Japan
Kyoto
Plan three days: Higashiyama temples, Arashiyama at dawn, and Fushimi Inari before the crowds. We have mapped 4 sights, 2 outdoor spots and 2 places to eat here, each with a reason to go.
- Places
- 10
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- Mar – May
- Warmest month
- August
- Coolest month
- January
- Wettest month
- July
4 See · 2 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 2 Drink
Japan Golden Route
from our route notes
31°C / 87°F avg high
7°C / 44°F avg high
about 210 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Kyoto
10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
The landmarks we would not skip in Kyoto across Fushimi, Higashiyama and Gion. 2 of them are free.
Photo: Basile Morin · CC BY-SA 4.0SeeFushimi Inari Taisha
Thousands of vermilion torii gates climbing Mount Inari behind the main shrine.
Tip Start by 7am; crowds thin past the Yotsutsuji viewpoint.
Photo: Jordy Meow · CC BY-SA 3.0SeeKiyomizu-dera
Hillside temple with a wooden stage over the trees and views across the city.
Tip Walk down via Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka lanes.
Photo: Wei Wei · GoogleSeeHanamikoji Street
Gion's main lane of wooden teahouses where geiko and maiko are sometimes seen at dusk.
Tip Photos are banned on private side alleys; be respectful.
Photo: Nacaru · CC BY-SA 4.0
Outdoors
Trails, views and open space in and around Kyoto. All 2 are free to visit.
Photo: Yoneda Kiyotaka · Google
Photo: Miquel Lapuente Marquès · GoogleOutdoorsArashiyama Bamboo Grove
Path through towering bamboo stalks in western Kyoto's Sagano district.
Tip Arrive by 7:30am; pair with Tenryu-ji garden next door.
Eat
2 places to eat across Downtown and Ginkaku-ji, picked for groups who care about the food.
Photo: matsuyuki · CC BY-SA 2.0EatNishiki Market
Covered five-block food market for pickles, tamagoyaki, tofu and knives.
Tip Go before noon; eating while walking is discouraged.
Photo: 1 ace · GoogleEatOmen Ginkakuji
Long-running udon restaurant serving thick noodles with seasonal vegetables to add yourself.
Drink
2 bars & cafés across Fushimi and Downtown for coffee, a round or a nightcap.
Photo: hunkil choo · GoogleDrinkGekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
Sake brewer's museum in Fushimi's old brewing district, with a tasting at the end.
Photo: Agi B · GoogleDrinkPontocho Alley
Narrow lantern-lit lane of restaurants and bars along the Kamo River.
Tip Summer riverside platforms (kawayuka) open May–Sep.
How to fit Kyoto into a trip
Kyoto is stop 2 of 3 on our Japan Golden Route. Follow it as-is or lift Kyoto into your own plan.
Stop 2 of 3
Japan Golden Route
Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka classics
- Trip length
- 9 days
- Best season
- Mar – May
- Pace
- easy
Getting here and onward
- Kyoto to OsakaOsaka is about 43 km / 27 mi away in a straight line
- Tokyo to KyotoTokyo is about 360 km / 224 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Kyoto month by month
Average daily highs run from 7°C / 44°F in January to 31°C / 87°F in August. July is the wettest month, with about 210 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan7° / 44°F average high
- Feb8° / 47°F average high
- Mar12° / 54°F average high, in our recommended season
- Apr18° / 65°F average high, in our recommended season
- May23° / 73°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jun26° / 79°F average high
- Jul30° / 86°F average high
- Aug31° / 87°F average high
- Sep27° / 81°F average high
- Oct22° / 71°F average high
- Nov16° / 60°F average high
- Dec10° / 49°F average high
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Kyoto weather and the best time to visit →
Near Kyoto
2 other destinations from our guides within about 400 km (249 mi), measured in a straight line.
Kyoto questions, answered
How many days do you need in Kyoto?
Our route notes suggest 3 days in Kyoto. On our Japan Golden Route it is stop 2 of 3 in a 9-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 12 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Kyoto best known for?
Plan three days: Higashiyama temples, Arashiyama at dawn, and Fushimi Inari before the crowds. Standouts on our list: Fushimi Inari Taisha (Thousands of vermilion torii gates climbing Mount Inari behind the main shrine); Kiyomizu-dera (Hillside temple with a wooden stage over the trees and views across the city); Hanamikoji Street (Gion's main lane of wooden teahouses where geiko and maiko are sometimes seen at dusk).
When is the best time to visit Kyoto?
Our Japan Golden Route is best Mar – May. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in August (31°C / 87°F), the coolest in January (7°C / 44°F) and the most rain in July (about 210 mm).
What are the best things to do in Kyoto?
Start with Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera, Hanamikoji Street, Kinkaku-ji and Philosopher's Path. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 4 sights, 2 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat and 2 bars & cafés.
Where should a group eat in Kyoto?
Our picks: Nishiki Market (Downtown); Omen Ginkakuji (Ginkaku-ji). Go before noon; eating while walking is discouraged (Nishiki Market).
What is near Kyoto?
The closest destinations in our guides are Osaka (about 43 km / 27 mi) and Tokyo (about 360 km / 224 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan Kyoto with your crew
Open the Japan Golden Route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.
Plan around Kyoto
- Japan travel hub
- Best Restaurants in Japan 13 places
- Best Bars & Cafés in Japan 7 places
- Top Things to Do in Japan 26 places
- Best Outdoor Spots in Japan 10 places
- Kyoto weather by month
More in Japan
- Otaru 10 places
- Sapporo 9 places
- Furano and Biei 9 places