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Kyoto, Japan

Top things to do in Kyoto

43 attractions, landmarks and museums worth your time, ranked by traveler reviews.

SAMURAI NINJA MUSEUM Kyoto
Museum4.8

SAMURAI NINJA MUSEUM Kyoto

23,741 reviews

An interactive museum in Kyoto dedicated to samurai and ninja history, with live demonstrations and costume experiences.

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

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Skip the queue in Kyoto

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Good to know

What is the most visited attraction in Kyoto?

SAMURAI NINJA MUSEUM Kyoto draws the most traveler reviews of anywhere we track in Kyoto, with 23,741 of them, rated 4.8 out of 5. Review volume is the closest honest proxy we have for how many people actually turn up, so it is what this list is ranked by.

Which place in Kyoto do visitors rate highest?

Soushunan holds the highest rating in Kyoto among places with a meaningful number of reviews, at 5.0 out of 5 from 103 reviews. It is less busy than SAMURAI NINJA MUSEUM Kyoto, which is often exactly why it scores better.

Browse Kyoto by type: parks & nature, markets. Planning your trip to Kyoto? See where to eat, build a Kyoto itinerary, or check visa requirements.
Park & nature
4.3

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

23,328 reviews

A serene bamboo grove with towering stalks, creating a magical pathway in the Arashiyama district of Kyoto.

Byōdo-in Temple
Religious site4.5

Byōdo-in Temple

22,137 reviews

A stunning 11th-century Buddhist temple in Kyoto, known for its Phoenix Hall and serene pond garden.

To-ji Temple
Religious site4.5

To-ji Temple

19,623 reviews

To-ji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan, known for its iconic five-story pagoda and serene gardens.

Heian-jingū Shrine
Religious site4.4

Heian-jingū Shrine

16,047 reviews

A serene Shinto shrine in Kyoto featuring a massive torii gate and beautiful gardens, dedicated to Emperor Kanmu and Emperor Kōmei.

Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama
Park & nature4.5

Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama

14,373 reviews

A hillside park in Kyoto where wild monkeys roam freely and visitors can enjoy panoramic city views from the summit.

Higashi Honganji
Religious site4.5

Higashi Honganji

12,662 reviews

A major Buddhist temple in Kyoto, known for its massive wooden gate and serene main hall.

Ninenzaka
Landmark4.5

Ninenzaka

11,401 reviews

A historic, stone-paved slope in Kyoto lined with traditional wooden buildings, leading to Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

Kenninji Temple
Religious site4.5

Kenninji Temple

9,444 reviews

A historic Zen temple in Kyoto, founded in 1202, known for its beautiful gardens and famous ceiling painting of two dragons.

Arashiyama
Landmark4.5

Arashiyama

7,345 reviews

Explore the enchanting Arashiyama district in Kyoto, famous for its bamboo grove, scenic river, and historic temples.

Hōkan-ji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda)
Religious site4.6

Hōkan-ji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda)

5,840 reviews

A historic five-story pagoda in Kyoto's Higashiyama district, part of a Buddhist temple complex, known for its iconic silhouette and photogenic surroundings.

Kodai-ji Temple
Religious site4.5

Kodai-ji Temple

1,519 reviews

Kodai-ji is one of Kyoto's most beautiful and atmospheric Zen temples, a serene complex in the historic Higashiyama district, founded in 1606 by Nene (also known as Kita-no-Mandokoro) in memory of her late husband, the great warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Ryozen Kannon
Religious site4

Ryozen Kannon

164 reviews

A towering Kannon statue and memorial in Kyoto's Higashiyama district, offering a serene space for reflection and honoring war dead.

Soushunan
Market5

Soushunan

103 reviews · Nishijin District

A bustling market in Kyoto's Nishijin District known for traditional textiles and local crafts.

Enwsp Endowle SP Kyoto Shijo
Market5

Enwsp Endowle SP Kyoto Shijo

99 reviews

A lively market in Kyoto's Nakagyo-ku offering fresh produce, street food, and local crafts.

Religious site
Religious site4

Horinji Temple

88 reviews · Western Kyoto

Visit Horinji Temple, a serene Buddhist temple in western Kyoto, known for its historic pagoda and tranquil gardens.

Sight
Sight5

Kyoto Eco Trip Honten

80 reviews · Southern Kyoto

Kyoto Eco Trip Honten offers eco-friendly bicycle tours in southern Kyoto, exploring temples, gardens, and local neighborhoods with knowledgeable guides.

Religious site
Religious site4

Bukoji

78 reviews · Shimogyo-ku

Bukoji is a serene Buddhist temple in Kyoto's Shimogyo district, known for its quiet atmosphere and traditional architecture.

Sanjo Bridge
Landmark4

Sanjo Bridge

76 reviews · City Center

Sanjo Bridge is a historic stone bridge spanning the Kamo River in central Kyoto, offering scenic views and access to the city's cultural heart.

Sight
Sight4.5

Ki Bar

70 reviews · Pontocho

A basement bar in Kyoto's Pontocho alley, offering a hidden gem experience with classic cocktails and a cozy atmosphere.

Entertainment
Entertainment4

Pontocho Kaburenjo

57 reviews · Pontocho

Experience traditional Kyoto performing arts at Pontocho Kaburenjo, a historic theater in the geisha district.

Sight
Sight4

Fufu no yu

51 reviews · Western Kyoto

Relax in a traditional Japanese onsen at Fufu no yu, a serene bathhouse in western Kyoto with natural hot spring waters.

Park & nature
Park & nature4

Arashiyama Park Nakanoshima Area

44 reviews · Western Kyoto

A scenic riverside park in western Kyoto, known for its cherry blossoms, bamboo groves, and the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge.

Landmark
Landmark4

Daiunin Temple

34 reviews

A serene Zen temple in Kyoto's Gion district, known for its moss garden and historic atmosphere.

Landmark
Landmark4

Otani Sobyo

30 reviews

A serene Buddhist temple in Kyoto's Higashiyama district, known for its beautiful garden and historic atmosphere.

Landmark
Landmark3

Hikokuro Takayama Statue

22 reviews · City Center

A bronze statue of Hikokuro Takayama, a loyal samurai from the Edo period, located at the east end of Sanjo Ohashi bridge in Kyoto.

Religious site
Religious site4

Shoden Eigen-in

22 reviews · Gion

A serene Shinto shrine in Kyoto's Gion district, known for its vermilion gates and spiritual atmosphere.

Entertainment
Entertainment4.5

Maiko Show

18 reviews · Gion

An authentic Maiko performance in Kyoto's Gion district, featuring traditional dance, music, and tea ceremony inside a hotel restaurant.

Landmark
Landmark3.5

Yajikita Monument

18 reviews · Pontocho

A small monument marking the historic start of the Pontocho geisha district in Kyoto.

Religious site
Religious site4

Kennin-ji Temple Hatto

17 reviews · Gion

Historic Zen temple hall in Kyoto's Gion district, famous for its stunning ceiling painting of twin dragons.

Religious site
Religious site3.5

Ichitani Munakata Shrine

16 reviews · Western Kyoto

Peaceful Shinto shrine in Kyoto's Arashiyama area, known for its serene forest setting and traditional architecture.

Religious site
Religious site

Ninna-ji

A UNESCO World Heritage temple with a five-story pagoda and stunning cherry blossoms in spring.

Historic site
Historic site

Nijō Castle

Nijō Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Kyoto, featuring ornate palaces with intricate wood carvings and beautiful gardens.

Museum
Museum

Kyoto International Manga Museum

A unique museum dedicated to manga, housing over 300,000 volumes in a former elementary school building.

Historic site
Historic site

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Once the residence of Japan's imperial family, this historic palace in Kyoto features traditional architecture and serene gardens.

Neighborhood
Neighborhood

Gion

Kyoto's iconic geisha district, where narrow lanes are lined with historic wooden machiya houses and exclusive teahouses.

Religious site
Religious site

Kiyomizu-dera

A vast wooden terrace juts from a hillside, offering sweeping views of Kyoto from this historic Buddhist temple.

Religious site
Religious site

Kinkaku-ji

A shimmering gold-leaf pavilion reflects in a tranquil pond, surrounded by a meticulously raked Zen garden.

Religious site
Religious site

Ginkaku-ji

Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion, is a Zen temple in Kyoto with a tranquil sand garden and moss garden.

Entertainment
Entertainment

Toei Kyoto Studio Park

A working film set and theme park where visitors can watch samurai and ninja shows and explore Edo-period streets.

Religious site
Religious site

Fushimi Inari-taisha

Thousands of vermilion torii gates wind up wooded mountainsides, creating a mesmerizing tunnel-like path at this iconic Shinto shrine.

Religious site
Religious site

Ryōan-ji

Ryōan-ji is a Zen temple in Kyoto, famous for its minimalist rock garden of 15 stones on raked gravel.

Market
Market

Nishiki Market

A vibrant covered market street known as 'Kyoto's Kitchen,' with over a hundred shops selling local specialties and crafts.