Best Things to Do in Kyoto, Japan
Serving as the capital city of Japan for over 1000 years gives Kyoto a lot of cultural relevance. Having thousands of historical monuments, Kyoto is rightly regarded as the greatest ancient city in the country.
Kyoto welcomes millions of tourists every year and ranks highly among the most popular tourist destinations in the world. For first-time tourists and returning visitors alike, there are many fun activities to engage in while in Kyoto. If you wish to have a first-hand experience of the traditional Japanese culture, Kyoto is the best place to be.
Below are the top ten things to do in Kyoto.
Visit the Kinkakuji Temple
The Kinkakuji Temple is one place you do not want to miss on your visit to Kyoto. Built in 1397, the temple is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the whole of Japan. Kinkakuji roughly translates to Golden Pavilion, and one can see the reason for the name from its appearance. Kinkakuji, a Zen temple is surrounded by trees and situated within a placid lake. The temple is covered in gold leaf giving it a golden appearance.
The temple, which its top floor glides inside and out has a bit of history as well. The temple was intended as a retirement home but ended being converted to a temple. The magnificence of the Kinkakuji temple cannot be captured in words, it is something you must experience by yourself.
Visit the Kiyomizu-Dera Temple
Another historical temple in Kyoto, the Kiyomizu-Dera temple is one you must visit on your trip to Japan. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Kiyomizu-Dera temple upon a hill overlooking a very beautiful landscape. Inside the temple, you will find many magical items both scary and fascinating.
One activity you should engage in, on your visit to the Kiyomizu-Dera temple is walking between the two stones in front of the Jishu Shrine. There is a belief that walking through these two stones will enable you to find true love, as the temple is dedicated to the god of love. So if you are looking for true love, visiting the Kiyomizu-Dera shrine should be the first thing you do in Kyoto.
Asides the Jishu Shrine, you can also access the Otowa waterfall from the Kiyomizu-Dera temple. This waterfall is divided into three different streams with each one having a different significance. One stream is for success, another is for love, and the last one for long life. It is believed that drinking from any of these streams will bring you, the goodness which it symbolizes. This temple holds a lot of mystery and historical importance and is definitely worth a visit.
Fushimi Inari Shrine
My all time favorite temple in Kyoto is Fushimi Inari. It’s famous for it’s thousands of orange torii gates, which encompass a series of trails that lead through the forests of Mount Inari. Inari is the Shino god of rice, and this shrine is one of the most important structures dedicated to him.
If you’re up for some hiking, there is a path called Senbon Torii (“thousand of torii gates”). The gates that line the trail have been donated by individuals and companies…the cost to have your own is 400,000 yen for a small and over a million for a large. OR you can hike to the summit of the mountain (which takes about 2-3 hours) - there are a few restaurants to be found along the way too in case you get hungry!
Attend A Tea Ceremony
You will be surprised how much significance a tea ceremony holds when you are in Kyoto. In fact, attending a tea ceremony was listed in Times Magazine as one of the most essential things to do in Kyoto. The reason for the significance of this ceremony is that human company is being celebrated as much as the art of tea-making.
A ceremony referred to as Chado, tea-making is a wonderful sight to behold during these ceremonies, as it involves artful processes. Chado showcases fine utensils, which are usually made locally, encourages companionship as people interact joyfully while taking tea, as well as appreciating the unique quality of Matcha tea made in Kyoto. Attending a tea ceremony right after visiting the temples is a perfect way to relax.
Climb To The Top Of The Kyoto Tower
The Kyoto Tower stands out distinctly as a modern structure in a city of temples and ancient buildings. Another reason why it stands out is that it is the tallest building in the whole city. Climbing up to the top of the Kyoto tower offers you a clear panoramic view of the city of Kyoto. From the top of the tower, you can see the length of the whole city all the way down to Osaka.
With the technological tools in place, you can be sure to have an unforgettable experience atop the Kyoto tower. There are LED touch screens and telescopes available for you to zoom in, as well as highlight the buildings and structures which you see. You also get to know the name of every building which you see. The best time to visit the Kyoto tower is at sunset, as the lighting at the period gives you a brilliant view.
Shop At The Nishiki Market
A tourist trip is not complete without a stop at the market. In Kyoto, the Nishiki Market provides you with all you need to know about the shopping lifestyle and buying habits of the locals. In the Nishiki Market, you can purchase anything you want, from food to clothing items, textiles and clothing materials, ceramics as well as traditional items.
The market is well-shaded so you can be sure to have a good time checking items without worrying about the weather. The food stalls have delicious dishes that you can check out including yakitori, pickles, fish cakes, and more. We somehow found ourselves here everyday ha!
Go out drinking & dining in Pontocho Alley
This might have been my favorite find in all of Kyoto. Pontocho Alley is a narrow lane that feels clandestine and atmospheric. It is packed with restaurants from a wide range of establishments - from inexpensive yakitori to foreign cuisine and some very expensive, exclusive spots.
Don’t forget to look up as well, as there are some cool hidden bars on the 2nd story too! Remember that per usual, Japanese bars aren’t always welcoming to foreigners, so if you get turned away - don't despair and just try another.
Visit The Kyoto International Manga Museum
For fans for Manga, enthusiasts, and curious tourists alike, the Kyoto International Manga Museum packs a lot of exciting history, artefacts, and information which will broaden your knowledge of the Manga culture. A huge part of the Japenese pop culture, Manga is appreciated worldwide by people of different demographics, both old and young with popular manga including Pokemon, Sailor Moon, and Dragonball Z. Essentially a unique style of drawing cartoons, the emergence of Manga can be dated back to the late part of the 19th century.
In the Kyoto International Manga Museum, you will learn all there is to know about manga and see the most significant pieces of manga as well. Manga really bloomed after the second World War, and in this museum, you will discover the reason for this. You can also watch artists draw manga, bringing to life this unique piece of art.
Join A Cooking Class
A big part of the Japenese culture is their food, and a great way of exploring the culture is learning how to make their dishes. In Kyoto, you can take some cooking classes in English. The options available to you when taking Japanese cooking classes include halal dishes, vegan dishes as well as vegetarian dishes. Taken by local teachers, these classes allow you to interact with foreign nationals and experience other cultures.
Dishes that you will learn how to make include Kyoto Dashimaki Tamago, Omelette Rice, Ramen, Sushi, Gyoza, Takoyaki, and Okonomiyaki. Learning how to make these dishes, which you can surprise your family with a Japenese special when you return home from your trip. For food bloggers and chefs, taking Japanese cooking classes gives your recipe the much-needed variety.
Spend Time At The Monkey Park Iwatayama
If you are a lover of animals, you should definitely spend time at the monkey park Iwatayama. With the monkeys always their usual energetic selves, you can be sure to have quite an experience. At the park, you will find the monkeys, swinging from trees, jumping from platforms, and scampering for food excitedly.
You can pick up apples and nuts on your way to the park to find the monkeys; this way you win their loyalty and you might even get a few selfies for your Instagram page. Ensure to wear fitted clothes and a comfortable pair of shoes, in order to avoid tripping while spending time with the monkeys.
Visit The Wazuka Tea Plantation
One of the best things to do on a trip to a new destination is to learn about their means of livelihood or significant produce. For Kyoto, the Matcha tea is their unique produce, as the best quality of Matcha tea in Japan is made in this city. The Wazuka Tea Plantation is the site where most of the Matcha and green tea in Kyoto are produced.
A small town, Wazuka sees a lot of visitors who want to learn about tea production. Take a trip to the Wazuka Tea Plantation, there you will be taken on a guided tour around the plantation, showed the tea picking process as well as enlightened about the culture that brought about tea ceremonies in Kyoto.
Go For The Cherry Blossoms Experience at Maruyama Park
A special activity, the perfect way to end your day in Kyoto is to view cherry blossoms at the Maruyama Park. Here, you get to see different types of cherry blossoms making for a magical experience. You can sit under the trees and relax while enjoying the lovely atmosphere.
Other things to do in Kyoto include, walking through the Gion District, visiting the Sanjusangendo temple, walking down the Philosopher's Path, visiting Yasaka Pagoda, watching a Geisha performance, and more.