Kyoto, Japan’s old imperial capital, packs centuries of temples, gardens, and traditional streets into a single walkable city. From vermilion torii gates climbing a forested mountain to a gold-leaf pavilion mirrored in a still pond, its landmarks are some of the most iconic in the country. This hub gathers our complete Kyoto travel guide series in one place, so you can plan a trip around the sights that interest you most.

Top Sights and Travel Guides

Fushimi Inari Taisha — the famous endless trail of thousands of vermilion torii gates winding up Mount Inari.

Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion — Kyoto’s dazzling gold-leaf temple reflected in its mirror pond.

Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion — an understated Zen temple famed for its raked sand garden and moss-covered hillside.

Kiyomizu-dera — a hillside temple with a vast wooden stage and sweeping views over the city.

Bamboo, Streets, and Atmosphere

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove — a serene path through towering green bamboo on Kyoto’s western edge.

Gion — the historic geisha district of lantern-lit lanes, tea houses, and Yasaka Shrine.

Planning Your Kyoto Trip

Most of these sights split between Kyoto’s eastern hills (Higashiyama), the city center, and the western Arashiyama area. Grouping them by location makes for efficient days: pair Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, and Ginkaku-ji in the east; visit Fushimi Inari to the south; and set aside a morning for Arashiyama and the bamboo grove. Each guide above includes timing tips and how to get there, so you can build an itinerary that matches your pace. More Kyoto guides, including museums and neighborhood streets, are on the way.

See everything in one place: The Complete Kyoto Guide.