Kyoto

Tozai Subway Line to Nijojo Mae

Certainly one of the highlights of Kyoto, with fine gardens and splendid centuries-old structures. The castle was built by the Tokugawa shoguns to serve as the shogun's residence in Kyoto.

nearest bus stop: Nanzenji/Eikando-michi, route 5

with its distinctive two-story entrance gate (sanmon) and aqueduct, is another popular temple in Kyoto, but its larger size means that it doesn't seem as crowded as many of the others. Nearest bus stop: Nanzenji, Eikando-michi.

nearest bus stops: Kinkakuji-michi (routes 12, 59, 101, 102, 204, 205) or Kinkakuji-mae (12 and 59)

The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, formally known as Rokuonji (鹿苑寺), is the most popular tourist attraction in Kyoto. The pavilion was built as a retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in the late 14th century, and converted into…

Sakyō-ku, Shūgaku-in, Yabuso· Free

A beautiful villa commissioned by Emperor Gomizuno-o in 1655 and completed four years later. The area is separated into three separate villas. In the lower villa, you'll find a lovely garden with a stream running through it and the…

The original temple was built by one of Hideyoshi Toyotomi's concubines in honor of her father, but the temple was destroyed by a fire. When rebuilding the temple, the floorboards of Fushimi Castle in Southern Kyoto were used to construct…

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This is the reason why most people head into this area, all taking the same looking pictures. You should visit when the sun is at its highest point, because the forest is quite dark and will only let in a few sun rays — don't wait until…

By bus, take #72 from Kyoto station to Otagidera-Mae, or within Arashiyama, catch #62 or #72.

Despite being omitted from virtually all guidebooks, it's one of the true unknown gems of Kyoto. It was founded in the eighth century, and went through an unlucky patch for a millennium or so; by turns it was destroyed by flood, fire and…

56 Jingatani-cho, Matsuo

Kokedera, also known as Saiho-ji, is one of Kyoto's World Heritage Sites famous for is beautiful moss garden. In the past, visitors could come and go freely, like most temples however, due to tourists stepping on and killing the moss, the…

just west of Karasuma Oike Subway stop

In the heart of the city is located the Butoh-kan, the world's first theatre devoted to weekly performances of the elusive dance of Butoh. Performances are by world-famous Butoh dancer Tenko Ima, every Thursday at 18:00 and 20:00.

take bus line 75 from Kyoto station

Toei Kyoto Studio Park is an active film studio which continues to be used for the filming of period dramas. Visitors may visit the outdoor sets used in many samurai movies, and if they are lucky, could potentially observe the filming of a…

Gion

If you are interested in having a photo session dressed up as a maiko or geisha - or, for men, as a samurai - several studios in Kyoto provide this service at affordable price, a practice known as henshin.

For a 16km trip down the river take the JR Sagano Line from JR Kyoto station to JR Kameoka Station (approx. 20 minutes by rapid express) and turn left when you exit the station. It is a 10 minute walk to the boarding site along a rather busy road.

To experience Arashiyama to the fullest, the river cruise is your best bet! A variety of boats, small or large, both rowed and motored, are waiting on either side of the river.

For those looking to experience Kyoto from a different perspective, travelling in a rickshaw allows you to do just that. You can arrange where they will take you (and check the fees, of course) and then they will take a picture of you…

349 Masuya-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 6050826

You can enjoy an authentic tea ceremony in a beautiful 100-year-old traditional Geisha house just five minutes from Kiyomizu Temple. Instruction, demonstration, a bowl of tea and a sweet are included.

A scenic train clinging to the sides of the Hozu river gorge that runs from Arashiyama to Kameoka. Many people enjoy riding the train to Kameoka and then taking the Hozu River Cruise back to Arashiyama.

42 Myōshiji-chō, Hanazono, Ukyō-ku

The temple's American-educated vice abbot, Rev. Taka Kawakami, offers a detailed English tour of temple and leads Zen meditation lessons. The temple hosts many important artistic and cultural properties related to Zen Buddhism and also…

take bus line 206 from Kyoto station

Funaoka Onsen is one of the oldest public bath houses in Kyoto still in operation. Its classic building is an excellent example of bath house architecture of the beginning of the 20th century.

The 2-km-long path through north-eastern Kyoto, along which a philosophy professor, Kitarō Nishida, used to frequently walk. It is a surprisingly pleasant and relaxing walk even today, though you will undoubtedly share it with more…

230-1 Kamimyoukakuji-cho Nakagyo-ku

The place proclaims that an increase of food production, food self-sufficiency, and the decrease of food waste can prevent war. This cafe serves local Japanese foods as much as possible to increase food self-sufficiency and sustainability.

573-3 Minami-gawa, Gion-cho

Famous for its matcha (grean tea) parfait, this restaurant is quite popular among Japanese tourists. It is not uncommon to wait 30 minutes just to get inside.

Rokakku-dori 2 blocks east of Karasuma-doritel

If hipster izakaya didn't exist before, Apollo has invented it. Izakaya style with a clean, laid back environment consisting more of hip and arty locals instead of an older "regulars" crowd.

15-814-18 Honmashi, Higashiyama-ku

Ramen Factory Kyoto consists of the Ramen Restaurant (for eating - tabemasu) which offers different types of ramen such as Miso, Shoyu (Soy sauce), Shio (Salt) and Ramen Experience (for experience - taiken) which is the only restaurant in…

If you have a yearning for sukiyaki, and your pockets are deep, you must visit Mishima-tei at the junction of Teramachi-dori and Sanjo-dori. Here you will be bowed in and shown to your own private tatami room by your personal kimono-clad…

No night in Kyoto is complete without the requisite after hours visit to all-night Ing (a.k.a., "Box Bar," or "the office"). Proprietor Hako-san will keep bringing you the booze, and he's happy to join you for a drink when offered.

take bus 205 from the station five stops to Kawaramachi Matsubara, cross the bridge and walk up Kawabata Dori (with the river to your left), or Keihan railway to Gion Shijo and walk down

A modern apartment building in a convenient location between Gion and the center of the city, with quiet spacious (for Japan) en-suite rooms, including kitchenettes with utensils, perfect for self-catering.

4-1 Nishikujo Kasugacho, Minami-ku

Not a party hostel by any means, but has a friendly, social vibe, which seems to be encouraged by the free dinners they provide some days. The dorms are capsule-style, meaning that your bunk is enclosed in a capsule with walls on either…

a 9-min walk northwest from Kyoto Station

A friendly, clean hostel with both dorm and private rooms. There is a beautiful zen garden and traditional Japanese-living room with a small library of local travel information. Free wifi, coffee and tea and the chance to try on a kimono.

west side of Karusuma, south of Sanjo

Japanese chain of boutique hotels. A 5-minute walk from Karasuma Oike station. A quick walk towards the heart of the city where restaurants and bars are located. Rates are best on their website, versus discount travel sites.

a 15-min walk northeast from Kyoto Station, or take buses #17 or #205 from pier A2 to Kawaramachi-Shomen, the third stop

A self-proclaimed ryokan (really a minshuku) catering almost entirely to the foreign market, in an old Japanese house plastered with English signs, warnings and tips. All rooms are Japanese style.

a 3-min walk north from Marutamachi subway station K07

It's exactly where the name suggests: across the street from the Kyoto Imperial Palace and park, on Karasuma (near the intersection with Marutamachi).