Exploring Kyoto – All You Should Know to See the City Through a Local’s Eyes

If you’ve heard about the Japanese city of Kyoto you likely also heard about its rich history and culture — it was Japan’s capital and the emperors’ residence for more than 1,000 years! Even today it retains its traditional atmosphere, with temples, palaces, gardens, and traditional shops dotted around the town. But beyond that, there’s a whole world of discovery — both culturally and geographically — waiting to be explored in this amazing part of the world. It’s now easier than ever to explore Kyoto on a deeper level, with local tours such as the Kyoto Prefecture Bar Hopping Night in Kyoto available on GetYourGuide.com. But what else can you do in and around the city?

Kyoto offers an array of activities and sights to explore, as well as delicious dining options, shopping opportunities, and more. Here’s everything you need to know to see the city through the eyes of a local and make the most of your time in Kyoto:

What to See and Do in the City

Kyoto is an incredibly diverse city, and you can spend days (even weeks!) exploring its many offerings. Here are some of the top things you should include in your itinerary:

Visit Historic Sights

Thinking of visiting historical landmarks and temples? Look no further! The city is filled with iconic sites worth discovering — from the Kinkaku-ji Temple (the Golden Pavilion), to Heian Shrine, to Nijo Castle. Other popular temples are Kiyomizu-dera and To-ji in the south of Kyototo, as well as Ryoanji and Kennin-ji in the north.

To make the most of your time and learn more about each component of Kyoto’s past and culture, consider taking a guided tour or visiting on a self-guided free walking tour such as the “Kyoto Free Walk Tour,’ available at KyotoFreeWalkTour.com.

Explore Uji River and Go Cruising on Lake Biwa

The area surrounding Kyoto offers many outdoor activities to enjoy, including cruising Lake Biwa which is located nearby in the smaller town of Chikubushima. Here, you can take a cruise along Uji River, the longest river in Japan. This river cruise offers stunning views of temples along its banks and lets visitors gain an intimate look at life along the water.

Explore Shopping Areas

Want to go shopping? Then Nakagyo and Sanjo Streets near Karasuma-Oike Station are two of more popular areas that offer plant and flower vendors, restaurants, bookstores, souvenir shops and so much more. This is a great place to find traditional items – ochanomizu or “tea bowls” are quite common and make unique souvenirs or gifts. You’ll also find kimonos, origami paper, incense, decorative bookshelves and more in some of these shops. Alternatively for a larger selection of stores, consider visiting Kyoto’s famous Shreed Herenguchi — a shopping Mall with plenty of luxe stores, cafes, clothing stores and accessories from international brands.

Take a Day Trip

Kyoto is surrounded by breathtaking sights and loads of outdoor activities such as Mount Hiei and Arashiyama – close enough to reach by train but far enough away to feel like a day trip adventure. You can reach these destinations in 30 minutes or less to experience some breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and explore their winding trails filled with ancient shrines and historic temples. You can also explore Nara which has many preserved shrines along with deer roaming freely around the city center — it’s a great spot for photographing wildlife.

Getting around Kyoto

As with any big city, there are many ways to get around Kyoto:

• Seeing by foot: Between all the streets lined with shops and bustling alleyways there are so many secret pathways to explore; you can easily just start walking without worrying about getting lost.
• By bicycle: Kyotos streets are quite bike friendly compared Japan’s other cities. You can rent them easily from multiple bicycle rental shops across the city.
• By train: It’s easy to get around Kyoto by train or bus; many people use this service regularly because it’s so reasonable. You can travel to any place within the city via subway or JR trains.
• By taxi: Taking taxis is common in Japan if you want a quick ride; they offer reasonable prices but it is important to watch out for sudden price hikes.
• Shared rides: This is quickly becoming one of the most popular transportation options in Japan – especially for tourists. You can save money by arranging rideshare trips with locals or tourists heading in a similar direction.

Where to Eat

Eat what locals usually eat! The Japanese eat lots of food made from fish, rice, seaweed and noodles such as sushi, udon noodles, tempura, ramen, sashimi, soba noodles, unagi eel, gyōza, okonomiyaki, and many more tasty dishes.
Kyoto has plenty of restaurants serving these local dishes as well as international cuisines like Korean or Italian food. Be sure to check out restaurants like Café Tegumi which serves traditional Kyoto dishes like yuba tofu, steamed sweet potatoes and other unusual dishes, as well as international favorites like pasta. If you’re looking for something more modern, head over to Gion Arte which offers delicious sushi platters at an affordable price. Lastly Tokuoka Gohonzen serves authentic Japanese cuisine in a traditional setting that is sure to please any traveler looking for a unique experience.

Benefits of Exploring Kyoto With A Guide

Traveling solo can often be somewhat intimidating for some individuals – with so many places to explore and such limited time! To get the most out of your experience consider discovering Kyoto with other like minded travelers and locals on guided tours such as the Kyoto Prefecture Bar Hopping Night in Kyoto available on GetYourGuide.com. This tour offers an immersive experience for solo travelers that is both adventurous and educational – you get the chance to explore traditional bars in the company of a guide who will tell you more about Japan’s drinking culture whilst getting acquainted with other travelers—all while enjoying delicious food and drinks! If you need more time or want to explore other regions outside Tokyo, then try planning out a custom private tour — this way you can see all the sites you wish to visit with carefully tailored travel plans made just for you!

So what are you waiting for? Ready to see the real Tokyo? With this guide on what to do inKyoto plus plenty of available tour options available today there’s never been a better time to plan your own trip to Japan’s ancient capital! Don’t forget — book the Kyoto Prefecture Bar Hopping Night in Kyoto on GetYourGuide today, for an unbeatable night out full of laughter and delicious drinks!