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Yasaka Pagoda, in HigashiyamaKyoto, temples at dawn
The old capital keeps its temples, gardens and wooden lanes. The big sights get crowded during the day: the secret is to start early.
PlanJapanCities and regions · KyotoSix visits, best started early
Adult prices, checked in October 2026. Opening hours change with the seasons: check the day before.
- 01
Fushimi Inari TaishaThousands of vermilion torii up the hill. JR Inari Station, 5 min from Kyoto Station.
- 02
Kiyomizu-deraThe great wooden terrace on stilts. Open until 9:30 pm from November 21 to 30, 2026.
- 03
The Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji)The gold-covered pavilion and its reflection in the pond, in the northwest of the city.
- 04
ArashiyamaThe bamboo grove and the garden of Tenryu-ji, whose north gate opens onto the bamboo.
- 05
Higashiyama and GionThe wooden lanes up to Kiyomizu-dera, then Gion at dusk, with Yasaka Shrine lit up.
- 06
Autumn maplesPeak color around November 20. At Tofuku-ji, the autumn season runs November 14 to December 6, 2026.
Also: the Silver Pavilion (Ginkaku-ji, 1,000 ¥) and the free Philosopher's Path, which leads down to Nanzen-ji.
Fushimi Inari never closes and Kiyomizu-dera opens at 6 am: go before 8 am and you'll have them almost to yourself. Save the gardens for the afternoon and Gion for dusk.
PlanJapanCities and regions · KyotoGetting around, eating, respecting Gion
Weekends and public holidays; free with the pass. The regular bus costs 230 ¥, paid when you get off, but it's often packed.
- Do
- Follow Gion's signs: the district asks you not to enter its private lanes without permission, and not to photograph a geiko or maiko without her consent.
- If you pass a geiko or maiko, don't follow her or block her way.
- Eat at the stall, at Nishiki Market as at the temples.
- Avoid
- Blocking Fushimi Inari's narrow paths for a photo.
- Tripods, monopods or drones at Kiyomizu-dera.
- The bus with a big suitcase: take the subway or the train.
Six places to eat
The hot tofu set, yudofu, at 4,400 ¥, on the way up to Kiyomizu-dera. Cash.
Closed Thursdays
Soy ramen near the station, open from 6 am: perfect before Fushimi Inari.
Closed Thursdays
House udon, dipped in a hot broth, at the foot of Ginkaku-ji.
Closed Thursdays
Gion's confectioner and its kuzukiri, noodles made from kuzu starch.
Closed Mondays
390 m of covered stalls, roughly 10 am to 6 pm. Eat at the stall, not while walking.
In the morning
Mame-mochi, rice cakes with red beans. Under 1,000 ¥, cash.
Closed Tuesdays
PlanJapanCities and regions · KyotoNear the station, or in the heart of Gion
Around the station For the trains
The Shinkansen, the JR line to Inari and Nara, the Haruka to the airport and the express buses all leave from here.
A hostel 9 min on foot from the station, with a rooftop terrace.
A natural hot spring bath inside the hotel.
2 min from the JR station's central exit.
Kawaramachi, Gion and Higashiyama For evening strolls
The center and the old districts on foot, the Keihan and Hankyu lines to Osaka.
Hostel and café-bar, near the Kamo River.
5 min on foot from the Tozai subway line, in the Sanjo area.
On Yasaka-dori street; free shuttle from the station.
Fushimi Inari before the crowds, tea in the afternoon, Gion in the evening.
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PlanJapanCities and regions · Kyoto