Kansai, Japan

Kyoto

Metropolis areaCityHeritageForest

4.6 / 5· HidengoEditor's pick

The notebook of Kyoto

Find the simple pleasure of strolling.

Old capital with temples, gardens, wooden districts and nearby hills, where heritage is discovered in sectors rather than in a single visit.

At your own pace

Stroll Taste Photograph

Identity summary

Ideal duration

4 to 8 days

Best time

Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter

Car

Possible without car depending on area

Type of stay

Metropolis area · City · Heritage · Forest

Accessibility

Good accessibility

Rhythm

Sweet rhythm

General presentation

Kyoto

Old capital with temples, gardens, wooden districts and nearby hills, where heritage is discovered in sectors rather than in a single visit.

The discovery of Kyoto revolves around Temple Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari-taisha and Arashiyama. The stay thus alternates between the big city, urban life, heritage and forests, which gives a concrete picture of the destination beyond its only best known site.

See all

For a stay of 4 to 8 days, a quiet rhythm works well. Also to be anticipated: variable influx depending on the season. The trip can be organised without a car if the drop point and local connections are selected in advance. The main sites are generally easy to access.

Strengths and constraints

Strengths

Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Fushimi Inari-taisha
Arashiyama

Before you choose

Variable frequency depending on season
Parking to anticipate in the center

Places worth visiting

A selection to start dreaming and organizing the stay — not an exhaustive list of everything there is to see.

Temple

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

4.7 / 5· Hidengo30 min to 1 hr 15

Kiyomizu-dera clings to the eastern slope of Kyoto on a large wooden terrace open towards the city. The route crosses historical doors, pavilions and alleys of Higashiyama, whose interest becomes more evident early in the morning before the groups.

Place indismissible

Fushimi Inari-taisha

4.6 / 5· Hidengo1 to 2 hrs

Fushimi Inari extends well beyond its first vermillon torii corridors. The path climbs a wooded hill between small shrines, lanterns and viewpoints, with a much lower attendance when you go beyond the most photographed sections.

Place indismissible

Arashiyama

4.5 / 5· Hidengo1 to 2 hrs

Arashiyama to the west of Kyoto Bamboo groves, temples, a river and hills covered with forest. The area gains to be travelled beyond the central aisle, towards the gardens, bridges and paths that run along the Katsura.

Place indismissible

Pavillon d'or Kinkaku-ji

4.5 / 5· Hidengo1 to 2 hrs

Kinkaku-ji reflects its golden floors in a pond surrounded by pine trees north of Kyoto. The course is imposed and often dense, but the gardens, secondary pavilions and changes of perspective give more than one famous image.