20 Best Things to Do in Kyoto (2026): Temples, Shrines & Entrance Fees

Kyoto has 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites and hundreds of temples, shrines and gardens. This list of the 20 best things to do in Kyoto mixes the famous names with quieter places, with 2026 entrance fees from Self Guide Japan (checked September 2026).

Temples and shrines

1. Fushimi Inari Taisha — tunnels of red torii gates up Mount Inari; free, open 24 hours. Full guide.
2. Kiyomizu-dera — a wooden terrace on 13-metre pillars above the city; ¥500, opens at 6:00.
3. Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) — covered in gold leaf and reflected in its pond; ¥500, 9:00–17:00.
4. Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) — a refined Zen temple with a sand garden; ¥1,000 since April 2026.
5. Ryoan-ji — Japan’s most famous rock garden; ¥600.
6. Sanjusangen-do — 1,001 golden statues of Kannon in a 120-metre hall; ¥600.
7. Tofuku-ji — huge wooden bridge and spectacular autumn maples.
8. Nanzen-ji — a Zen complex with a red-brick aqueduct, at the end of the Philosopher’s Path.
9. Kifune and Kurama — mountain shrines and a forest hike north of the city, cooler in summer.

Arashiyama

10. Bamboo grove — free and open at all hours; go before 8:00.
11. Tenryu-ji — UNESCO-listed Zen garden next to the bamboo; ¥500 for the garden.
12. Iwatayama Monkey Park — wild macaques and city views after a short climb.
13. Hozu River boat or Sagano Romantic Train — scenic gorge trips, best in spring and autumn.

History, streets and gardens

14. Nijo Castle — the shoguns’ palace with squeaking “nightingale floors”; ¥1,300 including Ninomaru Palace.
15. Gion and Hanamikoji — teahouses and lantern-lit streets; respect the photography bans on private lanes and never follow geiko or maiko.
16. Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka — preserved stone lanes below Kiyomizu-dera; beautiful at 7:00, crowded by noon.
17. The Philosopher’s Path — a canal-side walk lined with cherry trees, from Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji.

Food and experiences

18. Nishiki Market — “Kyoto’s kitchen”, a covered street of pickles, tofu, sweets and street snacks.
19. A tea ceremony or kimono rental — book a short ceremony in Gion, or wear kimono for a day in Higashiyama. Compare Kyoto experiences and tours.
20. Day trip to Nara — Todai-ji’s giant Buddha and the free-roaming deer, 45 minutes by train.

Entrance fees (2026)

Tips

• Group sights by area: Higashiyama (Kiyomizu-dera, Gion), north-west (Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji), Arashiyama, and south (Fushimi Inari, Tofuku-ji).
• Use trains and the subway instead of crowded buses where possible.
• Carry cash for small temples and an IC card for transport.
• Check the season — see the best time to visit Kyoto.
• Coming from Tokyo? See Tokyo to Kyoto by shinkansen.

More Kyoto guides

• Kyoto itinerary
• Where to stay in Kyoto
• Best time to visit Kyoto (cherry blossoms and autumn leaves)
• Tokyo to Kyoto by shinkansen
• Kansai airport to Kyoto
• Fushimi Inari guide
• Kyoto accommodation tax
• Kyoto travel guide

FAQ: Things to do in Kyoto

What should you not miss in Kyoto?

Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama’s bamboo grove and an evening walk in Gion.

How many days do you need in Kyoto?

Three days covers the main sights; add a fourth for Nara or a slower pace. See our Kyoto itinerary.

What is free to do in Kyoto?

Fushimi Inari, the Arashiyama bamboo grove, Gion’s streets, the Philosopher’s Path, Yasaka Shrine and Nishiki Market.

Can you take photos in Gion?

On public streets yes, but some private lanes ban photography, and you should never follow or block geiko and maiko.

Is Kyoto or Tokyo better?

They’re very different: Tokyo for modern city life, Kyoto for temples and tradition. Most first trips include both.