Top 10 Things To Do in Kyoto Japan

Kyoto is one of those places that still pops into my mind at random moments, the kind of city you find yourself daydreaming about long after you’ve left. It honestly felt magical, like every corner had its own little secret. Out of everywhere we visited in Japan, Kyoto completely stole my heart.

From the elegant old architecture to the incredible food and the deep sense of history woven into everyday life, our time there felt nothing short of extraordinary.

So let’s jump into all the things that made Kyoto so unforgettable. Its rich traditions, its quiet charm, and the moments that made me fall completely in love with this city.

Visit the Yasaka Pagoda at Sunrise

Waking up early to see the Yasaka Pagoda at sunrise was so worth it. Watching the first light spill over the rooftops and hit the pagoda felt absolutely breathtaking. If you want that dreamy, crowd-free moment (and photos like the one above!), definitely set your alarm. People start lining up before the sun even peeks over the mountains.

The quiet of the morning, the soft glow, and that iconic view all together created a little pocket of magic I’ll never forget. Even if you’re not into photography, it’s absolutely worth walking down this street just to take in the view, it’s that stunning.

Stay at the Celestine Hotel and Visit an Onsen

Our trip to Kyoto just wouldn’t have felt complete without soaking in a traditional Japanese onsen. I made sure to find a hotel had one right on-site—which was the best way to combat jet lag—but there are tons of public onsens in and around Kyoto if yours doesn’t.

If you’ve never been to an onsen before, it might feel a little intimidating, but it’s actually super simple. You’ll start in the locker room to change, then head to the wash area to rinse off before slipping into the warm soaking pool. Onsens are meant to be peaceful, quiet spaces, so it’s all about slowing down, relaxing, and just soaking in the moment.

A quick heads-up for travelers with tattoos: many onsens don’t allow visible ink. Some places sell small cover-up stickers or bandages, but it depends on the size and placement.

If you get the chance, absolutely try one. Soaking in those soothing thermal waters melted away all our travel fatigue and left us completely recharged for more exploring around beautiful Kyoto.

We stayed at The Celestine Hotel Kyoto, and their onsen was incredible. The breakfast was amazing too, and they even delivered our bike rentals right to the hotel—such a perk. I highly recommend renting bikes in Kyoto; there’s so much to see, and walking everywhere will definitely catch up with you. We had multiple days where we clocked over 10 miles on foot, so trust me… pack your comfiest shoes!

Try Local Ramen

Even though ramen originally came from China, it’s become a staple in Japan—and for good reason. The ramen shop we picked is incredibly popular, and we ended up waiting about two hours to get in. Like many small restaurants in Japan, it only had around ten seats, which added to the charm but definitely explained the line.

The wait was absolutely worth it.
The pork-based broth was straightforward, rich, and packed with flavor. We sat at the counter and watched two older Japanese women effortlessly prepare bowl after bowl for a steady stream of customers. It was impressive to watch, and honestly, it made us even hungrier.

We shared the counter with a kind Irish couple and passed the time swapping stories about our travels through Japan. When our bowls finally arrived—steaming, simple, and incredibly satisfying—the whole experience felt well-earned.

If you’re in Kyoto and craving ramen, this spot is definitely one to check out.

Walk around the Geisha District

We stayed in the historic Gion district, which used to be home to Kyoto’s wealthiest and most influential families. It also happens to be just a short walk from the city’s famous geisha neighborhood. If you’re not familiar, geishas are highly trained Japanese entertainers skilled in conversation, music, dance, and traditional arts.

During our evening walks around the area, we were lucky enough to spot three geishas going about their day, graceful, quiet, and absolutely stunning to see in person. I was so excited.

Just a quick note: don’t mix up traditional geishas with all the tourists dressed up in rented kimonos. You’ll see a lot of those, and honestly, it’s kind of entertaining.

Explore the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

When visiting Japan, the Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama was the top priority on my list. The Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama is an enchanting bamboo forest with towering green stalks that create a tranquil and awe-inspiring atmosphere. The towering bamboo stalks slowly swayed in the wind, and the cool breeze whispered past, slightly stirring my hair, creating a peaceful and surreal atmosphere. It gave the feel of a very sacred area and the crowd that walked through the felt the same way as the conversations took place in a hushed tone so as not to disturb the peace. I highly recommend arriving early to avoid crowds; trust me, it's worth it! At the end of the walk through the forest you’re deposited at a park overlooking the Katsura river valley, with beautiful mountains rising up on wither side with random buddhist temples deposited on their green sided slopes.

Visit the Kiyomizudera Temple

The Kiyomizudera temple was a beautiful walk from our hotel. It is one of the most celebrated temples in all of Japan. Kiyomizudera Temple is a historic and spiritual temple, renowned for its architecture and location, with over 1200 years of cultural significance. The views from the top of this temple were extraordinary. Surrounded by numerous cherry and maple trees below, vibrant in color during spring and fall, as well as the distant city of Kyoto. This temple is a must when visiting Kyoto.

Try all the Street Food at Nishiki Market

Exploring the vibrant Nishiki Market and tasting a variety of street food was a feast for both our stomachs and our senses. Nishiki Market provides a vibrant and bustling experience in Kyoto, showcasing an array of stalls offering fresh seafood, local delicacies, and artisanal products. Some of our favorites included grilled squid, fatty tuna sushi, takoyaki (octopus dough balls), and tempura shrimp.

Hike the Fushimi Inari Shrine

One of the highlights of our trip was hiking to the top of the Fushimi Inari Shrine. The seemingly endless rows of vibrant torii gates created a surreal and awe-inspiring landscape. The Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, features thousands of iconic torii gates on Mount Inari. Dedicated to the god of rice and prosperity, Inari, it is a revered Shinto shrine known for prayers for business success and good fortune. This shrine is known for its striking vermilion torii gates that form winding pathways on the sacred Mount Inari. The vibrant gates create a mesmerizing tunnel-like effect, offering a mystical and picturesque setting.

Grab a Cocktail at this Kyoto Speakeasy

At The Common One Bar, a trendy cocktail bar, I savored a Matcha Tequila cocktail while Ian opted for a Japanese Old Fashioned. It was a bespoke lounge, which means there is no menu everything was made custom to your flavor profile and alcohol preference. The cocktails were as creative. Japan has a vibrant cocktail culture, with innovative creations like the the two that we tasted. Japan's whiskey gained global acclaim for its exceptional quality, meticulous craftsmanship, and unique aging techniques. The attention to detail and dedication to perfection have established Japan as a powerhouse in the whiskey world.

Drink a Coffee at Walden Woods

Before leaving Kyoto, we enjoyed the cutest coffee at Walden Woods Kyoto. The cozy atmosphere and meticulously crafted latte art made for a perfect start to our day. Japan boasts a refined coffee culture with unique drinks like Japanese iced coffee and Dalgona coffee. However, it is most famous for matcha green tea, known for its vibrant color and umami flavor. Matcha is used in traditional tea ceremonies, as well as modern beverages like matcha lattes and parfaits. You can find matcha-flavored everything. From lattes and ice cream to pound cake, muffins, cocktails, and even KitKats, I've tried it all.

Getting Around

One of the easiest ways to get around Kyoto is by renting bicycles. Kyoto is an extremely bicycle friendly city and there are many large bike parking areas. One thing to be aware of in Kyoto is that you can’t just park your bike in any old place like you do in the states. The city will have officials round up bikes parked in non-parking areas and confiscate them. You will have to go to one of these bike repositories and pay to get your bike out of lockdown. We were able to ask our hotel who helped arrange a bike rental company to come and drop bikes off at the hotel. There are a multitude of companies around Kyoto that cater to tourists.

Other options of getting around Kyoto are taxi, which can be very expensive, and public transit like bus and train. Not all taxis take credit card, so make sure that you ask them before you get in or you may be stuck having to run to an ATM or exchange at the end of your ride to pay your driver. The bus/train system in Kyoto is a more budget friendly way to get around the city, but it’s definitely not as expansive and convenient as the incredible Tokyo rail system, however, it will get you close to a lot of the places you need to go.