Visiting Kyoto for the First Time? Here’s What to See and Do

Kyoto’s increasing popularity has led to uncomfortably large crowds around the city’s biggest attractions. Fortunately, those crowds tend to gather later in the day, so get a head start by getting up early. You might also consider doing an early bird tour if you prefer to have the logistics covered.

The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is open 24 hours, so take a stroll under the soaring bamboo stalks around dawn. Visit the Temple of the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji Temple) right as it opens to admire it bathed in the early morning light, then walk through the thousands of vermillion-colored torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine before the crowds arrive.

Gion is renowned as Kyoto’s entertainment, art, and geisha quarter. The best way to experience the district today is by taking an evening stroll through its atmospheric streets and narrow lanes. Wander along Hanamikoji Street alongside geishas, and take a trip to the zen temple Kenninji.

After dark, the traditional restaurants and teahouses that line the streets are illuminated by lanterns, which feels like a step back in time. For a richer experience—without language and culture barriers—explore the streets on a nighttime walking tour.

Amid the temples and shrines, Kyoto is home to a buzzing food scene. Don’t leave the city without trying some local specialties, which range from Kyoto-style ramen slurped from street stalls to kaiseki (traditional and elaborate multi-course meals) in the city’s top restaurants. If you’re unsure where to begin, a guided walking tour can take you to some of the city’s best food spots, including hole-in-the-wall eateries and hidden watering holes that most visitors miss.

Strolling through Kyoto’s biggest and most popular food market is a delightful food safari that offers a peek into the ingredients that go into Japanese cuisine. The bustling Nishiki Market features more than 100 vendors selling everything from fresh-off-the-boat seafood to tasty candies.

The market can get elbow-to-elbow busy, so aim to visit close to opening or closing hours. And don’t forget to take advantage of the free samples that many vendors offer visitors as they roam through the stalls.

Kyoto is one of the best places in the country to explore traditional Japanese arts, including calligraphy and ikebana (flower arranging). Visitors can get an overview at the Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design, then focus on a specific art form by booking a cultural experience. Options include taking part in a traditional tea ceremony, learning about geisha arts, and learning how to dye silk using the traditional sekka shibori method.

One of Kyoto’s 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, Nijo Castle was built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period. Today, the castle’s imposing stone walls and ramparts provide a sense of the mighty Tokugawa shogunate.

Visitors can explore the 33-room Ninomaru Palace, which is home to a treasure trove of Japanese artwork, including folding screens and gold-leaf ceilings. Some rooms are connected by nightingale floors, which make a chirping sound when walked on. Legend has it that these sounds warned residents of intruding assassins. A private guide can fill you in on even more history and detail.

The former home of the 1920's samurai film actor Ōkōchi Denjirō, this spot sits at the end of the winding bamboo groves of Arashiyama and is often overlooked by visitors to Kyoto. Yet the villa sits at the top of a hill, offering excellent city views. And the sprawling and carefully landscaped Japanese gardens provide a welcome break from the crowds. After a long, lazy wander through the grounds, enjoy a cup of matcha and some sweet treats at the traditional teahouse.

Related: Finding Zen: Kyoto’s Best Gardens

Kyoto has no shortage of UNESCO World Heritage–listed temples, but Ryoan-ji Temple stands out for its rock garden, perhaps the most famous in Japan. Various theories abound about the meaning of the meditative garden, including that it represents a tiger carrying cubs across a pond or of islands in a sea, and that it represents the concept of infinity. Decide for yourself while gazing across the rocks.

Located in the heart of the Gion district, next to Yasaka Shrine, Maruyama Park provides a picture-perfect refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city. On a sunny day, it’s the ideal spot for a picnic in between visiting nearby temples such as Kodai-ji and Chion-in. If you visit during cherry blossom–viewing season, however, expect to share the park with crowds of revelers vying for the perfect spot under the blooming pink petals.

After you’ve had your fill of temples and gardens during the day, let loose by throwing yourself into Kyoto’s colorful nightlife scene. Go hop between bars, clubs, and sake breweries in lively neighborhoods such as the Gion district, Pontocho Alley, and Kiyamachi Street, or let the experts lead the way by joining a nighttime tour of the city.