Once the imperial capital of Japan, this enchanting destination is famed for its serene temples, traditional wooden machiya houses, and breathtaking landscapes that change with the seasons. From the delicate blush of cherry blossoms in spring to the fiery hues of autumn leaves, Kyoto offers a magical experience all year round. Whether you are wandering through the iconic Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, marveling at the golden splendor of Kinkaku-ji, or savouring matcha treats in the charming streets of Gion, Kyoto is rich with culture, good food and endless things to do. 

There are several convenient ways to travel from Osaka to Kyoto, one of the most cost and time-efficient is to take the JR Special Rapid Train on the Tokaido-Sanyo Line, which will take approximately 30 minutes from Osaka Station to Kyoto Station, costing around ¥570 for a one-way ticket.

If you are renting a car, you could also drive up to Kyoto via the Meishin Expressway, which would take around 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic on the day itself. However, parking in Kyoto can be quite limited and expensive so do plan carefully! 

Here are the top activities you cannot miss in Kyoto:
(1) Arashiyama Bamboo Forest 
(2) Nintendo Museum 
(3) Nishiki Market  
(4) Day Trip to Uji
(5) Explore Gion
(6) Fushimi Inari Shrine
(7) Kyoto Railway Museum
(8) Nijo Castle
(9) Kinkaku-ji
(10) Philosopher’s Path

If you have been researching on where to go in Japan, you probably would have come across this iconic Arashiyama Bamboo Grove on your social media. And it is truly as beautiful as it looks online, the serene paths are lined with towering bamboo stalks as you take a stroll through the tranquil atmosphere.

It has a calming effect that feels magical! It is recommended to arrive bright and early around 7 or 8am to avoid the tourist crowds streaming in thereafter. Arriving early also allows you to fully immerse yourself in the natural beauty and serenity of the grove. 

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Location: Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8394, Japan
Opening hours: 24 hours
Admission: Free

Newly opened in October 2024, the Nintendo Museum is a video game museum located an hour south from Kyoto at Uji. It displays a large range of Nintendo products across their brand’s history and visitors can explore the interactive exhibits, nostalgic memorabilia, and displays featuring the well-loved franchises from Mario, Zelda to Pokemon.

However, due to the immense popularity of the museum’s recent new opening, tickets are sold via a randomly selected raffle and the next available date is for March 2025. Hence, if you are planning to visit next year, do keep an eye out for updates on the website! If you are planning to drive, you might want to tweak your plan as the museum does not have parking space. It is highly recommended to take public transportation as it is located just a 5-minute walk from the East exit of Ogura Station. 

Nintendo Museum
Location: 56 Kaguraden, Ogura-cho, Uji-shi, Kyoto 611-0042, Japan
Opening hours: 10am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm, Saturday and Sunday
Admission: Tickets are sold via random raffle
Website

If you are a fan of Tsukiji Market in Tokyo or Osaka’s Kuromon Market, you definitely will not want to miss the Nishiki Market here in Kyoto. Also known as Kyoto’s Kitchen, it has over 100 stalls and shops that line the narrow streets and offers a wide array of both fresh and preserved food, including fresh sashimi, sushi, as well as Japanese sweets like mochi and goma dango (sesame dumpling).

You can drop by for a mid-day snack break amidst all the sightseeing, or you can also visit it at its opening time- 10am, where the produce is at its freshest and everything is well-stocked. Expect to have a truly local experience there as the locals would usually go early as well to score the produce at its freshest. At the same time, you can also have a hearty breakfast there while exploring the numerous stalls. 

Nishiki Market
Location: Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8055, Japan
Opening hours: Varies by stall but mostly 10am to 6pm
Admission: Free
Website

Matcha fans, you need to take a day trip out to Uji because it would most definitely be worth the trip. Just a 20-minute train ride from Kyoto, the picturesque town of Uji is known as the producer of premium quality green tea (Japanese matcha). In fact Japan’s oldest tea shop, Tsuen Tea, is here in Uji. It has been in business since 1160, now serving delectable green tea parfaits and rice dumplings.

While traipsing around this small tranquil town, you will see countless shops serving matcha-related dishes like udon, soba, or ramen. Be sure to try an authentic cup of matcha while you are there because it will surely be unforgettable and probably one of the best matcha you will ever have in Japan.

Tsuen Tea
Location: Higashiuchi-1 Uji, Kyoto 611-0021, Japan
Opening hours: 9:30am to 5pm daily
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Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, Gion, is located in Eastern Kyoto. Filled with shops, restaurants, and teahouses, geishas(hostesses in colourful kimonos) are often sighted on the wooden Tatsumi Bridge. You can enjoy traditional geisha experiences at teahouses, and the chance to don a beautifully crafted kimono yourself, while savouring tea in a traditional tea ceremony. 

Hanamikoji Street is the heart of Gion, so most tourists often stroll along this area to admire the traditional wooden houses that serve as Gion’s most iconic landmark. Visiting in the evenings offer a completely different experience as you walk beneath the warm glow of lanterns and you can spot both geishas and maikos in kimonos along the way.

Hanamikoji Street
Location: Gion Machi Minami-gawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Japan
Opening hours: 24 hours
Admission: Free

The orange gates that you spot behind almost every Instagram post geotagging Kyoto is probably the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Known as the most important of several thousand shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice, it is the head of all Inari shrines in Japan. The familiar sight of vibrant orange torii gates lining the path to Mount Inari is one of the famous sights of Japan, and has been there since 711 A.D.

It takes around two to three hours to tour the mountain so do set aside a day for this hike. It is also located in close proximity to the Nishiki Market so you can commence the hike after having a satisfying breakfast at the market! The shrine is open 24/7, but if you wish to avoid the crowds to snap a picture-perfect shot of the gates without getting photo-bombed, we recommend going earlier before or around 8am, or in the evening after 8pm.

Fushimi Inari Taisha
Location: 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-0882, Japan
Opening hours: 24 hours
Admission: Free

A paradise for train enthusiasts, the Kyoto Railway Museum offers a comprehensive look at Japan’s rich railway heritage. Spanning historical steam locomotives to sleek high-tech bullet trains, this museum exhibits over 50 retired trains and bring the evolution of Japan’s railway history to life.

Visitors will get the chance to walk through classic carriages, play pretend as a train conductor or drive a train simulator. You can also marvel at mechanics in action at the live workshop. This would be the perfect chill activity for families and train lovers! 

Kyoto Railway Museum
Location: Kankijicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Opening hours: 10am to 5pm daily (last admission 4:30pm)
Admission: ¥1,500 (adults)
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Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a majestic symbol of Kyoto's rich history. Originally built in 1603 as the residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo period, the castle showcases traditional Japanese architecture infused with intricate artistry.

Step inside to see the “nightingale floors” that hum harmoniously as you walk. Do note that you would have to pay an additional fee to view the interior of the Ninomaru Palace, but you can also take a stroll at the Ninomaru Garden, a traditional and picturesque Japanese landscape garden.

Nijo Castle
Location: 〒604-8301 Kyoto, Nakagyō-ku, Nijō-dōri Horikawa Nishi Iru, Nijōjō-chō 541 Japan
Opening hours: 8:45am to 4pm (castle closes at 5pm, but the hours may change according to the season)
Admission: ¥620 (castle grounds), ¥1,030 (castle grounds and Ninomaru Palace)
Website

Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavillion, is a zen temple in northern Kyoto completely covered in gold leaf. Located just a 40-minute bus ride from Kyoto Station, Kinkaku-ji is positioned overlooking a large pond and it was built to showcase the lavish Kitayama culture that developed in the wealthy aristocratic circles of Kyoto during Yoshimitsu’s times.

After viewing it from across the pond, visitors can take a stroll down to the head priest’s former living quarters and walk through the gardens to visit several places of interest including the Anmintaku Pond that is apparently said to never dry up. 

Kinkakuji
Location: 1 Kinkakuji-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8361 Japan
Opening hours: 9am to 5pm daily
Admission: ¥500 (adults)
Website

If you are ever lucky enough to be in Japan during the time that the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, you need to take a stroll down the Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto. It is one of the most popular hanami (cherry blossom viewing) spots and it is no wonder why. You get to see utterly breathtaking views of the powdery pink cherry blossoms line the streets —which by the way, would also set the perfect backdrop for your vacation outfit checks!

The 2km path starts from Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) and ends in the neighbourhood of Nanzenji, it is also named after Nishida Kitaro, one of Japan's most renowned philosophers, who reportedly meditated while walking this route on his daily commute to Kyoto University. Along the way, you will find charming restaurants, cafes, and boutiques, as well as several smaller temples and shrines just a short stroll from the canal.

Philosopher’s Path
Location: Tetsugaku-no-michi, Sakyō-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu, Japan
Opening hours: 24 hours
Admission: Free

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