Just less than an hour away from Osaka lies Kyoto, a city known for its traditional Japanese atmosphere, including top Kyoto sightseeing spots like the Fushimi Inari Taisha and Kinkaku-ji.
With how aesthetically pleasing the area is, there’s definitely no shortage of Instagrammable spots. We’ve gathered some of our favorite locations below, so keep reading for more.
Kyoto-must see places for the best photographs! 📸
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Photo by Peter Thomas on Unsplash
First on our list is the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove located in the Arashiyama district. It’s a favorite spot for photographers, and you can’t head home from Kyoto without a photo among the bamboo trees like the one above.
If you’re looking for something more in-depth, you can also go on an Arashiyama walking tour. Apart from picture-taking, you’ll also get to visit the nearby Tenryū-ji Temple, Togetsukyō Bridge, and the Arashiyama Monkey Park!
Gion District
A visit to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is often paired with a visit to the Gion district. Here, you can experience traditional Japanese culture since most historical buildings are still preserved.
Plus, did we mention the iconic Kiyomizu-dera Temple is just a 20-minute walk away from the main Gion area? You can even level up the entire experience with a Kyoto Kimono & Yukata Rental Experience!
Yasaka Shrine
One of the most popular Gion attractions is the Gion Shrine, also called the Yasaka Shrine, which was founded over 1350 years ago.
This shrine is famous as one of the best spots for cherry blossoms in April, as well as for the vibrant Gion Matsuri festival held every July.
Now if you want to experience Gion without the crowds, this Kyoto early morning tour is definitely worth checking out. You’ll get to visit Kyoto’s must-see places before everyone else starts to arrive, which gives you the best photo ops!
After visiting Yasaka Shrine, you can head to the Maruyama Koen Park, just a 2-minute walk away. It’s one of our top Kyoto must-see places for cherry blossom viewing, and just a great place overall to take a breather.
Hanamikoji Street
Hanamikoji Street (also known as Hanamikoji-dori) is a top choice among Kyoto must-see places. Once a traditional entertainment district, it has turned into a charming street lined with tea houses and beautiful wooden buildings.
Klook Tip: One of the best times to visit this neighborhood is at night when the lanterns turn on along the alleyways and landmarks.
🏮✨Higashiyama
Lastly, you’ve probably heard or seen photographs of one of our favorite Kyoto must-see places, Higashiyama.
Just like the Hanamikoji Street, this area also preserves the traditional look of Japan;with streets lined with wooden houses and temples which are now turned into stores and restaurants for visitors.
Yasaka Pagoda
At the middle of Higashiyama lies the Yasaka Pagoda, the most photographed and recognizable structure here. We recommend visiting early in the morning so you can get a solo pic without the crowds. Don’t forget your best OOTD! 😉
More Kyoto inspiration for you!
FAQs
1. What can't you miss in Kyoto?
Kyoto must-see places include historic temples, traditional districts like Gion, and scenic areas such as Arashiyama and Fushimi-Inari Taisha!
2. What is Kyoto most famous for?
Kyoto is most famous for its well-preserved Japanese temples, shrines, geisha culture, and streets full of traditional shops, buildings, and teahouses.
3. What is the prettiest part of Kyoto?
Many visitors consider the Gion District to be one of the prettiest parts of Kyoto, since this is where spots like the Yasaka Shrine, Hanamikoji Street, and Higashiyama are located.
4. Are 2 days in Kyoto enough?
Two days is enough to cover most Kyoto must-see places, but if you want to spend time enjoying each one at a relaxed pace, we recommend at least 3 days if you can!
What is Klook?
Klook is a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, purpose built to digitalize experiences and make them accessible to every traveler.
Our mission is to build the digital infrastructure for the global experience economy — empowering merchants to share their passions and travelers to discover the heartbeat of each destination. We operate a mobile-first, curated platform featuring diverse experiences across global destinations.
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