8 Must-See Kyoto Neighborhoods and How to Visit

Central Kyoto is home to two of the city’s most popular sights: Nijo-jo (Nijo Castle) and the Imperial Palace—book a private tour to gain a deeper historical perspective. After visiting each, you can escape the crowds and enjoy a stroll in the leafy Kyoto Gyoen (Kyoto Imperial Palace Park), the Kyoto Botanical Gardens, or around the beautiful Shinto shrine, Shimogamo-jinja. Nearby Sanjo-kai Shotengai is a shopping arcade that’s filled with old family-run stores and typically bustling with local shoppers.

Kyoto’s compact downtown is filled with restaurants, bars, and stores. The area has lots of traditional-style covered shopping arcades, as well as opulent department stores including Daimaru. Foodies won’t want to miss the Nishiki Market, nicknamed “Kyoto’s pantry” for its array of culinary delights and local products—a guided tour will lead you to the best vendors.

Gion is Kyoto’s famed geisha district and notable for its traditional atmosphere, thanks to its preserved townhouses, cobblestone streets, and alluring alleyways. You may spot kimono-clad geiko (the Kyoto term for geisha) and maiko (younger apprentices) on the streets of Gion, but you should not photograph them without their permission. Instead, book a tour that includes a kimono-fitting service and soak up the atmosphere as you stroll the streets in traditional dress. Gion is also one of the best spots in town to experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and feast on a multicourse kaiseki ryori dinner.

East of the city center, Higashiyama sets the scene for temple hopping in Kyoto, with several famous structures within walking distance of each other, including Nanzen-ji and the UNESCO-listed Ginkaku-ji (Temple of the Silver Pavilion). The most impressive is Kiyomizu-dera, another UNESCO site, which is perched atop a mountain, offering splendid views across Kyoto. The northern portion of the neighborhood is home to some of the city’s top art museums, including the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, National Museum of Modern Art, and the Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts.

On the western edge of Kyoto, Arashiyama centers on the picturesque Togetsukyo Bridge, a popular spot for viewing springtime cherry blossoms and fall foliage. Visitors to Arashiyama can explore Buddhist temples and shrines, including Tenryu-ji, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; spot Japanese macaques at Iwatayama Monkey Park; feast on traditional Buddhist temple fare; and stroll through a magnificent grove of towering bamboo.

You won’t want to miss Fushimi, home to what is possibly Kyoto’s most-photographed attraction: the dazzling vermilion torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine—book an early-morning guided tour to dodge the crowds. Stick around after your visit for a bite to eat at one of the neighborhood food stalls (kitsune udon noodles with fried tofu is a local specialty); sip sake from one of many local breweries; or head to Tofuku-ji Temple to soak up the views, which are especially beautiful in the fall.

Just north of Kyoto’s center, the city’s traditional weaving district is lined with machiya (wooden townhouses), many of which sell kimono fabrics and obi sashes. Visit the Nishijin Textile Center or the Orinasu-kan Museum to learn more about how these traditional garments are made, then relax in the steamy waters of Funaoka Onsen, one of the city’s best public baths.

Another of Kyoto’s notable geisha districts, Pontocho runs along the banks of the Kamo River and is centered around a single cobblestone alleyway lined with shops, restaurants, and bars. This ever-bustling area is at its most atmospheric after dark, when it’s lit by the glow of paper lanterns and revelers sit elbow to elbow in izakaya (Japanese pubs). The springtime brings the Kamogawa Odori, a series of dance performances by maiko and geisha, and in the summer, many restaurants set up outdoor terraces that allow customers to drink and dine while overlooking the river.