A Guide to Kyoto, Japan

Kinkaku-ji Temple

Kyoto, the cultural capital of Japan, is a must-visit for any first time trip to Japan. The city is home to over 2,000 shrines and temples, a bamboo forest, and impressively-preserved historical neighborhoods. Kyoto’s location also offers great options for day trips to nearby cities Osaka, Kobe, and Nara.

Here’s a guide for how to spend your time in Kyoto!

What to See & Do:

• Rent bikes and cruise along the Kamo River. Bike to Kinkaku-ji, the famous golden temple.
• Learn how to make your own bowl of ramen at Ramen Factory.
• Spend the day in the Arashiyama neighborhood. Visit the bamboo forest and nearby Otagi Nenbutsu-ji temple, which features more than 1,000 hand-carved stone statues.
• Snack your way through Nishiki, Kyoto’s food market. It’s a great option for a rainy day since it sits in a covered alley!
• Stroll the Philosopher’s Path for quiet reflection. Stop off to visit Honen-in Temple along the way.
• Dedicate a day to exploring the Higashiyama district, home of Yasaka Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera, and charming streets filled with shops and restaurants.
• Walk through the famous torii gates of the Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Where to Eat & Drink:

• MeMeMe — Hip, cozy coffee shop near the Imperial Palace serving a small menu of sandwiches/brunch goodies.
• Kissa Master — Quiet cafe hidden in the back of a trendy men’s clothing store. Shop while you wait for your espresso, then enjoy it in the back corner overlooking a zen garden.
• Boulangerie Liberte — French-style pastries. Love the banana chocolate croissant! Also a good spot to try kare pan, a Japanese staple.
• Before9 — Hip spot for Japanese craft beers and light bites like miso tofu and oden (a traditional Japanese stew).
• Sake336 — Stop in for a sake flight after a visit to Kiyomizu-dera at this little corner spot, which features beautiful handmade sake glasses.
• Cafe Independants — Casual basement bar/cafe serving craft beer (try one from Osaka’s Minoh Brewery), food, and great desserts (like matcha tiramisu!).
• Bar Bunkyu — This tiny bar boasts just one table with eight stools in a dark room. Bartender Nao collects handwritten recommendations from tourists in little notebooks while serving homemade green tea-infused whiskey.
• Chez Quasimodo — Order a Japanese whiskey at this cozy bar served by an old Japanese man playing jazz records.
• Hello Dolly — Classic jazz kissa in Pontocho alley; try for a seat at the back window overlooking the river.
• Masuya Saketen — Modern sake bar near Nishiki Market.
• Bungalow — Great spot for Japanese craft beers and a variety of small plates, including more Western/non-Japanese options like potato salad with egg, lamb curry, and fried chicken. Two locations.
• Mumokuteki — Cafe specializing in vegetarian/vegan cuisine, featuring a delicious tofu burger on the menu. The cafe sits above a beautifully-curated store with new and vintage apparel and accessories, as well as small home goods.
• Gyoza8 — Grab a gyoza snack at this small, 10-seat spot near Kennin-ji temple.
• Ginjo Ramen Kubota — Ramen restaurant serving tasty tsukemen, a style of ramen in which the noodles are dipped into a concentrated broth.
• Hafuu — Get a taste of wagyu beef at this restaurant near the Imperial Palace. Don’t miss the beef cutlet sandwich!
• Anzukko — Izakaya known for its skillet gyoza.
• Okakita — Delicious udon restaurant near Heian Shrine. Yamamoto Menzo is a popular udon spot next door — opt for whichever has the shorter line!
• Donguri (Sanjo Kiyamachi) — After a night of drinking in Pontocho, stop in for some late-night okonomiyaki (open until 1am!).
• Arashiyama Yoshimura — Superb soba restaurant in Arashiyama, located along the river. Ask for a seat upstairs overlooking the water.
• Apollo — Izakaya in downtown Kyoto offering a range of classic Japanese items including yakitori, tempura, kushikatsu, and gyoza.

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