What to do in Kyoto

The temple is famous for its 13 m tall wooden stage projecting from the main hall. Visitors can also try lifting Benkei's iron spear and drink from one of the three streams of the Otowa Waterfall, each said to bring a different benefit.

"The temple is famous for its 13 m tall wooden stage projecting from the main hall. Visitors can also"

The river in central Kyoto is a popular spot for summer terrace dining, where restaurants serve meals, including kyo-kaiseki, on platforms built over the water.

"The river in central Kyoto is a popular spot for summer terrace dining, where restaurants serve meal"

Kyoto's old quarter and still its main entertainment district, packed with bars, eateries and historic streets. The host recommends staying near here if possible.

"Kyoto's old quarter and still its main entertainment district, packed with bars, eateries and histor"

A narrow, long shopping street lined with hundreds of shops and restaurants. It is a great place to sample Kyoto's many different flavors.

"A narrow, long shopping street lined with hundreds of shops and restaurants. It is a great place to "

The famous bamboo grove located directly next to Tenryu-ji Temple.

"The famous bamboo grove located directly next to Tenryu-ji Temple."

The head shrine of over 30,000 Inari shrines, famous for thousands of donated vermilion torii gates lining mountain trails, including the iconic Senbon Torii. The Yotsutsuji intersection halfway up has restaurants and the best city views, and hiking to the summit takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.

"The head shrine of over 30,000 Inari shrines, famous for thousands of donated vermilion torii gates "

A district on Kyoto's western outskirts that was once a retreat for emperors. It is somewhat touristy but still pleasant, with many major sights such as temples, a bamboo grove and river scenery.

"A district on Kyoto's western outskirts that was once a retreat for emperors. It is somewhat tourist"

A temple ranked first among Kyoto's great Zen temples. It is part of Kyoto's UNESCO World Heritage Site.

"A temple ranked first among Kyoto's great Zen temples. It is part of Kyoto's UNESCO World Heritage S"

A monkey park on top of the hill across Togetsukyo Bridge.

"A monkey park on top of the hill across Togetsukyo Bridge."

A pagoda named as one of the highlights of the atmospheric Higashiyama District.

"A pagoda named as one of the highlights of the atmospheric Higashiyama District."

A historic sloping street filled with shops, cafes and traditional wooden buildings, recommended for exploring on foot.

"A historic sloping street filled with shops, cafes and traditional wooden buildings, recommended for"

The Golden Pavilion, whose top two floors are covered in gold leaf, was built as Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's retirement villa and became a Zen temple after his death. It is a UNESCO site, and paths lead around manicured grounds with a tea garden and other temple halls.

"The Golden Pavilion, whose top two floors are covered in gold leaf, was built as Shogun Ashikaga Yos"

The Silver Pavilion was built as Ashikaga Yoshimasa's retirement villa and was never actually covered in silver. It is a UNESCO site and became the base of Higashiyama culture, which shaped traditions such as the tea ceremony, poetry and garden design.

"The Silver Pavilion was built as Ashikaga Yoshimasa's retirement villa and was never actually covere"

A street known for keeping the original appearance of its many tea houses, and a famous spot for seeing geisha and maiko. Photography is banned here, so follow the local rules.

"A street known for keeping the original appearance of its many tea houses, and a famous spot for see"

One of the host's favourite temples, famous for its aqueduct and rock garden.

"One of the host's favourite temples, famous for its aqueduct and rock garden."

An area filled with many types of restaurants and bars, serving everything from seafood to soba and yakiniku.

"An area filled with many types of restaurants and bars, serving everything from seafood to soba and "

An observation tower near Kyoto Station with views over the city's gridded streets. The video uses it as the starting point for heading east into old Kyoto.

"An observation tower near Kyoto Station with views over the city's gridded streets. The video uses i"

A noteworthy historic street near Gion lined with shops, cafes and traditional wooden buildings.

"A noteworthy historic street near Gion lined with shops, cafes and traditional wooden buildings."

A canal-side walking path named after a Japanese philosophy professor who is said to have walked it daily while meditating. It is lined with maple trees on one side and cherry trees on the other, with small shrines and ginkgo trees along the way.

"A canal-side walking path named after a Japanese philosophy professor who is said to have walked it "

A scenic valley north of the city known for summer terrace dining on platforms built over flowing water.

"A scenic valley north of the city known for summer terrace dining on platforms built over flowing wa"

A beautiful bridge that is one of Arashiyama's main attractions, especially lovely in autumn.

"A beautiful bridge that is one of Arashiyama's main attractions, especially lovely in autumn."

A 25-minute sightseeing train ride through the beautiful Hozugawa River valley. It offers a unique way to see the area.

"A 25-minute sightseeing train ride through the beautiful Hozugawa River valley. It offers a unique w"

A roughly two-hour trip back to Arashiyama in a traditional boat, often combined with the Sagano Scenic Railway.

"A roughly two-hour trip back to Arashiyama in a traditional boat, often combined with the Sagano Sce"

A temple highlighted as one of the Higashiyama District's specific sights.

"A temple highlighted as one of the Higashiyama District's specific sights."

A shrine listed among the highlights of the Higashiyama area.

"A shrine listed among the highlights of the Higashiyama area."

A local yakiniku restaurant with several branches, offering a great selection of quality meat at relatively affordable prices.

"A local yakiniku restaurant with several branches, offering a great selection of quality meat at rel"

A spacious, austere shrine dedicated to the first and last emperors who reigned from Kyoto.

"A spacious, austere shrine dedicated to the first and last emperors who reigned from Kyoto."

A temple built from ancient timbers. It is loved for its covered wooden bridges spanning valleys filled with maple and spruce.

"A temple built from ancient timbers. It is loved for its covered wooden bridges spanning valleys fil"

A historic castle whose palace grounds preserve the atmosphere of old Kyoto, especially during cherry blossom season.

"A historic castle whose palace grounds preserve the atmosphere of old Kyoto, especially during cherr"

The area around the Shirakawa River on the north side of Gion. A riverside walk here offers a peaceful escape from the crowds.

"The area around the Shirakawa River on the north side of Gion. A riverside walk here offers a peacef"

A shopping district next to Gion with high-fashion brands, department stores and anime and hobby shops. It is also Kyoto's otaku shopping area, with interconnected shotengai arcades.

"A shopping district next to Gion with high-fashion brands, department stores and anime and hobby sho"

A covered shotengai arcade aimed more at locals, with relatively inexpensive shops. Small temples and shrines are scattered along the shopping streets.

"A covered shotengai arcade aimed more at locals, with relatively inexpensive shops. Small temples an"

The primary residence of the Imperial Family from 1331 until the capital moved to Tokyo in 1869, now used mainly for ceremonies and tours. The complex includes the main palace, the Seiryoden residence, and gates and walls surrounded by gardens.

"The primary residence of the Imperial Family from 1331 until the capital moved to Tokyo in 1869, now"

A garden surrounding the Imperial Palace that blends Japanese and Western styles, with a large pond, bridges and a traditional tea house. It is a popular spot for cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall.

"A garden surrounding the Imperial Palace that blends Japanese and Western styles, with a large pond,"

A beautiful garden in the Arashiyama area, mentioned as one of the district's highlights.

"A beautiful garden in the Arashiyama area, mentioned as one of the district's highlights."

A day-trip destination famous for its large population of freely roaming deer.

"A day-trip destination famous for its large population of freely roaming deer."

A local shopping street. It is mentioned as the place where the butcher behind Yakiniku Hiro was established in 1976.

"A local market street that most tourists miss. It is where locals actually shop and hang out."

A rural-feeling district next to Arashiyama that Emperor Saga especially enjoyed. Smaller temples are scattered through the wooded hills north of the bamboo forest.

"A rural-feeling district next to Arashiyama that Emperor Saga especially enjoyed. Smaller temples ar"

One of Japan's best-preserved historic districts, with outstanding temples, traditional streets and shops. Many visitors spend half a day here combined with Kiyomizu-dera.

"One of Japan's best-preserved historic districts, with outstanding temples, traditional streets and "

A park listed among the highlights of the Higashiyama District.

"A park listed among the highlights of the Higashiyama District."

A small seafood shop in Nishiki Market. After ordering, you eat your meal at a spot right inside the bustling shop.

"A small seafood shop in Nishiki Market. After ordering, you eat your meal at a spot right inside the"

A traditional Japanese sweets shop the host visits every time he is in Kyoto. It is most famous for kuzukiri noodles dipped in a sweet syrup.

"A traditional Japanese sweets shop the host visits every time he is in Kyoto. It is most famous for "

A temple known for its beautiful garden, making it one of the best places in Kyoto to see autumn foliage.

"A temple known for its beautiful garden, making it one of the best places in Kyoto to see autumn fol"

One of the best places for ramen in Kyoto, serving tonkotsu, shio, shoyu and miso versions. It gets busy, so expect to queue.

"One of the best places for ramen in Kyoto, serving tonkotsu, shio, shoyu and miso versions. It gets "

A secluded temple reached by a short hike through dense forest, offering a scenic view. It is home to a famous Shiba Inu temple dog.

"A secluded temple reached by a short hike through dense forest, offering a scenic view. It is home t"

A lovely hike through shrines and temples surrounded by splendid nature. Kurama is about 30 minutes by train from central Kyoto.

"A lovely hike through shrines and temples surrounded by splendid nature. Kurama is about 30 minutes "

A narrow stone-paved alley lined with rows of traditional Kyoto-style houses and ryokan inns. It evokes the atmosphere of the Edo period.

"A narrow stone-paved alley lined with rows of traditional Kyoto-style houses and ryokan inns. It evo"

An intimate temple where visitors are invited to sit and quietly contemplate the gardens outside.

"An intimate temple where visitors are invited to sit and quietly contemplate the gardens outside."

The main approach street to Kiyomizu-dera, which the Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka slopes branch off from.

"The main approach street to Kiyomizu-dera, which the Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka slopes branch off from"

A matcha cafe known for its thick matcha tiramisu and a loaded matcha parfait. The video recommends this Sannenzaka branch over the main Kawaramachi store, which has much longer lines.

"A matcha cafe known for its thick matcha tiramisu and a loaded matcha parfait. The video recommends "

The backside approach to Fushimi Inari Shrine. It is lined with food stalls and souvenir shops, handy after hiking Mount Inari.

"The backside approach to Fushimi Inari Shrine. It is lined with food stalls and souvenir shops, hand"

A very popular ramen shop known for its thick, creamy chicken and fish broth, with a choice of noodles and dipping-style tsukemen. Its matcha-style facade makes it easy to miss, and you buy a ticket from a machine before queuing in a backyard waiting area.

"A very popular ramen shop known for its thick, creamy chicken and fish broth, with a choice of noodl"

A yakitori izakaya in Pontocho serving moist, charcoal-grilled skewers and creative items like mochi wrapped in bacon and cheese. It is recommended if you feel overwhelmed choosing a spot in the area.

"A yakitori izakaya in Pontocho serving moist, charcoal-grilled skewers and creative items like mochi"

A riverside area in Arashiyama for relaxing, boat rides and street food, especially enchanting in spring and fall.

"A riverside area in Arashiyama for relaxing, boat rides and street food, especially enchanting in sp"

A shopping arcade next to Teramachi featuring traditional and modern shops.

"A shopping arcade next to Teramachi featuring traditional and modern shops."

One of Kyoto's main shopping streets, with a mix of traditional and modern shops.

"One of Kyoto's main shopping streets, with a mix of traditional and modern shops."

The shogun's residence inside Nijo Castle, used for receiving guests and official business. It is known for ornate architecture with gold leaf and its gardens.

"The shogun's residence inside Nijo Castle, used for receiving guests and official business. It is kn"

An interactive museum on samurai and ninja history, with real and replica weapons and armor. Visitors can learn fighting techniques and try on traditional samurai or ninja clothing for photos.

"An interactive museum on samurai and ninja history, with real and replica weapons and armor. Visitor"

A bustling city day trip known for food, shopping, entertainment and Universal Studios Japan.

"A bustling city day trip known for food, shopping, entertainment and Universal Studios Japan."

A quiet little shrine a few minutes from Ginkaku-ji, where eight deities are enshrined. Its lanterns light up in the evening, making it a peaceful escape from the crowds.

"A quiet little shrine a few minutes from Ginkaku-ji, where eight deities are enshrined. Its lanterns"

An incredibly narrow stone bridge over the clear Shirakawa stream, whose banks are lined with green willow trees.

"An incredibly narrow stone bridge over the clear Shirakawa stream, whose banks are lined with green "

A Meiji-period aqueduct built in a European Romanesque style. It is no longer in use but has been preserved for its unique architecture.

"A Meiji-period aqueduct built in a European Romanesque style. It is no longer in use but has been pr"

A temple whose main viewing deck overlooks a garden full of stunning autumn foliage. Autumn visits require an online reservation, and entry costs 1,000 yen.

"A temple whose main viewing deck overlooks a garden full of stunning autumn foliage. Autumn visits r"

Home to Somei-sui, the only surviving one of Kyoto's three famous springs. A nearby cafe uses its water to brew coffee.

"Home to Somei-sui, the only surviving one of Kyoto's three famous springs. A nearby cafe uses its wa"

A district just one train stop from Kyoto Station that is much less touristy. It has local eateries such as tsukemen shops.

"A district just one train stop from Kyoto Station that is much less touristy. It has local eateries "

A temple famous for its brilliant red autumn foliage, much of which can be seen for free. It is a quieter alternative to central Kyoto, with steep stairs, a weeping cherry tree and a tatami cafe nearby with foliage views.

"A temple famous for its brilliant red autumn foliage, much of which can be seen for free. It is a qu"

A local train line through the countryside that has become a sightseeing ride thanks to its scenery. It passes through the famous maple tunnel, which is illuminated at night but also lovely by day.

"A local train line through the countryside that has become a sightseeing ride thanks to its scenery."

A shrine that is especially pretty in autumn, though its leaves fall earlier than in the city. It offers water fortunes (mizu-mikuji) that reveal text when dipped in water, with QR codes for English translations.

"A shrine that is especially pretty in autumn, though its leaves fall earlier than in the city. It of"

An uncrowded, reasonably priced food hall and souvenir complex beneath Kyoto Tower, linked to Kyoto Station by an underground passage. The B1 food hall has Kyoto specialties and the first floor sells Kyoto souvenirs.

"An uncrowded, reasonably priced food hall and souvenir complex beneath Kyoto Tower, linked to Kyoto "

A Kyoto-born soufflé pancake shop in Kyoto Tower Sando. Its pancakes are slow-grilled with Kyoto eggs and flour, and the matcha fountain pancake is served with uji matcha ice cream.

"A Kyoto-born soufflé pancake shop in Kyoto Tower Sando. Its pancakes are slow-grilled with Kyoto egg"

A bar in Kyoto Tower Sando focused on Kyoto drinks: craft beer, Tamba wine and sake from centuries-old Kyoto breweries. It is known for uji matcha beer whisked to order and is open until around 11 pm.

"A bar in Kyoto Tower Sando focused on Kyoto drinks: craft beer, Tamba wine and sake from centuries-o"

A 17th-century Edo-period garden about a 10-minute walk from Kyoto Station, laid out around a central pond with a tea house and a ceremonial gate. It is calm and uncrowded, with a view of Kyoto Tower over its bridge.

"A 17th-century Edo-period garden about a 10-minute walk from Kyoto Station, laid out around a centra"

A quiet shrine in northern Kyoto, founded over 1,000 years ago, where people pray for good health; it has many small sub-shrines and a wish-granting stone. Two popular shops right outside serve aburi mochi grilled over charcoal with a sweet white miso sauce.

"A quiet shrine in northern Kyoto, founded over 1,000 years ago, where people pray for good health; i"

Created by chef and artist Masayo Funakoshi, it runs as a tea salon and cafe by day and a private restaurant in the evening, with an open kitchen and mismatched design tableware. It is known for its porridge and seasonal dishes, and has a ceramics store on the second floor.

"Created by chef and artist Masayo Funakoshi, it runs as a tea salon and cafe by day and a private re"

A peaceful temple on the Philosopher's Path, away from the crowds. Its entrance has sand gardens with seasonal designs, and the grounds have moss-covered gardens.

"A peaceful temple on the Philosopher's Path, away from the crowds. Its entrance has sand gardens wit"

One of Kyoto's oldest and most famous traditional stationery shops, making and selling incense, paper and stationery for over 350 years. It is especially known for its beautiful Japanese paper products.

"One of Kyoto's oldest and most famous traditional stationery shops, making and selling incense, pape"

A peaceful, reservation-only coffee shop in a local part of town that sells out daily. In good weather they pack you a picnic to enjoy on the nearby river.

"A peaceful, reservation-only coffee shop in a local part of town that sells out daily. In good weath"

A spacious matcha and coffee cafe where you roast your own sweet dumplings at the table. The seating is private and intimate.

"A spacious matcha and coffee cafe where you roast your own sweet dumplings at the table. The seating"

A small paid garden that limits crowds. The video calls it the most beautiful garden of their whole Japan trip.

"A small paid garden that limits crowds. The video calls it the most beautiful garden of their whole "