AREA GUIDE

Kyoto

Kyoto Station is the city's largest terminal, where the Shinkansen, JR local lines, the Kintetsu line and the Karasuma subway all meet. The sights scatter by direction: temples in Higashiyama, dining and shopping around Shijo, and green scenery out in Arashiyama.

Events in Kyoto

The five-story pagoda at Toji Temple in Kyoto framed by autumn foliage

10/30–12/6

Kyoto Autumn Special Openings 2026: Dates, Fees and Which Rare Sites Open

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Maneki name boards on the facade of Kyoto's Minamiza theater during the December Kaomise kabuki run

12/1–12/24

Minamiza Kaomise 2026: Kyoto Kabuki Tickets, Prices & Dates

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Highlights

1. To-ji
A UNESCO World Heritage temple within walking distance of Kyoto Station. Its five-story pagoda and Kondo hall are both National Treasures, and the Kodo hall holds a three-dimensional mandala of Buddhist figures conceived by Kukai.
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2. Tofuku-ji
A temple at the foot of the Higashiyama hills, best known for Tsutenkyo, a covered walkway across the Sengyokukan ravine. The Hojo garden holds the Garden of Eight Views, a dry-landscape garden by Mirei Shigemori.
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3. Kiyomizu-dera
The main hall, a National Treasure rebuilt in wood in 1633, stands on a cliff and enshrines the Thousand-Armed Kannon. It is this hall that holds up the famous wooden stage of Kiyomizu.
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4. Kodai-ji
Founded by Toyotomi Hideyoshi's widow, Nene, to pray for him after his death. The pond garden spreading east and west of the Kaisando hall is attributed to Kobori Enshu.
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5. Yasaka Shrine
An ancient shrine that predates the move of the capital to Heian-kyo in 794, fondly known as Gion-san. Gion Matsuri, which runs through all of July, is its festival.
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6. Eikando
Officially Zenrin-ji, it has been called the "Temple of Maples" for centuries. It is known for its pond and the pagoda that rises on the hillside above it.
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7. Kitano Tenmangu
The head shrine of all the Tenmangu and Tenjin shrines across Japan, dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane. Its main hall, a National Treasure, was rebuilt by Toyotomi Hideyori in 1607.
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8. Arashiyama
A green district set apart to the west of the city center, known for the Togetsukyo Bridge and its bamboo grove. Tenryu-ji, a UNESCO World Heritage temple, is home to the Sogenchi garden.
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Things to book

Getting there

From Tokyo	Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi trains run to Kyoto Station with no transfer.
From Kansai Airport	The JR Haruka airport express runs to Kyoto Station with no transfer.
From Kyoto Station	The Karasuma subway runs straight to Shijo and Karasuma-Oike, and the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station. The Subway & Bus One-Day Pass, good for a day on the full subway and city bus networks, is 1,100 yen for adults.

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