Kyoto

The thousand-year capital of Japan is small, walkable, and dense with temples — over a thousand of them, plus a handful of geisha districts that still function as such. The famous photographic stops are Fushimi Inari (the orange torii gates up the mountain), Kinkaku-ji (the gold pavilion), and the bamboo grove at Arashiyama. The less photographed pleasures are better: a tea house in Gion at dusk, a kaiseki dinner at a ryokan, and a pre-dawn walk through Kiyomizu before the tour buses. Two days is too few; four is right.

Visual Guides

Infographic guide poster to Kyoto's iconic landmarks — annotated skyline, Kiyomizu-dera cutaway, locator map with walking routes, best photo angles, and charts of heights, timing and ticket prices — Iconic Landmarks of Kyoto — click to open full size.

Infographic guide poster to the mountains and viewpoints around Kyoto — natural-setting map, a panorama of the Kyoto basin, wildlife and seasonal-colour charts, a trail-and-access table, and best-time diagrams — Mountains & Viewpoints Around Kyoto — click to open full size.

Infographic guide poster to Kyoto's festivals and celebrations — a festival scene, a when-and-where map, how-to-take-part etiquette, origins, and a year-at-a-glance festival calendar with crowd and etiquette charts — Festivals & Celebrations of Kyoto — click to open full size.

Travel infographic guide poster: Civic Landmarks and Clock Towers in Kyoto — Civic Landmarks and Clock Towers — click to open full size.

Travel infographic guide poster: Neighborhoods of Decoded in Kyoto — Neighborhoods of Decoded — click to open full size.

Travel infographic guide poster: After Dark Entertainment Districts in Kyoto — After Dark Entertainment Districts — click to open full size.

Travel infographic guide poster: Antiques and Flea Markets in Kyoto — Antiques and Flea Markets — click to open full size.

Travel infographic guide poster: Night Food Scene in Kyoto — Night Food Scene — click to open full size.

Travel infographic guide poster: Rooftop Bars and Skyline Views in Kyoto — Rooftop Bars and Skyline Views — click to open full size.

Travel infographic guide poster: Unmissable Experiences in Kyoto — Unmissable Experiences — click to open full size.

Travel infographic guide poster: Public Transit Decoded in Kyoto — Public Transit Decoded — click to open full size.

Travel infographic guide poster: Hot Springs and Bathing in Kyoto — Hot Springs and Bathing — click to open full size.

Travel infographic guide poster: Cooking Classes and Food Tours in Kyoto — Cooking Classes and Food Tours — click to open full size.

Travel infographic guide poster: Chinatown in Kyoto — Chinatown — click to open full size.

Travel infographic guide poster: Regional Specialties in Kyoto — Regional Specialties — click to open full size.

Travel infographic guide poster: Travel Etiquette and Customs in Kyoto — Travel Etiquette and Customs — click to open full size.

Travel infographic guide poster: Grand Bridges and Gateways in Kyoto — Grand Bridges and Gateways — click to open full size.

Travel infographic guide poster: Craft Beer and Local Breweries in Kyoto — Craft Beer and Local Breweries — click to open full size.

Travel infographic guide poster: Vegetarian and Vegan Eats in Kyoto — Vegetarian and Vegan Eats — click to open full size.

Travel infographic guide poster: Night Markets in Kyoto — Night Markets — click to open full size.

Travel infographic guide poster: River Cruises and Boat Trips in Kyoto — River Cruises and Boat Trips — click to open full size.

Thousands of vermillion torii gates winding up a wooded mountainside at sunrise at Fushimi Inari shrine, soft morning mist — Fushimi Inari at sunrise.

The gilded Kinkaku-ji pavilion reflecting perfectly in a still mirror pond, surrounded by manicured pines and maples under a blue autumn sky — Kinkaku-ji golden pavilion.

Towering green bamboo stalks creating a vertical tunnel in Arashiyama bamboo grove early morning, soft diffused light filtering down — Arashiyama bamboo grove.

Traditional wooden machiya buildings lining a stone-paved street in Gion district at dusk, paper lanterns glowing warmly, a geisha walking in the distance — Gion district at dusk.

Wooden veranda of Kiyomizu-dera temple projecting over a forested hillside before dawn, lanterns still lit, mist rising from the trees — Kiyomizu-dera before dawn.

Narrow stone walkway alongside a small canal on the Philosopher's Path in spring, cherry blossoms in full bloom arching overhead, fallen petals on the water — Philosopher’s Path in spring.

Where to stay: The most luxurious hotels in Kyoto →

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