Once the capital of Japan for over a millennium, Kyoto City’s rich cultural heritage, temples, shrines, gardens and universities continue to awe visitors even today. Perhaps that’s the reason why Hindi actor Disha Patani made it one of her preferred stops on her ongoing Japan tour. The capital of the Kyoto prefecture escaped the ravages of World War II with its cultural treasures mostly intact. It contains about 20 per cent of Japan's National Treasures and has 17 places which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Kyoto City has nurtured its elegant simplicity in parallel with its aesthetics of cleanliness and purity for centuries. Many aspects of traditional culture have been carefully preserved since the Heian period and its people are justifiably proud of their traditions, including omotenashi (traditional hospitality) and kaiseki-ryōri (food beautiful enough to be called art), among many others.
If you want to follow in Patani’s footsteps, here’s a guide to exploring the manifold charms of Kyoto City.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site has witnessed some of the most important events in Japanese history in the 400 years since it was built. The castle was completed in 1603 on the orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder and first shōgun of the Tokugawa Shogunate (1603-1867). The castle served as the Kyoto residence of the shōgun on the very rare occasions when he visited the imperial capital. The wide moat, massive stone walls and heavy yet elaborate gates are still impressive to this day. Inside the palace are several masterpieces of Japanese art, most notably the painted screens of the main chamber. In this room, the shōguns met the daimyō (high-ranking warlord-administrators) who sought an audience. Also in the palace are the famous “nightingale floors,” which were designed to squeak when stepped on and thus alert guards to any intruders.
This intriguing shrine was dedicated to the god of rice and sake by the Hata clan in the 8th century. As the role of agriculture diminished, deities were enrolled to ensure prosperity in business enterprises. The magical, seemingly unending path of over 5000 vibrant orange torii gates that winds through the hills behind the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine makes it one of the most popular shrines in Japan. The walk around the upper precincts is a pleasant day hike. You will see dozens of statues of foxes here, seen as the messenger of the god of grains. The keys often depicted in the foxes’ mouths are keys to granaries.
Gion is the famous entertainment district of the city and houses the geiko (Kyoto City’s term for geisha which means “a woman of art”) quarter on the eastern bank of the Kamo-gawa. While Gion’s true origins were in teahouses catering to weary visitors to the nearby shrine of Yasaka-jinja, by the mid-18th century the area was the city’s largest pleasure district. Take an evening stroll around the atmospheric streets lined with 17th-century traditional restaurants and teahouses lit up with lanterns. However, keep in mind that visitors are banned from entering the private alleys of Gion in order to preserve its cultural sanctity. Arguably the best time to visit is during the Gion Matsuri, one of the largest and most extravagant traditional festivals in Japan, which is held annually from July 1-31.
Shopkeepers at the Nishiki Food Market rise early to sell fish, meat, dried foods, side dishes, yuba (tofu skin) and Kyoto vegetables on the 400-metre path from Teramachi to Takakura. The market is sometimes known as the “Kitchen of Kyoto.” The place is quite narrow and can get elbow-to-elbow busy, so early morning or late afternoon is the best time to visit. Keep in mind that many of the stalls close by 5PM. While you can taste the free samples on offer, avoid eating while walking through the market. Eating food at the store at which it was purchased or bringing it home is one of the cardinal rules here.
Chion-in Temple is a large and very popular temple which was built in 1234. Its massive front gate, the largest of its kind in Japan, is an awesome sight. The grounds are often full of people who pray in front of the images of the main hall. You will see people standing in front of a large brazier, holding small sticks of incense, or waving the fragrant smoke over their heads so as to receive inspiration and wisdom. The temple also has the largest bell in Japan on its grounds, one that reputedly weighs more than several city buses. Standing just north of Maruyama Park and the Yasaka-jinja Shrine, the temple's grounds are free to enter and are a natural part of any walking tour of Kyoto City's Higashiyama District.
Think Japanese tea, think matcha. Originally grown in China, matcha has an 800-year tradition of cultivation in the Kyoto prefecture. To learn more about the beverage, start with a traditional tea ceremony at the Fukujuen Kyoto store in Shimogyo Ward. Visitors will drink ujicha either sitting on tatami mats in the typical Japanese-style tearoom or at the table. The company also hosts tea workshops led by a Japanese tea instructor who will teach participants how to brew tea correctly. Visitors can also consider tea ceremony experiences at Camellia, Maccha House and Ippōdō.
The family-friendly Samurai Ninja Museum Kyoto is guaranteed to please any and all who enter. Whether you’re an avid samurai and ninja fan, a martial artist, or simply have a passing interest in Japan's fascinating history, there is something for everyone here. To start with, there are exhibits of the armour and weapons of the samurai, including a wall of swords used throughout the ages in Japan. As part of the samurai experience, visitors get to live the life of a samurai for a little while by donning armour, costumes and replica swords. You can also be trained by a real samurai master if you wish. The ninja experience teaches visitors all about the kind of weapons and tools they used for their covert missions. Visitors can practice throwing ninja stars and learn secret moves, such as how to sneak around and evade enemies, with a ninja master.
The Kyoto Insider Sake Experience company will help visitors uncover the sake culture of the Fushimi Sake District in Kyoto City. Their insider sake brewery tour will demonstrate how different types of sake are produced. Through expert-led tasting sessions, visitors will learn the unique characteristics of different varieties of sake and discover which type they prefer the most. The food pairing session will show how the taste of sake can change when paired with different dishes. Choose from the 1.5 hours, 3 hours and advanced sake testing experiences.
A sprawling area in western Kyoto City that is centred around the Katsura River and surrounding mountains makes Arashiyama an extremely popular tourist spot. On any given day you’re likely to see people in kimonos or yukatas enjoying local food, shopping and pilgrimages to the local temples. Its most well-known attractions are Togetsukyō Bridge, which offers splendid views up and down the river; the Sagano Bamboo Forest, where you can walk under the shade of towering bamboo; the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tenryū-ji Temple; the Ōkōchi Sansō Villa, which is located in the foothills of Mount Ogura and comes with a traditional tea house and Buddhist halls; and Giō-ji Temple with its charming moss garden, to name a few.
The hot springs that make up an onsen are a traditional Japanese experience you must not miss out on in Kyoto City. There are many types of hot springs which are distinguished by the minerals dissolved in the water. Different minerals provide different health benefits, and all hot springs are supposed to have a relaxing effect on the body and mind. They can be enjoyed at ryokans, hotels and public bathhouses, although an overnight stay at an onsen ryokan is a highly recommended experience. If you want to soak within the city limits, head to Fu-fu-no-yu, a facility with stunning rock-lined pools inches from the Katsura River.
For a luxurious stay consider the Aman Kyoto and The Four Seasons Hotel. The Pocket Hotel and Sakura Terrace The Atelier are perfect for budget-conscious travellers. Backpackers should consider the Ryokan Hostel Gion and the Wise Owl Hostel.
Kyoto is a food lover’s paradise, offering a rich array of dining experiences that highlight traditional Japanese cuisine. Among the best places to eat are Ramen Toritani, known for its creamy chicken broth ramen, Shokudo Ogawa for a delightful omakase experience, Gyoza Taizou for delicious pan-fried dumplings, and Soba Minagawa for finely crafted soba noodles. Each restaurant provides a unique taste of Kyoto City’s culinary heritage, from comforting bowls of ramen to sophisticated kaiseki meals, ensuring an unforgettable gastronomic journey.
Travel from any Indian city to Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong or Singapore and take a connecting flight to Kansai International Airport (KIX). There are bus, taxi and train connections from the airport to Kyoto City, which is 98 kilometres away.
The best time to visit Kyoto City is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). In spring, cherry blossoms transform the city into a picturesque landscape of delicate pink blooms, while autumn offers a vibrant tapestry of red and orange foliage. Both seasons provide mild weather, making it ideal for exploring Kyoto City's historic temples, traditional tea houses and beautiful gardens.