Kyoto: 9 places to see - Nishiki Market to Fushimi Inari
Explore Kyoto's top attractions across 10 essential destinations, from the bustling Nishiki Market to iconic temples like Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera. The route covers cultural landmarks including Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Iwatayama Monkey Park, and the atmospheric Gion District, offering a comprehensive introduction to Japan's historic capital.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Nishiki Market
- End
- Kamogawa River
- Stops
- 9
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Nishiki Market — Long and narrow shopping streets filled with shops and food vendors
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Tenryu-ji Temple — Towering bamboo forest paired with a UNESCO-listed Zen temple featuring stunning gardens and mountain views reflecting centuries of Buddhist architecture.
- Iwatayama Monkey Park — Located in Arashiyama, housing about a hundred snow monkeys
- Sagano Scenic Railway — Sightseeing train running along the river gorge with scenic views
- Kamogawa River & Gion District — Historic geisha quarter alongside a scenic riverside where traditional wooden machiya houses and candlelit establishments preserve Kyoto's classical elegance.
- Pontocho Alley — Atmospheric narrow alley with dark streets and dining options, Kyoto's answer to Tokyo's Golden Gai
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple — Famous temple with amazing city views and breathtaking reflective surfaces
- Fushimi Inari Shrine — World renowned for thousands of torii gates, the most famous and visited tourist spot in Kyoto
- Kamogawa River — Local favorite place to relax and enjoy fresh air
Useful for your trip
- Food
- Visit Nishiki Market to explore hundreds of shops and food vendors offering traditional Japanese sweets, local food, and souvenirs.
- Food
- Try starch noodles at Atsukushi Yoshi, a traditional sweets shop famous for noodles made with a secret technique passed down for over 300 years.
- Tip
- Visit Iwatayama Monkey Park in Arashiyama, which houses about 100 snow monkeys. Plan for a 20-minute hike to reach the park and option to feed the monkeys for a small fee.
- Timing
- Visit Arashiyama Bamboo Grove early in the morning to avoid crowds. The grove is located next to Tenryu-ji Temple.
- Transport
- Take the Sagano Scenic Railway, an old-fashioned sightseeing train that runs along the Hosel Gaba River Gorge, connecting Agra to Kamioka with scenic views.
- Tip
- Explore the Gion District, Kyoto's old entertainment district stretching from Kamogawa River to Gassago Shrine. It's a popular geisha spotting area with traditional buildings.
- Timing
- Spend evening hours relaxing by the Kamogawa River, where you can find live performances by the riverside or near bridges like Shijo Bridge and Sanjo Bridge.
- Food
- Explore Pontocho Alley for dining and drinking options including specialized sake bars, affordable yaki restaurants, and high-class dining establishments.
- Food
- Experience Kyoto's Kaiseki-style multi-course dinner. Recommended restaurants include Hachi Diamond Key, Hang Kyoto Teatro Arashiyama, and Yong-ha Rio.
- Tip
- Visit essential temples and shrines: Tenryu-ji Temple, Kiyomizu-dera Temple for city views, Ruri Cohen for reflective surfaces ideal for viewing autumn leaves, and Fushimi Inari Shrine for its thousands of torii gates.
- Tip
- Explore Shirakawa Area in Gion District for particular picturesque views with old traditional buildings.
Video on this route
Top 10 Things to do in Kyoto - A Kyoto Travel Guide