24 Must-Visit Attractions in Kyoto, Japan's Charming Old Capital

>> 24 Kyoto Attractions: City of Art and Culture <<

Kyoto is truly known as Japan's city of art and culture. Besides Tokyo, the capital, Kyoto is another city you shouldn't miss, as it is full of ancient temples and shrines, each with its own unique beauty. This gives Kyoto countless fascinating places to visit.

We've put together Kyoto's 24 most popular attractions, so if you're planning a trip, you'll know exactly what to add to your itinerary.

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24. Ine, an Ancient Fishing Village

Ine-cho is one of the few surviving traditional fishing villages left in Japan, located in northern Kyoto. What makes it unique is that its houses extend out over the water with boat garages built into the ground floor — similar to canal cities in Europe such as Venice, Italy. Along Ine Bay, these houses stand side by side along the coastline, creating scenery unlike anywhere else in Japan. This style of house is called funaya.

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23. Enryaku-ji Temple

Enryaku-ji Temple (延暦寺) is located on the eastern range of Mount Hiei, in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, near the border with Kyoto. This temple is extremely important to the Tendai sect of Buddhism, as it serves as the sect's center, and it is also a significant site in Japanese history. It was first built around 788 by Saicho, the monk who brought Tendai Buddhism from China to Japan. Many famous monks studied here, including the founders of the Jodo, Zen, and Nichiren sects.

22. Amanohashidate Viewpoint (Sandbar)

Amanohashidate Viewpoint (Sandbar) is also known as "the bridge to heaven," a name that likely comes from its reputation as such a famous, beautiful viewpoint. From here you can see Miyazu Bay, over 3 kilometers long, shaped by a winding sandbar only about 20 meters wide. The area is home to as many as 8,000 Japanese pine trees, some with strikingly unique shapes. The most famous highlight is the view from the mountains on either side, long recognized as one of the most beautiful spots in Japan — ranked among the three most beautiful coastal views in the country, along with Miyajima and Matsushima. Once you see it, you'll fall in love with Japan's coastal scenery.

21. Uzumasa Kyoto Village (formerly Toei Studio Park)

Uzumasa Kyoto Village was called Toei Kyoto Studio Park until March 2026, and it recreates an Edo-period town in impressive detail. It's a working studio that has been used as a filming location for many famous movies. Buildings and shops are faithfully modeled on the historical style of the era, including recreations of landmarks such as the old Nihonbashi Bridge, an old courthouse, a Meiji-era police station, and the old Yoshiwara district. Staff dressed in period costume add to the atmosphere, making the whole place feel especially charming.

20. Shinkyogoku and Teramachi Shopping Streets

There are two main pedestrian shopping streets in central Kyoto: Shinkyogoku and Teramachi, which run parallel to each other. These are narrow lanes off Shijo-dori, the main street running through the heart of Kyoto.

19. Miyama Village

Miyama is a mountainous rural area about 50 kilometers from central Kyoto. It's a community that feels steeped in the past, with more than 200 traditional houses scattered across the area, forming small villages spread along winding mountain valleys. The main attraction here is the northern village called Kayabuki no Sato, home to nearly 40 thatched-roof houses. Each building preserves its traditional exterior, famous for its kayabuki (thatched) roofing style. These aren't just show houses — real people live in them, going about everyday life just like anywhere else. The well-preserved traditional architecture lets visitors experience the authentic atmosphere of rural Japan.

18. Byodo-in Temple

Byodo-in Temple (平等院) is considered one of the finest examples of Jodo (Pure Land) style architecture in Japan, generally known as Buddhist Pure Land architecture. What sets it apart from other Japanese temples is that its design is built entirely around Buddhist concepts, unified as a single vision — seen especially in its garden, which represents the Buddhist Pure Land ideal and later became a model for other temples. The site was originally not a temple but a villa belonging to an influential noble family. It was later converted into a temple, Byodo-in, by the owner's son. The building was first constructed in 998 and converted into a temple in 1052. During that transformation, the famous Phoenix Hall was built, which later became the symbol on the back of the Japanese yen coin — a testament to the temple's importance.

17. Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle (二条城) is located in Kyoto, and is one of the city's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The castle is centuries old, built around 1603 as the residence of the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo period (1603–1867). Building the castle was no small task: with so many structures to complete, and the difficulties of the era, construction took many years. What you see today isn't only from the Edo period; many parts were added or rebuilt later.

16. Nishiki Market

Nishiki Market is considered the most famous market in Kyoto. It's always lively, with visitors browsing a huge variety of shops. Though it is a narrow shopping street only about five blocks long, it is lined with more than 100 shops and restaurants selling everything from fresh and dried goods to seafood, cookware, Japanese knives, and seasonal specialties. Don't miss Kyoto's local specialties, such as sweets unique to the city, pickled vegetables, unusual dried seafood, and traditional Kyoto-style sushi. With such a huge variety of food on offer, it has earned the nickname "Kyoto's Kitchen."

15. Gion District

Gion is Kyoto's famous evening entertainment district, where you may spot geisha walking through the streets. The area is near Yasaka Shrine and the Kamo River. Its main street is lined with shops, teahouses, and restaurants, many featuring performances by geiko and maiko, which are hugely popular with visitors. The buildings here are traditional wooden structures, each only about 5–6 meters wide, and the area comes alive in the evening.

14. Heian Shrine

Heian Shrine has architecture that stands out from other shrines in Japan. It has a relatively short history compared with Kyoto's other shrines, having been built just over a century ago to mark the 1,100th anniversary of the founding of Kyoto and to honor the city's first and last emperors. The shrine's main hall is modeled on the original Heian-era imperial palace building, though at a smaller scale. Inside is a large garden filled with cherry trees, making Heian Shrine one of Kyoto's famous cherry blossom viewing spots.

13. Nanzen-ji Temple

Nanzen-ji Temple is located at the foot of the mountains in eastern Kyoto. This is an important Zen Buddhist temple with an extensive complex that includes several sub-temples. It was originally built around the 13th century by Emperor Kameyama as a retirement villa, later becoming Nanzen-ji Temple. During the wars of the Muromachi period, many of its structures were destroyed by fire, and much of what stands today is the result of later reconstruction.

12. Ryoan-ji Temple, the Rock Garden Temple

Ryoan-ji Temple is a Muromachi-period temple famous for its beautiful rock garden — considered one of the finest in Kyoto and among the best in Japan. Its fame draws large numbers of visitors from Japan and abroad every day. There's no clear record of exactly when the rock garden was created, but its distinctive design has made it renowned. If you want to see a truly beautiful rock garden in Kyoto, Ryoan-ji Temple is the top choice.

11. Yoshimine-dera Temple

Yoshimine-dera Temple is located in the mountains west of Kyoto. It's a Tendai Buddhist temple similar to the famous Kiyomizu-dera Temple across the way. The temple grounds are quite extensive, filled with refreshing natural scenery that lets visitors feel close to nature.

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10. Pontocho Riverside District

Pontocho stretches from Shijo-dori to Sanjo-dori. This narrow lane runs parallel to the Kamo River and is well known throughout Kyoto as a popular spot for eating and drinking, as well as a relaxing evening riverside walk. If you're looking for restaurants with great atmosphere, this is the place to come — both sides of the lane are lined with restaurants, pubs, and bars, especially yakitori grill spots. Most places open in the evening and stay open late, with only a few open during the day. Daytime visits have their own charm, but evening is best, especially at the restaurants on the Kamo River side of Pontocho, which offer a romantic atmosphere and wonderful views.

9. Ginkaku-ji Temple, the Silver Pavilion

Ginkaku-ji Temple, the Silver Pavilion of Kyoto, is a Zen temple built by the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa, who spent his retirement years living here. The temple was inspired by Kinkaku-ji Temple, the Golden Pavilion, which had similarly served as his grandfather's retirement retreat. After the shogun's death, his residence was converted into what is now Ginkaku-ji Temple.

8. Sanjusangendo Temple, the Thousand-Armed Kannon Temple

Sanjusangendo Temple is located in eastern Kyoto, also commonly known as the Thousand-Armed Kannon Temple. As the name suggests, the highlight here is its collection of 1,001 statues of the Thousand-Armed Kannon (Senju Kannon). The temple was founded around 1164. It suffered heavy fire damage in 1249, but it was rebuilt in 1266 in the complete condition seen today.

7. Kokedera, the Moss Temple

Kokedera, the Moss Temple, gets its name from its garden, which is almost entirely covered in moss. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visiting requires prior permission from the temple. You apply by sending a letter, and the temple sends back an invitation letter, which you present on arrival.

6. Higashiyama District

Higashiyama District is a historic street for strolling and shopping, lined with shops and sweet stores that evoke old Kyoto. It sits on the hillside in eastern Kyoto, especially the stretch between Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Yasaka Shrine, a narrow walking street lined with traditional wooden Japanese buildings housing restaurants and local sweet shops, giving a real sense of old Kyoto's unique character.

5. Kibune Village

Kibune is a small rural village in the mountains north of Kyoto, known for its natural beauty combined with Japanese art and culture. It's home to the famous Kibune Shrine. According to legend, a deity traveled from Osaka by yellow boat, sailing up the river to the mountains north of Kyoto and arriving at this village — which is how it got its name, Kibune, meaning "yellow boat."

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4. Arashiyama

Arashiyama is another popular area with tourists, located west of Kyoto. It draws large crowds during cherry blossom season and autumn leaf season, especially for a ride on the Sagano Romantic Train and a walk through the striking bamboo grove behind Tenryu-ji Temple, Arashiyama's famous temple.

3. Kinkaku-ji Temple, the Golden Pavilion

Kinkaku-ji Temple, commonly known as the Golden Pavilion, gets its name from its main hall, almost entirely covered in gold and standing prominently over the water, creating a beautiful reflection that has become one of Kyoto's iconic images. Kinkaku-ji also inspired the shogun's son to later build Ginkaku-ji Temple, the Silver Pavilion.

2. Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kiyomizu-dera, or the "Pure Water Temple," is one of the most famous temples in Japan. Built in 780, it takes its name from the natural spring water flowing from the Otowa Waterfall. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple's famous main hall is a large wooden structure supported by pillars 13 meters tall, with a stage that extends outward, creating a beautiful viewpoint over Kyoto in every season. It's also a well-known spot for viewing cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. Remarkably, the wooden building was constructed without using a single nail.

1. Fushimi Inari Taisha

Fushimi Inari Taisha, also known as the Fox Shrine, is one of Kyoto's most important Shinto shrines. It's famous for its thousands of red torii gates lined up behind the shrine, forming a path that winds all the way up the sacred Mount Inari. The deity Inari represents abundance, rice harvests, and agriculture in general, and is often associated with foxes as messengers (some say Inari can even take fox form), which is why you'll see many fox statues around the shrine. The shrine is extremely old, said to have been founded in 711, predating the founding of Kyoto itself.

So there you have it — 24 of Kyoto's most popular attractions. In truth, Kyoto has even more to offer, including the Kyoto National Museum and many other fascinating temples and shrines. If you want to explore Kyoto in depth, it's worth setting aside a full week.

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▌ Essential Kyoto Travel Information