Top things to do in Kyoto
1. Kiyomizu-dera
Kiyomizu-dera is one of the landmarks of Kyoto and one of the fourteen World Heritage Sites within the city. It is also one of the temples that extends its hours during the first few days of cherry blossom season, so you can view it at night, lit up against the blossoms.
If you are visiting in spring, plan the temple as an evening stop rather than a daytime one, and pair it with the blossom walks elsewhere in Eastern Kyoto.
2. Ginkaku-ji
Ginkaku-ji is one of the prominent landmarks of Kyoto and a World Heritage Site in Eastern Kyoto. It sits at one end of the Philosopher's Path, the cherry-tree-lined walk that is one of the most popular routes in the city during blossom season.
Walk the Philosopher's Path from Nanzen-ji toward Ginkaku-ji, since the route is lined with cherry trees and has a variety of temples and shrines to stop at along the way.
3. Kinkaku-ji
Kinkaku-ji is among the best-known landmarks of Kyoto and is listed as a World Heritage Site in Northern Kyoto. It is one of the sites that draws visitors planning an itinerary in advance, since the city offers far more attractions than most trips can cover.
Group it with the other Northern Kyoto World Heritage Sites, Ryōan-ji and Ninna-ji, which sit in the same part of the city.
4. Nijō Castle
Nijō Castle is a World Heritage Site in Central Kyoto. During cherry blossom season it hosts its own Nijo Light-Up, when visitors can walk the grounds of the castle at night among the blossoms.
You cannot enter the castle during the light-up, so visit during the day if you want to see the castle interior as well as the blossoms.
5. Kyoto Imperial Palace
The Kyoto Imperial Palace is one of the imperial sites managed by the Imperial Household Agency and is open to the public by reservation. Admission is free, English guides are available, and most applicants to the Imperial Palace are accepted, so early reservation is not usually necessary.
The northern section of the Imperial Park is home to a variety of different types of cherry blossoms, and the gardens within the palace precincts are at their most scenic during spring cherry blossom season and autumn.
6. Sentō Imperial Palace
The Sentō Imperial Palace is the second of the imperial sites in Central Kyoto, open by reservation through the Imperial Household Agency. Tours here are conducted in Japanese only, with English pamphlets given at each destination upon entry.
Apply on the first available day of application, as this site is highly competitive and entire months of tours often become full within the first few days. Winter tours are typically much less competitive, but the gardens will not be as beautiful as at other times of the year.
7. Katsura Imperial Villa
Katsura Imperial Villa is the imperial villa in Western Kyoto, with gardens and teahouses, open to the public by reservation. Like the Sentō Imperial Palace, tours are conducted in Japanese only, with English pamphlets provided on entry.
Treat this as one of the sites to apply for on the first available day, and consider combining a visit with the Western Kyoto World Heritage Sites, Tenryū-ji and Koke-dera.
8. Shūgakuin Imperial Villa
Shūgakuin Imperial Villa is the imperial villa in Northern Kyoto, also open by reservation and also toured in Japanese only with English pamphlets on entry. Its gardens are at their most scenic in spring and autumn.
Because it is highly competitive, apply as early as possible, and if your application is unsuccessful you can go in person to the Imperial Household Agency Kyoto Office to ask whether there are vacancies, as a few spots are typically saved for walk-ins.
9. Daigo-ji
Daigo-ji is the World Heritage Site in Southern Kyoto and one of the three Kyoto entries on the Official Top 100 cherry blossom spots list. A walk inside its large grounds is made memorable when the blossoms are in full bloom.
Give this one time rather than treating it as a quick stop, since the grounds are extensive.
10. Nishi Hongan-ji
Nishi Hongan-ji is a World Heritage Site in Central Kyoto, one of the fourteen listed sites within the city. It belongs to the group of historic monuments inscribed under the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto designation.
It sits in Central Kyoto alongside Nijō Castle and Tō-ji, so it fits naturally into a day spent in the centre of the city.
11. Tō-ji
Tō-ji is a World Heritage Site in Central Kyoto. Just south of Kyoto Station, its grounds bloom beautifully below the towering pagoda during cherry blossom season.
Because of its position near the station, it works well as a first or last stop on a day when you are arriving in or leaving the city.
12. Philosopher's Path
The Philosopher's Path is the walk from Nanzen-ji to Ginkaku-ji, lined with cherry trees and with a variety of temples and shrines to stop at along the way. Eastern Kyoto is particularly popular during cherry blossom season, and this is the classic route through it.
The garden of the Heian Shrine, not far from the Philosopher's Path, features colourful pink blossoms, a nice contrast to the white blossoms you will see along the path itself.
13. Maruyama Park
Maruyama Park is known for its famous cherry tree, which is often the centre of attention in the evenings when it is lit up. Vendors line the pathway leading up to it, creating a festive atmosphere.
Come in the evening for the illumination rather than in daylight, and note that Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji have extended hours during the first few days of the season if you want to continue viewing after dark.
14. Funaoka Onsen
Funaoka Onsen is one of the oldest public bath houses in Kyoto still in operation, and its classic building is an excellent example of bath house architecture of the beginning of the 20th century. It is popular with both locals and visitors.
Take bus line 206 from Kyoto Station. It is open from 15:00 to 01:00, and admission is ¥430, so it suits an hour at the end of a day of walking.
15. Toei Kyoto Studio Park
Toei Kyoto Studio Park is an active film studio which continues to be used for the filming of period dramas. Visitors may visit the outdoor sets used in many samurai movies and, if lucky, could potentially observe the filming of a period drama.
Take bus line 75 from Kyoto Station. It is open from 09:30 to 16:30 and admission is ¥2,200, so it takes a substantial part of a day.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start in Central Kyoto at Nijō Castle, visiting during the day so you can enter the castle. Continue to Nishi Hongan-ji and Tō-ji, which sit in the same part of the city, and finish the morning at Tō-ji beneath the pagoda.
Afternoon: Move to Eastern Kyoto and walk the Philosopher's Path from Nanzen-ji to Ginkaku-ji, stopping at the temples and shrines along the way. If you are travelling in spring, add the garden of the Heian Shrine, not far from the path, for its pink blossoms.
Evening: In cherry blossom season, go to Maruyama Park for the illuminated cherry tree and the vendors along the pathway leading up to it, then use the extended hours at Kiyomizu-dera to see it lit up against the blossoms. Outside blossom season, finish at Funaoka Onsen, open until 01:00, for an hour in one of the oldest public bath houses still operating in Kyoto.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a reservation to visit the imperial palaces and villas?
Yes. The Imperial Palace, Sentō Imperial Palace, Katsura Imperial Villa and Shūgakuin Imperial Villa are all open to the public by reservation through the Imperial Household Agency. Admission is free, and overseas visitors can apply online in English. Applications first become available on the first day of the month, three months in advance of your preferred touring month, and the agency draws lots to pick successful applicants.
Which of the imperial sites should I apply for first?
Most applicants to the Imperial Palace are accepted, and early reservation is not usually necessary there. The Sentō Imperial Palace and the two Imperial Villas are highly competitive, and entire months of tours often become full within the first few days, so apply for those on the first available day of application.
What can I do if my application is unsuccessful?
You can go in person to the Imperial Household Agency Kyoto Office to ask whether there are vacancies, as a few spots are typically saved for walk-ins. Many people succeed this way for the Imperial Palace, but it is more of a risk for the other sites, so go early.
When is the best time to see the gardens at the imperial sites?
The gardens within the precincts of each palace and villa are at their most scenic during spring cherry blossom season and in autumn, when the colours change. Winter tours are typically much less competitive, but the gardens will not be as beautiful as at other times of the year.
Decide which season you want and which imperial sites matter most to you, then start your applications and build the rest of your days around them.