Things to do in Kyoto: highlights for first-time visitors
Traveling to Japan for the first time, but not sure where to start? Still steeped in tradition, the Land of the Rising Sun is sure to surprise you.
And while Japan has many fascinating cities and villages, Kyoto is the best starting point for newcomers. Not only does it boast an impressive number of temples and castles, but it is strategically located on the Tokaido Shinkansen line for easy side trips and has plenty of delicious restaurants to satisfy your appetite.
Wander around Fushimi Inari Shrine
Thanks to our little friend jet lag, you will likely be awake long before the sun makes its first appearance. Don’t worry though – get dressed and head straight to the Fushimi Inari Shrine to beat the massive crowds that will inevitably arrive each day.
Fushimi Inari features several tiny shrines and over 10,000 vermilion “torii” gates stacked all the way to the top of the small but sacred Mount Inari, the Shinto god of rice; foxes, said to be Inari’s messengers, are ubiquitous throughout the shrine grounds (in statue form, that is). A wonderful introduction to Japanese culture, that’s for sure!
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japan travel tips
Spot geishas in Gion
Welcome to Kyoto’s most famous geisha district! Here you will find experienced geishas and their maiko (apprentices), as well as a high concentration of traditional wooden machiya merchant houses. Entering the district is like stepping back in time and offers a wonderful glimpse of Edo Japan.
But whatever you do, remember to be respectful to the geishas you meet. If you want to take a picture of them, just ask – many geishas have complained in recent years that tourists act like unscrupulous paparazzi. Please don’t be one of them!
Arashiyama bamboo grove
The famous bamboo groves, also in Arashiyama, are almost too perfect to be true, and remain one of Kyoto’s most cherished highlights.
Though beautiful at any time, the grove is especially remarkable on days with a light breeze, when you can hear the tall bamboo stems swaying and brushing against each other.
Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world, with some species growing up to 35 inches in a 24-hour period – if you stand still long enough, you could literally see one grow in front of your eyes!
Mingle with monkeys in Arashiyama
On the western outskirts of Kyoto, Arashiyama, a tiny neighborhood that feels more like a mountain village than anything else, is home to a thriving population of monkeys.
A short hike takes visitors to the Iwatayama Monkey Park, where about 100 monkeys roam freely. While nowhere near as famous as the snow monkeys of Nagano, these specimens are a good compromise and will certainly keep you entertained for the duration of your visit.
The park is also a good place to admire the mountain and the ลi River, a nationally designated Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty.
Visit the many, many temples in Kyoto
Since Kyoto was Japan’s capital and emperor’s residence from 794 to 1868, it makes sense that it would be home to some significant buildings. And that includes temples, of course – 1600 of them, to be exact!
Since a lifetime is probably not enough to visit them all, it’s wiser to start with the most iconic, starting with Toji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located just south of Kyoto’s main train station, Toji was founded in the late 700s and features Japan’s tallest pagoda and two historic wooden temples.
On the other side of the city is Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion – which isn’t just a nickname, by the way, as the top floors are literally covered in gold leaf. It was the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and served as the inspiration for the similar and equally interesting Ginkakuji (the Silver Pavilion), which was later built by Yoshimitsu’s grandson. Both Zen temples have beautifully landscaped grounds and are well worth a visit.
