Quick Summary:

  • Kyoto is the spiritual heart of Japan, boasting over 2,000 Buddhist temples and shrines.
  • It is the place to experience ‘Old Japan’ with its imperial palaces, Zen gardens, and traditional teahouses.
  • This famous city, once Japan’s geographic capital, is now its cultural capital.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Adachi Museum of Art ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Museums & Culture
Adachi Museum of Art | What to See in Kyoto, Japan
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2. Arashiyama ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Arashiyama | What to See in Kyoto, Japan
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3. Byodo-in

Byodo-in | What to See in Kyoto, Japan
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4. Fushimi Inari-taisha

Fushimi Inari-taisha | What to See in Kyoto, Japan
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5. Garden of Fine Arts

Category: Activities
Garden of Fine Arts | What to See in Kyoto, Japan
© Garden of Fine Arts

6. Ginkaku-ji

Ginkaku-ji | What to See in Kyoto, Japan
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7. Gion

Gion | What to See in Kyoto, Japan
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8. Heian Shrine

Heian Shrine | What to See in Kyoto, Japan
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9. Kaleidoscope Museum of Kyoto

Category: Museums & Culture
Kaleidoscope Museum of Kyoto | What to See in Kyoto, Japan
© Kaleidoscope Museum of Kyoto

10. Kenrokuen Garden

Category: Activities
Kenrokuen Garden | What to See in Kyoto, Japan
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11. Kinkaku-ji

Kinkaku-ji | What to See in Kyoto, Japan
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12. Kiyomizu-dera

Kiyomizu-dera | What to See in Kyoto, Japan
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13. Kyoto Imperial Palace

Kyoto Imperial Palace | What to See in Kyoto, Japan
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14. Kyoto National Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Kyoto National Museum | What to See in Kyoto, Japan
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15. Kyoto Tower

Kyoto Tower | What to See in Kyoto, Japan
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16. Manga Cafes

Category: Food & Drink
Manga Cafes | What to See in Kyoto, Japan
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17. Monkey Park Iwatayama

Category: Activities
Monkey Park Iwatayama | What to See in Kyoto, Japan
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18. Nijo Castle

Romantic Castles
Nijo Castle | What to See in Kyoto, Japan
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19. Nishiki Market

Category: Shopping
Nishiki Market | What to See in Kyoto, Japan
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20. Ritsurin Koen

Ritsurin Koen | What to See in Kyoto, Japan
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21. Ryoanji

Ryoanji | What to See in Kyoto, Japan
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22. To-ji

To-ji | What to See in Kyoto, Japan
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23. Yasaka Shrine

Yasaka Shrine | What to See in Kyoto, Japan
© Courtesy of oben901 - Fotolia.com

Summary & FAQ Adachi Museum of Art Arashiyama Byodo-in Fushimi Inari-taisha Garden of Fine Arts Ginkaku-ji Gion Heian Shrine Kaleidoscope Museum of Kyoto Kenrokuen Garden Kinkaku-ji Kiyomizu-dera Kyoto Imperial Palace Kyoto National Museum Kyoto Tower Manga Cafes Monkey Park Iwatayama Nijo Castle Nishiki Market Ritsurin Koen Ryoanji To-ji Yasaka Shrine

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