The TOP 11 Things to Do in Kyoto Japan + 2 Things You Can Skip (2026)

Kyoto is definitely one of my favorite cities, if not the absolute #1 spot, in all of Japan. And I’m not saying that lightly! The city is packed with some of the most incredible sightseeing and unique experiences you can find in the country.

Because Kyoto is so historically and culturally rich, many of the “must-see” attractions are temples and shrines. I’m a bit of a nerd for Japanese architecture, so I was more than happy to get into that side of the city.

But let’s be real: as much as I appreciate the history, I didn’t want my entire four-day trip to turn into “temple overload.” There are only so many temples and shrines I can visit before I am getting a little bored to be honest.

That’s why I’ve put together this specific list of the best things to do in Kyoto, Japan. This isn’t just a massive list of every single tourist trap in the city; it’s more of a curated selection of my personal favorite activities.

These are the spots I found genuinely worth the time and effort. I’ve only included the shrines and temples that I actually thought were amazing, because otherwise, this guide would be 100 items long!

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The TOP 11 Things to Do in Kyoto Japan + 2 Things You Can Skip (2026)

Things to Do in Kyoto Japan – My Experience

I spent a full four days in Kyoto, and being the travel blogger that I am, I had already done quite a bit of research on what there is to do in Kyoto. I knew before I even landed that Kyoto has an overwhelming number of temples, shrines, and castles. While I definitely wanted to see the best of the best, I also knew I didn’t want my trip to be “shrine hopping” from sunrise to sunset.

That’s just me, though, if you’re a history buff who could spend a week just in the temples, you’ll be in heaven!

But for my trip, I decided to mix things up. I spent about half my time on fun, interactive activities and unique experiences, and the other half on the more typical sightseeing. In the end, I was really happy with that mix of things.

One thing I really feel like I need to say though, and remember, this is just my personal take, is that while the big, famous temples are amazing, they aren’t the only things worth seeing. I’d never call them overrated because they truly are spectacular, but in many cases, I actually preferred the smaller, lesser-known spots.

Some of the quieter temples were genuinely so beautiful and peaceful, which is exactly the vibe I was looking for. You don’t have to visit every single “top-rated” spot to have a “real” Kyoto experience!

For example, Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavilion) and Jojakko-ji Temple ended up being my two absolute favorites. Neither are exactly “hidden gems,” but the experience I had there was so much more intimate and enjoyable compared to places like Fushimi Inari Taisha, which, let’s be honest, was pretty crowded.

At the end of the day, you just have to pick and choose the activities that actually interest you. That’s the approach I took, and I have zero regrets. I don’t feel like I missed out on anything just because I didn’t check every single box on the typical tourist list!

1. Fushimi Inari Taisha ( Fushimi Inari Shrine)

Fushimi Inari Taisha is easily one of the most iconic things to do in Kyoto. Even if you get confused by all the Japanese temple names (don’t worry, I do too!), you’ll recognize this one immediately since it’s the shrine with the thousands of red torii gates.

When I visited, my plan was to avoid the massive crowds so I could take some cool pictures. I figured if I showed up around 4:00 PM, surely all the tour buses and midday crowds would have cleared out. Well, I was wrong! It was still incredibly busy.

If you find yourself in the same boat, my biggest tip is to keep walking. I hiked all the way to the very top, and it definitely got quieter the further up I went. I actually managed to catch some beautiful sunset views from the top of the shrine, which made the hike up definitely worth it!

If you really want a peaceful, crowd-free experience, your only real chance is to get there for sunrise. I’d also suggest that if you want to learn the history behind the gates, you should definitely book a guide.

Book Here: Walking Tour Kyoto With Temples & Shrines

2. Join a Tea Ceremony + Kimono

I’ll be honest with you guys: I almost didn’t do this! One of my friends booked a tea ceremony for our group, and while I agreed to go, I was genuinely skeptical. I was worried it was going to be one of those cringy, cheesy “dress-up” things that feels super touristy and fake.

Well, I ended up absolutely loving it. For this activity we met in downtown Kyoto at this incredibly cute, traditional tea house. I was the first one to get dressed, and the ladies helping us were so lovely. The kimonos didn’t feel like “costumes” at all, they felt like high-quality, authentic traditional garments, and there were so many beautiful patterns to choose from. The whole dressing-up process felt much more respectful and special than I expected.

The tea ceremony itself was just as amazing. Our tea master was a total professional; we learned how to prepare matcha the traditional way and went through the entire ceremony step-by-step.

Afterward, we had some time to take photos in the tea house’s private garden, which was the perfect finishing touch. This ended up being one of my absolute favorite experiences in Kyoto, which I didn’t expect at all!

If you’re looking for unique things to do in Kyoto, don’t let the “tourist” label scare you off, this one is 100% worth it.

Book Here: Tea Ceremony + Kimono Dress Up

3. Kiyomizu Dera Temple

Kiyomizu-dera is one of the most popular Buddhist temples in Kyoto and, honestly, one of the prettiest. I came here right after I visited the Yasaka Pagoda since they’re right next to each other and I definitely recommend always combining those two!

Because I went really early in the morning, I was actually able to ditch the crowds and had an amazing, peaceful experience here.

The temple is well over 1,000 years old (built in 778 AD!), which makes wandering around feel so much cooler. It’s built on a hillside with this huge wooden terrace that gives you amazing views over Kyoto. I really took my time wandering the grounds because they are just beautiful.

I actually visited in November specifically hoping for that famous fall foliage, but I got a little unlucky! I was just a tiny bit too early in the year and only saw hints of the autumn colors.

4. Watch a Geisha Show in Gion

This is probably one of the biggest regrets I have from my time in Kyoto, I never actually made it to a Geisha (Maiko) show. To be honest, I don’t even know why I missed it! I feel like it just wasn’t on my radar at the time.

I did take plenty of time to explore Gion, which is the Geisha district, and I even saw a few Geishas walking around, so I guess that’s close enough for me for now!

However, what I do recommend for you is to explore Gion but also make sure to book a Geisha show. It’s supposed to be such a cool and unique experience that you can only really have in Kyoto. They’re often held in the traditional tea houses or at the Gion Theatre. It’s definitely the one thing I wish I would’ve done!

Book Here: Geisha Show in Kyoto

5. Yasaka Pagoda (Hokan-ji Temple)

Yasaka Pagoda is one of the most beautiful pagodas I’ve ever visited. It’s located in a super cute area of Kyoto that feels very traditional, with cobblestone streets and old wooden buildings. I really took my time exploring the whole neighborhood because the vibe is just so cool.

I showed up here super early, I think it was around 7 AM, because I really wanted a great photo without a thousand people in the background. It actually worked!

Other than being a perfect photo spot, it’s just a fun area to walk around. I would definitely suggest combining this with Kiyomizu-dera to make the most out of your morning since they’re so close to each other.

6. Day Trip to Nara

One of my personal highlights from the whole trip was definitely the day trip to Nara. I made the effort to go by myself using public transport, which was surprisingly easy since there’s an express train that goes straight there. You can also totally book a tour if you want to make things even easier on yourself!

Even though it rained the whole day while I was in Nara (you’ll see me holding an umbrella in basically every single one of my pictures), it was still so worth it. Nara is a small town near Kyoto with a huge park right in the city center that is full of deer. They are everywhere! Needless to say, I spent ages feeding them, taking pictures, and just exploring.

The park has loads of temples inside it, and it was just so pretty and a nice break from the main city. I also highly recommend checking out the Great Buddha Hall (Todai-ji). As you can probably guess, that was my highlight, the Buddha statue inside is massive and honestly breathtaking!

Book Here: Day Trip to Nara from Kyoto

7. Street Food at Nishiki Market

I absolutely love a good food market, and Nishiki Market was definitely my favorite out of all the markets I visited across Japan. Yes, I liked it even better than the ones in Tokyo! I spent so much time at Nishiki because I just loved the vibe.

The market is basically one long indoor alleyway packed with street food stalls and mini-restaurants on both sides.

I literally spent hours walking up and down, stopping for beers and trying all sorts of different bites. I had Kobe beef (which was amazing!), I had some of the biggest fresh oysters ever, dumplings, shrimp tempura, sashimi, and so many other little snacks. It was definitely one of the best nights and funnest food experiences I had in the city.

8. Ginkaku-ji

Ginkaku-ji, also known as the Silver Pavilion, is another one of my favorite temples in Kyoto. Funny enough, I actually stayed right next to it in a traditional Japanese ryokan, which was such a fun experience in itself!

Ginkaku-ji made my favorites list because it is incredibly beautiful and peaceful. The gardens are easily some of the most stunning I’ve ever seen at a temple. Plus, when I was there, it wasn’t busy at all!

I know I can’t really complain about tourist crowds since I’m a tourist myself, but let’s be real, the crowd level can definitely affect the experience, especially at a Zen temple like this. However I got super lucky, since I went early in the morning and it was pretty quiet.

9. Walk the Philosopher’s Path (Best during Cherry Blossoms)

The Philosopher’s Path is located right next to the Silver Pavilion and since that’s exactly where I stayed, I actually got to walk it quite a bit! Looking back, it was a pretty cool spot to have right on my doorstep. In case you don’t know what it is, it’s a peaceful walkway that follows a little stream through the outskirts of Kyoto.

It’s a lovely spot for a walk, but I have to be honest: I was there in November, and it wasn’t that special at that time of year.

However, if you are lucky enough to be there during cherry blossom season, it’s supposed to be gorgeous since the entire path is lined with cheery trees that turn pink. Because of that, this is something I would probably only recommend prioritizing if you’re visiting during the blossoms!

10. Jojakko-ji Temple + Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple (Best Alternative to Bamboo Forest)

I’m just going to say it: I’m not a big fan of the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. I went there, and it was honestly one of the most underwhelming experiences in Kyoto. It’s just so crowded that it’s hard to enjoy.

However, because I went there, I ended up wandering and exploring a bit further out, which led me to discover two amazing spots: Jojakko-ji Temple and Adashino Nenbutsu-ji.

Both of them were way less touristy, super stunning, and peaceful. The best part is that Adashino Nenbutsu-ji actually has its own mini bamboo forest! It’s the perfect place to get that iconic “Kyoto bamboo” picture without the insane crowds of the main grove.

11. Dinner at Gyoza Taizou

Usually, I wouldn’t include a dinner spot on a “things to do” list, but this was one of my best experiences in the whole of Japan, so I figured it deserved a spot!

Gyoza Taizou is the tiniest restaurant I’ve ever been to. It’s super authentic, local, and delicious. They literally only serve gyoza and drinks, that’s it, but it was so much fun.

The way it works is they cook in batches of 10 people. 10 people go in, everyone else waits, and once they’re done, the next 10 go in. I got lucky and made it for the very last seating of the night. Because the restaurant is so tiny, everyone naturally starts chatting. I ended up with a hilarious group of random Australians, English, and Americans, it was such a unique and fun dinner experience!

What I Would Skip in Kyoto Japan

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest ( Arashiyama Bamboo Grove)

I’m just going to be honest: I wasn’t a big fan of the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest at all. I don’t want to sound negative, but at the end of the day, it’s just a path through some bamboo. While that sounds beautiful in theory, the reality is that there are tons and tons of people everywhere. It was so crowded that it just wasn’t an amazing experience for me.

On top of that, it’s quite a journey to get there from downtown Kyoto, so I personally didn’t think it was worth the effort just for the forest itself.

However, I will say that the temples nearby (like the ones I mentioned earlier!) were amazing. If you’re going for the temples, go for it, but don’t make the journey just for the bamboo!

Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji)

After seeing so many incredible temples in Kyoto, I didn’t feel like the Golden Pavilion was necessarily worth the visit. Don’t get me wrong, it’s pretty, but compared to the other experiences I had, it fell a bit flat.

My biggest issue was that you can only see the pavilion from a platform across the lake, you’re basically just looking at it from a distance.

For me, it just didn’t feel like a very immersive or special experience. Since it’s also a bit of a trek out of downtown Kyoto, I’d say your time is better spent exploring the more “hands-on” temples where you can actually wander the grounds and enjoy in the history.

FAQs About The Best Attractions in Kyoto

What are the best activities in Kyoto for kids?

I’ll be honest, I don’t think Kyoto is necessarily the best city specifically for “kid-focused” activities just because it’s so heavy on temples and shrines.

However, a day trip to Nara to feed the deer or a day trip to Universal Studios in Osaka (which is super close!) would definitely be worth it and a huge hit with the kids.

What are the best non-touristy attractions in Kyoto?

I think some of the best temples I visited were the ones that aren’t on every single “top 10” list. My absolute favorite out of those was Jojakko-ji in the Arashiyama area. It’s close to the famous bamboo forest but feels worlds apart because it’s so much more peaceful and less crowded.

Are there free things to do in Kyoto?

Actually, yes! Loads of the shrines are free to visit, which is great if you’re watching your budget. I literally spent days in Kyoto without spending much money at all because I could just wander through these incredible historic shrines for free.

What are the best places to see in Kyoto for first timers?

There are so many amazing things to see, but from my own experience, I’d say Gion (the Geisha district) is a total must. Also, Fushimi Inari Taisha with the thousands of orange gates is just so iconic that you have to see it at least once.

Final Thoughts on What to Do in Kyoto Japan Travel Guide

To wrap this up, Kyoto has so many amazing things to do that, for most people (myself included!), it really just comes down to picking and choosing. I don’t think most travelers will try to see every single sight and attraction, there are just too many!

However, based on my time in the city, I think this list sums up the highlights perfectly. If you manage to tick off the things on this list, I think you’ll be pretty satisfied with your Kyoto experience.

My only personal regret is that I didn’t make it to a Geisha or Maiko show in Gion. I think that would’ve been a really cool and unique things to do in Kyoto, but other than that, I’m super happy with how my trip turned out!

I hope this list of the best things to do in Kyoto helps you plan your own incredible adventure.