Kyoto is one of the most spectacular cities in Japan, and one of the most unique travel destinations in the world.  This Kyoto travel guide is based on my own experiences in Kyoto, and is designed as an easy-to-digest introduction and travel guide for first time visitors to Kyoto. I hope this first timer’s guide to Kyoto helps you find your bearings, and find the perfect things to see, do & eat in Kyoto for your first trip.

Kyoto was the Imperial capital of Japan for more than 1000 years, which is reflected in its 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 100 Michelin star restaurants.Kyoto was a flourishing centre of arts and culture in Japan’s Heian-kyō period, and is the birthplace of the Japanese tea ceremony, Noh and Kabuki theatre, geisha culture and kaiseki cuisine, which has its roots in royal cuisine.

I visited Kyoto for the first time on my most recent visit to Japan, but would recommend including Kyoto on your first trip to Japan for its awe-inspiring beauty and sharp contrast to high-speed Tokyo. When we visited Kyoto, we visited as part of 10 days in Japan in Osaka, Kyoto, Miyajima & Hiroshima.

Best time to visit Kyoto

Kyoto has a temperate climate, so it is is possible to visit year-round, but depending on your tolerance of the temperature and crowds, you may want to plan accordingly.

• March-May (Spring) – Spring is high season for travel in Kyoto, which peaks in the first week of April for cherry blossom season. Expect huge crowds and higher prices.
• June-August (Summer) – Summer is shoulder season in Kyoto, with an easing of the spring crowds, alongside hot and humid weather, and more rain. The lively Gion Matsuri festival spans all of July.
• October-early December (Autumn) – Autumn is another high season in Kyoto, for the city’s beautiful fall foliage and comfortable weather. I visited in the first week of November, which was too early for fall foliage, but we had excellent weather – I rarely needed a jacket! It was very crowded despite not being the peak of the autumn season, so I can only imagine how busy it at the two peaks in April and mid-late November!
• Mid December – February (Winter) – Winter is off season in Kyoto, making it the best time to visit to avoid the crowds and avoid high season prices. It will be cold, often with some snow. Most businesses are closed between 29th December – 3rd January.

How to get to Kyoto

The nearest airport to Kyoto is Osaka International Airport. Osaka is such a lively and exciting city, I’d recommend making it part of your trip! Spend 1 or 2 days in Osaka, and then take the train to Kyoto, which takes less than half an hour on the Shinkansen (bullet train). There are also slower and cheaper services available between the two cities.

Many travellers will arrive in Japan in Tokyo, into Narita or Haneda airports. From Tokyo, the fastest train to Kyoto is the Shinkansen Nozomi, which takes 2 hours and 15 minutes. The Nozomi isn’t included in the JR Pass, so you will need to buy tickets separately. I’ve never purchased the JR Pass in Japan, I don’t think it offers good value, but it depends on your plans.

You can buy Shinkansen Tickets at the train stations, however the ticket machines are not easy to use for foreigners, even when they are in English, because sometimes you need 1 ticket, sometimes you need 2. We couldn’t work this out, so we used the ticket offices at the station – which involved an enormous queue every time.

I would recommend purchasing your Shinkansen tickets via Klook, which will save you queueing at the station. 

Where to stay in Kyoto

For a traditional atmosphere, stay in Southern Higashiyama. However, this is the most crowded and over-touristed area, so you may or may not want to base yourself here amongst the crowds.

Hotel Resol Kawaramachi Sanjo

We stayed at Hotel Resol Kawaramachi Sanjo, a fantastic hotel in Kyoto located between downtown Kyoto and the Pontocho Precinct. It was so easy to get public transport from here, and it was a short pleasant stroll into Pontocho and across the river into Gion.

The hotel rooms are compact but chic, and we really enjoyed our stay. I highly recommend!

Check out Hotel Resol

How many days do you need in Kyoto?

Kyoto has an abundance of sights & things to do. You could comfortably fill 3-5 days in Kyoto. I’d recommend spending a minimum of 3 days in Kyoto, or 4 days if you want to take a more relaxed pace. We had 3 very full days in Kyoto (4 nights), and we had an amazing time – we had plenty to see & do!

If you’re also visiting Osaka, rather than splitting time equally between cities, I’d give more time to Kyoto. Ie 2 days in Osaka, 3-4 days in Kyoto.

Despite being a relatively small city, I can’t overstate how much there is to see & do in Kyoto, and how deserving it is of at  least 3-4 days of your time in Japan.

Read More: Itinerary for 3 Days in Kyoto

Kyoto Area & Neighbourhoods Overview

Southern Higashiyama

Southern Higashiyama is Kyoto’s most picture-perfect historic neighbourhood. The area is home to traditional streets, lots of cafes and gift shops, and the UNESCO World Heritage listed Kiyomuzi-dera Temple.

This area gets seriously overcrowded, which can detract from the beauty of the area. Come very early in the morning to appreciate it at its best.

Read More: How to Avoid the Crowds in Kyoto

Northern Higashiyama

Northern Higashiyama is home to a number of significant temples and gardens, including Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion), which is one of the most iconic temples and zen gardens in Kyoto. You could easily spend a whole day in Northern Higashiyama, visiting temples, gardens and the Philosopher’s Path, which is a cherry blossom hotspot (in season).

Don’t miss Miyoneshi Fumiya for a delicious and inexpensive set meal lunch, not far from Ginkakuji. Fresh, warm onigiri are one of my favourite foods to eat in Japan!

Gion

Gion is Kyoto’s vibrant, historic downtown district. It’s where you’ll find kabuki theatre, high end traditional restaurants, tea houses, geisha and the Shirawaka Canal.

Downtown Kyoto

Downtown Kyoto is modern, and relatively small. It’s very clean, and well connected to public transport. While we didn’t do any sightseeing in downtown Kyoto, staying at a hotel in downtown Kyoto was convenient as we were a short walk from Kyoto Station, which is where we caught the Shinkansen in & out of Kyoto, close to lots of bus routes for sightseeing, and a short stroll to the vibey Pontocho dining precinct. It was a short stroll from our hotel to Pontocho, and then across the river to Gion.

Best Things to Do in Kyoto

Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji)

Golden Pavilion is one of the most famous temples in Kyoto, renowned for its magnificent gold leaf facade. It was originally constructed in the late 14th century, as the retirement villa for the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. After his death, it was converted into a zen temple, which it remains to this day. Golden Pavilion is on the outskirts of Kyoto, but it is well worth the bus trip!

Silver Pavilion (Ginkaku-ji)

Silver Pavilion is not, as the name suggests, silver, however it was inspired by Golden Pavilion. It was built by the grandson of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and has one of the most beautiful temple gardens in Kyoto. Silver Pavilion is centrally located in Kyoto’s Southern Higashiyama District, and is a must-visit for those looking to see a traditional Japanese zen garden. Don’t miss the cream puffs, from the shop closest to the temple gate!

Ninomaru Palace

The Ninomaru Palace, located inside Nijo-Ji (Nijo Castle) grounds, was one of my favourite historic sights that we visited in Kyoto. No photos are allowed inside the palace, which is decorated with mesmerising traditional Japanese screen art. It’s refreshing to visit a historic sight which isn’t already over-exposed on social media, which makes a visit here even more special. The Ninomaru Palace is easy to visit, in central Kyoto.

Kiyomizu Dera

Kiyomizu Dera is one of the most celebrated temple complexes in Japan. The UNESCO World Heritage site is a Buddhist temple complex, and one of the most popular sites in Kyoto’s bustling Northern Higashiyama district. The temple has an impressive wooden stage which juts out 13 metres over the treetops, making it one of the most breathtaking sights in Kyoto. Arrive as early in the morning as you can (ie 7am or earlier) to beat most of the crowds, which flood in from 8am.

Where to eat & drink in Kyoto

Nishiki Market

The Nishiki Market is Kyoto’s premier local food market, with more than 100 restaurants & shops spanning five blocks. It’s a must-visit in Kyoto! I loved browsing for our lunch here, trying small dishes at several stalls. We had the best mochi we’ve ever tasted, as well as gyoza, fresh sashimi and Kobe Beef skewers!

Kaiseki Cuisine

Kaiseki cuisine is Kyoto’s haute cuisine, which has roots in Kyoto’s former Imperial Court. A kaiseki meal is served as multiple, small courses, which often are designed to reflect the seasons. Kaiseki is served at specialist restaurants and ryokans, and is a special meal to remember. 

We had a kaiseki meal at Roan Kikunoi, a two-Michelin star restaurant in Kyoto.

Pontocho Precinct

The Pontocho Precinct is a lively, riverside restaurant precinct in Kyoto. A long, narrow pedestrian street is lined with hundreds of tiny restaurants and bars, making it the best place to follow your nose for dinner. Restaurants range from affordable to high end, and the precinct is popular with locals as well as tourists. It gets crowded, but I think it adds to the atmosphere. My favourite restaurants were Gyukatsu (beef tonkatsu) and Yuzugen (hot pot).

Getting around Kyoto

Kyoto has an amazing public transport system, which makes it super easy to get around. We didn’t need to rely on Ubers or Taxis even once!

How to take public transport in Kyoto

The best way to use public transport in Kyoto, and all of Japan, is to use the Suica card. You can download it to your Apple Wallet (or equivalent on android), and top up using Apple Pay. It’s an instant top up, and we used it the entire time we were in Japan. You can use Suica on subways, trams, trains and even ferries! 

The only major exception is the Shinkansen (bullet trains), which you cannot use your Suica for. Instead, purchase your Shinkansen tickets at the ticket office in the Shinkansen stations, or save time and purchase them in advance with Klook.

Kyoto Bus System

Kyotos bus network is fantastic. The network is extensive, and the buses are clean and comfortable. To catch a bus in Kyoto, you enter via the rear door, and only tap on your card (or phone) on the reader as you exit the bus via the front door, next to the driver.

Kyoto Trains & Subways

Kyoto has a train system, which is designed primarily for connecting between urban centres, and two subway lines, which travel north-south and east-west. You can travel on the trains, subway and bus using the Suica card, which is Japan’s national public transport card.

How much does it cost to take public transport in Kyoto?

We used public transport heavily during our recent two weeks in Japan (Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima & Miyajima), and I spent $100 AUD (10,000 Yen) on public transport, approximately $10 AUD/1000 yen per day.

Day Trips from Kyoto

There are several excellent day trip options from Kyoto, including Osaka, Himeji Castle and Nara.

Osaka

Osaka is worth a dedicated visit in its own right, but you could also visit on a day from Kyoto. 

On a single day in Osaka, I’d recommend visiting the Dotonbori canal precinct & incredible restaurant street, although it is more impressive when it is lit up after dark. Also check out the beautiful Osaka Castle and the Kuromon Market.

Read More: Itinerary for 2 Days in Osaka

How to get from Kyoto to Osaka

The fastest train is the Tokaido Shinkansen, on the Nozomi, which takes approximately 12 minutes to travel between Kyoto and Osaka! It costs a little under 1500 Yen ($15 AUD/ $10 USD). This is not covered by the JR Pass. You’ll arrive at Shin-Osaka station, and will need to transfer onto the subway to reach Osaka Station – Shin-Osaka station is not near any major sights.

To use your JR Pass on the Shinkansen, you’ll need to use the Hikari or Kodama trains. They’re slightly slower. Confirm at the train station that you have the right pass for the train.

Otherwise, there is a local train which is around half the price and takes half an hour. 

I personally did not buy a JR Pass, I didn’t think it offered the best value. We purchased our Shinkansen tickets at the shinkansen stations, which always involved a very long queue – I wish I’d purchased them online via Klook instead!

Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle is a national icon. It’s the largest, most beautiful and best preserved castle in Japan, and is truly worth a day trip or half day trip from Kyoto to visit. After you’ve toured the castle grounds & climbed up the Main Keep (main tower), visit the beautiful Kokoen Garden next door. It’s one of the most beautiful Japanese gardens I’ve visited in Japan.

How to get from Kyoto to Himeji Castle

To get the train from Kyoto to Himeji Castle, the fastest way is to take the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen. It takes 45-50 minutes and is approximately 5000 Yen (50 AUD/35 USD one way). It makes it an expensive return day trip, but it is worth it!

Nara

Nara is Japan’s ancient capital, famous for its temples and roaming deer. It’s a popular day trip from Kyoto, because it can be reached by train in less than an hour. The JR Nara Line offers multiple services, including the Miyakoji Rapid Service which takes only 45 minutes.

Further Reading

• How to Beat the Crowds in Kyoto
• 3 Days in Kyoto: Itinerary for First Time Visitors
• Itinerary for 10 Days in Japan
• 2 Days in Osaka + Himeji Castle Day Trip
• 3 Days in Tokyo: Itinerary for First Time Visitors

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