Kyoto, the political and cultural center of Japan for over 1000 years, has developed as the capital. It boasts numerous historical buildings such as Kiyomizudera and Kinkakuji, with 17 cultural properties including temples, shrines, and castles registered as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Surrounded by mountains and blessed with abundant rivers, the cityscape harmonizes with nature, showcasing beautiful expressions in every season. Rich in ingredients and food culture, Kyoto offers various culinary experiences unique to the area. It's one of Japan's top tourist destinations, popular among domestic and international visitors year-round, brimming with elegant charm that makes you want to visit again and again.
In this article, we'll introduce the must-see classic spots among Kyoto's countless attractions, places you absolutely should visit when exploring Kyoto attractions in 2024.
Must-See Classic Spots
Kiyomizudera
Source: TripAdvisor
When it comes to representative Kyoto attractions in 2024, "Kiyomizudera" tops the list. As a Kansai resident, I've visited numerous times since childhood for school trips, family outings, and sightseeing with friends.
Kiyomizudera boasts over 1200 years of history and is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The main attraction is undoubtedly the "Kiyomizu Stage" of the main hall. Built on the cliff of Mt. Otowa, the stage juts out from the cliff. It's one of Kyoto's best viewpoints, offering a panoramic view of the city against the backdrop of the mountain landscape, which changes with the seasons - cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall.
Kiyomizudera is also home to the three-storied pagoda, a symbol of Kyoto. With over 30 buildings designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties of Japan, it's worth taking your time to explore thoroughly.
<Spot Information>
- Address: 1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
- Access:
・From JR Kyoto Station: Take Kyoto City Bus 206 bound for Higashiyama-dori Kitaoji Bus Terminal or 100 bound for Kiyomizudera Gion / Ginkakuji, get off at Gojozaka, then walk 10 minutes.
・From Hankyu Kyoto Line Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station: Take Kyoto City Bus 207 bound for Tofukuji / Kujo Garage, get off at Kiyomizumichi, then walk 10 minutes.
・From Keihan Main Line Gion-Shijo Station: Take Keihan Bus 83, 85, 87, 88, etc., get off at Kiyomizumichi or Gojozaka, then walk 10 minutes.
- Phone: 075-551-1234
- Visiting Hours: 6:00-18:00 (Special night viewing 3/23-3/31, 8/14-8/16, 11/18-11/30 until 21:30, last entry 21:00)
- Official Website: https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/
Hanamikoji Street
Source: TripAdvisor
Hanamikoji Street is the main street of Gion Shopping District. The district flourished as the approach to Yasaka Shrine, a famous Kyoto landmark, and remains popular among locals and tourists alike. The scenery of stone-paved streets lined with traditional Japanese townhouses exudes a unique Kyoto atmosphere.
As Kyoto's largest geisha district, you might occasionally encounter maiko (apprentice geisha) in their distinctive white makeup and charming kimonos. Step into the side alleys off Hanamikoji Street, and you'll feel as if you've traveled back in time, surrounded by the refined townscape that reflects its history.
While there are long-established Japanese confectionery shops and high-end Japanese restaurants, you'll also find cafes of Kyoto-born Western confectionery brands like "MALEBRANCHE" and Japanese craft shops, making it popular among young people as well.
<Spot Information>
- Address: Gion-machi Minamigawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
- Access: 4-minute walk from Keihan Main Line Gion-Shijo Station
- Official Website: https://www.gion.or.jp/
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Source: TripAdvisor
Fushimi Inari Taisha, famous for its "Senbon Torii" (thousands of vermilion torii gates), is a popular spot that attracts tourists daily who come to see its magnificent appearance. When I took my Danish photographer friend there, he couldn't stop clicking his camera, completely absorbed in capturing the scene.
Inari shrines enshrine deities associated with rice, known for using foxes as messengers. Affectionately called "Oinari-san," Inari shrines are very familiar to Japanese people, and Fushimi Inari Taisha is the origin of this tradition. You'll encounter fox statues and motifs throughout the shrine grounds.
Fushimi Inari Taisha is vast, with the entire 233m high Mt. Inari serving as a circular hiking course. It takes about 2 hours to reach the summit, so wearing sneakers is best. Don't forget to stay hydrated. The view from the top after the challenging climb is exceptional, so I recommend making it all the way up.
<Spot Information>
- Address: 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto
- Access: Right next to JR Nara Line Inari Station, 5-minute walk from Keihan Main Line Fushimi Inari Station
- Phone: 075-641-7331
- Visiting Hours: 24 hours
- Official Website: https://inari.jp/
Byodoin
Source: TripAdvisor
Byodoin is a representative cultural property of Japan and is featured on the Japanese 10-yen coin. Built in 1052, it's the only remaining temple left by the Fujiwara clan, the most prosperous noble family of the time. The "Phoenix Hall," said to represent the Pure Land free from all suffering, is breathtakingly beautiful and emanates an otherworldly aura.
Standing on an island in the pond, its reflection mirrored on the water surface is ethereal, enveloped in a stillness that seems to stop time. Once you witness it, you might even feel moved to tears.
Inside the Phoenix Hall, precious Buddha statues and paintings remain as they were originally, further overwhelming visitors with their majestic worldview. The garden and the adjacent "Byodoin Museum Hoshokan" also have many points of interest, so it's a spot where you'll want to spend ample time exploring leisurely.
<Spot Information>
- Address: 116 Uji Renge, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Access: 10-minute walk from JR Nara Line Uji Station or Keihan Uji Line Uji Station
- Phone: 0774-21-2861
- Visiting Hours: Garden 8:30-17:30 (last entry 17:00), Phoenix Hall interior viewing 9:30-16:10 (reception from 9:00, 3 viewings per hour, 50 people per viewing, first-come-first-served), Byodoin Museum Hoshokan 9:00-12:00 (last entry 16:45), Museum Shop 9:00-17:00, Japanese Tea Specialty Store & Tea Room Toka 10:00-16:30 (L.O. 16:00)
- Admission: Garden + Byodoin Museum Hoshokan / Adults 700 yen, Junior and Senior High School Students (13-18 years old) 400 yen, Elementary School Students (6-12 years old) 300 yen, Phoenix Hall interior viewing / 300 yen for all ages, Garden only is free
- Official Website: https://www.byodoin.or.jp/
Kinkakuji
Source: Official Website
Kinkakuji, or the Golden Pavilion, is a popular spot that attracts tourists daily who come to see its splendid appearance. It was built by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, a shogun who flourished in the 1300s.
The main "Shariden Kinkaku" (Reliquary Hall Golden Pavilion) has walls lavishly covered in pure gold leaf. The luxurious gold leaf shines brilliantly, demonstrating an overwhelming presence. On a calm, clear day, you can see a magnificent view of Kinkakuji reflected in the Kyoko-chi pond. When faced with such beauty, you might find yourself simply overwhelmed and speechless.
It's said that Ashikaga Yoshimitsu built Kinkakuji with hopes for peace during an era of war. You might feel your heart cleansed by its graceful radiance, seemingly inheriting those wishes.
<Spot Information>
- Address: 1 Kinkakuji-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto
- Access: Take Kyoto City Bus 205 from JR Kyoto Station and get off at "Kinkakuji-michi" stop
- Phone: 075-461-0013
- Visiting Hours: 9:00-17:00
- Admission: Adults (16 and over) 500 yen, Elementary and Junior High School Students (6-15 years old) 300 yen
- Official Website: https://www.shokoku-ji.jp/kinkakuji/
Togetsukyo Bridge
Source: TripAdvisor
One of Kyoto's charms is that you can enjoy rich nature surrounded by mountains and rivers just a short distance from the city center. Among these, Arashiyama is a popular tourist area, and Togetsukyo Bridge has long been loved as its symbol.
Togetsukyo Bridge spans the Katsura River, one of Kyoto's clear streams, and is a famous scenic spot depicted even by Katsushika Hokusai, one of Japan's leading ukiyo-e artists. You can enjoy various expressions depending on the time of day, from the morning glow to the fantastical night scenery when it's illuminated.
Nearby, you can find attractions like the Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama, where you can meet wild Japanese macaques, and the Fukuda Art Museum, which houses numerous Japanese paintings. Why not take a leisurely tour around the area?
For those who want to experience nature more actively, I recommend the "Hozugawa River Boat Ride." It's an attraction where you ride a boat down the approximately 16 km Hozu Gorge (Katsura River), with Togetsukyo Bridge as the goal point. The beautiful scenery viewed from the river surface is also magnificent.
<Spot Information>
- Address: Saga Nakanoshima-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto
- Access: 2-minute walk from Keifuku (Randen) Arashiyama Station, 8-minute walk from Hankyu Arashiyama Line Arashiyama Station, 11-minute walk from JR Sagano Line Saga-Arashiyama Station
- Reference Site: https://ja.kyoto.travel/tourism/single01.php?category_id=8&tourism_id=2682
Bamboo Grove Path
Source: TripAdvisor
If you come to Arashiyama, be sure to take a stroll through the "Bamboo Grove Path." It's a bamboo forest walking path about 15 minutes on foot from Togetsukyo Bridge, also famous as a photogenic spot. Tens of thousands of bamboo trees grow thickly on both sides, stretching straight up to the sky with powerful vigor, filled with an ethereal beauty.
It's cool even in summer and has a clear, crisp air in winter. For me, it's like a power spot where I can reset both mind and body. A stark contrast from the hustle and bustle of tourist areas, in this solemn and mysterious atmosphere, when you take a deep breath of the clear air, you'll feel your heart becoming peacefully fulfilled.
Currently, it's crowded with tourists at any time, so it might be better to visit early in the morning or in the evening if possible. My recommended route is to continue through the path and visit the adjacent Okochi Sanso garden and observatory.
<Spot Information>
- Address: Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyama-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto
- Access: 10-minute walk from Keifuku (Randen) Arashiyama Station, 13-minute walk from JR Sagano Line "Saga-Arashiyama" Station
- Reference Site: https://ja.kyoto.travel/tourism/single01.php?category_id=8&tourism_id=2683
Where to Enjoy Kyoto's Food
Nishiki Market
Source: TripAdvisor
Nishiki Market has been supporting the local people's food as "Kyoto's Kitchen" for about 400 years. Stretching 390 meters east to west, shops selling ingredients and processed foods that support Kyoto's daily life are packed tightly together.
There are shops for Kyoto vegetables, fishmongers, butchers, tofu shops, pickle specialists, tempura specialists, and dried food stores (mainly seafood soaked in salt water and dried in the shade). I often find myself lingering too long because there are so many interesting shops.
Many shops have eating spaces in the back or on the second floor, allowing you to go around tasting each shop's proud flavors, from freshly fried tempura to healthy tofu dishes. There are also stores selling essential cooking utensils, including the famous knife shop "Aritsugu," which has penetrated from top chefs to ordinary households.
There are many specialized utensils for Japanese cuisine, and thinking about how these contribute to the creation of such delicate Japanese dishes is endlessly fascinating. It's no wonder Nishiki Market has many foreign fans.
With about 90 shops gathered in Nishiki Market, having prior knowledge will double your enjoyment. If you want to fully experience this market, I recommend participating in the following guided tour:
<Spot Information>
- Address: 609 Nishidaimonji-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
- Access: About 3-minute walk from Shijo Station on the Karasuma Subway Line, about 3-minute walk from Karasuma Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line, about 4-minute walk from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station, about 10-minute walk from Shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line
- Phone: Varies by store
- Business Hours: Vary by store
- Official Website: https://www.kyoto-nishiki.or.jp/
Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour
The "Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour" is a tour that allows you to enjoy Nishiki Market efficiently and deeply. Local guides well-versed in Kyoto introduce and let you sample a variety of flavors loved by locals.
After tasting 2-4 types of food, you'll have a hearty brunch at a restaurant. The local guide will carefully explain Kyoto's rich food culture and history. Users praise it, saying "It deepens understanding more than just sightseeing." Please participate in this tour and experience new, unknown flavors.
Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour
Pontocho
When night falls, Pontocho comes alive with the lanterns of restaurants and bars lighting up. It's characterized by alleys lined with houses featuring thousand-slat lattices painted with bengara, a red pigment.
Like the Hanamikoji area mentioned earlier, the tasteful townscape typical of geisha districts is loved across generations. Pontocho is home to not only high-end Japanese restaurants and shabu-shabu places but also numerous izakayas where you can enjoy meals and drinks at reasonable prices. There are also bars that open from 15:00, so it's nice to enjoy drinks even during daylight hours.
In Pontocho, I recommend enjoying "bar hopping," visiting 2-3 establishments in succession.
Also, although it's limited to summer, you might want to experience a special time at the kawadoko (riverside dining platforms unique to the Kamo River, where restaurants set up outdoor seating by the river for customers to enjoy meals while staying cool).
<Spot Information>
- Address: 609 Nishidaimonji-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
- Access: 5-minute walk from Sanjo Keihan Station on the Subway Tozai Line, 10-minute walk from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station
5-minute walk from Sanjo Station on the Keihan Main Line, 3-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station, 5-minute walk from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line
- Phone: Varies by store
- Business Hours: Vary by store
- Official Website: https://www.ponto-chou.com/
Summary
We've picked out the must-visit tourist attractions you should definitely check out when going to Kyoto. We've introduced not only scenic buildings and atmospheric townscapes but also the food culture of ordinary people that has been passed down through a long history.
Even from a Japanese perspective, Kyoto is special, a city with an elegant atmosphere. There's still so much to discover, and no matter how many times you visit, its depth never fails to surprise.
For those reading this article, I hope you'll go to Kyoto and directly see, hear, and feel its unique world for yourself. I'm sure an emotional experience unlike any other awaits you!