Make the most of your trip to Kyoto with our comprehensive Kyoto itineraries and rundown of essential attractions in each of Kyoto’s fascinating districts
Kyoto Itineraries
image © Jeffrey
Friedl
1-day, 2-day, 3-day, 4-day and 5-day itineraries to explore Kyoto, all
worked out for you to make the most of the city. Read More
The very best of autumn
image © Chris
Rowthorn
First visit to Kyoto? Here’s everything you need to know on one page. Read
More
Kyoto Ryokan
image © Chris
Rowthorn
Ryokan are traditional Japanese inns and a quintessential Kyoto
experience. Read
More
Kyoto Hotels
image © Genji
Kyoto Hotel
Kyoto has a wide variety of excellent hotels in all budget classes. Here
are my top picks. Read More
Kyoto Machiya
image © Old
Kyoto
Machiya are traditional Japanese townhouses available as vacation
rentals. Read
More
Kyoto Places To Eat
image © City
Foodsters
Kyoto has a huge mix of places to eat, from haute cuisine to
hole-in-the-wall dumplings. Read More
Things To Do In Kyoto
image © Shutterstock | Benny
Marty
Our comprehensive list of the best things to do in Kyoto will
help you make the most of your time in the city. Read More
Romantic Kyoto
image © Old
Kyoto
If you’re in search of a romantic hideaway for your Kyoto trip,
here are our top picks for Kyoto’s most romantic places to stay.
Read
More
Kyoto Walking Tours
image © Chris
Rowthorn
Chris Rowthorn Tours offers private guided Kyoto walking
tours for groups of 1 to 6 people. Read More
Kyoto Districts
image © Jeffrey
Friedl
Explore Kyoto’s famous temples, stunning mountain views,
secret alleyways and zen gardens with our easy to follow
guides. Read More
Kyoto Events
image © Jeffrey
Friedl
See the full rundown of fascinating events happening this
month in Kyoto. Read More
Getting Around Kyoto
image © Jeffrey Friedl
Make the most of Kyoto’s excellent bus system, taxis and
trains. Read More
Japan Travel Guides
There are several must-see destinations in Japan within easy reach of Kyoto. They all make great additions to any Kyoto itinerary. These concise guides provide details about what to see and do.
Tokyo Travel Guide
image © Truly
Tokyo
Find Tokyo’s best attractions on my companion website
TrulyTokyo.com Read
More
Osaka Travel Guide
image © Inside
Osaka
Discover Osaka’s amazing sights on my companion website
InsideOsaka.com Read
More
Nara Travel Guide
image © Damien
Douxchamps
Nara is a spectacular contrast to Kyoto – and only half
an hour away by express train Read More
Kanazawa Travel Guide
image © _yuki_k_
Sometimes called “Little Kyoto,” Kanazawa is a superb
destination in its own right. Read
More
Hiroshima And Miyajima
images © globalismpictures
and xiquinho
Hiroshima and the nearby island of Miyajima provide
some of Japan’s most memorable sights
Read
More
Takayama Travel Guide
image © eugen_o
Takayama is a great stopover between Tokyo and Kyoto
with its own distinct cultural heritage
Read
More
New And Updated On Inside Kyoto 2025
- UPDATED Best Restaurants In Kyoto 2025 – Here is our list of the best restaurants in Kyoto as of February 2025. I’ve divided them by type of cuisine, with location and price range indicated to make it easy to choose. Read More
- UPDATED Things To Do In Kyoto 2025 – Kyoto is world famous for its wonderful temples and shrines. But that’s only the beginning of the story. There’s also incredible shopping, bicycling, hiking, museums, galleries and green spaces. Here’s a full list of things to do in Kyoto. Read More
- NEW Sake Brewery Tour and Sake Tasting in Kyoto – Most sake brewery tours are impersonal group tours that require a long journey into the countryside, but there’s one brewery in central Kyoto that offers private tours and sake tasting. It’s called Sasaki Shuzo and they offer private tours led by the head brewer. Read More
- UPDATED The Complete IC Card Guide – IC cards like Suica, Welcome Suica and Icoca are the easiest way to pay for nearly everything in Japan. Here’s the complete guide to physical and digital IC cards and a handy decision tree to help you choose which card to buy or install on your phone. Read More
- UPDATED Where To Stay In Kyoto 2025 – If you’re wondering where to stay in Kyoto, check our comparison of Kyoto’s key areas for places to stay and our rundown of the types of accommodation available in Kyoto. Read More
- NEW Coltrane Sweet Tonkatsu Curry – Sweet tonkatsu curry and cool jazz is a great combination and Coltrane is the place to enjoy it. Coltrane is a hip little joint on the edge of downtown, within easy walking distance of many hotels in the city core. It’s one of our favorite curry joints in Kyoto. Read More
- NEW Meshi Dokoro Pochi – We love this casual izakaya-style restaurant in downtown Kyoto for the varied menu of toothsome favorites, cool atmosphere and ease of ordering (via smartphone). It’s the perfect place for a nice dinner and drinks in the heart of the city. Read More
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
