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Highlights of our time in Kyoto, Japan

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This is a continuation of my Japan/China trip report. See also Back from China and Japan Trip! 5 Takeaways, Worth it: JAL Premium Economy Award Seats, Better Than Expected: AA Premium Economy Shanghai PVG to DFW, Hits and Misses from our day at Tokyo DisneySea, Take this Line and Shove It (Literally): Shanghai Disneyland Hits and Misses, Dormy Inn Shibuya Jingumae Hot Spring in Tokyo, Highlights of our Tokyo Shenanigans, Surprise Upgrade at Hyatt Regency Tokyo Bay, Our Machiya Rental in Kyoto, The Deer Really Do Bow! Day Trip to Nara, Japan, Highlights of our time in Kyoto, Japan (this post)

On our recent trip to Japan and China, my family spent 4 nights in Kyoto, Japan. We took a full day to visit Universal Studios Japan in nearby Osaka and a half-day to see the bowing deer in Nara. So, we had about 2 1/2 days to explore Kyoto itself.

Kyoto has over 2000 temples and shrines, so it’s easy to get overwhelmed. We managed to narrow down our list of must-see sites.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

My husband and I decided we must visit the famous orange torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine. It’s free and open 24 hours a day. We got there around 7 a.m. to experience the shrine with fewer crowds. The shrine is located across the street from JR Inari Station, which has a convenience store next to it. Buy some water, as you’ll need it for the uphill hike.

A man and a woman are taking a selfie in front of a large red torii gate, a traditional Japanese gate often found at the entrance of Shinto shrines. The man is wearing sunglasses and a red shirt, while the woman is also wearing sunglasses and a gray top. There are trees and a building in the background, and the sky is clear.

The grounds feature several fox statues, which were believed to be messengers of Inari (the Shinto god of rice). The main hall of the shrine:

The image shows the entrance gate of a traditional Japanese shrine, characterized by its vibrant red and white colors. The gate is flanked by two fox statues, each wearing a red bib. Three people are standing in front of the gate, looking at the structure. The sky is clear and blue, providing a bright backdrop to the scene.

Behind the main hall is a path leading up to the top of the mountain with literally thousands of torii gates. Some of the gates are ancient, while others are smaller and newer, donated by families or companies.

 

The image shows a series of vibrant orange torii gates forming a tunnel-like pathway at Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, Japan. The gates are closely spaced, creating a striking visual effect. Sunlight filters through the trees above, casting dappled light on the path. Japanese characters are visible on the gates.

Hiking to the top and back takes 2-3 hours. The higher you go, the more spread out the torii gates are. I was glad we went early to get photos without a ton of people in the background.

A person is walking up a stone staircase surrounded by a series of vibrant orange torii gates, which are inscribed with Japanese characters. The gates form a tunnel-like path, and the area is shaded by trees, creating a serene and picturesque setting.

We hiked more than halfway up, but then decided to head back down to allow us more time to explore other sites in Kyoto. Overall, the experience was serene and relaxing.

Kinkakuji Golden Temple

With so many temples in Kyoto, it was hard to narrow it down to just a few. We decided to visit Kinkakuji Golden Temple. We arrived close to opening time with several dozen school children already there on a field trip. The entrance fee was 500 yen (around $3.38 USD) and the temple only accepts cash.

Despite the large number of school children, it was still easy to get good views of the temple.

A traditional Japanese golden pavilion is situated by a tranquil pond, surrounded by lush greenery and trees. The structure has multiple tiers with a dark roof, and the scene is framed by pine branches in the foreground. The background features a forested hillside under a clear blue sky.

There is only one path through the complex that takes you around the gardens, ending at a tea house and souvenir shop.

The image shows a traditional Japanese building with a golden exterior, known as Kinkaku-ji or the Golden Pavilion, surrounded by lush greenery and a pond. The structure has a distinctive roof with a golden ornament on top. The scene is serene, with clear blue skies and reflections in the water.

It’s a really beautiful temple, but unfortunately visitors are not allowed inside.

Higashiyama Historic District (including Gion)

Our machiya townhome rental was in the Higashiyama historic district of Kyoto, so it was easy to explore this area. I got up at 5 a.m. one morning to get a crowd-free photo of the famous Yasaka Pagoda:

A narrow, stone-paved street lined with traditional wooden buildings leads to a tall, multi-tiered pagoda in the distance. The sky is clear with a few clouds, and there are trees and a lamppost along the street.

I hadn’t fully adjusted to the time zone yet, so getting up this early was not a big stretch for me. There were only a handful of other people photographing the shrine at this time:

A group of people is gathered on a stone-paved street, taking photos of a person posing in the distance. The scene is set in a traditional area with wooden buildings on either side. In the background, a pagoda rises against a partly cloudy sky. A large tree extends over the right side of the path.

I loved the traditional buildings, small shops and narrow streets of this area:

A narrow, stone-paved street in a traditional Japanese neighborhood, lined with wooden buildings featuring tiled roofs. Two people are walking down the street, and the sky is partly cloudy with a warm, golden hue from the setting sun. There are trees and greenery visible in the background.

The Starbucks blended in:

The image shows a traditional Japanese-style building with wooden walls and a tiled roof. A sign with the Starbucks logo is prominently displayed, indicating that the building houses a Starbucks store. The architecture features a circular window and wooden latticework, blending traditional Japanese design with modern branding. There are informational signs and a small barrier on the street in front of the building.

Since we stayed very close to this area, we explored it in the morning, afternoon and evening. It has a different ambiance during each time, and I recommend exploring it multiple times.

Yasaka Pagoda in the evening:

The image shows a traditional multi-tiered pagoda, likely a Japanese temple, with five distinct levels. The structure is ornately designed with intricate wooden details and upturned eaves. It is illuminated by lights, creating a warm glow against the evening sky. Several people are gathered around the base of the pagoda, some standing and others sitting, adding a sense of scale to the impressive structure.

A bustling street scene at dusk in a traditional Japanese area, featuring a prominent pagoda in the background. The street is lined with wooden buildings illuminated by warm lanterns, and many people are walking and enjoying the atmosphere. The sky is a soft blue, adding to the serene ambiance.

We saw women in traditional clothing in this area. Plus, there were several places you could rent traditional dress:

A young woman is standing on a cobblestone street in a historic area during dusk. She is wearing a t-shirt and shorts with a sweater tied around her waist. In the background, there are traditional wooden buildings and a pagoda. Two people wearing kimonos are walking away from the camera. The street is lit with lanterns, creating a warm glow.

There are a ton of shrines and temples in this area…too many to name, really.

A large stone torii gate stands over a paved road, leading towards a pathway lined with red railings. A stone lion statue is visible on the right side. In the background, there are green trees and hills under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
Ryōzen Kannon Temple

In short, this area of Kyoto is a feast for the senses. Shops, food, historical buildings, colorful clothing, views galore.

Kamo River and Shijo-dori

The Kamo River that runs through Kyoto was a gathering place for locals. During the day, but especially during the evening, we saw people sitting along the river bank:

A scenic evening view of a riverside walkway with people sitting and strolling along the path. On the left, there are buildings with lit balconies, and on the right, a calm river reflects the evening sky. The scene is lively with groups of people enjoying the ambiance.

Near the big Shijo-dori shopping street, many restaurants with terraces back up to the river:

The image shows a riverside scene with people sitting along the grassy banks of a river. Across the river, there are traditional-style buildings with wooden balconies. The background features a mix of modern and older architecture, creating a contrast between the riverbank and the urban setting. The sky is overcast, adding a calm atmosphere to the scene.

We walked in this area several times during our stay in Kyoto. Shijo-dori shopping street had so much to see. This is where we found the Nintendo Store and the Disney Store, as well as several small alleys with shops and restaurants.

A narrow street in a traditional Japanese area, with several people walking. The street is lined with old-style buildings featuring wooden facades and hanging lanterns. Signs with Japanese characters are visible, and the atmosphere is bustling with pedestrians. The lighting suggests it is daytime.

A narrow street in a traditional Japanese area, with wooden buildings on both sides. Two people are walking down the street, one wearing a pink shirt and the other in a gray shirt with a sweater tied around the waist. The sky is clear with a few clouds. Japanese signs are visible on the buildings.

My kids loved trying food from several street vendors, especially Kobe beef skewers and the famous 10-Yen Cheese Coins. We also had a delicious dinner at a gyoza restaurant called Motoi Gyoza. Get there early, as it’s small and fills up quickly.

The image shows a large, illuminated traditional Japanese gate at night, with a crowd of people walking up the steps towards it. The gate is painted in red and white, with intricate architectural details. There are trees in the background, and the scene is well-lit, highlighting the structure and the people.
Yasaka Shrine at the end of Shijo-dori

There are many famous attractions we didn’t have time to see in Kyoto, but we still feel like we got a good taste of the city.

Author: Nancy

Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.

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