Kansai · western Japan
Kyoto
A thousand years of capital city, kept in wooden streets and temple gardens.
Best seasonLate March–April, and November
How long to stay2–3 days
AreaKansai · western Japan
Why go
- Fushimi Inari's tunnel of orange gates — go at seven in the morning and you may have it to yourself.
- Kinkaku-ji, the golden pavilion, and Ryoan-ji's stone garden, which rewards sitting still.
- Arashiyama's bamboo grove and the river beyond it.
- Gion in the evening: wooden houses, lantern light, and the chance of seeing a geiko on her way to work.
Practical notes
- Kyoto is a bus city more than a train city. Buses are slow in season — renting a cycle is often faster.
- Temples close early, mostly by 17:00. Plan mornings, not afternoons.
- Kyoto has the best shojin ryori (temple vegetarian cuisine) in Japan. Book a day ahead.
Getting there
About 2h 15m from Tokyo by shinkansen, or fly into Osaka (Kansai airport) and take the train in.