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What many tourists seek out in Kyoto is probably its historic status as an ancient capital, its Japanese religious views, aesthetic sensibilities, kimono culture, and the majestic scenery of its shrines and temples.
I am a Japanese person who has been living in Kyoto for about 50 years, and I would like to introduce some of my recommended ways to spend your time in Kyoto.I’m not good at English so please forgive me if there are some strange sentences.
Popular tourist spots in Kyoto are Arashiyama on the west side of the city, Kinkakuji Temple on the north side, Higashiyama on the east side, and Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine on the south side. Personally, I don’t recommend going to crowded places. If you want to go to popular spots, it’s best to go early in the morning. Also, if you go to the areas around the main spots or further inland, it’s surprisingly empty and you can see spectacular views. A hidden gem is Saga and Toriimoto deep in Arashiyama. There are beautiful and vast bamboo forests and the tombs of the Emperor, Adashino Nenbutsu Temple with its abandoned Buddha statues, and the townscape of Toriimoto, which is designated as a traditional buildings preservation district, is beautiful. I also recommend the large river “Kamogawa” that flows through the eastern part of Kyoto. The promenade and cycling path along the river is wide and safe, and there are no traffic lights, so it’s recommended for transportation.
If you want to enjoy Kyoto at night, we recommend the Kawaramachi, Gion, and Higashiyama areas located in the east of Kyoto.Many shops in Kawaramachi are open even at night, so you can go shopping or enjoy dinner at a restaurant.Gion is an area with high-end restaurants and bars that serve alcohol. There are also many “cabaret clubs” where you can drink alcohol with women in a uniquely Japanese style.Higashiyama Ward is one of the major tourist areas in Kyoto City, where the aforementioned Gion and many historical temples and shrines are located. It is not recommended to visit during the day as it is crowded, but at night the number of people thins out and it is quiet and comfortable. There are many illuminated shrines and temples, making it the perfect area to symbolize Kyoto at night.
Maybe it’s because I work at a bicycle rental shop, but I think Kyoto City is the perfect size for cycling around. Buses and cars cause traffic jams in the center of Kyoto and around popular tourist spots. I think cycling is the best means of transportation in Kyoto City. Furthermore, because Kyoto is a basin surrounded by mountains, it is a rare, compact city that combines urban areas with natural areas such as mountains and clear streams. If you make good use of the cycling paths along the Katsura River in the west and the Kamo River in the east, your trip will be even more enjoyable.Also, since Kyoto has many hills, an electric bicycle is recommended.
Best 8 Bike Rental Shops in Kyoto
Kyoto ramen has a long history, and is said to have originated at a ramen shop (the founder of Shinpuku Saikan) that opened near Kyoto Station around 1938.After that, Daiichi Asahi, Masutani, Tenka Ippin, Yokozuna, Ramen Fuji, etc. were opened.In addition, the disciples who had trained at these shops opened their own businesses one after another, and the number of ramen shops increased.The taste of ramen is subject to a lot of personal preference. I like traditional and light tasty soy sauce ramen, so I love Shinpuku Saikan, Hosokawa, Ten, and Haneman.
I found a website that introduces various types of ramen in Kyoto, so I’ll post a link to it.
Ramen, Tsukemen (Dipping noodles) in Kyoto
Temples are “Buddhism” and shrines are “Shinto（The Way of God）”.
Buddhism worships enlightened “Buddhas” such as Shakyamuni. On the other hand, Shinto is an ancient Japanese religion that worships multiple gods. It is an ancient Japanese culture of worshiping nature such as mountains, forests, seas, and wind. From this, they believe that gods reside in everything, and worship not only nature but also people, objects, and land as gods. Furthermore, Shinto does not have a founder or set teachings, so the word “way” is used instead of “kyo” (religion).
Here is a link to a website that introduces recommended temples and shrines in Kyoto.
24 Best Temples and Shrines in Kyoto（Hotels.com）
There are many types of tea in Japan, including sencha, hojicha, bancha, gyokuro, and matcha. Tea plants were brought back from China and cultivated in Japan, where they developed uniquely as Japanese tea, starting from Kyoto, and spread throughout Japan. Tea is deeply connected to Zen Buddhism and Bushido, as the ingredients in the tea awaken and help you concentrate.
Kyoto is a major producer of Uji tea. Wazuka-cho, Uji City, and Ujitawara City are particularly famous, and you can see the spectacular views of tea fields, there are many specialty shops where you can purchase tea products, and you can even experience the tea ceremony. Uji can be reached by train in about 20 minutes from Kyoto Station.
Here are some of the programs you can experience in Uji.
Experience programs
Kamo River is a river that flows through the eastern part of Kyoto City. The scenery is beautiful and the riverside is perfectly maintained. Motorcycles and cars are not allowed, so it is very quiet, safe and comfortable. You can experience playing in the shallow waters or crossing the river using the stone blocks installed. Recommended for families with small children and couples. You can lie down on the natural grass and eat your lunch or read a book.
Kamogawa Path Map
*Repurposed from the official website
The Kyoto International Manga Museum was founded as a joint project of Kyoto City and Kyoto Seika University to collect, preserve, and exhibit manga materials, and conduct research into manga culture, for the purpose of holding exhibitions and events based on the research of these manga materials which are attracting attention from around the world. This museum is a new kind of cultural facility that concurrently performs library functions and museum functions. Manga materials preserved in the museum’s collection consist of approximately 300,000 items; from caricature woodblock prints of the Edo period(18th century), to magazines of the latter half of the 19th century and the pre-war time; as well as books ranging from post-war rental books to modern popular series and publications from abroad. The results of ongoing research based on these materials are made public through exhibitions, seminars, and workshops held by the museum. The museum is housed in the Showa era building of the former Tatsuike Elementary School, preserving its historical appearance, and thus representing the role that the school has played as a longtime symbol of the region.
KYOTO INTERNATIONAL MANGA MUSEUM Map
*Repurposed from the official website
The only JIDAIGEKI theme park in japan.TOEI Kyoto Studio Park is the only theme park in Japan where you can observe the filming of period dramas (jidaigeki films). Here you can walk freely around the TOEI Kyoto Studio film set. This set depicts a street from the Edo period, and is used to shoot more than 200 films per year. Enjoy the atmosphere of ancient Japan by taking in a ninja show maybe even dressing up as a geisha or samurai. You will find all kinds of entertainment for both the young and old, in this world of imagination and creation. Have a great time!
TOEI KYOTO STUDIO PARK website
My hobby is riding mountain trails on my mountain bike. There are many things to enjoy in the mountains, such as seeing beautiful scenery, drinking coffee, and eating homemade lunches. There are some mountains that you cannot reach by bicycle, but if you want to hike, I recommend the hiking trails around Mount Kurama, Mount Atago, Mount Takao, and Mount Daimonji. The altitude is low and the trails are easy to understand, so even beginners can climb with confidence. Mount Oe in Fukuchiyama City, a little away from Kyoto City, is also fantastic. It has long been said that demons live on the mountain, but when you climb it, you will be moved by the sacredness and mysticism of the mountain where gods reside, rather than the fear.
I found a website that introduces hiking trails in Kyoto, so I will post a link to it.
Best trails in Kyoto (AllTrails)
Currently, about 120 Japanese macaques live in the wild at Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama. In the park filled with nature, the monkeys show off their seasonal appearances throughout the year. Enjoy a moment with the monkeys away from the city, surrounded by the beautiful nature of Arashiyama, with cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in autumn. Monkey Mountain is a place you can enjoy all year round.
・Do not touch the monkeys.
・Stay 2m away from the monkeys.
・Do not bring selfie sticks close to the monkeys.
・You cannot feed the monkeys if you have brought your own food with you.
・You cannot feed the monkeys anywhere other than the designated area (inside the mountaintop rest area).
Arashiyama Monkey Park IWATAYAMA website
This is the Gion and Higashiyama area in the eastern part of Kyoto City. It is also famous as a neighborhood where you can meet real maiko dressed in kimono. Recently, there are simulated experience services where you can transform into a maiko and walk around and have your picture taken, so there are many non-real maiko. Gion, Kiyamachi, and Pontocho are basically night areas. This Higashiyama area has many restaurants that serve traditional and authentic Kyoto cuisine and Japanese food, some of which are very high-end. We recommend checking in advance on Google Maps whether reservations are required, the menu, and the price.
Here we introduce some of the experiences available in Kyoto.
Our store is a bicycle rental shop that specializes in electric bicycles.
Google Map
Bike rental and great coffee. A cool store with great reviews.
Google Map
A bicycle rental shop with a stylish townhouse-style building that has received high reviews from customers.
Google Map
Kyoto Arashiyama & Kinkakuji Quiet Trail E-Bike Tour *Pick up from/to Hotel
Google Map
Activities in Kyoto at night. Riding an ebike through Higashiyama at night when it’s not crowded.
Google Map
A popular bicycle tour company based at Kyoto Station that operates tours in various areas of Kyoto.
Google Map
Discover all the amazing things to do across the diverse landscapes of Kyoto Prefecture! Search for activities, restaurants, and local events, or get some inspiration on where to go with our Trip Ideas.
Another Kyoto Website
Shop／Kyoto Bike Rental & Tours Saiin
31-3 Saiinnishitakadachō Kyoto,Ukyo
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