52 Coolest Things to Do in Kyoto
Kyoto may no longer be the capital of Japan or home to the emperor, but this city is still king of culture. There are so many cool things to do in Kyoto that it’s a one-stop shop for everything you’ve ever imagined Japan to be.
From geishas to traditional tea ceremonies, shrines to cherry blossoms, this historical city has it all. If you’re wondering what to do in Kyoto then then you’ve come to the right place. I spent three days in Kyoto and managed to make a good dent in the huge range of cool activities in Kyoto, but I’d totally go back to make my way through more of this list.
Here are just a few Kyoto activities to get your trip started.
52 Coolest Things to Do in Kyoto
1. With more than a thousand Buddhist temples in Kyoto, prioritise Kinkakuji Temple and its famous Golden Pavilion.
2. Beware of the many bridal parties you’ll have to battle to get a picture at the extremely pretty Kifune Shrine.
3. Feel like you’ve stepped into a movie in Gion, the geisha district, with its old wooden machiya houses.
4. Spend a night in a traditional wooden house like Iori Machiya Stay.
5. Did you even go to Kyoto if you then didn’t dress up as a Geisha girl yourself?
6. While you’re wandering in Gion, visit an ochaya, or a traditional tea house, for a decent cuppa and keep your fingers crossed you’ll get a real geisha performance. Pick up some cool Japanese souvenirs while you’re here.
7. If you don’t, catch the geishas at Gion Corner for one of their daily cultural shows.
8. Unwind with a Japanese beer somewhere traditional like Kurakura.
9. People watch from the banks of the Kamo river.
10. Hang with the coolest crowd around at the Monkey Park Iwatayama.
11. Splash out on a Kaiseki traditional multi-course Japanese dinner.
12. Find your inner peace with a quick course in zen meditation from a priest at the Shunkoin Temple.
13. Visit the kind of creepy but colourful handmade characters on Yokai, aka Monster, Street.
14. See if you recognise the red gate path at the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine from the Memoirs of a Geisha movie.
15. Visit the Kimono Forest at night to see pretty pillars of colourful kimono fabric all lit up.