Our comprehensive Kyoto travel guide is a very useful resource for you travel lovers.. Is it possible to plan a trip to Japan and return without visiting Kyoto? Of course not! So here you go to the details of the article.
Kyoto, located in the Kansai region of Japan, has 7. is the largest city. Its population is 1.4 million.
Kyoto was the capital of the Ancient Empire during the Heian period between 794 and 1868.. The city is one of the main cities that keeps the Japan tourism alive. It has protected and protected the historical heritage, and at the same time, it promises more than they expected with its historical texture, temples, geisha, palaces, magnificent landscapes, gardens, sakura trees blooming in spring.
Kyoto Geographic Information
The area of the city of Kyoto, located within the borders of the Kansai region of Japan, is 827.90 km².. It measures 29.18 km from east to west and 49.49 km from north to south.. The largest city in the Kansai region, Kyoto has a population of 1.47 million.. Other major cities are Osaka and Kobe, respectively.
Kyoto city is surrounded by the Higashiyama, Kitayama and Nishiyama mountains, each 1000 meters above sea level.
There are 2,000 temples in Kyoto, which preserves its ancient traditions and culture. Of these, 1,600 are Buddhist and 400 are Shinto shrines.. 17 regions have managed to take their place on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Where are the Kyoto World Heritage Lists?
Kamowakeikazuchi-jinja (Kamigamo shrine)
Kamomioya-jinja (Shimogamo Shrine)
Kyo- o-gokoku-ji (To-ji)
Kiyomizu-dera
Enryaku-ji
Daigo-ji
Ninna-ji
Byodo-in
Ujigami-jinja
Kozan-ji
Saiho-ji
Tenryu-ji
Rokuon-ji
Jisho-ji
Ryoan-ji
Hongan-ji
Nijo-jo
Before doing an intensive research on which of the 2,000 temples to visit, it is recommended that you make the first choice of the ones on the Unesco list.
For you to discover the culture and tradition of Japan The city of Kyoto is actually cut out. In the city, which is also the center of local cuisine, you should definitely taste many delicious dishes of Japanese cuisine.
Map for Dominating the Kyoto Region
You should know that a few days won’t be enough to fully tour Kyoto. Thousands of temples, natural beauties, rivers, mountains, historical streets and more should allocate at least 5 days for you.
The most important question is where should we visit in Kyoto? As can be seen from the map above, the must-see places in Arashiyama, Northwest, Central, North Higashiyama, East Higashiyama regions are Arashiyama Sagano Bamboo Forest, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera temple, Byodoin Temple, Ginkaku-ji Temple, Kinkaku-ji Temple. , Daigo-ji Temple, Tenryu-ji Temple, Daikaku-ji Temple, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Gion district, Ryoan-ji Temple, To-ji Temple, Yasaka Shrine and Nijo-ji Castle.. However, we believe that the following images will make your job easier for more detailed information on where and what is there.
Places to Visit in Kyoto
The western part of downtown Kyoto is called Higashiyama. In the middle of the 14th century, temples, shrines, aristocratic villas were built in this area.. Painting and handicrafts were also created in this region.. Let’s underline that it is a region that should not be missed for visiting Kyoto.. You can also see geishas in Gion, which is located in this region.
What could be better than relieving the tiredness of the day under the shade of sakura trees lying on the Yamashina-Sosui canal in Higashiyama.
Museums To Visit In Kyoto
Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art
Kyoto National Museum
Shigureden
Hosomi Museum
The Museum of Kyoto
Museum of Bamboo
Domoto Museum
Kyoto’s Traditional Festivals
Aoi Matsuri Festival (Semester 15th May) )
Jidai Matsuri Festival ( Term 22.October)
Gozan Fire Festival (Semester 16.August)
Gion Matsuri Festival (Period 1-31 July)
Which Temples in Kyoto to Visit in Autumn?
Fading and changing color of the leaves in autumn, the leaves turning red and yellow make the city a riot of colors. If your path drops to Kyoto in autumn, here are the places you should visit:
Shisen-do Temple
Kitano Tenman-gu Temple
Daigo-ji Temple
Konkai Komyo- ji Temple
Nison-in Temple
Kamigamo Jinja Temple
Jakko-in Temple
Yoshimine-dera Temple
To visit temples to temples all day, to walk long paths to reach temples, to explore the city will definitely make you tired.. For this, you can give yourself pleasant moments with short tea, coffee, sweet getaways.. The cafes and tea houses we recommend to you are as follows:
Cafe Bibliotic Hello : Cafe was built in the traditional Machiya house. The cafe, which will be likened to a library by those who see it, is one of the most ideal places to enjoy coffee away from the city chaos.
Address : 650 Seimei-cho, Yanaginobanba-higashi-iru, Nijo -dori, Nakagyo-ku , Tozai or Karasuma Oike station on the Karasuma subway line is 8 minutes walking distance after exiting Exit1.
Baika do : A typical Japanese cafe. Although the most popular dessert on its menu is pancake, it is only served between September and April.. However, there are other types of desserts as well.
Transportation: It is 7 minutes walking distance from Chishaku-in Temple.
Inoda Coffee Honten : Address : 140 Doyu-cho, Sanjo-sagaru, Sakaimachi-dori, Nakagyo-ku , Tozai or 5 minutes after exiting Karasuma Oike station Exit5 on the Karasuma subway line walking distance.
Click for Tripadvisor reviews.
Aburi Dango Jumondo : It is a fairly new cafe opened in April 2012.
Transportation : 7 minutes walking distance from Kodai-ji temple.
Hiei Saryo : A cute cafe where you can pamper yourself with traditional handmade desserts and teas of Japan in the cafe, which has been in service since 1997′ dir.
Transport : Enryaku-j It is 5 minutes walking distance from temple i.
Salon Tawaraya : The shop dating back to the Mid Edo, Tokugawa period (1600-1868) was built in 2006. It started to serve as a Japanese cafe on Ogawa street with 8 tables.
Transportation: It is a 15-minute walk from Senbon Enma-do temple.
Sanmikouan : Serving since 1861, the cafe is an authentic cafe located by the river with Machiya style.
Transportation : It is 7 minutes walking distance from Chion-in temple.
Kyoto Restaurant Recommendations
Gion Karyo : You can visit the restaurant, located in the very center of Gion district, on other days except Wednesday and taste Japanese dishes.. Food prices are quite expensive.
Address : 570-23 Gion-machi Minami-gawa, Higashiyama-ku
It is 7 minutes walking distance from the Gion Shijo stop on the Keihan line.
Chihana : It was opened in 1946 in the Gion region and started to serve.
Click here for transportation information.
Kitcho Arashiyama Honten : This is a hidden place as if built in a lush garden. Definitely recommended for a peaceful and enjoyable dinner away from noise and crowds of people.. However, meal prices are very expensive as they start at $300.
Address : 58 Susukinobaba-cho, Saga Tenryuji, Ukyo-ku
6 minutes from Arashiyama station on Arashiyama line,
20 minutes from Saga Arashiyama station on JR Sagano line,
15 minutes from Arashiyama station on the Henkyu train line,
JR Kyoto station is 40 minutes away by taxi.
Hafuu : It is a restaurant that offers you traditional Japanese dishes with a modern atmosphere.
Address : 303 Tawaraya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City (located at Ebisugawa street)
Prices are between 335 – 5000 JPY.
Yoshikawa Tempura Inn : Restaurant is the same, built in traditional sukiya-zukuri style At the same time, traditional Japanese furniture was used in the restaurant.
Address: Tominokoji,Oike-sagaru,Nakagyo-ku,Kyoto,604-8093
Our Food Recommendation
- Monjayaki (also called Monja) : Various It is a type of food made by putting ingredients.
- Okonomiyaki: It is very similar to Monjayaki.
- Crab
- Sushi
- Kyo Kaiseki : Over time, seafood has been added to the original vegetarian meal, and it has started to be served.
- Kobe Meat
- Fugu: Japanese for blowfish. The fish, which has a deadly venom, is in high demand by the Japanese.. The fish must be cleaned well so that the poison does not kill the people who eat it.. The fish is cut as thin as dice and served raw.
- Tempura : It is actually a frying technique rather than eating it.
Recommendations for the Best Ramen Meal
- Ramen Santouka : Address : 137 Daikoku-cho, Sanjo-sagaru higashi-gawa, Yamatooji-dori, Higashiyama-ku, 1 minute walking distance from Sanjo station on Keihan line or Sanjo Keihan station on Tozai subway line.
- Karako :Address : 12-3 It is 10 minutes walking distance from Jingu Marutamachi station on the Tokusei-cho, Okazaki, Sakyo-ku, Keihan line. prices are cheap. Click here for Tripadvisor reviews.
- Honke Daiichiasahi : 05:00 – 02:00 excluding Thursdays provides services between. Price is 999 Japanese Yen. Click here for Tripadvisor reviews.
How to Get Transportation in Kyoto?
The first thing you need to do when you arrive in Kyoto is to get the Kyoto bus map from the stations or your hotel.. Thanks to the map, you will have information about which bus will go where and which route it will take.
Japanese are very polite and obey the rules.. Therefore, you have to queue at the bus stops.. You should remember that the buses are boarded from the back door and exited from the front door.
The fare is paid when you get off the bus.
Adult fare is 230 Yen for the city bus and 120 Yen for children (6-12 years old).
You can take the bus from anywhere you see this sign.
Kyoto City Navigate With Pass
Buses cost 230 Yen one way, so considering the places to be visited during the day, it will burn your pocket.. That’s why you can benefit from city buses unlimitedly by purchasing a 500 Yen daily bus ticket.
The most preferred bus route by tourists:
#100 Kyoto Station – Sanjusangen-do Temple – Kiyomizu-dera Temple – Ginkakuji Temple – Nanzenji Temple
#101 Kyoto Station – Nijo- jo Castle – Kinkakuji Temple
#102 Ginkakuji Temple – Kinkakuji Temple
Kansai Travel With Thru Pass
With the Kansai Thru Pass, which is used for 2 and 3 days, you can go from Kyoto to Osaka, Kobe, Hiei and Mount Himeji, JR Except for trains, you can take special trains and buses.
Where You Can Use Kansai Thru Pass
JR except trains
On the Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe subways
Hankyu Trains (Kobe-Osaka-Kyoto)
Hanshin Trains (Kobe-Osaka)
Keihan Trains (Osaka-Kyoto)
Kintetsu Trains (Osaka-Kyoto-Nara)
Nankai Trains (Osaka-Kansai Airport-Koyasan)
Sanyo Trains ( Kobe- Himeji)
Keifuku Trains (Kyoto)
Nose Trains (north of Osaka)
Kobe Trains (north of Kobe)
Osaka Monarail (North Osaka – Itami Airport)
Kobe Kosoku Trains (Kobe)
Port and Rokko Line (Kobe)
How Much Do Card Fees?
2-day card 4,000 for adults, children 2,000 Yen for free
3-day pass 5,200 for adults, 2,600 yen for children
Kansai Thru Where to Buy a Pass?
Kansai International Airport – Travel Desk (1st floor between 07:00 – 22:00)
Available from Osaka Airport Information Center (Floor North and South terminals). North terminal 08:00 – 21:00, South terminal 06:30 – 21:00)
Kyoto station bus information center (Kyoto station near Karasuma exit 07 :30 – 19:30)
Osaka Visitor Information Center (JR Osaka Station main ticket office between 08:00 – 20:00)
Hankyu Tourist Center-Umeda/Osaka (08:00 – 17:00)
Panstar Ferry/Osaka Terminal (10:00 – 16:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only)
Shop Areas
Kawaramachi shopping district on Kawaramachi-dori Street
Shijo Street
Teramachi Bazaar
Shinkyogoku Bazaar
Higashiyama District – Narrow road to Kiyomizu dera temple left and right souvenirs
The flea market with 1,200 vendors set up in front of To-ji Temple. 21 of each month. On this day, people come to To-ji Temple and perform mass rituals to commemorate the Buddhist Kobo Daishi (Kukei), the founder of the Shingon sect.. Therefore, you should know that while witnessing this religious ritual and having a different scene on this date, you will not be able to shop at the same time.
Nishiki Vegetable and Fish Market
Take a Walking Tour in Kyoto
Mr with 49 years of professional guiding experience. Hajime Hirooka has been organizing private tours since 1996. By participating in the 5-hour walking tour, which costs 20 dollars, you will walk 3 km and you will have in-depth knowledge of temples, history and geishas within the scope of the tour.. Held between March and November, the tour starts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10:15 am from JR Kyoto station. No reservation needed.
Take a Kyoto Geisha Tour
Geisha You can contact this company to better observe and get to know people and their lives.
Take a Cruise on Lake Biwako
The most important of the city, as well as a total surface area of 670 km² and 235 km Lake Biwa (Biwako), the largest lake in Japan by circumference, is located in the town of Shiga, 10 km from Kyoto.. The total water capacity of the lake is 27.5 billion m³, its average depth is 41, and its deepest point is 104 meters.
There are 4 types of tour programs in Biwako lake, whether you want a morning tour or 90 and 60 You can join minute tours or night tours.. Prices vary between 2,260 and 2,980 Yen depending on the type of tour.
Accommodation in Kyoto
It is possible to find luxury hotels or budget hotels if you have a tight budget.. However, we strongly recommend that you go to the historical city of Kyoto and stay in Ryokans.. You can review the Ryokans on booking.com for this.
Internet Usage in Kyoto
Don’t forget that you can access free internet at the hotel where you will stay, as well as at shopping malls, bus stops and airports.
Kansai International Airport
On JR Trains in Kansai area
Kyoto bus stops
Shijo Street : Network: shijo-0123456789; Password: 0123456789.
Starbucks
3 hours of internet access wherever you see this sticker is provided. There is wifi at 630 points in total.
Where Should We Call for Emergencies?
In case of an unexpected illness within the city limits of Kyoto, you can call 119 and ask for help from the service, which is available 24 hours a day and in 5 languages (English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese).
The number you need to call in case of an accident or other bad event other than illness is the police line 110.
Japan Visa
Turkey is one of the 50 countries exempt from Japan visa. You can easily enter the country with your passport.. (90-day temporary visitor visa is provided.)
Japanese Currency
Currency is Japanese Yen. Their coins are 1, 5, 10, 500 while their banknotes are 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000 Yen.
Here are some ATMs you should be aware of and know about while in Japan. It does not accept credit cards from foreign countries.
Banks are open between 09:00 – 15:00 on weekdays. Banks are a good choice when you want to change money.
Transport
Kyoto is 40 km from Osaka, 100 from Nayoga and 370 km from Tokyo.
It takes 75 minutes from Kansai International Airport by Kyoto JR Haruka Limited Express. One way price is 3,290 Yen. (take the D or E exit of the airport and reach the 2nd floor)
Those who want to take the bus can reach the city of Kyoto in 90 minutes by paying 2,500 yen.. You can click here to have detailed information about bus times.
You can have a comfortable journey by paying 3,500 Yen one way with Yasaka Taxi at the airport.
SummaryArticle NameKyoto Travel GuideDescription Our comprehensive Kyoto travel guide is a very useful resource for you travel lovers.. Is it possible to plan a trip to Japan and return without visiting Kyoto? Of course not! So here you go to the details of the article.. Kyoto is located in the Kansai region of Japan.. is the largest city. Its population is 1.4 million.
