided to just drop them, rather than lose a finger on holiday.)

Besides frolicking with the sacred deer in Nara Park, a few other things I’d be sure to check out on a first visit to Nara include:

• Todai-ji Temple: The world’s largest wooden temple, whose main hall, Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall), houses a 15-meter-high bronzed Buddha statue that’s one of the biggest in Japan.
• Kasuga Taisha Shrine: Nara’s most important shrine and one of the most impressive sites in the city. I loved walking along the path to the shrine, lined with moss-covered stone lanterns and dotted with deer.
• Kofuku-ji Temple: Another impressive temple whose 50-meter-high five-story wooden pagoda is the second-largest in Japan. It’s almost impossible to miss on the walk to Nara Park from Nara Station.

Nara is just 30 minutes south of Kyoto by train. It’s also one of my favorite day trips from Osaka, with a similar 30-minute journey time.

Escape the city at Mount Hiei

Looking to escape the big city buzz? Among the most popular day trips from Kyoto is Mount Hiei, located about 1.5 hours northeast of the city center. From its stunning mountain scenery to its wildlife & vegetation, Mount Hiei offers something special whatever time of year you visit.

Besides hosting some of the most popular hiking trails in Kyoto, Mount Hiei (Hieizan) is also home to Enryaku-ji Temple. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for giving birth to the Tendai sect of Buddhism in 788.

Enryaku-ji Temple spreads over three main areas (Todo, Saito, and Yokawa) among blissful ancient forests. Its main hall, the Kompon Chudo, has been under renovation since 2016. (It’ll stay closed to visitors through most of 2026 and 2027.)

Not surprisingly, Enryaku-ji is among its most beautiful in fall when the leaves burst into bright red, orange & yellow hues.

Bask in fall colors at Tofuku-ji Temple

Wedged between Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari Taisha, Tofuku-ji Temple is another must-see during any visit to Kyoto. This large Zen Buddhist temple was founded in 1236. It’s a particularly popular destination in autumn under a blanket of fall colors.

Among the most impressive sights here are the small vermilion-colored Tsutenkyo Bridge, the 22-meter-high 15th-century Sanmon Gate, and the reconstructed Hondo (Main Hall).

While you’re checking out Tsutenkyo Bridge, don’t miss out on the lovely Zen gardens in front of Kaisando Hall. Entrance to this section now runs ¥600 for adults and ¥300 for children, rising during the autumn foliage season when Tofuku-ji gets considerably busier.

Enjoy a kaiseki meal

Even if you’re not one to travel for food, one of the coolest experiences you can have in Kyoto is to enjoy a kaiseki meal.

Kaiseki is a traditional Japanese haute-cuisine meal served over several courses. It’s particularly popular in Kyoto, as many of the cooking and presentation styles originate in the Muromachi and Higashiyama periods, when the city was the imperial seat of power.

In kaiseki, chefs pay more attention to ingredient freshness and presentation than in a regular restaurant meal. As you’d expect with such meticulousness and artistry, a kaiseki dinner in Kyoto doesn’t come cheap. (Especially if you pair it with a high-end junmai daiginjo sake!)

If you’re not familiar with Japanese, I’d recommend booking your kaiseki experience online to lock down your reservation at a restaurant like Hanasaki Manjiro (map), well before your trip rather than trying to walk in.

Participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony

Experiencing a traditional Japanese tea ceremony is something every traveler to Japan should throw into their itinerary. And as Kyoto is Japan’s cultural heart, I don’t think there’s a better place in the country to see this elaborate ritual in action than here.

Walking through Higashiyama or Gion, I stumbled upon an endless number of teahouses where you can experience a traditional tea ceremony. MAIKOYA Kyoto, for one, runs sessions out of registered historic townhouses at two locations, one near Nishiki Market and one near Kiyomizu-dera. English-speaking hosts lead both standard ceremonies and longer kimono-and-tea packages.

Rather than just showing up, I’d recommend booking a traditional Japanese tea ceremony online. This will ensure you get an English-speaking tea master who can walk you through the experience.

See the city from above at Nidec Kyoto Tower

In a city dominated by shrines and temples, the modern Nidec Kyoto Tower certainly felt a little out of place when I spotted it for the first time rolling into Kyoto Station from Osaka.

At 131 meters tall, Nidec Kyoto Tower is the highest structure in the city. If I wanted to take in the city’s most sweeping bird’s-eye views, I’d do it here. 

The observation deck at Nidec Kyoto Tower is set 100 meters above the ground floor. It delivers 360-degree vistas of the city and the surrounding mountains, stretching even as far as Osaka under clear skies.

Entrance to Nidec Kyoto Tower runs ¥900 for adults, ¥700 for high schoolers, and ¥600 for younger kids, with the observation deck open 10 am to 9 pm daily.

(There’s also a public bath in the basement should you need to sweat out some sake.)

Wander through the gardens of Katsura Imperial Villa (Katsura Rikyū)

Located outside the main tourist area, the stunning Katsura Imperial Villa isn’t necessarily one of the most-visited attractions in Kyoto, but it’s certainly among the finest. The villa dates back to 1645, when it was built as a residence for the Katsura clan, a family connected to the imperial rulers.

As impressive as Katsura Imperial Villa itself is, the real treat here is the gardens. The well-manicured gardens of the Katsura Imperial Villa offer one of the finest examples of Japanese landscaping I’ve found anywhere in the city.

Unlike many other tourist attractions in Kyoto, you’ll need to join a tour to visit the grounds of the villa. I’d be sure to book well ahead of time at the Imperial Household Agency website, as there are only limited spots available each day.

Applications open online three months ahead of your preferred date and close three days before it, with a lottery kicking in if demand outpaces the daily cap.

If you can’t plan that far ahead, same-day walk-in registration is available at the villa entrance. It’s available on a first-come, first-served basis, but only for Japanese-language tours.

Admission to Katsura Imperial Villa is ¥1,000 for visitors 18 and up, free for ages 12 to 17. (Children under 12 are not permitted on the tour.)

Catch a kabuki performance at Minami-za Theatre

Even though the geisha is the symbol most associated with Kyoto, there’s one other huge Japanese cultural phenomenon that found its wings here: kabuki. This definitively Japanese art form combines colorful stage sets with exaggeratedly dramatic scenes. What results is a bizarre (yet intensely satisfying) spectacle that’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen or experienced in your life.

One of the best places to catch a kabuki performance in Japan is Kyoto’s Minami-za Theatre. It’s one of the oldest kabuki theatres in the country, with a rich history dating back to the Edo Period.

Even though the current theatre has only stood since 1929, Minami-za Theatre is still an impressive landmark on its own that’s worth checking out.

If you’re a first-time kabuki attendee, be prepared for the experience of a lifetime. Even without understanding Japanese, the dramatic performances are so over-the-top that I don’t think you’ll have much problem getting the gist of the storyline.

Timing your visit with a kabuki show can be a little hit-or-miss. Check the Shochiku Kabuki official site for schedules and to book tickets online.

Catch your breath at Chion-in Temple

Located betwixt Maruyama Park and the entrance to the Philosopher’s Path, Chion-in Temple sits near the top of the list of must-see temples in Kyoto.

I nearly walked right past Chion-in on my way toward Nanzen-ji, and I’m glad something made me stop.

This is not the kind of place I expected to stumble on during a casual walk through Higashiyama. Chion-in is the main temple for the Jodo Buddhists, and it’s got the goods to prove its importance to this popular sect of Pure Land Buddhism.

From the street level, I was greeted (and surprised by) the massive Sanmon Gate entrance. At 24 meters high, Sanmon Gate is the largest of its kind in Japan. On its own, I’d say it’s worthy of the short trek from Maruyama Park to check out.

Beyond the Sanmon Gate and up a staircase, you’ll find the temple’s main buildings and expansive gardens. There’s a handful of highlights here, including:

• Miedo Hall: A gigantic building that’s home to a venerable statue of Honen, the founder of Jodo.
• Amidado Hall: Another hall containing a statue of the most important Jodo Buddha, Amida Buddha.
• Seishido Hall: The oldest building in the complex, with a history dating back to 1530.
• Hojo Garden: A traditional Japanese garden originally conceived by one of the resident monks in the middle of the 17th century.
• Yuzen Garden: Another beautiful garden that’s the first you’ll see beyond the entrance gate. The interplay between the rocks, ponds, vegetation, and lay of the land is breathtaking.

The grounds at Chion-in are free to wander around. To go into the buildings, it’s ¥400 for adults and ¥200 for students to check out the interior halls, or ¥500 combined if you add the Hojo and Yuzen-en gardens.

The temple is open from 9 am to 4:30 pm, with last entry at 4 pm.

Get mesmerized at teamLab Biovortex Kyoto

teamLab Biovortex Kyoto opened on October 7, 2025, in the city’s Minami Ward. It’s the largest teamLab museum in the country, built around themes of biological cycles and interconnected ecosystems rather than the standalone light rooms the studio built its name on elsewhere.

(I haven’t made it here myself yet, but like all of the teamLab sites around Tokyo, it’s been near the top of my list since it opened. It’s the one new attraction I’d prioritize on my next trip to Kyoto.)

If you’ve already caught one of teamLab’s newer Tokyo installations (not the original Borderless space that’s since closed), teamLab Biovortex Kyoto is worth comparing against once you’ve seen both.

Tickets to teamLab Biovortex Kyoto use dynamic pricing that shifts by date and time slot. It starts at around ¥3,800 for adults, with a flexible pass option at ¥12,000 if you want to come and go more than once.

I’d be sure to book online ahead of time, since tickets bought at the door run about ¥200 more.

Where to stay for sightseeing

If I had to choose a base for my Kyoto sightseeing plans, I’d pick either Higashiyama (including Gion) or Nakagyo. These two wards are the most convenient for tackling all of the top points of interest in Kyoto, from its coolest temples & shrines to its tastiest food & drink hotspots.

Here are a few of my favorite places to stay in Kyoto to start your search…