What is Kyoto known for?

Kyoto truly is the center of traditional Japanese culture. It was the seat of the Japanese Emperor from 794 until the late 19th century, when he moved to Tokyo, making the city Japan's capital for about 1100 years. However, from the late 12th century, real political power in Japan was wielded by military governments or Shogunates outside of Kyoto. Nonetheless, Kyoto was always significant for its cultural status and prestige. Today, it is one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations, outrank…

Kyoto is an area in KYOTO, Japan.

What are the best places to visit in Kyoto?

WOW U lists 37 spots in Kyoto. Popular spots include Wazuka Tea Plantation, Kyoto city KYOCERA Museum of Art, Okochi Sanso Teien Garden, Kyoto State Guest House, Amagase Dam.

Can I book a guided tour in Kyoto?

Yes. WOW U lists activities in Kyoto hosted by Locals, the local guides who live in the area. You book, message your Locals host and pay on WOW U.

WOW U is a booking platform that connects travellers directly with local guides in Japan, called Locals. You book, message your Locals host and pay on WOW U, and every experience can be reviewed afterwards. More than 6,100 Locals are registered on WOW U. Reviews left by travellers average 4.7 out of 5.

Kyoto

Spots in this area(37)

View all

History Culture Experience Beautiful Scenery Art & Architecture Insta-worthy Outdoor Activities Unesco World Heritage Food & Drink Anime & Manga Entertainment

Kyoto

Wazuka Tea Plantation

800 years of tea rows still rippling green across Kyoto's hills.

Beautiful SceneryCulture ExperienceInsta-worthy

Kyoto

Kyoto city KYOCERA Museum of Art

Japan's oldest public art museum, rebuilt to hold tomorrow's art.

Art & ArchitectureBeautiful Scenery

Kyoto

Okochi Sanso Teien Garden

A samurai film star spent 30 years sculpting this hillside retreat.

Culture ExperienceHistoryBeautiful Scenery

Kyoto

Kyoto State Guest House

A 700-year-old zelkova door opens to rooms built by Kyoto's finest hands.

Art & ArchitectureBeautiful SceneryHistory

Kyoto

Amagase Dam

A phoenix-shaped reservoir where Uji's ancient hills meet raw concrete.

Art & Architecture

Kyoto

Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum

Sip three pours of sake inside a 1909 brewery humming with old chants.

Food & Drink

Kyoto

Kyoto Botanical Gardens

Twelve thousand species bloom in turns — Kyoto's green calendar, all year.

Beautiful Scenery

Kyoto

Keage Incline

Walk the world's longest disused rail slope under a cherry blossom tunnel.

Beautiful Scenery

Kyoto

Rurikoin Temple

Maples mirror in a lacquered desk — open just weeks a year.

Beautiful SceneryCulture ExperienceHistory+1

Kyoto

Amanohashidate

Crane your neck between your legs — pines float into the sky.

Beautiful SceneryInsta-worthyOutdoor Activities

Kyoto

Nishiki Market

130 stalls, one narrow lane — Kyoto's pantry since the Heian era.

Food & DrinkShopping

Kyoto

5.0(1)

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Where emperors ruled for a millennium, now open to all.

Art & ArchitectureHistory

Kyoto

Miyama Kayabuki no Sato

Thatched roofs dusted in snow — a village frozen in old Japan.

Beautiful SceneryCulture ExperienceOutdoor Activities

Kyoto

Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama

Feed wild macaques at the summit while Kyoto spreads below.

EntertainmentOutdoor Activities

Kyoto

5.0(1)

Heian Jingu Shrine

A vermilion torii so vast it frames the whole October sky.

Culture ExperienceHistory

Kyoto

Sanjusangendo Temple

1,001 silent guardians stand in rows — cameras forbidden inside.

Culture ExperienceHistory

Kyoto

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

A star missing from the gate — carved out for the North Star itself.

Culture ExperienceHistory

Kyoto

Shojuin Temple

A heart-shaped window, 2,000 wind chimes, one quiet garden.

Culture ExperienceHistoryInsta-worthy+1

Kyoto

Kuramadera Temple

Climb cedar-lined stairs to where tengu legends still haunt the mist.

Culture ExperienceHistory

Kyoto

5.0(1)

Byodoin Temple

The temple on your 10-yen coin, mirrored in still water.

Culture ExperienceHistoryUnesco World Heritage

Kyoto

4.0(1)

Daigoji Temple

Kyoto's oldest pagoda has stood since before the city burned.

Culture ExperienceHistoryUnesco World Heritage

Kyoto

Ryoanji Temple

Fifteen stones arranged so one is always hidden from view.

Art & ArchitectureHistory

Kyoto

Chionin Temple

Japan's Pure Land HQ, where millions pray to skip rebirth.

Culture ExperienceHistory

Kyoto

Kyoto National Museum

Meiji red brick meets sleek glass — a thousand years of art inside.

Art & ArchitectureHistory

Activities in Kyoto

View all

Sakagura (Sake) Tourism ~ JOYO Brewery, the most south brewery in Kyoto ~

by Kingo Iida

Kyoto

Sakagura (Sake) Tourism ~ JOYO Brewery, the most south brewery in Kyoto ~

Approx. ¥7,500 / guest

Un premier pas vers le saké japonais à Kyoto!

by Yoko Sakai

Kyoto

Un premier pas vers le saké japonais à Kyoto!

Approx. ¥30,000 / guest

Sakagura (Sake) Tourism ~ Matsui Brewery in Kyoto city with Shimogamo Shrine (World Heritage).

by Kingo Iida

Kyoto

Sakagura (Sake) Tourism ~ Matsui Brewery in Kyoto city with Shimogamo Shrine (World Heritage).

Approx. ¥12,500 / guest

KAMEOKA 1 Day Tour ~ Experience Japanese Bamboo craft, Indigo dyeing and Japanese Sake ~

by Kingo Iida

Kyoto

KAMEOKA 1 Day Tour ~ Experience Japanese Bamboo craft, Indigo dyeing and Japanese Sake ~

Approx. ¥26,500 / guest

Let's know more about Sake in Kyoto: Matsui sake Brewery

by Kaori Kuzuhara

Kyoto

Let's know more about Sake in Kyoto: Matsui sake Brewery

Approx. ¥25,000 / guest

À la découverte d'un vrai matcha à UJI (Kyoto)!

by Yoko Sakai

Kyoto

À la découverte d'un vrai matcha à UJI (Kyoto)!

Approx. ¥30,000 / guest

Kyoto Uji half day tour ~World Heritage along Uji River~

by Kingo Iida

Kyoto

Kyoto Uji half day tour ~World Heritage along Uji River~

Approx. ¥12,000 / guest

by Kaori Kuzuhara

Kyoto

Uji tour for 6 hours

Approx. ¥20,000 / guest

Half-day Kyoto Northern Higashiyama tour

by Koji Matsuda

Kyoto

Half-day Kyoto Northern Higashiyama tour

Approx. ¥8,000 / guest

From the Kyoto's most mystic Shrine, Oiwa Jinjya to Fushimi Inari Taisya

by Koji Matsuda

Kyoto

From the Kyoto's most mystic Shrine, Oiwa Jinjya to Fushimi Inari Taisya

Approx. ¥8,000 / guest

Locals in KYOTO

View all

Japanese / English

KYOTO

Koji Kitamura

MusicMoviesHistory+14

Licensed Guide

Japanese / English +1

KYOTO

Koji Matsuda

HistorySakeCulture+4

Licensed Guide

Japanese / English +1

KYOTO

Kingo Iida

HistorySakeGourmet+1

Licensed Guide

English

KYOTO

Ryoichi Kazuma

HistorySakeCulture+5

Japanese / English

KYOTO

Non Sakura

Anime･MangaCultureNature+3

Japanese / English

KYOTO

Yui Matsuda

MusicMoviesAnime･Manga+1

Japanese / English

KYOTO

Kaho Murakami

SakeGourmetCooking

Japanese / English +1

KYOTO

Itsuki Watanabe

MusicMoviesAnime･Manga+3

Frequently asked questions

What is Kyoto known for?: Kyoto truly is the center of traditional Japanese culture. It was the seat of the Japanese Emperor from 794 until the late 19th century, when he moved to Tokyo, making the city Japan's capital for about 1100 years. However, from the late 12th century, real political power in Japan was wielded by military governments or Shogunates outside of Kyoto. Nonetheless, Kyoto was always significant for its cultural status and prestige. Today, it is one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations, outrank…
Where is Kyoto?: Kyoto is an area in KYOTO, Japan.
What are the best places to visit in Kyoto?: WOW U lists 37 spots in Kyoto. Popular spots include Wazuka Tea Plantation, Kyoto city KYOCERA Museum of Art, Okochi Sanso Teien Garden, Kyoto State Guest House, Amagase Dam.
Can I book a guided tour in Kyoto?: Yes. WOW U lists activities in Kyoto hosted by Locals, the local guides who live in the area. You book, message your Locals host and pay on WOW U.
What is WOW U?: WOW U is a booking platform that connects travellers directly with local guides in Japan, called Locals. You book, message your Locals host and pay on WOW U, and every experience can be reviewed afterwards. More than 6,100 Locals are registered on WOW U. Reviews left by travellers average 4.7 out of 5.