Kyoto: 15 Best Things to Do apart from Temples and Shrines

Kyoto is the most popular tourist destination in Japan which is best known for its well preserved historical sites such as temples and shrines and the traditional atmosphere. Accordingly, there are over 4,700 temples and shrines in the city of Kyoto.

While most visitors come to Kyoto to see those astonishing historical monuments, there are also numbers of modern tourist attractions in Kyoto which are lesser known among visitors. If you wish to dig the city deeper, try those places where you can have different experiences ONLY in Kyoto! Here are the best Kyoto attractions apart from temples and shrines.

*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.

1. Kyoto Station Building

JR Kyoto Station (京都駅) is one of the most unique and modern structured buildings in Japan which was designed by the Japanese architect Hara Hiroshi. Kyoto Station is where most of tourists terminates by Shinkansen, and offers ultimate services for visitors such as transportation, shopping, tourist information etc. Notably, the station has a observation deck and a sky-walk where you can enter for FREE!

Map: https://goo.gl/yzQmyq

2. Kyoto National Museum

The Kyoto National Museum (京都国立博物館) is one of the major art museums in Japan which was built in 1897. The museum has over 10,000 pieces of arts which are historically and artistically valuable including over 100 national treasures and some of modern art works. There are temporary exhibitions 2–3 times annually.

Map: https://goo.gl/iLaqoW

Fee: 520 yen

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:30 to 17:00 (Entrance until 16:30)

Website: https://www.kyohaku.go.jp/eng/index.html

3. Samurai Sword Experience

The #1 ranked museum in Kyoto, “Kyoto Samurai & Ninja Museum” offers samurai lessons, samurai dress up, ninja star throw and samurai shows all included in one ticket. The museum also has an option to use a real samurai sword to cut tatami rolls an experience you’d never forget.

Map: http://bit.ly/2Szdnau

Hours: 11:00~19:00

4. Nishiki Market

Nishiki Market (錦市場) is Kyoto’s biggest local market street known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen”. There are all food related products sold like fresh seafood, dry food, cooking tools, tableware and seasonal foods. It’s the best place to know and shop Kyoto’ food specialties, such as confections, pickles, dried seafood and so on.

Map: https://goo.gl/9jZ91v

Hours: 9:30~18:00

Recommended food tour at Nishiki Market:

Review ▶︎ Nishiki Market: Best Food Walking Tour in Kyoto

5. Fushimi Sake Brewery Tour

Tour the sake breweries in Fushimi, Kyoto, one of Japan’s three major sake breweries. Through the tour, you’ll have a privilege to access inside some of sake breweries, try tasting of the premium sake, and guided through the charming neighbourhood of Fushimi district. For more detail about the Sake brewery tour in Kyoto, check out the attached link below!

Book ▶ Fushimi Sake Town Walking Tour

6. Kyoto Tower

Kyoto Tower (officially called Nidec Kyoto Tower) is a modern landmark in the ancient city, Kyoto. The tallest structure in Kyoto is 131m tall, and has an observation deck at 100 meters. It’s located in the city center of Kyoto, on top of a 9-story building that consists of hotel, restaurants and shops. From the observation deck, you can enjoy the stunning panoramic view of Kyoto City.

Book ▶ Kyoto Tower Ticket

7. TOEI Kyoto Studio Park

TOEI Kyoto Studio Park is a unique theme park in Kyoto that is set in Edo period. Opened in 1975, It’s the only theme park where you can experience the world of Jidaigeki (period dramas) and walk around the film sets. The park also offers several attractions such as shows of ninja and samurai, costume rental, ninja experience and mystery ninja house as well as seasonal events.

Book ▶ TOEI Kyoto Studio Park Ticket

8. Bar Hopping

Bar hopping is another great way to explore Kyoto’s food culture. The tour starts after dark, and the friendly local guide takes you to the hidden bars and Izakaya on the backstreet of Kyoto which may be hard to find for tourists. Get tipsy like locals, enjoy authentic bar food, and watch the different streetscape of Kyoto at night.

9. Join a Cooking Class

One of the most attractive ways to explore foreign food culture is making the dishes on your own! Numbers of cooking classes are held in Kyoto with the wide selection of authentic Japanese dishes such as Sushi, Ramen, Character Bento Box, Vegan food and more. Check out the attached link below for more cooking classes available in Kyoto today!

10. Michelin Restaurants

Kyoto is one of world’s top culinary cities, and there are numbers of renowned restaurants including over 100 Michelin starred restaurants (which is the second most in the world after Tokyo as of 2018). If you wish to have the great quality, authentic Japanese food experience in Kyoto, I’d highly recommend you to pick one of the listed Michelin starred restaurants in Kyoto on the below article.

11. Iwatayama Monkey Park

Sagano-Arashiyama mountain is also popular destination in outskirt of Kyoto with its beautiful nature especially in autumn foliage season. The Iwatayama Monkey Park (嵐山モンキーパークいわたやま) is located on the mountain after hiking uphill for about ten minutes. There are over a hundred monkeys roaming freely! The view from the park is also amazing!

Map: https://goo.gl/TRRWiM

Fee: 550yen

Hours: 9:00 ~17:00 (close at 16:00 during winter 11/1〜3/14 )

Website: http://www.monkeypark.jp/Englishpage.html

12. Kyoto Aquarium

Did you even think that Kyoto has an amazing aquarium?? Kyoto Aquarium (京都水族館) was opened in 2012 and it was the first aquarium with only Artificial seawater provided. There are approx 15,000 creatures in 250 different kinds including dolphins, seal and penguins.

Map: https://goo.gl/pssRQB

Fee: 2,050 yen

Hours: 10:00～18:00

Website: https://www.kyoto-aquarium.com/en/

13. Okochi Sanso Garden

Okouchi Sanso or Okochi Mountain Villa (大河内山荘) is the former home and garden of the Japanese movie actor Denjiro Okochi located in Arashiyama, Kyoto. The villa and the garden is approx 20,000 m2 including several different Japanese gardens, main house, tea house and gates. The best time to visit would be for autumn foliage.

Map: https://goo.gl/sPhBgR

Fee: 1,000 yen

Hours: 9:00~17:00

14. Kyoto Botanical Garden

Kyoto Botanical Garden (京都府立植物園) is the oldest national botanical garden in Japan which was opened in 1924. The 240,000 m2 garden has over 120,000 plants includes Japanese gardens such as bamboo, Bonsai, camellia and cherry blossoms. There are also several European themed gardens.

Map: https://goo.gl/gm6X5n

Fee: 200 yen

Hours: 9:00~17:00

15. Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater

A traditional Japanese performance theatre which was established in 1873. The theatre hosts an annual Geisha performance “Miyako Odori” in every April. The seasonal tradition of Spring in Kyoto is not only cherry blossoms!

Book your tickets! → Miyako Odori Special Seat Tickets

Map: https://goo.gl/7NTKUH

Fee: price starts from 2,500 JPY~

Date: 1st to 30th April

Website: http://miyako-odori.jp/english/

Although temples&shrines are the main attraction of the city, there are plenty spots tourists shouldn’t miss in Kyoto! To plan your perfect trip in Kyoto, I highly recommend you to read these related articles below, too!

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