Top 10 Things To Do in Kyoto Japan

Kyoto is such a magical city. It was, by far, our favorite place we visited in Japan. From the architecture to the food and the history, our visit there was truly incredible. Let's dive into what made our time in Kyoto so unforgettable. Kyoto's blend of history, tradition, and modernity left an indelible mark on us. It's a city that seamlessly fuses the ancient with the contemporary, creating a unique and captivating experience.

Visit the Yasaka Pagoda at Sunrise

Waking up to see the Yasaka Pagoda at sunrise was a breathtaking experience. In order to make the most of this site, I highly recommend getting up as early as possible as a line to capture photos like the one pictured above starts even before the sun starts peaking up over the surrounding mountains. The tranquility of the early morning, combined with the majestic view was truly magical.

Stay at the Celestine Hotel and Visit an Onsen

Our stay in Kyoto wouldn't have been complete without experiencing a traditional Japanese Onsen. We got very lucky/planned for having an onsen at our hotel. However, there are plenty of public onsens in Kyoto and the surrounding area. It may seem a bit daunting to the uninitiated, but it really isn’t all that difficult. They usually have a locker room where you will go to change, then there is an area right before you go into the water to show and rinse off any sort of dirt before dipping into the soakin pool. Onsens are usually an area of quiet introspection so be aware that this is a time for silence. Another thing to note for our inked up travelers, onsens typically do not allow users to display tattoos. Some onsens and local shops will sell cover up bangages/stickers to cover the tattoos if they are small enough. We hope that you get to experience one of these quintessential Japanese wonders, because the soothing thermal waters washed away all our travel fatigue and left us ready to push onward in our exploration of the beautiful city of Kyoto. We stayed at The Celestine Hotel Kyoto they had an amazing onsen, breakfast and bike rentals delivered to our place.

Try Local Ramen

Although ramen originated in China, it is extremely popular in Japan. The ramen shop we decided to visit is extremely popular and had a wait of approximately 2 hours! Like many of the restaurants we encountered in Japan, the seating was extremely limited and only has 10 seats! Let me tell you that it was absolutely worth the wait! The delicious and savory pork based broth was no frills, but big on taste! We sat at the counter and watched two older Japanese women whip out ramen bowl after ramen bowl to a constant line of eager customers. As we sat at the counter and watched the two of them preparing the ramen our mouths were watering. Luckily we were seated next to a kind Irish couple who we passed the short period of time with talks of travel throughout Japan. The anticipation only made the piping hot bowl of delicious noodles taste even better when it came out! We highly recommend this noodle shop to all of you readers!

Walk around the Geisha District

We booked our hotel in the historic Gion district. In the past this was the district of the rich and influential of Kyoto which made it walking distance to the Geisha district. For those who don’t know, a Geisha is a name for a Japanese woman who gets hired to entertain clients. Typically a geisha’s skills are in conversation, singing, dancing, and other types of music. During our nightly walks around the neighborhood surrounding our hotel we were lucky enough to spot three elegant Geishas going about their day. It felt like a glimpse into a bygone era.

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.