Kyoto Travel Guide: What to do in Kyoto, Japan

Last Updated on October 29, 2023

Japan has been on my travel bucket list for ages, and in October Nick and I finally had a chance to visit.

Our Japanese adventure lasted two and a half weeks, and our itinerary consisted of Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo. Visiting this many cities gave us a fantastic overview of Japan, and the many things that it had to offer.

The first thing I noticed about Kyoto was the pace. Everyone seemed to walk slowly and take their surroundings in. This made for a nice change, as it meant we could walk slowly and enjoy our day, without fear of getting in anyone’s way.

On our first full day in Kyoto we went to Nijo Castle, which was across the road from our hotel.

Nijo Castle had a perfectly landscaped garden within its grounds called Ninomaru Garden. The Castle itself was very small so didn’t take long to explore.

After Nijo Castle we walked 30 minutes to Nishiki Market, where a world of food awaited us. Nishiki Market was located on a narrow five block long undercover street, and sold everything from seafood, fruit, vegetables, cookware, desserts, pickled food, sushi, and much, much more.

I loved looking at the different types of food, and watching the women walking around in their kimonos, which we learnt is a very social thing to do.

Once we reached the end of the market, we walked around the surrounding Teramachi and Shinkyogoku Shopping Arcades. These arcades ran parallel to each other, and sold everything from clothes, souvenirs, food, and knick-knacks.

There was even a temple in between the shops.

Looking at all the food on offer at the market made us hungry, so we walked 10 minutes to Ponto-chō, a narrow street jam packed with restaurants. There was everything that you could want here.

We went to Platero, a Spanish restaurant, and ate a delicious Chorizo Paella.

We started our second Kyoto day at Fushimi Inari Shrine, which is best known for scenes from the movie Memoirs of a Geisha.

There are thousands of Torii Gates at this Shrine. The writing on each Torii Gate details names and donation amounts given by individuals or businesses. A small Torii Gate costs approximately ¥400,000, larger Torii Gates cost over ¥1,000,000.

We then walked 20 minutes to Tōfuku-ji Temple, which is famous for its Zen garden. Every morning the Monks from the working Monastery create the swirls in the garden, as wind damages the swirls each day.

Our last stop for the day was Gion, which is famous for Geisha spotting, but you have to be at the right place, at the right time to see one. Unfortunately Nick and I didn’t see a Geisha, but we did see a model dressed up as one, holding an umbrella and an Asahi Beer in front of a bridge, which was an advertisement being shot right in front of our eyes.

Gion was so beautiful, and it had a very traditional Japanese feel to it.

On our last day in Kyoto we visited Kinkakuji, otherwise known as the Golden Pavilion.

Kinkakuji was stunning, the top two floors are covered in gold leaf. If you’re ever in Kyoto I definitely recommend you visit.

One place we ended up going to as soon as we arrived in Kyoto, before our first full day, was Daimaru’s food hall. The only thing I can say about this place is oh my goodness!

To escape the rain Nick and I decided to check out some undercover shops, and we stumbled into this food hall, which was absolutely huge! I didn’t know where to look.

Daimaru’s food hall had everything from raw food, groceries, baked goods, wine, cheese, snacks, meat, sushi, fried food, salads – everything!

Like most places in Japan there were no chairs, so Nick and I sneakily ate our lunch outside.

Kyoto was a fantastic mix of modern and traditional. There was so much to see and eat. I really want to go back and check it out a bit more.

If you’d like to read posts on other Asian cities I’ve visited then please visit my Asia travels page. Or, if you’d like to read posts I’ve written on other places then please visit this travel page.

Do you have any Kyoto recommendations?