Kyoto京都
Events held here
- Oct 31 – Dec 13To-ji Temple Autumn Night IlluminationThe five-story pagoda and autumn leaves are lit up at night, with evening entry to the main halls.
Dates, times and details can change, for example because of the weather. Please check the official information before you go.
Themes that include this place
- Overnight travel: night trains, buses & ferriesWEST EXPRESS GINGA. Its route changes by season; from autumn 2026 to March 2027 it runs overnight between Kyoto and Shimonoseki.
- Sightseeing by busKyoto's regular sightseeing buses and the hop-on hop-off Sky Hop Bus Kyoto leave from the Karasuma side of Kyoto Station. Some courses have foreign-language guidance.
- Sake breweries & whiskyFor Suntory's Yamazaki Distillery, take the JR Kyoto Line to Yamazaki, then walk about 10 minutes. Tours require a reservation.
Kyoto guide
Japan's capital for over a thousand years, full of temples, shrines, gardens and old streets. The sights are spread widely, so combine trains and the subway with buses to get around.
Things to see 10 classics
"Classics" and "Hidden gems" are this site's editorial picks, not a measured popularity ranking.
By interest
By how you get there
By distance
- 1
Fushimi Inari Taisha
A shrine where red torii gates climb all the way up the hill. The full loop takes about 2 hours, and crowds thin out as you climb.
Many overseas visitors
3rd among places visited by foreign tourists in the 2024 survey (50.4%) Source: Kyoto City, Kyoto Tourism Comprehensive Survey 2024
- Temples, shrines & churches
- Views
- Activities
about 2 hrFree
Train · About 15 min from Kyoto ・ JR Nara Line to Inari; the shrine is right outside the station ・ 2.5km
- 2
Kiyomizu-dera
A wooden stage built out over a hillside, with a view across Kyoto. The sloping lanes up to it are lined with souvenir shops.
Many overseas visitors
1st among places visited by foreign tourists in the 2024 survey (67.8%) Source: Kyoto City, Kyoto Tourism Comprehensive Survey 2024
- Temples, shrines & churches
- History & buildings
- Views
about 60 minPaid entryWheelchair & stroller friendly
Bus · About 35 min from Kyoto ・ City bus to Gojozaka, then about 10 minutes uphill on foot ・ 2.7km
- 3
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
A pavilion covered in gold leaf, mirrored in its pond. Especially beautiful on a sunny morning.
Many overseas visitors
5th among places visited by foreign tourists in the 2024 survey (46.1%) Source: Kyoto City, Kyoto Tourism Comprehensive Survey 2024
- Temples, shrines & churches
- History & buildings
- Nature
about 45 minPaid entryWheelchair & stroller friendly
Bus · About 50 min from Kyoto ・ City bus to Kinkakuji-michi; or subway to Kitaoji and change to a bus ・ 6.5km
- 4
Arashiyama (Togetsukyo Bridge and Bamboo Grove)
A long bridge over the river, a path through bamboo and the garden of Tenryu-ji. Very crowded in cherry and maple seasons; go early.
- Nature
- Views
- Temples, shrines & churches
about 2 hrFreeWheelchair & stroller friendly
Train · About 30 min from Kyoto ・ JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama, then about 10 minutes on foot ・ 8.1km
- 5
Gion and Yasaka Shrine
Hanamikoji street with its teahouses, and a shrine lit by lanterns at night. Photography is banned on some private lanes.
Many overseas visitors
The Gion area was 4th among places visited by foreign tourists in the 2024 survey (50.0%) Source: Kyoto City, Kyoto Tourism Comprehensive Survey 2024
- History & buildings
- Temples, shrines & churches
- Night views
about 1.5 hrFree
Bus · About 25 min from Kyoto ・ City bus to Gion; also walkable from Gion-Shijo on the Keihan Line ・ 2.8km
- 6
Nijo Castle
The Tokugawa shoguns' castle in Kyoto. Walk through the palace to see gold-ground screen paintings and floors that chirp underfoot.
Many overseas visitors
2nd among places visited by foreign tourists in the 2024 survey (62.1%) Source: Kyoto City, Kyoto Tourism Comprehensive Survey 2024
- History & buildings
- Museums
about 1.5 hrPaid entryFine on a rainy dayWheelchair & stroller friendly
Subway · About 20 min from Kyoto ・ Karasuma Line to Karasuma-Oike, then Tozai Line to Nijojo-mae ・ 3.3km
Connections from here
Everything you can branch out to from here, on one map. Tap any item to open it.
Kyoto
Area guide
Themes
Nearby places in the same theme
Facilities & features
- Coin lockers and baggage storage
- Easy step-free access
- Transfers take a little longer
- Typical transfer time: about 7 min
Lines from here
- Airport limousine bus Kansai Airport – Kyoto Sta. (Hachijo Exit)
- Airport limousine bus Itami Airport – Kyoto Sta. (Hachijo Exit)
- Kyoto City Bus 206 (Kyoto Sta. – Shichijo – Gojozaka [Kiyomizu-dera] – Gion – Higashiyama-Sanjo)
- Kyoto City Bus 205 (Kyoto Sta. – Emmachi – Kitano-Hakubaicho – Kinkakuji-michi – Kitaoji)
- Kyoto City Bus 5 (Kyoto Sta. – Shijo-Karasuma – Shijo-Kawaramachi – Sanjo-Keihan – Higashiyama-Sanjo – Ginkakuji-michi)
- Highway bus Tokyo Sta. – Kyoto (day / overnight)
- Limited Express Haruka (Kansai Airport – Tennoji – Osaka – Shin-Osaka – Kyoto)
- Limited Express Thunderbird (Osaka – Shin-Osaka – Kyoto – Tsuruga)
Within walking distance of this station
See nearby on a mapPlaces you can drop by on foot after leaving the station. Times are estimates.
- Go hereKyoto Station Building Grand Stairway and SkywayAbout 1 min on foot
The station's 171-step stairway and a 10th-floor walkway across the building. Light displays play on the steps at night.
- Go hereKyoto TowerAbout 2 min on foot from Kyoto Station (Central Exit)
The white tower facing the station. Its observation deck looks out over the city to the mountains around it.
- Go hereHigashi Hongan-jiAbout 7 min on foot from Kyoto Station
A vast temple just north of the station. Step inside the enormous Founder's Hall and sit quietly for a while.
- Go hereShosei-en GardenAbout 13 min on foot
A pond garden belonging to Higashi Hongan-ji. Its paths feel far from the city, though it sits among busy streets.
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