What to do in Kyoto · temples, districts, markets

A free public travel map by Offbeat Japan · 19 places

All 19 places on this map are pinned at their exact location. Each one comes with a short note on what it is and why it is worth your time. Browsing is free, and with an Ikuzo account you can copy the whole map and reshape it into your own trip.

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Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

At 6 a.m. it's a sanctuary, at 10 a.m. a queue. The difference is radical.

Fushimi Inari Taisha

★ Arrive BEFORE 7 a.m. (or come at night). At that hour the torii run on forever in a golden light and you hear the crows. At 11 a.m., it's unbearable.

Hozukyō (Hozu Gorge)

Get off the little Sagano train here, walk a few hundred meters and sit by the water. Stunning with the red leaves.

Adashino Nenbutsu-ji

★ 8,000 stone statues, very few visitors. The path from Giō-ji goes through traditional hamlets.

Philosopher's Path

2 km along a cherry-lined canal, from Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji. Perfect in spring as in November.

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

The ultimate classic, and one of the three sites to do early in the morning or face the crowds. Far from the center: take the bus.

Tōfuku-ji

★ My autumn favorite: the Tsuten-kyō bridge over a valley of red maples, in late November. Arrive at opening time (8:30).

Giō-ji

★ The real Arashiyama: a 10-minute walk from the bamboo, a moss garden and almost nobody.

Nanzen-ji

The end of the Philosopher's Path. Also the district of yudofu (boiled tofu) restaurants: minimalist, almost meditative.

Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)

Less spectacular than its golden cousin, far more soothing. Moss garden and a path behind the pavilion, sublime in autumn.

Yasaka-jinja

The hinge between Gion and Higashiyama. The ideal starting point to walk up to Kōdai-ji at dusk.

Nishijin

★ The historic weaving district, with very few tourists: workshops, lived-in machiya, quiet cafes. Where I go when I need to forget that Kyoto is a tourist destination.

Nishiki Market

"Kyoto's kitchen". More touristy than it used to be, but the hot tamagoyaki and the pickles are worth it. Go in the morning, before 11.

Sanjūsangen-dō

★ 1,001 golden Kannon statues lined up in a 120 m hall. Strangely quiet given what's inside. Don't miss it.

Daitoku-ji

★ A complex of small Zen temples, several breathtaking rock gardens. You can spend a morning there and meet only a handful of people.

Kiyomizu-dera

The top of Higashiyama. Go right at opening (8:30) or around 5:30 p.m.; in between, it's a fairground.

Hanamikoji (Gion)

The street photographed a thousand times. But Gion doesn't end there: walk up the lanes toward Yasaka-jinja.

Pontochō

★ Probably Kyoto's most photogenic street at night: 2 m wide, black wood, white lanterns. 3,000-yen izakaya or 30,000-yen starred kaiseki. Book ahead.

Kōdai-ji

Walk up to Kōdai-ji through the paved lanes: at nightfall, the paper lanterns light up one by one.