Kyoto
Kyoto, once the imperial capital of Japan for over a thousand years, is a city steeped in history and culture. Founded in 794 AD as Heian-kyō, it was the seat of the emperor and the heart of Japanese politics, culture, and spirituality until 1868. The city's historical significance lies in its preserved temples, traditional wooden houses, beautiful gardens, and the enduring practice of ancient customs.
Kyoto’s popularity with tourists stems from its unique blend of the past and present. Unlike Tokyo’s modern hustle, Kyoto offers an authentic glimpse into Japan’s rich traditions, making it a magnet for those seeking cultural immersion. The city's position as the cultural capital means festivals, tea ceremonies, kimono traditions, and exquisite cuisine thrive here.
Top spots to check out in Kyoto include:
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion): A stunning Zen Buddhist temple covered in gold leaf, surrounded by tranquil gardens and a reflective pond.
Fushimi Inari Taisha: Famous for its thousands of vermillion torii gates that create a magical path up the sacred Mount Inari.
Gion District: The historical geisha quarter, perfect for evening strolls where you might glimpse a geisha or partake in authentic tea houses.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove: A breathtaking bamboo forest offering an otherworldly walk, combined with nearby temples and the scenic Katsura River.
Kiyomizu-dera: A wooden temple that offers panoramic views over Kyoto and is spectacular during cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons.
Nijo Castle: A UNESCO World Heritage site showcasing feudal-era architecture, ornate gardens, and "nightingale floors" that chirp when walked upon to warn of intruders.
Kyoto's enduring charm lies in its ability to preserve beauty and history, making it a bucket-list destination for travellers and a feast for anyone passionate about culture and history. So, whether you're wandering through serene temples or enjoying the vibrant street markets, Kyoto captures the soul of Japan with a playful nod to its storied past.
Fast Tips
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2014 - 3 nights
2023 - Stayed at Hotel Androoms Kyoto Shichijo (4 nights)
2025 - Stayed at the Comfort Hotel Kyoto Toji (2 nights) & Hotel Emion (1 night)
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The best way to get to Kyoto, Japan, depends on where you're starting from, but here’s the most efficient route for international travellers:
Fly into Kansai International Airport (KIX) – Located near Osaka, this is the closest international gateway to Kyoto.
From Kansai Airport to Kyoto – Take the JR Haruka Express train. It’s the fastest and most convenient way, taking about 75 minutes straight to Kyoto Station. Alternatively, you can hop on a limousine bus, which takes around 90 minutes but is slightly cheaper.
If you’re in Tokyo – Take the Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo Station to Kyoto. The Nozomi Shinkansen is the quickest, reaching Kyoto in about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
From Osaka Airport (Itami) – You can catch a direct airport limousine bus or a train to Kyoto, both under an hour.
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Public transport is the go-to: Kyoto’s buses are extensive and will get you close to most major sights, but they can get a bit packed during peak times.
For quicker trips, the subway is your mate. It’s clean, efficient, and avoids the traffic headaches.
If you fancy a bit of fresh air and exercise, hire a bike. Kyoto is pretty bike friendly with flat terrain and plenty of scenic routes, especially near the Kamo River and Arashiyama. Just watch out for pedestrian zones and remember that walking your bike is the polite move in crowded spots.
Lastly, taxis/ubers are handy for late nights or when you’re stuffed for time, but they do cost more than buses or trains.
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Kyo Kaiseki
This is Kyoto’s haute cuisine – a multi-course feast that’s as much about the looks as the flavours. Think delicate, seasonal ingredients presented like edible art.Matcha Sweets
Kyoto is the temple town of matcha green tea, so you better believe they’ve perfected green tea treats.Nishin Soba
A Kyoto twist on soba noodles, topped with sweet and savoury simmered herring (nishin).Kyoto-style Tsukemono
Pickles here are next level. Thanks to the city’s long tradition of Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, Kyoto’s tsukemono are subtle but complex, often made with unique ingredients like shibazuke (pickled eggplant and cucumber) or senmaizuke (thinly sliced pickled turnip). -
As a queer male I felt completely safe here. Japan is known for its safety and incredibly polite population so make sure to be respectful back.
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4 nights minimum here if you’re looking to really explore and get around. Things like the temples and the bamboo forest can take as long as a day each, plus the food scene is so incredible you’ll want to stay as long as possible.
This is also leaves space for day trips over to Osaka which is not far by train.
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I truly loves staying at Hotel Androoms Kyoto Shichijo and Hotel Emion. Androoms for free biking and cool chic vibes, and Emion for more business lluxe with a rooftop sentō.
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Check out below in the ‘Sees’ but also the Kyoto official website is a great source for ideas.
Eats, Sips & See
KURASU KYOTO STAND
Perfectly located near Kyoto’s main station, Kurasu has been growing for years, but the stand is still one of my favourite places to grab really good quality coffee on my way in or out of Kyoto. Check out their merch as well, their tops are always a vibe.
KAIKADO CAFE
A coffee roastery with a couple locations in Kyoto, that does incredibly clean and precise coffee. Also known for their production of bespoke tea caddies, this is the perfect pop in for a coffee or pastry through your day of Kyoto. The concrete shell filled with warm timber creates a soft and relaxing interior, that shields the electricity of the city outside of it.
NITTA BAKERY
Savoury and sweet, Nitta has you covered for whatever your stomach is leaning towards. The bread is stunning, and filled with different modern flavours as well as some classic, with a menu that changes. Highly recommend to start your day off here, in particularly if you’re heading to Kiyomizu Temple.
GOKAGO
This is the exact spot where I finally gave in to matcha. Up to this point I couldn’t understand how anyone enjoyed that bitter grassy mess, but Gokago changed that. Expertly done, brushed to creamy perfection, it was so easy to drink and even the matcha flavoured desserts were beyond incredible. If you’re going to give matcha a go in Kyoto, this is the only location you need.
% ARABICA ARASHIYAMA
In front of the Arashiyama mountain, down the road from the bamboo forest and overlooking the Ooi river, sits one of the most aesthetically pleasing coffee shops. Be warned, it does get busy so be prepared to line up, but once inside, the scenery captured in between the coffee machine and wooden pannelling is something to behold.
TAKU SANDO
Starting in Brooklyn New York and then making its way across to Japan, this sando shop is everything you need for lunch. It has New York’s coolness and vibe, matched with punchy Japanese flavours, you can’t go wrong when choosing from the menu.
PIZZERIA MAMA
Eating pizza in Japan might not be on your bucket list, but it should be. The Japanese take their food skills very seriously, so it’s no surprise their pizza is incredibly good. At Mama’s, it’s not just the caccoon location that makes you feel like you’re in a glass wooden box in a forest that is impressive, but the pizza with very modern toppings is just as impressive. Great for a day lunch or dinner, this is one of my only non Japanese food locations that I stand by.
CAFE NAKANOSHIMA TEI
Sometimes the best spots you find are completely by accident and because you’re hungry the closest location will do. Situated on a little island across the Ooi river from the bamboo forest, this non assuming spot serves up some wicked lunch time fare, with the soba noodles being a knock out.
HONKE DAIICHI ASAHI HONTEN
This ramen shop consistently has line running out of its door and its for good reason. Delicious shoyu ramen dominates the menu, with some beer and gyozas rounding out the options. The line moves quick enough, but it’s definitely worth the wait, particularly if you’re near kyoto’s main station.
YUMEMIYA
I love a hidden find that happens completely by accident. Myself and my partner had just arrived after a long day of travelling to Kyoto, and this happened to be a 5 minute walk away. After a small wait, we were gifted with a tiny in size, but mighty in flavour meal of okonomiyaki (savoury pancake) and cold beers. The venue is very small, so be prepared to wait on busier nights.
GOOD morning RECORD BAR
If you have read through any of my Japan city guides, you’ll know how much I love a record bar and it’s no surprise the concept has begun to take over every major city. GOOD morning is my favourite for Kyoto, chill vibes, records that cover the 70’s through to 90’s. More for drinks opposed for food, so make sure to grab a nosh nearby beforehand.
HOZUGAWA RIVER BOAT RIDE
A wonderful way to spend a morning in Kyoto is journeying down the Hozugawa River boat ride. The boat ride is incredibly safe and smooth, perfect for all ages and the scenery as you go down is beautiful. You finish at the start of the entry for the bamboo forest, so line it up with the day you were looking to check out the forest.
SUSHI TETSU
If you want to enjoy high quality sushi without the extortionate price, look no further. Sushi Tetsu is centrally located and beloved for good reason. I recommend getting there before they open for dinner and lining up and entering with their first sitting. The seafood was fresh and the service was impeccable.
MY ONLY FRAGRANCE
Have ever wanted to create your own signature scent? Well you can thanks to MOF and their glorious outposts. They have a fair few in different cities now, but I saved myself for the Kyoto spot and within the half an hour I was blessed with my own perfume to take home. One of my favourite experiences I have had in Japan, highly recommend.
ARASHIYAMA BAMBOO FOREST
The most important sight to see in Kyoto is the bamboo forest. It is spectacular, the further you go into it the better it gets as the tourists begin to disappear. Every time I have gone to Kyoto, the forest still sticks out as one of my favourite experiences, as it just looks slightly different every time as the seasons change.
KYOTO BEER LAB
If you love your beer, this is the spot for you. A great vast beer list that brings together western loved styles, but with classic Japanese high level technique. A great combination is visiting Sauna no Umeyu down the road to unwind before or after a cold one.
KOJU
I love my incense and Koju is my favourite store to stock up. The price point is incredibly accessible, especially if you want to grab something small to take home, but I always stock up and grab a couple of their holders because they are truly so beautiful.
*media & images courtesy of publications, establishment websites and social media pages as well as Tripadvisor. I do not claim to own some of the images provided.