Kyoto walking route: Kyoto Station to Nijo Castle
Explore Kyoto's blend of modern and traditional attractions on this 16.9 km route. Starting from Kyoto Station and Kyoto Tower, the route leads through the geisha district of Gion, traditional neighborhoods like Ishibe Koji and Sannen-zaka, and culminates at major temples including Heian Shrine, Shorenin Temple, Kodai Temple, Fushimi Inari-taisha, and Nijo Castle.
- Distance
- 16.9 km
- Mode
- route
- Start
- Kyoto Station
- End
- Nijo Castle
- Stops
- 11
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Kyoto Station — Ultra-modern transit hub serving as the gateway to Kyoto, featuring contemporary architecture and gridded street views of the city.
- Kyoto Tower — Iconic 131-meter tower offering panoramic views over Kyoto's gridded streets and serving as a vantage point to discover the city's historic districts.
- Gion
- Ishibe Koji — Narrow traditional alley in Gion lined with authentic Kyoto-style wooden houses and home to several fine ryokan inns.
- Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka
- Sannen-zaka — Traffic-free historic shopping street lined with traditional teahouses, craft shops, and temples popular with generations of pilgrims.
- Heian Shrine — Spacious and austere shrine dedicated to the first and last emperors of Kyoto, renowned for its serene grounds and architectural grandeur.
- Shorenin Temple — Intimate temple inviting quiet contemplation of its gardens, representing the quieter and more personal side of Kyoto's spiritual heritage.
- Kodai Temple — Temple featuring a raked gravel garden designed to represent the infinite ocean, embodying Zen philosophy and meditative water elements.
- Fushimi Inari-taisha — Sprawling temple complex dedicated to the fox spirit Inari, featuring a 2.5-mile mountain path lined with 10,000 vermillion tori gates.
- Nijo Castle — Historic castle palace grounds preserving centuries of Kyoto's cultural heritage and representing the samurai and imperial history.
Useful for your trip
- Where to stay
- Stay in traditional Ryokan inns found in narrow alleyways like Ishibe Koji for an authentic experience reminiscent of the Edo period.
- Transport
- Use rickshaws to travel between areas, particularly to reach the traffic-free streets of Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka districts.
- Tip
- Visit Gion entertainment quarter to observe geisha, the refined artistic tradition for which Kyoto is famous.
- Tip
- Hike to the summit of Fushimi Inari-taisha via a 2.5-mile path lined with 10,000 tori gates; expect about 2 hours total.
- Tip
- Visit Kyoto Tower to view the gridded streets and get oriented to the city layout from above.
- Tip
- Explore the Bamboo Forest of Arashiyama for its ethereal light and tranquil atmosphere.
- Food
- Try communal shabu shabu dishes, a traditional hot pot meal popular in Kyoto.
- Timing
- Visit during cherry blossom season to experience this fleeting seasonal tradition that reminds visitors of the preciousness of time.
- Tip
- Explore Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka districts where cars are prohibited; these areas feature traditional teahouses, temples, and shops.
- Tip
- Visit Fushimi Inari-taisha's thousands of smaller shrines along the path as rest stops during your climb.
Video on this route
Kyoto Vacation Travel Guide | Expedia