Things to do in ... Kyoto

1. General Information (same across all places)

Let's face it: There are literally thousands of bars, restaurants, sights, and fun things to do in every single place in Japan. That's why we decided not to simply list out the top sights or places (you can find all of these in travel guides, or sites like Tripadvisor or Google) in a very long list. Our list would never do Japan and its intriguing places justice anyway.

That's why we instead compiled a Google list per city of selected places that we've personally been to or that we like to go to when we're in Japan. Keep in mind that we have by no means seen everything there is to see in all of the places :) So just because a certain place is not included on our list doesn't mean it's not worth visiting!

Every location on the list will include a key word in all-caps first to denote the "category" of the location. The list will include the following categories:

TRAVEL = Key stations or travel hubs to know

FOOD = Restaurants or smaller bites

BAR = Bars we like and can recommend

SNACK = Japanese sweet or savoury snacks to try out

SHOPPING = Major shopping places, e.g. malls, Shotengai, special interest stores, etc.

SIGHT = Sights that we recommend to visit

Most of the times, we also included a short description of what this place is after the category.

2. List for Kyoto

You can access the Google List for Kyoto here:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ee5UEC5JmhzxsRFP9

Due to the fact that we've previously provided some friends specific travel advice on Kyoto, we also have some more detailed descriptions on the places we like to visit and see:

What are the first things that come to your mind when you think about Japan? Cherry blossom, women dressed in Kimonos, ancient beautiful streets with old Japanese architecture lurking around every corner, beautiful red Torii gates and temples, or tranquil bamboo forests? 

Well, in Kyoto you will get all of that and then some. There's a reason why Kyoto was the main seat of power of the Japanese emperor.

There are so many things to see in Kyoto that, giving its size, it will be a challenge to visit all major sights in just one single day. Here's a view of the map with our top 3 picks in Kyoto:

We've been to those sights multiple times and like them a lot - but doing all of them in just one day is not necessarily recommended. If you only have one day in Kyoto and don't want to hurry the entire day from early in the morning until late in the evening, make sure to definitely check out the Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu Temple. Particularly the Bamboo forest requires time, since you can only enjoy its natural beauty and peaceful environment if you are entirely unhurried.

A. Kiyomizu Temple - check out the tour here on Google if you like

You can enjoy the beautiful Kiyomizu temple grounds (1) and walk from there through the old narrow roads with inspiring traditional Japanese houses in Sanneizaka (2) and Neineizaka (3). Via the Kodai temple (4), you can walk to the Yasaka shrine (5) and finally explore one of Kyoto's most famous entertainment areas, the Gion (6). The Gion is a very traditional district full of traditional Japanese leisure and entertainment, from restaurants, bars and Izakayas, to Geishas and Maikos roaming the street. 

B. Fushimi Inari Temple

This is one of Tim's favourite spots: A beautiful old temple with 1.000 Torii gates to walk through. Serene place that oozes "Japan feeling" like no other.

C. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

A tranquil bamboo forest (1) in a very historic and scenic district. The Tenryu temple next to it (2) is stunningly beautiful in Autumn with blood-red leaves, and of course during Spring in Sakura season. It's a lot of fun to explore the surrounding areas on foot and explore small alleys. You can view beautiful old buildings from the Togetsu bridge (3) leading over river Katsura.