Kyoto, Japan: things to do, prices and tips 2026

Things to do in Kyoto (Japan): Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Prices, opening times and the author’s tips.

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What to see

⛩Fushimi Inari

Thousands of orange torii gates climb the slopes of a sacred mountain. The full loop to the top takes about 2–3 hours.

Price Free, open 24 hours

Insider tip The crowds only fill the first few hundred gates. Climb to the Yotsutsuji intersection, about 40 minutes: there's a view over Kyoto and almost nobody there. At dawn or after dark the lower part is quiet too.

🏯Kiyomizu-dera Temple

The temple's wooden stage hangs over the hillside on hundreds of pillars without a single nail. Below is a spring with three streams: health, love and success.

Price ¥500

Insider tip Come at the 6 am opening, then walk down the old Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka lanes to Gion — before the shops open they're empty and beautiful.

✨Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion

A pavilion covered in gold leaf reflected in a mirror-like pond. One of Japan's symbols.

Price ¥500

Insider tip It opens at 9 am — be at the gate 10 minutes early: in the first half hour you can photograph it without heads in the frame. After snowfall it looks like a fairy tale.

🎋Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

A path between house-high bamboo stalks, next to the Tenryu-ji temple garden and the Togetsukyo bridge over the river.

Price Grove free, Tenryu-ji garden ¥500

Insider tip At 7 am the grove is empty; by 10 it's packed. Walk all the way through to Okochi Sanso villa — a continuation of the grove with a garden and tea, almost without people.

👘Gion & Hanamikoji

The geisha district with wooden teahouses, paper lanterns and the willow-lined Shirakawa canal.

Price Free

Insider tip Entering and photographing in Gion's private alleys is banned, with fines up to ¥10,000. Don't stop maiko for photos. It's loveliest in the evening by the Shirakawa canal.

🍡Nishiki Market

"Kyoto's kitchen": a 400-metre covered street of tsukemono pickles, tamagoyaki, baby octopus with a quail egg inside and matcha sweets.

Price Snacks ¥200–800

Insider tip Eat at the stall — eating while walking is banned here. Come at 10–11 am: the market closes around 5 pm and some stalls shut on Wednesdays.