10 Things to Do in Kyoto City

10 Things to Do in Kyoto City
10 Things to Do in Kyoto City

Kyoto (京都市) is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Kyoto City is one of the oldest municipalities in Japan. The city was the seat of the Imperial Court of Emperor Kanmu from 794 until 1896. The kanji used for its name kyo (京) refers to a "capital city or metropolis" while to (都) means "capital city/metropolis/governance". 

For those planning to visit this historic city to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Kyoto City:


Kyoto City manhole cover
Kyoto City manhole cover

1. Take a picture of the manhole cover of Kyoto City. So far, I have seen 1 unique manhole cover. It is common around the city. 


Ho-Oh Pokemon manhole cover
Ho-Oh Pokemon manhole cover

2. Take a picture of Kyoto City’s Pokemon manhole covers. There are five unique Pokefutas spread around the city. Among the five, so far, I have seen only one: the Ho-Oh Pokemon manhole cover installed in Arashiyama Park in Nakanoshima. 


Kyoto Station (京都駅)
Kyoto Station

3. Explore the ginormous Kyoto Station (京都駅). You can check out the view at the Kyoto Station Skyway and Observation Deck. Both are Admission Fee-free so it’s a good place to visit if you have some free time to explore the station.


Kyoto Botanical Gardens (京都府立植物園)
Kyoto Botanical Gardens

4. Stroll around and admire the beautiful flowers in Kyoto Botanical Gardens (京都府立植物園), This vast park has a plethora of gardens to check out like the Hydrangea Garden, Rose Garden, and Bamboo Garden. 


Kyoto Railway Museum (京都鉄道博物館)
Kyoto Railway Museum

5. Visit Kyoto Railway Museum (京都鉄道博物館) and learn about the numerous different locomotives that are on display in the museum grounds. If you love trains then this probably should be on the top of your list.


Kyoto Tower (京都タワー)
Kyoto Tower

6.  Head up the unique-looking Kyoto Tower (京都タワー) and admire the panoramic view of the city. It is one of the best places to visit if you want to see the night lights of the city.


Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (嵐山竹林の小径)
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

7. Explore Arashiyama District (嵐山). Visit and get a goshuin from Tenryuji (天龍寺) which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and then join the crowd at Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (嵐山竹林の小径). 


Nijo Castle (元離宮二条城)
Nijo Castle

8.  Visit and explore the grounds and the keep of Nijo Castle (元離宮二条城). This castle is the home of the shogun Ieyasu and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 


10 Shrines to Visit in Kyoto City
10 Shrines to Visit in Kyoto City

9. Check out Kyoto’s historic and most beautiful shrines. You can click the link and read about them in my article “10 Shrines to Visit in Kyoto City”.


10 Temples to Visit in Kyoto City
10 Temples to Visit in Kyoto City

10. Check out Kyoto’s historic and most beautiful temples. You can click the link and read about them in my article “10 Temples to Visit in Kyoto City”.

I hope my list of the 10 Things to Do in Kyoto City gave you an idea and inspiration to visit this bustling historic city in Kyoto Prefecture.

#Kyoto
#KyotoCity

Read more:

Japan Diaries 4: Summary


Location: Kyoto, Japan

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