Travel Guide of Kyōto in Japan by Influencers and Travelers

Kyoto, officially Kyoto City, is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in Japan. Located in the Kansai region on the island of Honshu, Kyoto forms a part of the Keihanshin metropolitan area along with Osaka and Kobe.

The Best Things to Do and Visit in Kyōto

TRAVELERS TOP 10 :

1 - Kinkaku-ji

Kinkaku-ji, officially named Rokuon-ji, is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. It is one of the most popular buildings in Japan, attracting many visitors annually.

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2 - Kiyomizu-dera

Kiyomizu-dera, formally Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera, is a Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto. The temple is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage site.

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3 - Mountain Bike Tours in Kyoto

Combine the fun and freedom of cycling with the discovery of a new city as we explore Kyoto's best known site alongside some of our own favourite secrets! Navigate the backstreets with a friendly, bilingual and experienced guide, explore local shrines and grand temples, quaint shopping arcades and riverside paths while learning about the sites you visit in a light, interesting and fun way. Cycle on high quality 'Trek' and 'Giant' hybrid bikes, sample an authentic and delicious lunch and enjoy the unique atmosphere of Japan's ancient capital.

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4 - Kyoto

Kyoto, officially Kyoto City, is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in Japan. Located in the Kansai region on the island of Honshu, Kyoto forms a part of the Keihanshin metropolitan area along with Osaka and Kobe.

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5 - Nijō Castle

Nijō Castle is a flatland castle in Kyoto, Japan. The castle consists of two concentric rings of fortifications, the Ninomaru Palace, the ruins of the Honmaru Palace, various support buildings and several gardens.

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6 - Shore Excursions in Kyoto

Temples, shrines, and tea ceremonies. The traditions of ancient Japan are still alive and well in the old capitol, Kyoto. Walking around this beautiful city can feel like you are in a time machine as its architecture has been preserved for centuries. Kiyomizu Temple towers over the historical Gion district, famous for its rich history of geisha. There is much history in this city that you don’t want to miss so book our Government Licensed and Experienced English-speaking guides for a walking tour of Kyoto! Once your reservation is made, a guide will be in touch to plan your personalized tour. Choose 3 to 4 spots that you wish to visit and your guide will plan a personalized itinerary. If you do not know where to visit, ask the guide to send you their recommended itinerary based on your interests. Whether you are a history buff, love the beauty of old Japanese architecture, or just want to enjoy a green tea parfait, Kyoto has something for you!

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7 - Yasaka Shrine

Yasaka Shrine, once called Gion Shrine, is a Shinto shrine in the Gion District of Kyoto, Japan. Situated at the east end of Shijō-dōri, the shrine includes several buildings, including gates, a main hall and a stage.

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8 - Kyoto Tower

Kyoto Tower is an observation tower located in Kyoto, Japan. The steel tower is the tallest structure in Kyoto with its observation deck at 100 metres and its spire at 131 metres.

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9 - Culinary Tour in Kyoto

-Try Kyoto's traditional, seasoned dishes at a hidden restaurant in Ponto-cho & Gion - We'll walk around the Gion where many old Kyoto-style buildings can be seen. Our local guide will provide insight into how locals enjoy their nights. We will enjoy simple, seasoned Kyoto appetizers in a traditional atmosphere! -Enjoy more Kyoto food- We'll walk to the second spot famous for its Sake where you can enjoy mouth-watering platters of the local delicacy "Tempra" and perfect food pairings with Sake, Matcha Beer and more! -Finish the tour with Kyoto's local liquor or matcha dessert- After trying many traditional dishes, we'll round things up with the tour to the Kyoto's bar or Night cafe where you can taste Kyoto's local liquor or Matcha dessert. Magical Trip is a local tour operator with the TripAdvisor certificate of excellence that offers various types of small-group tours throughout Japan! Check out our Trip Advisor Page for more tours and our reviews!

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10 - Kamo River

   9 km away

The Kamo River is located in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. The riverbanks are popular walking spots for residents and tourists. In summer, restaurants open balconies looking out to the river.

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11 - Kyoto Imperial Palace

The Kyoto Imperial Palace is the former ruling palace of the Emperor of Japan. The Emperors have since resided at the Tokyo Imperial Palace after the Meiji Restoration in 1869, and the preservation of the Kyoto Imperial Palace was ordered in 1877.

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12 - Coffee & Tea Tours in Uji

   14 km away

Join our Matcha Kyoto Green Tea Tour and discover more about Uji Town, the heart and soul of Japanese Green Tea Culture. Matcha tea is definitely an integral part of Japanese tea culture. If you love Green tea and would like to learn more about Matcha, be sure to join our 3-hour tour to the town of Uji in Kyoto, the home of Matcha. A trip to Uji will give you many chances to experience and taste Matcha and other types of green tea in a variety of beverages and foods. The green tea and matcha (powdered green tea) produced here in Uji are famous for their quality not only in Japan but all over the world. Also, while visiting Uji you can see the gorgeous and famous Byodoin temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. During our Uji tour we will sit down for a fantastic set lunch, and we will have a chance to experience making and drinking tea. If you find teas that you like, you will have time to choose, purchase and take home some delicious memories of your tour.

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13 - Ryōan-ji

Ryōan-ji is a Zen temple located in northwest Kyoto, Japan. It belongs to the Myōshin-ji school of the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism.

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14 - Heian Shrine

The Heian Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Sakyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan. The Shrine is ranked as a Beppyō Jinja by the Association of Shinto Shrines. It is listed as an important cultural property of Japan.

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15 - Kifune Shrine

   12 km away

Kifune Shrine is a Shinto shrine located at Sakyō-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture Japan.

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16 - Kurama-Dera Temple

   12 km away
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17 - Byodoin

   14 km away
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18 - Nara

   36 km away

Nara is the capital city of Nara Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 April 2019, Nara has an estimated population of 359,666, making it the largest city in Nara Prefecture and sixth-largest in the Kansai region of Honshu.

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19 - Tōdai-ji

   36 km away

Tōdai-ji is a Buddhist temple complex that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples, located in the city of Nara, Japan. Though it was originally founded in the year 738 CE, Todai-ji was not opened until the year 752 CE. Its Great Buddha Hall houses the world's largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana, known in Japanese as Daibutsu. The temple also serves as the Japanese headquarters of the Kegon school of Buddhism.

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20 - Nara Park

   37 km away

Nara Park is a public park located in the city of Nara, Japan, at the foot of Mount Wakakusa. Established in 1880 it is one of the oldest parks in Japan. Administratively, the park is under the control of Nara Prefecture.

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21 - Nara Prefecture

   37 km away
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22 - Osaka

   43 km away

Osaka is a designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and the largest component of the Keihanshin Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Japan and among the largest in the world with more than 20 million inhabitants.

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23 - Osaka Castle Park

   43 km away

Osaka Castle Park is a public urban park and historical site situated at Osaka-Jō in Chūō-ku, Osaka, Japan. It lies on the south of the Ōkawa and occupies a large area in the center of the city of Osaka. This park is the second largest park in the city.

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24 - Nipponbashi

   45 km away

Nipponbashi is a shopping district of Naniwa Ward, Osaka, Japan. The area is centered along Sakaisuji Avenue, extending from the Ebisu-chō Interchange of the Hanshin Expressway in the south, to Nansan-dōri in the north.

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