Top Things To Do In Kyoto

Tailoring each experience to your wishes by locals who love their city

Group of tourists posing with their local guide at a popular temple in Kyoto

Top things to do in Kyoto

From exploring cool neighborhoods to eating with the locals to seeing iconic sites, these are some of our favorite experiences

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Wondering what to do in Kyoto?

Kyoto at its core is a perfect pocket of Japanese history and culture, and many of the most memorable things to do in Kyoto offer an authentic glimpse into the Japan of centuries ago. Whether you explore 1200-year-old Kiyomizu-dera Temple, walk the wood-built streets of fairytale Higashiyama, or marvel at geishas in twinkling Gion, the city narrates Japan’s history beautifully. But Kyoto certainly hasn’t lagged behind in the modern aspects of Japanese life. In fact, the things to do in Kyoto span centuries, and the other side of the city is an exhilarating world of late-night karaoke bars, draft beers at intimate izakayas, and fluorescent 100-yen sushi restaurants.

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Tess

Kyoto

Culture lover sharing Kyoto’s traditions, tea, and the city’s most amazing spots!

Japan’s historic heart

Kyoto is a perfect snapshot of old Japan brimming with ancient temples, traditional teahouses, and narrow streets leading to centuries-old shrines tucked between modern storefronts. Many of the things to do in Kyoto today are the same things locals would have been doing centuries ago. From catching a streetside performance put on by a geisha to sitting down for the 1000-year-old experience of traditional Kaiseki dining, the things to do in Kyoto can take its visitors on a mesmerizing trip through time. It may be small in size, but the city is infinitely vast in cultural heritage.

Locals enjoying a meal with tourists while exploring the izakayas of Kyoto

Food fit for royalty

There’s a reason Kyoto was nicknamed the “kitchen of the Imperial Court” – the food here is spectacular. From traditional tea ceremonies with sweet wagashi confections to snacking on gyoza dumplings at Kamo River, many of the best things to do in Kyoto revolve around food. You could sample street food in the crisscrossing lanes of centuries-old Nishiki Market, the crowded “kitchen of Kyoto”, or experience the opulent epitome of Japanese haute cuisine, Kaiseki, a traditional multi-course menu. As long as you have an appetite, you certainly won’t struggle for things to do in Kyoto.

A Geisha posing in at night in Kyoto with a Shingon Buddhist temple in the background

Kyoto by night

Nights in the city are the stuff of magic, and some of the most exciting things to do in Kyoto only appear when the sun goes down. Kyoto’s traditional entertainment district, Gion, wakes up, and quiet streets packed with restaurants, vibey local haunts, and tucked-away shrines become crowded. The cobbled streets, bathed in the golden glow of paper lanterns, take on an ethereal appeal made even more bewitching by geishas floating by. Catch a traditional performance at Gion Corner, belt out a song at a karaoke bar, or have a drink at a quiet bar away from the madness – the night is yours.

Kyoto travel tips and inspiration from our Travel Magazine

Find essential city info, travel tips and the best things to do in Kyoto and around the world recommended by our local hosts

Latest reviews from our guests

Fue un excelente city tour en Kioto!! Nuestra guía Ai fue una gran persona, atenta, amable, con una gran actitud de servicio y de mostrarnos todo lo que debíamos conocer a pesar del clima tan caluroso, siempre mostró paciencia y actitud comprensiva. Tuvimos varias alternativas y opciones a la medida de nuestras necesidades y al paso de los niños. Es un tour que recomendamos ampliamente para introducirse a la ciudad y sus lugares especiales. Gracias!! It was an excellent city tour of Kyoto! Our guide, Ai, was a wonderful person, attentive, kind, and helpful. She showed us everything we needed to see despite the hot weather. She was always patient and understanding. We had several options tailored to our needs and the children's pace. We highly recommend this tour for an introduction to the city and its special places. Thank you!

Jul 2025

Tatiana M
We had a truly wonderful time on our tour with Mia! She was incredibly knowledgeable and made Kyoto’s history and culture come to life in such an engaging way. Mia did a fantastic job tailoring the tour to our interests, and we appreciated all the thoughtful details she included along the way. It never felt rushed or overly scripted — more like exploring the city with a friend who happened to know everything about it. We came away with a deeper appreciation for Kyoto and great memories.

Jul 2025

Molly M
We had a truly wonderful time on our tour with Mia! She was incredibly knowledgeable and made Kyoto’s history and culture come to life. Mia did a great job tailoring the tour to our interests, and we appreciated all the thoughtful details she included along the way. Mia is a one of a kind tour guide. We highly recommend — It felt like exploring the city with a friend who happened to know everything about it. We came away with a deeper appreciation for Kyoto and life long memories. Thank you Mia!

Jul 2025

Molly M
Kenta was a phenomenal tour guide. We had a big age range in our group (9 to 73) and had to take many breaks. Kenta was very accommodating and let us set our own pace. He knew a ton about Kyoto and its history and was ready to answer all our questions. He picked a perfect itinerary for our interests and our abilities. It was a wonderful tour and we would highly recommend it for anyone visiting Kyoto.

Jul 2025