Things to do in Kyoto

Best Things to do in Kyoto

Planning a trip and wondering about the top things to do in Kyoto? From historic landmarks to modern experiences, the city offers something for every traveller, making it a perfect getaway in 2026.

With over 1046 activities in Kyoto, there is plenty to explore. Visit some of the most popular tourist attractions in , including iconic sites, vibrant neighbourhoods and cultural hubs. Whether you’re exploring bustling markets, sampling local delicacies or relaxing at scenic spots, every corner has something new to discover.

With experiences starting at INR 292, it’s never been easier to plan your perfect trip. Make the most of your visit to Kyoto in January and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Kyoto Captured: A Wonderful Guide to Things to do in Kyoto

About Kyoto

Kyoto is where you see the older side of Japan sitting right next to the new. Wooden houses still stand in the backstreets, temples sit quietly across the city, and narrow lanes lead you straight into a piece of history. Things to do in Kyoto often start with simple walks, because just being here already feels different.

Some of the top tourist attractions in Kyoto include Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), Fushimi Inari Shrine with its long trail of red gates, and the quiet rock garden at Ryoan-ji. Add in the bamboo groves of Arashiyama and the geisha district of Gion, and you’ll have more than enough to fill your days.

With so much variety and activities, things to do in Kyoto can shift from temples to gardens to riverside strolls in just one afternoon.

Unique Experiences

Samurai for a Day in Kyoto

Ever wanted to try on real armour and learn the basics of samurai techniques? This one-hour experience drops you into that world, making it practical, memorable, and a bit playful.

• Where: Central Kyoto (at a studio in the city)
• Pricing: It starts from INR 6,100 per person
• Timing: Runs for 1 hour 30 minutes total; usually starts at 10:00 AM and 11:45 AM
• When to Visit: Available year-round; just pick a morning or early afternoon slot and you’re set

Ikebana Flower-Arrangement Workshop in a Kyoto Townhouse

You’ll settle into a quiet townhouse and spend time creating your own floral design using real branches and blooms. It’s peaceful, a bit meditative, and one of those things to do in Kyoto that feels calm but meaningful.

• Where: Inside a traditional Kyoto townhouse in the city centre
• Pricing: It starts from INR 5,200 per person
• Timing: Around 1 hour 30 minutes total
• When to Visit: Best April to June, and September to November

Private Kyoto Market Tour and Authentic Cooking Class with Aki

You can walk through a local Kyoto market, chat with vendors, then head back to a home kitchen to cook and eat a fresh meal together. It’s one of those cultural things to do in Kyoto that feels personal, like getting invited into someone’s daily life.

• Where: Market tour followed by cooking in a local’s home kitchen, central Kyoto
• Pricing: It starts from INR 10,800 per person
• Timing: About 4 hours; starts at 10:30 AM
• When to Visit: Year-round, though spring (March to May)

Top Attractions

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

This is the famous golden temple sticking out against green trees and a reflective pond, and it’s easy to see why it’s a highlight. Spend a quiet morning here, then head elsewhere after you’ve soaked in the view.

• Where: Kita Ward, Kyoto
• Pricing: It starts from INR 300 per person
• Timing: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily
• When to Visit: Any time of year works, but mornings feel quieter

Fushimi Inari Shrine

The tunnel of red torii gates is iconic, and because the shrine stays open 24/7, you can walk through with fewer people around. Even in the evening, it’s peaceful.

• Where: Fushimi-ku, just a short train ride from Kyoto Station
• Pricing: Free entry
• Timing: Open 24 hours a day
• When to Visit: All year round

Kyoto Botanical Garden

Far from the temples, this garden is quietly beautiful, with cherry trees, Bonsai, and a greenhouse that feels like stepping into another world.

• Where: North Kyoto, near the Kamo River
• Pricing: Roughly INR 600 to 700
• Timing: Generally open from morning (around 9:00 AM) to late afternoon (around 4:00 PM)
• When to Visit: Spring for blossoms, and summer evenings for the tropical greenhouse

Sightseeing Tours

Kyoto Perfect One-Day Bus Tour (Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji, More)

This tour gets you to some of Kyoto’s landmarks simply and comfortably. It’s great if you want to hit temples while staying relaxed. It’s one of those things to do in Kyoto this weekend that helps you see a lot without overplanning.

• Where: Around Kyoto. Fushimi Inari, Golden Pavilion, Kiyomizu-dera, plus others via bus route
• Pricing: It starts from INR 11,500 per person
• Timing: About 8 to 9 hours total (typically from 7:50 AM)
• When to Visit: April to October

Kyoto Early Morning Tour with English-Speaking Guide

Start your day like locals do, before the crowds gather. This tour takes you past quiet shrines, through misty lanes, and lets you take pictures without bumping into dozens of people.

• Where: Meeting point typically at Kyoto Station or nearby; walking route covers Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and nearby temples
• Pricing: It starts from INR 9,600 per person
• Timing: Around 5 to 6 hours in total; usually starts at 6:45 AM and 7:15 AM
• When to Visit: Best in spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November)

Day Trips

Nara Day Trip from Kyoto with a Local

If you’ve got a day to spare, wandering Nara with someone who knows the stories makes it feel more meaningful than just ticking off attractions. You’ll walk around Isui‑en Gardens, Todai‑ji, Kasuga‑Taisha Shrine and Kofuku‑ji, and still have time to find a quiet tea spot. It’s one of those unexpected things to do in Kyoto that makes your trip richer.

• Where: Pick up from central Kyoto, tour Nara’s highlights with a local guide
• Pricing: It starts from INR 39,400 per person
• Timing: Around 9 hours; slots available from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM
• When to Visit: March to May or September to November

Hiroshima & Miyajima Bullet Train Day Trip

It’s a full‑on day, but stepping off the train in Hiroshima and ending by the iconic floating torii on Miyajima makes it worth the rush. You will explore history, heritage, and more history, but in a way that hits differently when you’re not too rushed. A real standout among things to do in Kyoto.

• Where: Hiroshima and Miyajima (Bullet Train + Ferry included)
• Pricing: It starts from INR 34,000 per person
• Timing: Approximately 13 hours 20 minutes
• When to Visit: April to November

Boat Tours

Kyoto Bus Tour: Sagano Railway & Hozugawa River Boat Ride

This one blends peaceful train views and a gentle boat float down the river like moving through Kyoto’s landscapes at both pace and calm. Great for groups, families, or anyone looking for a different lens on the region.

• Where: Scenic Sagano Railway (train ride), followed by Hozugawa river boat ride through nature
• Pricing: It starts from INR 12,000 per person
• Timing: About 7 hours total, usually from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• When to Visit: April to November

Arashiyama Cormorant Fishing Boat Tour

This night-time experience is quietly captivating. You board a small boat and watch lantern-lit cormorant fishing on the river. It’s genuinely one of the most fun things to do in Kyoto at night, without feeling touristy.

• Where: Arashiyama, on the Ōi River at dusk
• Pricing: It starts from INR 12,900 per person
• Timing: Around 2 hours; typically at around 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM
• When to Visit: May to September

Getting Around

• Trains and Subways: Quick and reliable for jumping between central spots and the outskirts. They connect well to shrines and gardens, making them handy for cultural things to do in Kyoto.
• Buses: Cover almost every corner of the city, from famous temples to quiet neighbourhoods. They’re slower but useful when you’re chasing different things to do in Kyoto across town.
• Taxis: They are easy to find near stations and popular sites. They cost more, but if you’re short on time or want a more customised trip, they’re worth it.
• Cycling: Kyoto’s flat streets make biking a fun way to see more in a day. It’s also one of the things to do in Kyoto this weekend if you want a different view of the city.
• Walking: Many attractions are close together, especially in districts like Higashiyama and Gion. Walking lets you stumble upon hidden corners you’d otherwise miss.

Traveller Tips

These tips are simple but will make your trip smoother, and they fit right in with the many things to do in Kyoto.

• Start your mornings early: Temples like Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera get crowded fast. Going early not only keeps it peaceful but also gives you the best light for photos. If you’re making a list of things to do in Kyoto in winter, mornings are quieter and crisper.
• Carry small coins: Many temples and shrines have small entry fees or donation boxes. Having exact change makes visits easier and lets you move quickly from one stop to the next.
• Respect the calm: Kyoto runs at a slower rhythm. Keep voices down in shrines and gardens, as it’s part of the experience and one of the true cultural things to do in Kyoto.
• Use side streets: The main road can be crowded, but step into a back alley and you’ll find wooden houses, tea shops, and a much more authentic feel. This is where some of the best surprises happen while checking off your things to do in Kyoto.