Is Kyoto Worth Visiting? My Honest Review 2026

After spending a full month exploring Japan, I’m just going to come out and say it: Kyoto is hands down my favorite city in the country. And yes, that means I officially prefer it over Tokyo (which I know is a big call, but hear me out).

I am a total sucker for Japanese culture including the history, the architecture, and an amazing ancient aesthetic and Kyoto is basically all of those things. 

But it’s not even just about the traditional charm. The food here is incredible (honestly, some of the best I had in Japan), and I deeply appreciated how much calmer and more relaxed the vibe is. Tokyo is an icon, obviously, but it can be a total sensory overload sometimes. Kyoto is where you go to actually hear yourself think while you eat some of the best food of your life.

I know I’ve already spoiled the answer to is Kyoto worth visiting by telling you how much I love it, but I wanted to put this guide together to give you a realistic idea of what the city is actually about. 

I want you to know exactly what to expect from the things I loved, the few things I didn’t, and my personal favorite experiences,so you can figure out for yourself if it’s worth your precious travel days.

Is Kyoto Worth Visiting? My Quick Answer

If you’re just looking for the short answer and don’t feel like reading the whole article, then yes, Kyoto is 100% worth visiting. Honestly, if there’s one place you should see in Japan, I’d say it’s Kyoto.

I spent four full days in Kyoto and even that didn’t feel like enough. I completely fell in love with the city. Every morning I woke up genuinely excited to start the day, knowing I’d be wandering through more shrines and temples, discovering quiet neighborhoods, and eating my way through yet another amazing Japanese restaurant.

What really makes Kyoto special for me is the traditional side of the city. I’ve become slightly obsessed with Japanese architecture, and some of the shrines and temples here are just on another level. 

They feel so peaceful and beautiful that I honestly find myself standing there a bit speechless. Two places that really stuck with me were Ginkaku-ji and Jōjakkō-ji. They’re not nearly as touristy as some of the big-name spots, and the calm, almost meditative vibe made them some of my favorite places in Kyoto.

And even though Kyoto has a bit of a reputation for being quiet or sleepy, I actually had some of my best nights here too. One of my favorite evenings was at a tiny dumpling spot called Gyoza Taizo, where I ended up making loads of friends and staying way longer than planned. So while Kyoto is incredibly traditional and calm during the day, it definitely knows how to be fun at night as well.

What I Love About Kyoto Japan

Temples & Shrines

I absolutely loved visiting temples and shrines in Kyoto. Quick FYI in case you’ve ever wondered: temples are Buddhist (usually with Buddhas inside), while shrines are Shinto, Japan’s indigenous religion.

A lot of them are honestly some of the most peaceful and beautiful places I’ve ever seen. Yes, I loved popular spots like Kiyomizu-dera too, but I way preferred the quieter, less touristy ones. Ginkaku-ji and Jōjakkō-ji were two absolute favorites for me.

The Calmer Vibe in Kyoto

Outside of the main city center, Kyoto just felt so calm. And I really noticed that after being in Tokyo. In places like Shibuya or Shinjuku, I sometimes felt genuinely stressed just walking around or squeezing onto the subway.

In Kyoto, I could go for relaxed walks along the river right in the city center, or wander through the Geisha district without feeling like I was being pushed along by a crowd. It felt slower, more peaceful, and way easier to just enjoy being there.

Walkability in Kyoto

Oh my god, this might actually be one of my favorite things about Kyoto.

If you’ve read any of my other guides, you already know I love exploring cities on foot. That’s not always realistic in Japan because some cities are just huge. But Kyoto is different. I walked almost everywhere here, and I loved it. Walking between temples, cafés, neighborhoods, and little side streets was honestly one of the best parts of my trip.

Food in Kyoto

I’m not going to lie, I had amazing food pretty much everywhere in Japan. I didn’t waste a single meal. That doesn’t mean I had reservations every night, but I did make sure to quickly look up good spots before heading out.

Kyoto, though, really had some amazing food. Nishiki Market ended up being my favorite market in Japan, and I ate my way through it more than once. I also went to a place called Kaneko, where I had the most incredible Wagyu beef I’ve ever tried. Easily one of my best meals of the whole trip.

Sightseeing in Kyoto

From my own experience, cities like Tokyo and Osaka are as much about wandering neighborhoods as they are about ticking off sights. Kyoto felt very different.

Kyoto is much more about actual sightseeing, and I loved that. Visiting places like the bamboo forest, Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of orange torii gates, and the Yasaka Pagoda made my days really easy to plan.

What I Don’t Like About Kyoto Japan

Some Places get Very Busy

I know complaining about crowds as a tourist is a bit ironic, but some spots in Kyoto are genuinely packed. Fushimi Inari was the biggest one for me, it was beautiful, but busy pretty much all day.

For places like the Yasaka Pagoda, we had to get there around 7am just to get a decent photo without crowds. I’m fine with early mornings, but let’s be honest, it’s not exactly ideal.

The Bamboo Forest

I don’t want to be a total downer, but I found the Bamboo Forest itself a little underwhelming. It’s essentially a walkway lined with bamboo and a lot of people. Maybe my expectations were just off, but it didn’t quite live up to the hype for me.

That said, being in Arashiyama wasn’t a waste at all. I stumbled across places like Jōjakkō-ji and Nembutsu-ji, which ended up being some of my favorite temples in Kyoto. So overall, still a win.

The Best Things to Do in Kyoto

1. Visit Kiyomizu-dera

Kiyomizu-dera was easily one of the biggest and most beautiful temples I went to during my time in Japan. I visited right at the start of fall, and while I was a little early for the full “explosion” of autumn colors, seeing those first hints of red and gold peaking through was still stunning.

Even if you aren’t there for the peak foliage, the scale of this place is incredible. I definitely spent at least a couple of hours just exploring and wandering around. However, I do recommend coming early because it can get pretty busy since it’s one of the top sights in Kyoto.

Book Here: Fully Guided Tour Around Kyoto

2. Walk the Geisha District (Gion)

Gion is such a cool, slightly mysterious part of Kyoto. I spent an evening wandering through the district at night and I actually spotted a few real Geishas, which I was super excited about.

That said, I’m still so gutted that I kind of “slept on” Gion while I was there. I walked the streets and loved all the history and charm of the area, but I didn’t actually visit any tea houses or performances, which is such a shame. Next time I’m in Kyoto, I’m definitely making it a priority to do it properly and visit a Geisha show.

3. Go to the Bamboo Forest ( Arashiyama bamboo Grove)

I know I said earlier that the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is overrated and yes, I still stand by that. At the end of the day, it’s just a very crowded walkway lined with bamboo. However, going there wasn’t a total loss because I used it as a starting point to find Jōjakkō-ji and Nembutsu-ji.

Jōjakkō-ji, in particular, was just a stunning, super quiet temple that felt way more “off the beaten path.” Nembutsu, on the other hand, has its own small bamboo forest, but without the shoulder-to-shoulder tourists you find at the main spot.

4. Take a Day Trip to Nara

One of my favorite things I did during my whole month in Japan was taking a day trip to Nara. I just hopped on the train and winged it on my own, which worked out perfectly, but you can definitely book a guided tour if you’d rather have someone else handle the logistics.

In case you haven’t seen it all over social media, Nara is a small town near both Osaka and Kyoto that is famous for its wild deer and I absolutely loved it. 

I spent ages feeding them and trying to get a decent photo which, as you can see, was not as successful as I wanted it to be. Beyond the deer, the parks and temples are beautiful and everything is within walking distance once you arrive at Nara main station. I especially recommend it if you want a break from the big cities since it’s way more calm and quiet.

Book Here: Day Trip to Nara

Where to Stay in Kyoto Japan

When it comes to picking a base in Kyoto, I have a pretty straightforward opinion: stay in Downtown Kyoto, also known as Kawaramachi.

I personally split my time: I spent two nights in the heart of Kawaramachi and then another two nights in a traditional Ryokan (a traditional Japanese guesthouse) near the Philosopher’s Path, which is a bit further out.

Now, don’t get me wrong, staying in a quiet, traditional house was beautiful and the calm vibe was a total dream. But from a “can I actually get anywhere?” point of view, it was a bit of a nightmare. 

I ended up spending a small fortune on Ubers because the public transport in that area just wasn’t doing it for me.

That’s why, unless you have all the time in the world, I’d recommend the downtown area. Being in Kawaramachi meant I could just walk to loads of shrines, plenty of restaurants, bars, and even the Gion district.

However! If you aren’t in a rush and want that authentic experience, I did really love the Ryokan stay. Just go into it knowing you’ll be a bit more isolated.

Here are a few of my favorite spots in Kyoto that won’t require a private chauffeur to get home:

Book Here: Good Nature Hotel Kyoto

Book Here: Kyoto Century Hotel

Book Here: Mimaro Kyoto

FAQs About Is Kyoto Worth Visiting

Is Kyoto expensive?

Honestly, I can only give you my personal take here, but I found that accommodation in Kyoto was actually a little cheaper than in Tokyo. A huge plus is that a lot of the best activities and shrines are free, which definitely helps the bank account. However, at the end of the day, we’re still in Japan, so it’s definitely on the more expensive side of things compared to other parts of Asia.

When is the best time to visit Kyoto?

Cherry blossom season is the one you see all over Instagram, and while I’m sure it’s stunning, it’s also notoriously crowded. I visited in November, and even though I had a few rainy days, I loved how much quieter it was. Not being constantly elbowed while trying to look at a temple made the whole experience much more enjoyable for me.

What to do in Kyoto with my family?

Kyoto is definitely a more cultural and traditional city, which means a lot of temple-hopping. I know that for some kids, looking at the tenth shrine of the day might not be their idea of “exciting.” That said, I’ve heard the Kyoto Railway Museum is a massive hit for families and actually super fun for kids (and probably stressed-out parents too).

Is Japan worth visiting?

100%. Honestly, at the beginning of the year, I hadn’t even planned on going to Japan. It was a total spontaneous “let’s just go” decision, and I am so happy I did it. Japan ended up being my favorite country I visited all year and easily made it into my top countries of all time.

Final Thoughts on Is Kyoto Worth it

I’m going to wrap this up quickly, but the answer is a resounding yes: Kyoto is absolutely worth visiting. I loved, loved, loved how cultural, traditional, and charming this city was. I could (and did) spend entire days just hopping from one shrine to another because they really are that beautiful. I’ve included plenty of photos so you can see I’m not exaggerating!

Beyond the temples, I really appreciated how much quieter Kyoto felt compared to the organized chaos of Osaka and Tokyo. There’s nothing like a long walk by the river or down the Philosopher’s Path to actually make you feel like you’re on vacation.

I hope my little guide on is Kyoto worth visiting gives you a good idea of what to expect and, hopefully, convinces you to visit Kyoto.

Check Out My Other Kyoto Guides

Is Kyoto worth visiting: My Honest Review

2 Day Kyoto Itinerary: How I spent 48 Hours in Kyoto

How Many Days in Kyoto: A Realistic Guide for First Timers

Best Time to Visit Kyoto: My Seasonal Guide to Kyoto

Check Out My Other Japan Travel Guides

Japan Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Japan

Best eSIM for Japan: My Honest Comparison

Is Japan Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

Is Japan Expensive to Visit? Japan Budget Guide

7 Days in Japan Itinerary: How I Spent 1 Week in Japan