Kyoto · Things to do
Things to Do in Kyoto: 17 Places with Hours, Prices and Access
17 things to do · checked October 20, 2026
17 things to do in Kyoto, from the south of the city around to the west
Hours, prices and access checked against each place's own page on October 20, 2026. They change; check before you go.
1Fushimi Inari Taisha伏見稲荷大社
Shinto shrine and mountain torii paths · Fushimi (south of Kyoto Station)
A shrine established in 711, by its own account. The shrine treats the whole of Mt. Inari as its precinct, and the paths of vermilion torii run up the mountain.
- Access
- Right next to JR Inari Station, two stops from Kyoto Station on the JR Nara Line. About 5 minutes on foot east of Fushimi-Inari Station (Keihan Main Line; limited expresses do not stop there).
2Tofuku-ji東福寺
Buddhist temple · Higashiyama south
A temple whose Tsutenkyo bridge and Hojo garden are ticketed separately. The temple warns of heavy crowds in its autumn period (14 November–6 December), when photography on Tsutenkyo may be restricted and no combined ticket is sold.
- Access
- JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to JR Tofukuji (about 3 minutes), then about 10 minutes on foot. Also about 10 minutes from Tofukuji Station (Keihan).
- Hours
- 1 April–13 November 9:00–16:00 (gates close 16:30). 14 November–6 December: Tsutenkyo 8:30–16:00, Hojo garden 9:00–16:00. 7 December–31 March 9:00–15:30.
- Price
- Tsutenkyo and Kaisando: adults ¥600, elementary and junior high ¥300 (outside the autumn period). Hojo garden: adults ¥600 from 1 November 2026, elementary and junior high ¥300.
3Toji東寺（教王護国寺）
Buddhist temple and five-storey pagoda · South of Kyoto Station
A temple near Kyoto Station whose five-storey pagoda opens its first floor only in special periods. A market, the Kobo-ichi, is held on the 21st of every month.
- Access
- About 15 minutes on foot from the Hachijo exit of Kyoto Station; about 10 minutes from Toji Station (Kintetsu). City Bus 16 from Kyoto Station Hachijo-guchi to Toji-nishimon-mae.
- Hours
- Gates 5:00–17:00. Kondo and Kodo 8:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30).
- Price
- Kondo and Kodo: adults ¥800, high school ¥400, junior high and under ¥300 (until 30 October 2026). 31 October–25 November 2026, with the pagoda's first floor open: adults ¥1,200, high school ¥700, junior high and under ¥500.
4Sanjusangen-do三十三間堂
Buddhist temple hall · Higashiyama-Shichijo
A temple hall holding 1,001 statues of Kannon. It is open every day of the year.
- Access
- City Bus 100, 206 or 208 from Kyoto Station, about 10 minutes, to Hakubutsukan Sanjusangendo-mae, right outside. About 7 minutes on foot from exit 2 of Shichijo Station (Keihan).
- Hours
- 1 April–15 November 8:30–17:00; 16 November–31 March 9:00–16:00. Tickets stop 30 minutes before closing.
- Price
- Adults ¥600; junior and senior high ¥400; elementary ¥300
5Kiyomizu-dera清水寺
Buddhist temple · Higashiyama
A temple on the Higashiyama hillside that opens at 6:00 every day. On 21–30 November 2026 it stays open after dark for its autumn night viewing.
- Access
- City Bus 206 (for Kitaoji Bus Terminal via Higashiyama-dori) or 100 from Kyoto Station to Gojozaka, then about 10 minutes on foot east. About 25 minutes on foot from Kiyomizu-Gojo Station (Keihan).
- Hours
- 6:00–18:00 (6:00–18:30 in July and August). Night viewing 21–30 November 2026: until 21:30, last entry 21:00.
6Yasaka Shrine and Gion八坂神社・祇園
Shinto shrine and historic district · Gion
The shrine of the Gion district. Its portable shrine (mikoshi) processions on the nights of 17 and 24 July are part of the Gion Festival.
- Access
- About 5 minutes on foot from Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan); about 8 minutes from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu). City Bus 206 stops close by.
7Nishiki Market錦市場
Food market street · Downtown (Shijo)
A 390 m street of food shops in central Kyoto. The market asks visitors not to eat while walking, but in front of or inside the shop that sold the food.
- Access
- About 3 minutes on foot from Karasuma Station (Hankyu) or Shijo Station (Karasuma subway line); about 4 minutes from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu).
8Nijo Castle元離宮二条城
Castle and palace buildings · Nijo
A castle in the city centre whose Ninomaru Palace is included in the standard adult ticket. The Honmaru Palace needs a reservation and a separate ticket.
- Access
- Karasuma subway line from Kyoto Station to Karasuma Oike (about 6 minutes), then one stop on the Tozai Line to Nijojo-mae.
- Hours
- 8:45–17:00 (last entry 16:00)
- Closed on
- 29–31 December. Ninomaru Palace also closed 26–28 December, 1–3 January and every Tuesday in January, July, August and December (the next day if that Tuesday is a holiday).
- Price
- Adults ¥1,300 (castle + Ninomaru Palace). Castle only: junior and senior high ¥400, elementary ¥300. Honmaru Palace ¥1,000 extra, reservation required.
9Kyoto Imperial Palace京都御所
Imperial palace grounds · Kyoto Gyoen (Kamigyo)
The palace inside Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, open to walk-in visitors with no reservation and no fee. Entry is by the Seishomon gate, with a bag check; free guided tours run in English at 10:00 and 14:00 (about 50 minutes).
Closed on Mondays. Free, with no reservation.
- Access
- About 5 minutes on foot from Imadegawa Station (Karasuma subway line); about 7 minutes from the Karasuma-Imadegawa city bus stop.
- Closed on
- Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a national holiday); 28 December–4 January; days of court functions or events, and sometimes in bad weather
- Price
- Free
10Heian Jingu平安神宮
Shinto shrine and garden · Okazaki
A shrine founded in 1895, the 1,100th anniversary of the capital's move to Kyoto. The Shin-en garden has its own reception and opening hours.
- Access
- About 10 minutes on foot from exit 1 of Higashiyama Station (Tozai Line). City Bus 5 or 100 from Kyoto Station to Okazaki-koen Bijutsukan/Heian-jingu-mae, then about 5 minutes north.
- Hours
- Grounds from 6:00; close 18:00 (March–September), 17:30 (October), 17:00 (November–February). Shin-en garden from 8:30; last entry 17:30 (March–September), 17:00 (October), 16:30 (November–February).
11Philosopher's Path哲学の道
Canal-side walking path · Ginkaku-ji to Keage (north-east Kyoto)
A walking path along the canal, with its entrance at Ginkakuji Bridge below the approach to Ginkaku-ji. Kyoto City's travel guide suggests walking it between Keage subway station and Ginkaku-ji.
- Access
- Ginkakuji-michi bus stop (as for Ginkaku-ji), then east along the canal to Ginkakuji Bridge. The south end is reached from Keage Station (Tozai Line).
12Ginkaku-ji銀閣寺（慈照寺）
Buddhist temple · Ginkaku-ji (north-east Kyoto)
Jisho-ji, known as Ginkaku-ji, run by Shokoku-ji like Kinkaku-ji and open every day of the year. It closes at 17:00 from March to November and at 16:30 in winter.
- Access
- Karasuma subway line from Kyoto Station to Imadegawa (about 9 minutes), then City Bus 203 from Karasuma-Imadegawa to Ginkakuji-michi; Kyoto City puts the whole trip at about 43 minutes. Buses 5, 7, 32, 102 and 204 also stop at Ginkakuji-michi.
- Hours
- 1 March–30 November 8:30–17:00; 1 December–end of February 9:00–16:30
- Price
- Adults (high school and over) ¥1,000; elementary and junior high ¥500
13Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)金閣寺（鹿苑寺）
Buddhist temple · Kinugasa (north-west Kyoto)
The temple of the Golden Pavilion, run by Shokoku-ji and open every day of the year.
- Access
- Kyoto City recommends the Karasuma subway line from Kyoto Station to Kitaoji, then City Bus 204 or 205 from the blue stops (E–G) to Kinkakuji-michi (about 11 minutes) and about 5 minutes on foot. City Buses 12, 59, 205 and M1 also stop at Kinkakuji-michi.
- Hours
- 9:00–17:00
- Price
- Adults (high school and over) ¥500; elementary and junior high ¥300
14Arashiyama Bamboo Grove嵯峨野 竹林の小径
Bamboo path · Arashiyama / Sagano (west Kyoto)
A short path through bamboo in Sagano. The national tourism organisation suggests entering from the side gate of Tenryu-ji; a further section runs toward Nonomiya Shrine, and Okochi Sanso villa stands at the top.
- Access
- JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama, about 11 minutes by rapid, then about 10 minutes on foot.
15Tenryu-ji天龍寺
Buddhist temple and pond garden · Arashiyama
A temple in Arashiyama whose basic ticket is for the garden; the halls and the Cloud Dragon painting in the Hatto cost extra. The Hatto opens on weekends and holidays, and daily in spring and autumn periods.
- Access
- In front of Arashiyama Station (Randen); about 13 minutes on foot from Saga-Arashiyama Station (JR Sagano Line); about 15 minutes from Arashiyama Station (Hankyu).
- Hours
- Garden 8:30–17:00 (last entry 16:50); halls 8:30–16:45; Hatto 9:00–16:30. 14–30 November 2026: garden opens at 7:30.
- Closed on
- Hatto closed 28–29 October 2026 and until about 12:45 on 30 October; the halls close early on some event days
- Price
- Garden: high school and over ¥500, elementary and junior high ¥300, preschool free. Halls ¥300 extra. Hatto ¥500, separate.
16Nara: Todai-ji奈良・東大寺
Day trip: temple of the Great Buddha · Nara (Nara Prefecture)
A day trip to Nara. Todai-ji's Great Buddha Hall is about 20 minutes on foot east of Kintetsu Nara Station.
- Access
- Kintetsu from Kyoto Station to Kintetsu Nara, or the JR Nara Line to JR Nara. From either station, the city loop bus to Todaiji Daibutsuden/Kasuga Taisha-mae, then 5 minutes on foot; or about 20 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Nara.
- Hours
- Great Buddha Hall: April–October 7:30–17:30; November–March 8:00–17:00
- Price
- Great Buddha Hall: adults ¥800; ages 6–12 ¥400
17Uji: Byodo-in宇治・平等院
Day trip: temple and Phoenix Hall · Uji (south of Kyoto)
A half-day trip to Uji for Byodo-in. The Phoenix Hall interior is shown in groups of 35, first come from 9:10, for a ¥300 donation on top of the entry fee.
- Access
- Train from Kyoto to JR Uji Station or Keihan Uji Station; Byodo-in's access page gives the routes from central Kyoto.
- Hours
- Garden 8:45–17:30 (last entry 17:15); Phoenix Hall interior 9:30–16:10; Hoshokan museum 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:45)
- Closed on
- Open all year. Phoenix Hall interior may stop for services. The museum's door-painting room is closed 2–27 November 2026; night viewing is suspended.
- Price
- Garden + museum: adults ¥700; junior and senior high ¥400; elementary ¥300. Phoenix Hall interior ¥300 extra.
Good to know
Kyoto's sights come in clusters, and the time goes on getting between them. Near Kyoto Station: Fushimi Inari (two stops on the JR Nara Line), Tofuku-ji, Toji and Sanjusangen-do. East: Kiyomizu-dera, and Yasaka Shrine in Gion, then Heian Jingu, the Philosopher's Path and Ginkaku-ji further north. Centre: Nishiki Market, Nijo Castle and the Imperial Palace. North-west: Kinkaku-ji. West: Arashiyama, about 11 minutes from Kyoto Station by JR Sagano Line rapid.
For Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji, Kyoto City's travel guide recommends the subway first (to Kitaoji or Imadegawa) and then a short bus, rather than one long bus ride from Kyoto Station. Nara and Uji are the two day trips on this list.
Closing times are early: Tofuku-ji's last entry is 16:00, Sanjusangen-do closes at 16:00 from 16 November and Ginkaku-ji at 16:30 from 1 December. Autumn dates: Toji's pagoda opens its first floor 31 October–25 November, Tenryu-ji's garden opens at 7:30 on 14–30 November, and Kiyomizu-dera stays open until 21:30 on 21–30 November 2026. The Imperial Palace is closed on Mondays.
In depth
TravelHow Far Up Fushimi Inari? Four Conditions Pick the Stop, Starting With the Hours You Have
TravelKyoto in 2 Days: Which Side of the City Gets Which Day, and the Hour Each Place Opens
TravelKyoto Bus or Subway? Let the Sights on Your Day Decide, Then Count the Rides
TravelDay Trips from Kyoto, Ranked: What Each Day Costs You in Kyoto, and the Gate That Ends It
Which part of Kyoto, and how late you can start
Getting there from Kyoto Station, what it costs to get in, and when the doors close. Adult prices; children's prices are on each card above.
| Where | From Kyoto Station | Entry (adult) | Last entry or closing |
|---|---|---|---|
| South: Fushimi Inari, Tofuku-ji, Toji | JR Nara Line, two stops to Inari · JR about 3 min to Tofukuji + about 10 min on foot · Toji about 15 min on foot | Tofuku-ji Tsutenkyo ¥600 · Toji Kondo and Kodo ¥800 (¥1,200 with the pagoda, 31 Oct–25 Nov) | Tofuku-ji 16:00 · Toji 16:30 |
| East: Sanjusangen-do, Kiyomizu-dera, Yasaka Shrine | City Bus 100 or 206 (Sanjusangen-do about 10 min; Kiyomizu-dera via Gojozaka + about 10 min on foot) | Sanjusangen-do ¥600 | Sanjusangen-do 16:30 (15:30 from 16 Nov) · Kiyomizu-dera closes 18:00 (21:30 on 21–30 Nov) |
| Centre: Nishiki Market, Nijo Castle, Imperial Palace | Karasuma subway line: Shijo, Karasuma Oike + Tozai Line, Imadegawa | Nijo Castle ¥1,300 · Imperial Palace free | Nijo Castle 16:00 · Imperial Palace closed Mondays |
| North-east: Heian Jingu, Philosopher's Path, Ginkaku-ji | Subway to Imadegawa + City Bus 203, about 43 min in all · Bus 5 or 100 to Heian Jingu | Ginkaku-ji ¥1,000 · Philosopher's Path no ticket | Ginkaku-ji closes 17:00 (16:30 Dec–Feb) · Heian Jingu garden 17:00 in Oct, 16:30 Nov–Feb |
| North-west: Kinkaku-ji | Subway to Kitaoji + City Bus 204 or 205, about 11 min + 5 min on foot | ¥500 | Closes 17:00 |
| West: Arashiyama bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji | JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama, about 11 min by rapid | Tenryu-ji garden ¥500 | Tenryu-ji garden 16:50 |
| Day trips: Nara, Uji | Kintetsu or JR Nara Line to Nara · train to JR Uji or Keihan Uji | Todai-ji Great Buddha Hall ¥800 · Byodo-in ¥700 | Todai-ji closes 17:00 (Nov–Mar) · Byodo-in garden 17:15 |
By kind of trip
Close to Kyoto Station
Fushimi Inari is next to JR Inari, two stops down the JR Nara Line. Tofuku-ji is about 3 minutes from Kyoto Station on the same line plus a 10-minute walk, Toji about 15 minutes on foot from the Hachijo exit, and Sanjusangen-do about 10 minutes by bus.
Early starts and evenings
Toji's gates open at 5:00, and Kiyomizu-dera and the Heian Jingu grounds at 6:00. Kiyomizu-dera closes at 18:00 most of the year, and at 21:30 during its 21–30 November 2026 night viewing.
No ticket to buy
The Imperial Palace is free and needs no reservation, with free English tours at 10:00 and 14:00. The bamboo grove path, the Philosopher's Path and Nishiki Market are paths and streets rather than ticketed sites.
Kyoto Imperial Palace · Arashiyama Bamboo Grove · Philosopher's Path · Nishiki Market
Autumn leaves in November
Tofuku-ji's autumn period runs 14 November–6 December, with early opening for Tsutenkyo at 8:30. Tenryu-ji's garden opens at 7:30 on 14–30 November, Toji's pagoda opens its first floor 31 October–25 November, and Kiyomizu-dera holds its night viewing 21–30 November.
Tofuku-ji · Tenryu-ji · Toji · Kiyomizu-dera
A day out of Kyoto
Nara for Todai-ji's Great Buddha Hall, which closes at 17:00 from November, or Uji for Byodo-in, where the last group into the Phoenix Hall goes in at 16:10.
Questions
Do I need a reservation for the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and does it cost anything?
No to both. The palace is open to walk-in visitors with no fee; you enter by the Seishomon gate after a bag check. Free guided tours run in English at 10:00 and 14:00 and take about 50 minutes. It is closed on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a national holiday) and from 28 December to 4 January.
How do I get from Kyoto Station to Kinkaku-ji?
Kyoto City's travel guide recommends the Karasuma subway line to Kitaoji, then City Bus 204 or 205 from the blue stops (E–G) to Kinkakuji-michi, about 11 minutes, and about 5 minutes on foot. It advises against riding bus 205 all the way from Kyoto Station because of the stops and traffic.
What can I see in Kyoto in the evening?
Kiyomizu-dera is open until 18:00 most of the year, 18:30 in July and August, and until 21:30 (last entry 21:00) during its night viewing on 21–30 November 2026. Toji's gates close at 17:00, and most temples on this page close or stop admitting visitors between 15:30 and 17:30.
Which Kyoto sights have closures coming up?
Tenryu-ji's Hatto (the Cloud Dragon painting) is closed on 28–29 October 2026 and until about 12:45 on 30 October. Byodo-in's door-painting room in the museum is closed 2–27 November 2026. Nijo Castle's Ninomaru Palace closes every Tuesday in December, and the castle closes 29–31 December.
How do I get to Nara and Uji from Kyoto?
Nara: Kintetsu from Kyoto Station to Kintetsu Nara, or the JR Nara Line to JR Nara; Todai-ji is about 20 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Nara, or take the city loop bus. Uji: train to JR Uji or Keihan Uji for Byodo-in, whose Phoenix Hall interior is shown 9:30–16:10 in groups of 35.