Kyoto

Toei Kyoto Studio Park

東映太秦映画村 tōei uzumasa eigamura

Toei Kyoto Studio Park is an active film studio which continues to be used for the filming of period dramas. Visitors may visit the outdoor sets used in many samurai movies, and if they are lucky, could potentially observe the filming of a period drama.

09:30 - 16:30 · ¥2,200

Sagano Romantic Train

A scenic train clinging to the sides of the Hozu river gorge that runs from Arashiyama to Kameoka. Many people enjoy riding the train to Kameoka and then taking the Hozu River Cruise back to Arashiyama.

Trains depart from Torokko Saga Station every hour from 08:50 to 16:50 and from Torokko Arashiyama Station every hour from 08:53 to 16:53 · ¥600

Funaoka Onsen

船岡温泉

Funaoka Onsen is one of the oldest public bath houses in Kyoto still in operation. Its classic building is an excellent example of bath house architecture of the beginning of the 20th century. Funaoka Onsen is popular with both locals and visitors and is a must if you have an hour to spare.

15:00 - 01:00 · ¥430 · Entry 430 JPY/adult;150 JPY/child; 60 JPY/infant

Kyoto Butoh-kan

京都舞踏館

In the heart of the city is located the Butoh-kan, the world's first theatre devoted to weekly performances of the elusive dance of Butoh. Performances are by world-famous Butoh dancer Tenko Ima, every Thursday at 18:00 and 20:00. She is accompanied by live Shamisen music. The "theatre" is an ancient plaster storehouse, so the atmosphere is vivid and intimate, because there are only eight seats per show. Due to Covid-19, the theater has been closed since May 2021.

Thursdays 18:00 and 20:00 · ¥3,000

Camellia, Tea Ceremony

茶道体験カメリア

You can enjoy an authentic tea ceremony in a beautiful 100-year-old traditional Geisha house just five minutes from Kiyomizu Temple. Instruction, demonstration, a bowl of tea and a sweet are included. Each session starts every hour on the hour, between 10:00 and 17:00. Cash and credit card accepted.

Daily 10:00-18:00 · ¥2000 per adult

Hozu River Cruise

To experience Arashiyama to the fullest, the river cruise is your best bet! A variety of boats, small or large, both rowed and motored, are waiting on either side of the river. Be sure to confirm how far and for how long the trip goes, though. Some are as long as two hours, and others will do a quick turnaround in less than twenty minutes. Be prepared to get splashed and take appropriate precautions for electronic equipment. The drop off point sets you down just outside the entrance to Iwatayama Monkey Park, a great location to begin your stroll around the sights of Arashiyama.

Departures run from mid March to the end of November roughly on the hour starting at 09:00. Last boat leaves at 15:30. During the winter boats with heated seats leave at 10:00, 11:30, 13:00 and 14:30 · ¥3,900 for adults, ¥ 2,500 for children

JRA Kyoto Racecourse

For those interested in horse races, Kyoto's racecourse is the biggest and most significant in the Kansai area.

Mt. Hiei

Mount Hiei (比叡山, Hiei-zan) is a mountain to the northeast of Kyoto, lying on the border between the Kyoto and Shiga Prefectures, Japan. The temple of Enryaku-ji, the first outpost of the Japanese Tendai (Chin. Tiantai) sect of Buddhism, was founded atop Mount Hiei by Saichō in 788 and rapidly grew into a sprawling complex of temples and buildings that were roughly divided into three areas: The Saitō (西塔; "West Pagoda") area near the summit, and technically in Kyoto Prefecture.

848 m high

Kurama Onsen

鞍馬温泉

Well known hot spring in the small village of Kurama (see ). There are both inside and outside baths, but if the weather permits do take the outside bath (rotenburo). Lying in the hot water, while admiring the green and hilly scenery is wonderfully relaxing. There are separate pools for men and women. There's also a free shuttle bus going every now and then, but you're recommended to take the walk (at least on the way back, which is downhill) and see some Japanese countryside.

Daily 10:00-22:00 · Day entry ¥1400-2700 depending on chosen plan and date

Photo session as Maiko/Geiko

If you are interested in having a photo session dressed up as a maiko or geisha - or, for men, as a samurai - several studios in Kyoto provide this service at affordable price, a practice known as henshin. The session includes full make up and dress in a kimono and normally lasts for 1½–2 hours. Options include indoor or outdoor shots (strolling in Gion dressed up as a geisha!) - plus, at Yumekoubou, they will take a few photos with your own camera while they dress you up, for free. Be aware that if you want to be dressed completely accurately, you won't be allowed to wander around outside - local laws mean that tourists can't visually impersonate geisha or maiko, and must appear recognisable as tourists when outdoors in henshin. It is recommended to select a plan and make reservation online - in some studios, they speak only limited English. More links:,

10:00-20:00 · ¥9,975

Tea Ceremony at Shoren-in

The ceremony is held in the former study of retired Emperor Gosakuramachi known as the Kōbun-tei, typically not open to visitors. The room was rebuilt in the 1990s after a fire burned down the original, but it is still an interesting place nonetheless, and the tea ceremony is an interesting experience.

Open from 10:00-15:30 on the vernal equinox, May 5, and throughout November · The ceremony costs ¥1000 in addition to the temple entrance fee, costing ¥1500 total

Zen Meditation at Shunkō-in

春光院

The temple's American-educated vice abbot, Rev. Taka Kawakami, offers a detailed English tour of temple and leads Zen meditation lessons. The temple hosts many important artistic and cultural properties related to Zen Buddhism and also connected to Shinto and Christianity, and also offers accommodation for ¥5000/night.

09:00-10:30, 10:40-12:10, 13:30-15:00 daily · Accommodations: ¥4000-5000; Tour: ¥2000, including matcha green tea and sweet

Zen Meditation at Taizō-in

退蔵院

Much more than simply a Zen meditation session, after one hour of meditation, participants will also get to experience a brief tea ceremony, calligraphy lessons, and an English tour of the temple's garden. It is a rare opportunity for tourists, but be aware that you will need to devote half of a day for the entire session. Reservations are required, but you can make your reservation in English at the website. All participants must be at least 15 years of age.

Session occurs from 09:00 to 13:00 only one day per week · ¥7500

Geisha Walking Lecture

If you're interested in the world of the geisha, you shouldn't miss the walking lecture by well-renowned cultural expert Peter MacIntosh. The walk will have you tour the geisha district of Gion, where Peter will give you an insider's view into the past, present and future of this unique and exotic world. If you're lucky, you might see a geisha walking by to one of her appointments. Reservation is to be made by phone.

Nishijin Textile Center

西陣織会館 Nishijin-ori Kaikan

While visitors may just go to the museum to see the history of Nishijin Textiles, you may also want to try dressing up as a geisha or trying your hand at weaving. You need reservations for each activity, and separate fees are charged for each activity. As of Aug 2023, kimono shows are suspended.

Weaving costs ¥1,800 adult (¥1,500 for students) and dressing up as a geisha costs ¥10,000

Ride in a Rickshaw

人力車, jinrikisha

For those looking to experience Kyoto from a different perspective, travelling in a rickshaw allows you to do just that. You can arrange where they will take you (and check the fees, of course) and then they will take a picture of you inside the rickshaw. Depending on where you are, you may even be able to get the Togetsukyo Bridge in the background. While you travel, the rickshaw puller will tell you about the area and the local sites, so you can learn a lot, if you understand Japanese. You can find the rickshaws around Togetsukyo Bridge.

Prices range from about ¥5000-7000, depending on where you go

Ride in a Rickshaw

Unlike the days of old when rickshaw pullers were looked down upon, the men pulling them today are quite highly regarded (and highly attractive). Some of the most popular pullers may even have their own patrons. These men do not simply transport you; they also act as guides, sharing information about the area and attractions. For those who can understand Japanese, it can be as informative as it is fun. The rickshaws are particularly popular with couples, as it can be quite romantic, especially in the evenings. The drivers are very friendly and will gladly take a picture of you sitting in it to remember the experience. Although they do have some set routes, you can also request to be taken to a specific attraction (within a reasonable distance, of course). Rickshaws can be found throughout the area from outside Maruyama Park to Kiyomizu-dera.

Prices vary depending on what route you choose, but they typically range from ¥5000–7000

Riverboat Cruises

A peaceful ride down the canal past all of the historic sake breweries. It's a unique experience that is both scenic and affordable.

Call to make a reservation to schedule your ride. No tours are offered on Mondays · ¥1000 for adults, ¥500 for elementary school and younger

Walk the Philosopher's Path

哲学の道 Tetsugaku-no-michi

The 2-km-long path through north-eastern Kyoto, along which a philosophy professor, Kitarō Nishida, used to frequently walk. It is a surprisingly pleasant and relaxing walk even today, though you will undoubtedly share it with more tourists than Kitaro did. The walk runs south from Ginkakuji beside an aqueduct to Nyakuōji Shrine, many guidebooks suggest that the walk continues further south from there to Nanzenji, but this southerly section of the walk is less consistently signposted. The route passes several temples en route, notably Honen-in, a beautiful secluded temple with a thatched gate. The best time to walk the trail is in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, as the path is lined with cherry trees, or in the fall when the leaves are changing. Of course, these are also the most crowded times of year.

Kyoto Imperial Palace Park

Kyoto Gyoen National Garden (京都御苑, Kyōto-gyoen) is a 65-hectare national garden of Japan that was established after the Japanese capital was transferred from Kyoto to Tokyo. It is situated around the Kyoto Imperial Palace.

Mo-Su 08:45-12:00, 13:00-17:00 · Built 1949

Karahashi Saiji Park

Sai-ji (西寺, Sai-ji) or the West Temple was a Buddhist temple located in the Karahashi neighborhood of the Minami ward of the city of Kyoto, Japan. The temple no longer exists, and its ruins were designated a National Historic Site in 1921, with the area under protection expanded in 1966.

Free entry · Built 1926

Minami-za

Minami-za (南座, Minami-za) is the primary kabuki theatre in Kyoto, Japan. It was founded in 1610 as Shijō Minami-za. The current building, with a 1,086 seat capacity, was built in 1929.

Kyoto Concert Hall

Kyoto Concert Hall (京都コンサートホール, Kyōto Konsāto Hōlu) is a concert hall in Sakyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan. It opened in 1995 as part of the 1200th anniversary celebrations of the foundation of Heian-kyō. The shoebox-style Main Hall seats 1833 and the Ensemble Hall Murata 500.

山科植物資料館

The Yamashina Botanical Research Institute (山科植物資料館) is a research botanical garden specializing in medicinal herbs, operated by Nippon Shinyaku and located at Oyakesaka no tsujicho 39, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan. It is open from Monday through Friday; please write ahead for permission to visit. The institute was established in 1934.

GEAR Theater

日本発×日本初のノンバーバル（＝言葉に頼らない）パフォーマンス『ギア-GEAR-』の専用劇場。光や映像と連動したマイム、ブレイクダンス、マジック、ジャグリングによる迫力のパフォーマンスで感動のストーリーを描くと共に、セリフを使わない “ノンバーバル”という演出により、小さなお子さまから大人まで、そして外国の方までもが、言葉の壁を越えて楽しんでいただけます。

Limited wheelchair access

Umekōji Park

下京区

24/7 · Free entry

千本日活

上京区上長者町通千本西入五番町172

Mo-Su 12:00-21:30

Svengali - House of Curiosities

Immersive cabaret theatre in Kyoto's Kiyamachi (PLEXUS 7F) with magic, circus, storytelling, rotating performers, cocktails, masks; 90-min shows Wed-Sun (reservations only).

We-Su 17:30-19:30,20:30-22:30

Nyoigatake Mountain

472 m high

大宮交通公園

京都府京都市北区大宮西脇台町１７