This Japanese city is full of history, breathtaking temples, architecture and an atmosphere that represents the best of Japan. On you Kyoto Japan visit, there are several tourist destinations, adventures, and sights to see. The city is loaded with zen gardens and temples among the most picturesque in the country. It is also an old city where you can discover the world of Samurai and Geisha. Kyoto is a beautiful city and destination for your slow travel vacations.
Kyoto has 14 UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Golden Temple of Kinkaku-ji and the historic district of Gion, which has tea houses and restaurants in it’s narrow streets and old wooden buildings. There is a very good chance you will see a geisha walking around. It is the center of cultural Japan. If you are interested in the ultimate Kyoto Japan travel guide, read on to learn about the essential ways to live Kyoto to the fullest.
Spend Time Wandering Through The Gion District
When you visit Kyoto Japan, be sure to spend time in the Gion District. You can spend a day or two here exploring. Most Kyoto travel guides advise dedicating at least a day to visiting the Gion District. You just don’t know what you will discover. Window shopping, architecture, geisha walking to work, checking out the different narrow streets, it is all mesmerizing.
Immerse Yourself As A Maiko
Almost all Kyoto Japan tourism guides recommend immersing yourself as a Maiko. The women may want to dive into the local culture and go for geisha treatments. Go all out and have full make-up done and wear a kimono for the day. Photos taken that day make for a memorable souvenir. Be sure to immerse yourself as a Maiko for the ultimate Kyoto Japan tourist activities.
What a great way to learn about the ancient geisha tradition. Most people from the west are unfamiliar with the traditions learned and studied by the Geisha. Whatever most tourists know comes from the movies. Geisha study for many years(start out as a Maiko somewhere between age 17-20), learn specific skills, graduate from level to level and are entertainment artists: They are skilled in traditional arts such as fan dancing, singing traditional songs, playing traditional instruments, and learn how to host and are masters of social etiquette. The population of geisha’s have dropped dramatically. The profession peaked 100 years ago but there are many who keep the tradition alive in today’s Japan. They are authentic. They make sure to keep it alive and the business is thriving with Japanese Arts and crafts methods remaining the same.
Most geisha live and work locally and are known as geiko. Gion is Kyoto’s geisha district with a large concentration of traditional tea houses where the geiko entertain visitors.
Don’t have it in your budget to splurge in this area of exploring the geisha world? If you are lucky it won’t cost you a dime to catch a glimpse of a geisha for free. In Gion, they are out and about heading to appointments to entertain and they are walking through town. Do not ask them to take a photo with you. That is frowned upon because they take their profession very seriously. They are not a tourist object. The suggestion is to join a teahouse ceremony where you can meet and interact with one. A group is much less costly than arranging a private one. If you are going there, factor that into your budget as a can’t-miss experience. Consider that a small price to pay for the years of grueling education they go through to please you.
Kinkaku-ji
On your Kyoto Japan visit, it is essential to visit the Kinkaku-ji. Kinkaku-ji has a wonderful teahouse and gardens but gets crowded. This is an essential cultural attraction for your Kyoto vacation. Weekday morning is best. Open from 9-5 and costs 400 yen. To see the best Kyoto Japan tourist places, be sure to check out Kinkaku-ji.
Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Visiting Kyoto Japan’s tourist areas, be sure to check out Fushimi Inari-Taisha. Fushimi Inari-Taisha is a Shinto shrine from 711 AD. Some of it is made with gold leaf. Combine it with Tofuko-Ji with its beautiful garden and Buddhist temple. To see the most Kyoto Japan tourist activities, be sure to visit Fushimi Inari-Taisha.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Visiting Kyoto Japan’s tourist areas, be sure to visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Kiyomizu-dera Temple is another can’t-miss temple. It has structures from the 17th century. Don’t miss the main hall. Famous for its wooden stage, it has a great view of Kyoto. Go see the Otowa no Taki waterfall, visit the Jishu Shrine and the “womb of the bodhisattva” tunnel . Just soak in all the beautiful architecture. Sometimes tours are offered so grab one if you can. Opening hours are 6 AM so if you are an early bird may be a good idea before the afternoon crowds.
There are buses 100 or 206 from Kyoto station (15 minutes, 230 yen). Gojo-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi bus stop, and then a short 10 minute uphill walk right there.to the temple.
Another way to get there. Kiyomizudera is a 20 minute walk from Kiyomizu-Gojo Station along the Keihan Railway Line.
Go To Arashiyama
Visiting the best tourist attractions of Kyoto Japan, be sure to go to Arashiyama, absolutely beautiful. It is 30 minutes from downtown Kyoto and easy to get there. Combine it with the Tenryu-ji Temple, a Zen Buddhist temple. Allow extra time to enjoy the garden.
Go across the Togetsu Bridge. It goes over the Katsura River and is wooden. It will lead you to the bamboo forest of Arashiyama. Allow extra time to go to the Monkey Park of Arashiyama. There are over 180 Japanese Macaque monkeys there. Feed the monkeys or just enjoy the view of Kyoto from there.
Visit Nijo Castle
While in Kyoto, you may want to visit the Nijo Castle. It’s a beautiful solo travel destination. Construction started in 1603 as the first Kyoto residence for the original shogun of the Edo Period, Tokugawa Ieyasu. Then, 23 years later, the castle was completed by his grandson Iemitsu. More so, the castle was used an an imperial palace after the fall of Tokugawa Shogunate in 1867. Next, it was donated to the city of Kyoto and opened as a historic attraction site. In fact, its building is one of the best surviving examples of Japan’s feudal era castle architecture. Visit Nijo Castle to experience the history of Kyoto Japan.
Tea Ceremonies
Visiting the largest Kyoto Japan tourism places, be sure to check out authentic Japanese tea ceremonies. As mentioned earlier, an authentic tea ceremony is a great way to experience the tradition of the area. One great suggestion is the Camellia’s garden area. The scenery and atmosphere there enhances the total experience. The house is well over 100 years old and it is a traditional structure from that time period. In addition to incredible tea ceremonies, there are even several signature spa treatments to experience on your visit to Japan.
It is very close to Ryoan-ji. It is well known for its outstanding rock garden, one of the best in the world. Since it is a zen temple, and this goes for any temple, it is important to know some important guidelines when attending a tea ceremony. You will be taking off your shoes when you enter a tearoom. Pack plenty of white socks for your trip to Japan. Traditional socks worn by Japanese are called Tabi. Modest clothing is also appropriate when visiting temples. 500 yen. Visiting the tourist activities in Kyoto Japan, be sure to attend an authentic tea ceremony.
Camellia Tea Ceremony
One of the biggest tourist attractions in Kyoto Japan is the Cemllia tea ceremony. It is approximately 45 minutes long and done in English. The cost you will pay to be part of a group is 3000 yen for adults. There are multiple time slots each day so it can easily work around the rest of your day. www.tea-kyoto.com
Tea Ceremony Room Juan is a tea room surrounded by a small Japanese garden for 2,850 yen. They will teach you some history and terms concerning the ceremony. The location is near Kyoto Station. Multiple time slots daily. The Tea Ceremony Experience in Kyoto En is a 45 minute group lesson and it is a five minute walk from the Gion bus stop. 2500 yen.
Tea Ceremony Experience KOTO not only has the tea ceremony but also offers ikebana( Japanese flower arranging) and origami (paper folding) The group tea ceremony is 2,700 yen and if you add the Origami is an additional 600 yen.
Once a tea ceremony starts you will not be allowed in so factor in some extra time to get there. No matter which tea ceremony you experience, keep in mind it takes many years of training to be a master in leading a tea ceremony. This art has been around for over 500 years and has a very special place in Japan.
The Kyoto Free Walking Tour
The Kyoto free walking tour is a great activity to arrange in advance for your first day for orientation to the area. They take you through the Higashiyama and Gion districts. A local guide takes the group around for 2-3 hours showing the highlights and their favorite spots. This is a no-brainer and you sign up online.
The advantage of going with them is they will give you information about Japanese culture, religious, food recommendations, and of course good history. You will see shrines and temples. Walk through the geisha quarters of Gion and Higashiyama district. They also offer an additional free tour in the evenings at 5:30 ofFushimi Inari. Check out Kyoto free tours on your visit to Japan.
If you want something geared toward geisha everything, look at Kyoto Sights and Nights. It is a 90 minute tour in the late afternoon from 4:30-6 and the cost is 3000 yen.
Keep in mind the following important information and you will fit in nicely. Do not smoke at any of the religious structures. No eating and/or drinking while walking anywhere. It is frowned upon in Japan. To help you better understand eating etiquette on your next trip, be sure to check out our visitors guide on eating out.
How Long To Stay?
As you prepare for your Kyoto Japan travel, you may be wondering how long to stay. On average, the trip to Kyoto takes about two to three days. Often, Kyoto is used as an add-on when visiting Tokyo. However, with all the natural beauty, culture, and history that this city offers, it may be worth it to consider a better balance between the two. If you are visiting Japan for two weeks, try to perfect the art of travel planning. Consider spending 7 days in Tokyo, and the remaining 7 in Kyoto. This will give you the flexibility to visit, Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, tea ceremonies, and have extra time for a ‘flex’ travel day.
Ready To Experience Japan in 2021?
Take the time and overspending out of vacation planning. Sit back, relax, and let Grasshopper Greg hand you the information. Japan 2021 is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date value travel advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. This is one of the best destinations in the world! Try Unagi, Takoyaki and Udon, learn the ancient Japanese art of Ikebana, enjoy the Geisha bars, watch two enormous guys try to push each other out of a circle, and sample lots of different Sake types. Get to the heart of Japan and officially begin your journey now!
Grasshopper Greg’s team’s advice is savvy, dependable, and thorough. They offer up-to-date, detail- and tip-rich commentary on Japan’s iconic sights, and will introduce you to restaurants, off-the-beaten-path attractions, nature spots, tours, shops and exotic lodging that few tourists know to visit. Of course, they will also update you on covid-19 travel advisory information and risks.
Japan 2021 is the perfect guidebook for those looking for insider tips to make the most out of their visit – Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Matsue, Nara, Hakone, Tsumago, Takayama and Sanmachi Suji. Complete with a detailed map and concise descriptions, this travel guide will help you plan your trip with ease. Join Grasshopper Greg in exploring one of the most spectacular vacations in the world!
So whether you’re going to be going to virtual reality theme parks, cos-play go-karting, the Tsukiji Fish Market, stay in a Ryokan or soak in an Onsen, enjoy the extremely underrated Kanazawa, spend time in the Gion District of Kyoto, attend possibly the most authentic tea ceremony at Camellia’s Garden Area, have some Kobe Beef Teppanyaki, see one of Japan’s most famous castles in Matsumoto, get introduced to Buddhism in Nara, among so many more Japanese highlights, this is the book for you. This is the most “to-the-point” but also, comprehensive guide to many parts of Japan you’ll find.
Grasshopper Greg’s 2021 Value Travel Guide to Japan
Learn How I Saved Over $15,274 On Booking Flights, Hotels, & Entire Vacations
This expert guide on "Travel Hacking Tactics To Slash Vacation Costs" has personally saved me over $15,274. Within the guide, you will learn how to:
Understand Credit Report
Impact On Travel
Leverage Travel Hacking
Credit Cards
Earn Substantial Travel
Miles & Points
Maximize Credit Card
Loyalty Programs