Travel guide · Japan
Kyoto: what to see and when to go
Kyoto was Japan's imperial capital for more than a thousand years, with around 1,600 temples, Zen gardens and wooden townhouses. It is the heart of traditional Japan: tea ceremonies, geisha districts and exquisite seasonal cooking.
What to see and do in Kyoto
Fushimi Inari
Thousands of red torii gates winding up the mountain; go at dawn.
Kiyomizu-dera and Higashiyama
A wooden temple terrace over the city and the old lanes below it.
Arashiyama
The bamboo grove, the garden of Tenryū-ji and the river.
Kinkaku-ji and Ryōan-ji
The Golden Pavilion and Japan's most famous rock garden.
Gion
Wooden teahouses and the geisha district at dusk.
Best time to go
The most pleasant months: Nov.
Getting there
| From | Flight time | Return flight |
|---|---|---|
| London | 12 hr, 45 min | ≈ €590 · See flights |
| New York | 14 hr, 45 min | ≈ €640 · See flights |
| Los Angeles | 12 hr, 15 min | ≈ €580 · See flights |
| Dubai | 10 hr, 15 min | ≈ €540 · See flights |
| Singapore | 7 hr | ≈ €410 · See flights |
| Sydney | 10 hr, 30 min | ≈ €540 · See flights |
3 nights from London: ≈ €900 per person, flight and stay included.
Per person. Estimates from distance and local prices; real fares depend on your dates.
Essentials
- Country
- Japan
- Currency
- Japanese Yen
- Good for
- culture · food · calm · city
- How long to stay
- 3–4 days
- Where to stay
- Around Gion or downtown Kawaramachi to walk everywhere; near Kyoto Station for day trips.Find a place to stay in Kyoto
Plan your trip
Flights, a place to stay and what else you need for Kyoto, one tap each.
- FlightsFrom London · about €590 (opens in a new tab)
- StayHotels and apartments in Kyoto (opens in a new tab)
- Things to doTours, tickets and experiences (opens in a new tab)
- Travel insuranceMedical, luggage and cancellation (opens in a new tab)
- Internet on arrivalData eSIM, no roaming bills (opens in a new tab)
Links open a sample search (Fri, Nov 5 – Mon, Nov 8, 2 people): change it on each site. If you book through these links we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It helps us keep improving diceando. Legal notice
Frequently asked questions
What's the weather like in Kyoto and when should you go?
The most pleasant months: Nov. Average highs range from 8° in January to 32° in August.
How many days do you need in Kyoto?
3 to 4 days is enough to see the essentials without rushing.
What does a few days in Kyoto cost?
Accommodation runs at around €100 per person per night. 3 nights from London: ≈ €900 per person, flight and stay included. The flight from London takes about 12 hr, 45 min.
Where should you stay in Kyoto?
Around Gion or downtown Kawaramachi to walk everywhere; near Kyoto Station for day trips.
