Japan – In the heart of Kyoto
Reaching Kyoto from Osaka is incredibly easy and super fast. Just hop on a train and, with a handful of yen and a little time, you’ll find yourself catapulted into one of the most fascinating cities in Japan. Spoken by someone who, on the way to Fushimi Inari Taisha from Kyoto, dozed off… and woke up back in Osaka! 😅
Between tradition and modernity
Kyoto is a special city that has managed to preserve its traditional side intact — and perhaps that's exactly why it’s so beloved.
When you arrive at the station and set foot in the city, it might not win you over right away. In the collective imagination, Kyoto is the quintessential Japanese town, with its traditional houses, the ancient capital where geishas stroll through the streets and shops sell ceramics and kimonos 🎎👘.
What we might not expect is to discover how, despite its extraordinary historical and cultural heritage, Kyoto is a city in constant development, capable of evolving without losing its identity.
The blend of tradition and modernity is crystal clear — it’s up to you to decide which version you love the most.
Kyoto is home to around 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, making it one of the cities with the highest concentration of sacred sites in the world. Among the most famous are Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari Taisha, with its iconic red torii gates ⛩️.
But let’s take a step back, because now we’re going to tell you about our Kyoto: how we experienced it, what we visited, what we loved most, and which mistakes we made (and could have avoided).
The first taste: Nishiki market, street food, and shopping
Kyoto is a food lover’s paradise, and as soon as you arrive in the city after a train ride, the first thing on your mind is definitely eating. That’s why we decided that the first experience we wanted to have in Kyoto would be visiting its most famous market: Nishiki Market 🍣.
Having existed for over 400 years, it’s the best place to discover local ingredients and dishes. It’s located in a narrow covered street with more than 100 shops and stalls where you can find everything: fresh fish, Japanese sweets, and street food.
And what are the must-try foods? Definitely tako tamago 🐙, a small octopus caramelized with a quail egg inside, crab sticks 🦀, and tempura 🍤! But there’s something for everyone... you’ll just have to try it to believe it!
Here, we also had the chance to try authentic Japanese sake 🍶 for the first time. We highly recommend it: it’s absolutely delicious!
Keep in mind that the area is often very crowded, so arm yourself with patience and get ready for streams of people, but it will still be worth it and an incredible experience for both your taste buds and your eyes.
Note: It’s forbidden to eat while walking, so make sure to stop in the designated areas to eat and fully enjoy the experience!
In addition to food, at the market you can purchase beautiful handmade knives, Japanese chopsticks, traditional ceramics, and gift boxes of local tea and sweets. Here, we bought some lovely chopsticks with a matching case and chopstick rest, and even had them engraved! We’re not sure if it’s the best (or the most affordable) place to buy them, but we were really happy with our choice and we cherish them 🥢.
So, whether you’re looking for souvenirs, fashionable clothes, or handmade products, the Nishiki Market area is perfect because, as you walk through the market, you’ll also come across two historic covered shopping arcades:
📚Teramachi Street: perfect for those looking for handmade items, historic bookstores, and tea shops. Here, you’ll find beautiful Japanese stationery and calligraphy stores.
🛍️Shinkyogoku Street: more lively and touristy, filled with souvenir shops, streetwear clothing, and cute gadgets.
Also, if, like us, you love Japanese stationery, design, and home accessories, Loft is a store you absolutely can’t miss! You’ll find it in the bigger Japanese cities, and we bet you won’t be able to leave without buying at least one thing 🎨✏️.
The areas of Kyoto: a guide to getting around
Kyoto is a relatively easy city to explore, but to help you make the most of it, here’s a summary of its main areas and what you’ll find in each one!
🏙️Central Kyoto (Shijo, Karasuma, Kawaramachi): the commercial and modern heart of the city, with shops, restaurants, and skyscrapers. This is where you'll find the famous Nishiki Market!
👘Gion and Higashiyama: the historic geisha district, with cobbled streets, tea houses, and iconic temples. Here, you’ll find the majestic Kiyomizu-dera, the picturesque Yasaka Shrine, and the charming Philosopher’s Path.
🌿Arashiyama and Sagano: one of the most scenic areas of Kyoto, perfect for nature walks. Its main attractions include the Bamboo Forest, Togetsukyo Bridge, and the Tenryu-ji Temple.
🌅North Kyoto (Kinkaku-ji, Kurama, Kibune): home to some of the city’s most famous temples, including the magnificent Kinkaku-ji and the peaceful Ryoan-ji, with its famous Zen garden.
⛩️South Kyoto: a must-visit for the iconic Fushimi Inari Taisha with its red torii gates, Tofuku-ji, and Byodo-in Temple, featured on the 10 yen coin.
The temples you absolutely can’t miss
After a quick overview of the city’s areas, here’s a selection of the temples we visited. Many of these are also UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and you’ll immediately understand why once you see them in person:
🏮Yasaka Shrine: We began our exploration with one of the most famous Shinto shrines in Kyoto, located in the heart of Gion. We visited it in the evening, when its illuminated lanterns create a magical atmosphere. If you’re in Kyoto in July, don’t miss the Gion Matsuri, one of Japan’s most important festivals.
💴 Entrance: Free (updated in 2023)
🌸Kiyomizu-dera: One of the most famous Buddhist temples in Kyoto, renowned for its wooden terrace suspended in mid-air, offering breathtaking views of the city, especially in spring and autumn. Next to the main temple is the Jishu Shrine, dedicated to love. Here, you’ll find two legendary stones: it’s said that anyone who can walk from one to the other with their eyes closed will have good luck in love. At the base of the temple flows the Otowa Waterfall, with its three streams, each believed to bring benefits in different aspects of life. Kiyomizu-dera is very popular, so expect a large influx of tourists and Japanese school groups. To enjoy its tranquility, we recommend visiting early in the morning.
💴 Entrance: 500 yen (updated in 2023)
✨Kinkaku-ji: Perhaps the most iconic temple in Kyoto, with its pavilion covered in gold leaf reflecting in the waters of an elegant pond. The complex is surrounded by a perfectly manicured Japanese garden, with small ponds and waterfalls.
💴 Entrance: 400 yen (updated in 2023)
🧘Ryoan-ji: Famous for its Zen garden, considered one of the most refined examples of Japanese art. A perfect place for a meditative break.
💴 Entrance: 600 yen (updated in 2023)
🍁Tofuku-ji: A Zen temple renowned for its autumn foliage, which paints the landscape in shades of red and gold. The most picturesque viewpoint is the Tsutenkyo Bridge, where you can enjoy a spectacular panorama. For those interested, the temple also organizes Zen meditation sessions (in Japanese) about four times a month.
💴 Entrance: Between 500 and 1000 yen (updated in 2023)
⛩️Fushimi Inari Taisha: Probably the most iconic shrine in Japan, famous for its thousands of red torii gates forming a long tunnel along the slopes of Mount Inari. The full hike takes about two hours, so it's advisable to start the climb early in the morning to avoid both the crowds and the summer heat or autumnal weather. The trail consists of numerous steps that pass through a beautiful Japanese forest, offering picturesque views along the way. Along the route, you’ll find small traditional restaurants and souvenir shops, where you can purchase Tsujiura Senbei, a fortune cookie that, according to legend, is the ancestor of the famous Chinese fortune cookie. The climb can be tiring, but the experience and the view from the top make every effort worthwhile!
💴 Entrance: Free
The Philosopher's Path: a slow journey through the more intimate side of Kyoto
There’s another series of temples that we’d highly recommend, and they can be reached by following a truly unique path. If you want to immerse yourself in an authentic and relaxing atmosphere, away from the crowds, we suggest walking along the famous Philosopher's Path, one of the most charming trails in Kyoto.
It’s a walk of about 2 km that connects Nanzen-ji Temple to Ginkaku-ji, passing through a more intimate Kyoto, made up of hidden temples, traditional houses, and glimpses of daily life. You can choose to start the path from either of the two temples, but regardless of where you begin, it will be a special experience.
The Philosopher’s Path is particularly famous in spring, when the cherry blossoms create a natural tunnel of pink petals. We weren’t fortunate enough to visit it during that time, but we assure you that even in May or any other season, the charm of this place remains intact.
Along the path, you’ll follow a small stream, accompanied by the sound of water and the chirping of birds. You’ll encounter women in kimonos returning home with groceries, street artists playing traditional instruments, and small shops selling handmade items and fabrics. Here and there, you’ll find cozy cafés where you can stop, rest, and enjoy the atmosphere.
Being surrounded by greenery, the Philosopher's Path is also an opportunity for an authentic connection with nature. We, for example, expected to encounter snakes in some Southeast Asian forest… but we found them right here! We saw a few lying in the sun, completely indifferent to the passersby🐍.
Don’t worry! They are peaceful creatures; just leave them alone, and they’ll mind their own business.
Nanzen-ji and Ginkaku-ji: two zen gems along the path
Located at the beginning of the Philosopher’s Path, Nanzen-ji is one of the most important Zen temples in Kyoto. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted by its imposing Sanmon gate, a massive wooden structure 22 meters high, offering a spectacular view of the city.
Inside the complex, you’ll find Zen gardens, forest trails, and even an ancient brick aqueduct built during the Meiji period. If you want to immerse yourself even further in the Zen atmosphere, you can visit the Hojo Garden.
💴 Entrance to the main garden (Hojo Garden): 600 yen (updated in 2023)
At the end of the Philosopher's Path is Ginkaku-ji. The atmosphere here is a perfect blend of harmony and silence. The real highlight of Ginkaku-ji is its impeccably maintained garden, which includes:
The white sand garden, with its characteristic sand mound called "Moon Viewing," symbolizing Zen culture.
A scenic path that gently ascends through the trees, offering a spectacular view of Kyoto.
💴 Entrance: 500 yen (updated in 2023)
Higashiyama e Gion: the heart of traditional Kyoto
After appreciating the beauty of the temples, it’s time to immerse yourself in traditional Kyoto. Two of the most fascinating and iconic areas of the city are undoubtedly Higashiyama and Gion. Walking through the alleys of these neighborhoods will take you on a journey into the past, immersing you in a magical atmosphere.
🏯 Higashiyama is one of the most picturesque areas of Kyoto, full of temples, cobblestone streets, and postcard-worthy views. Here are some must-see spots:
Kiyomizu-dera: One of the most famous temples in Kyoto, featuring a wooden panoramic terrace overlooking a sea of trees, offering spectacular views in every season.
Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka: Two charming cobblestone lanes lined with traditional shops, cafés, and artisan workshops, perfect for a stroll through souvenirs and Japanese sweets.
Yasaka Pagoda: One of the most photographed views in the city, especially at sunset when the sky is painted with warm colors and the pagoda creates a charming panorama.
Yasaka Shrine: A Shinto shrine famous for its lanterns that light up in the evening, creating a truly magical atmosphere.
➡ Tip: Higashiyama is particularly crowded during the day. To enjoy the area in peace, visit it early in the morning or at sunset, when the crowds thin out and the lantern lights make the neighborhood even more enchanting.
👘 Just a few steps from Higashiyama is Gion, the legendary district of geishas and tea houses. Here, amid wooden buildings and quiet alleys, you can still feel the elegance of a bygone era. What to see in Gion:
Hanamikoji-dori: The main street of the district, lined with historic ochaya (tea houses), where maiko (geisha apprentices) perform traditional dances.
Shirakawa-dori: One of the most romantic streets in Kyoto, featuring a small canal, weeping willows, and exclusive restaurants overlooking the water.
Gion Corner: A theater where you can watch maiko dance performances and experience other traditional Japanese arts, such as the tea ceremony and music played with the shamisen.
📌 Booking Alert! We made a big mistake here: we assumed we could get a spot at the last minute, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Traveling in Japan requires good planning, especially for highly sought-after events and activities. If you want to see a dance performance or attend a tea ceremony, make sure to book your tickets well in advance!
➡ Tip: If you dream of seeing a geisha in person, the best time to visit Gion is between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM, when they are heading to their evening appointments. But remember to respect them: don't stop them for photos or try to follow them, they are simply on their way to work.
In recent years, due to intrusive tourists, it seems the City of Kyoto has considered limiting access to the historic alleys of Gion, reserving them only for geishas, clients, and residents. We’re not sure if this measure is already in place, so if you have updates, please let us know!
Higashiyama and Gion are the heart of traditional Kyoto, two neighborhoods where Japanese culture is displayed in all its beauty. Walking through their alleys, admiring the wooden buildings, visiting the temples, and, with a little luck, seeing a geisha hurrying to a tea house, is an experience you won’t easily forget and one that should be savored with open eyes and heart.
Arashiyama: bamboo forest
One of the must-do activities in Kyoto is undoubtedly exploring the 🎍 Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. This is one of the most iconic locations in the prefecture, attracting thousands and thousands of visitors every day. For this reason, we recommend going at dawn or around sunset, when the light is magical and the crowds are smaller. The entrance is free, and the forest is open 24 hours a day. It is easily reachable from Kyoto Station in about 30 minutes.
💴 Entrance: Free
We personally didn't visit it: we had just spent a few days in the Vietnamese bamboo forests and decided to skip it. However, it remains a must-see place, highly recommended by everyone who has visited it! If you go, let us know how your experience was!
Discovering modern Kyoto: between manga, shopping, and trendy cafés
If you think of Kyoto only as a city of temples, silence, and traditional atmospheres... you're right, but you’re also missing another side of the city. Kyoto also has a modern, lively, creative side full of fascinating contrasts. And we decided to explore it like this:
Karasuma / Kawaramachi District: The beating heart of the city’s shopping scene. Between shopping malls, contemporary Japanese fashion stores, and meticulously designed cafés, this is where the city picks up pace.
And then, Giorgio’s heartwarming stop: the Kyoto International Manga Museum. A lifelong manga fan, he was as excited as a child in front of the first issue of Dragon Ball! The museum is truly beautiful and houses over 300,000 volumes, from historical to modern manga. What makes it even more special is the famous Manga Wall, a gigantic wall of manga where you can choose your favorite and read it freely (yes, you'll even find some in Italian!). And if you want to enjoy it in peace, you can do so in an outdoor garden, perfect for immersing yourself in the reading from your childhood. The extra treat? On certain days, there are artists who do manga-style portraits (for a fee). We wanted to get one done, but unfortunately, there were no artists that day. No worries, this just gives us another reason to come back!
The museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
💴 Entry fee: 1,200 yen per adult.
Our conclusions
Kyoto is a city of many facets, where every corner tells a story. From the spirituality of its ancient temples to the vibrancy of its markets, from the silent alleyways of Gion to the modernity of its shopping districts, it has the power to enchant every kind of traveler.
The best advice we can give you? Take your time. Don’t try to see everything in a rush: Kyoto must be experienced slowly, with curious eyes and an open spirit. Plan your moves well, especially if you’re only staying for a few days, and alternate cultural stops with moments of relaxation in its gardens, cafes, or simply by wandering aimlessly.
Kyoto will surprise you and leave you with an unforgettable memory. And perhaps, just like it happened to us, you’ll find yourself dreaming of returning again.
In the next episode, we’ll be boarding a high-speed Shinkansen toward the bustling Tokyo, with a special little stop that stole our hearts (and a bit of our time, but it was worth it!).
In the meantime, tell us: has Kyoto captivated you as it did with us? Or are you still team non-stop metropolis? We’re getting ready for the next adventure. See you very soon, travelers! ❤️🤍