Top 7 Things To Do In Kyoto Japan (Travel guide)

Top 7 Things To Do In Kyoto Japan (Travel guide)

Whether you’re a tourist just passing by or maybe you’re on business in Kyoto, Japan, coming from somebody who used to live here, I’m going to show you my top seven things to do in Kyoto, Japan with some honorable mentions. And of course, today we’re starting with shopping. When it comes to shopping, Japan has way too many places to choose from. That’s why I’m going to pick my top three spots to showcase, which just so happen to all be in the same area. Spot number one is Kyoto Station. And it might be surprising to hear, but some of the train stations in Japan are actually stacked with a crazy number of shops. Kyoto station being no exception. It has so many shops, in fact, that it would probably take days just to explore them all. You can find all kinds of clothing shops from brands that you might be familiar with, like Diesel, to other brands that you’ve definitely never heard of, but you’re going to shop at anyways, because why go to a foreign country to buy things that you have back home? Kyoto Station also has a large selection of food. Most famously, it boasts the infamous Ramen Street. That’s right, a whole indoor street dedicated to ramen where you can fulfill your deepest ramen fantasies, no matter how weird they might be. It’s also where you can find the famous Skywalk, an area which you can walk around in the sky. It’s basically a giant sky bridge with viewing platforms where you can look out over the city and get some amazing photos. Most notably, you can view the Kyoto Tower from the observation deck, which I know my footage was filmed during the day, but at night it’s beautiful. Second on our list of shopping areas is the AON Mall. This is right next to the Kyoto Station and is exactly what it sounds like, a mall. AON Malls can be found all over Japan, and it might be the most common type of mall, but don’t let that discourage you. They have some of the best shopping around, providing you with a familiar mall-like environment. You’re able to find all kinds of clothing, furniture, electronics, familiar stores like The Gap, or even grocery shopping. Now, that’s a long list of things that you can find here, but they also have a few more things like the movie theater. That’s right. Want to see a movie in Japanese? Cool. You can do that. But they also have movies in English. So, just go see the English movie because we both know you can’t speak Japanese. Unless you can, in which case, nice, dude. You can also find candy shops, gota machines, arcades, and claw machines scattered all throughout the mall, which are all great. But there is one thing here that shouldn’t exist. Well, technically it’s right across the street, but from my understanding, these stores went out of business years ago. You can find a Toys R Us. Not sure what alternate dimension I stepped into, but these exist here, which is crazy to me. Oh, and of course, what’s a mall without a food court? That’s right, they have a food court here, which shouldn’t surprise you at all. You can find all kinds of Japanese food here, from ramen to udon to KFC, Subway. Now, on the north side of Kyoto Station, we can find Kyoto Tower. There’s a whole shopping area here we can check out. The final shopping spot I want to go over is the Kyoto Tower area. And I mean area. Around the Coyoto Tower, there are a whole bunch of shops in which you can do all kinds of shopping. You can find high-end electronics, some of the best camera shopping that the city has to offer. And again, pretty much anything you can imagine when it comes to shopping, clothes, TVs, electronics, whatever you want, it’s probably here. More famously, there’s the Kyoto Tower here, which in itself is something worth visiting. And even more important than that is underneath the tower there is the Sando Food Hall. When you walk in, you’ll notice that the vibe in this place is dystopian cyberpunk, which is exactly my favorite type of vibe. I’ve eaten here many times, and I have to say the food is always amazing. Possibly some of the best food in Kyoto. Great place, great area to check out. All right, now let’s talk about Fushimi Anari Shrine. Probably one of the most iconic spots in all of Kyoto. You’ve definitely seen these endless rows of bright orange Tory gates on Instagram or in movies. And yep, this is the place. What’s cool about Fushimi Anari is it’s not just one big shrine. It’s a whole mountain covered in thousands of these gates and you can walk all the way through them up to the top if you’re really up for it. The hike takes about 1 to 3 hours round trip, but it’s totally worth it for the views and the vibe. Down at the bottom of the mountain, you’ve got a bunch of street food stalls where you can grab all kinds of tasty snacks. Think grilled mochi, sweet tayyaki, and even more savory skewers. Perfect fuel for before or after your hike. Plus, you’ll spot statues of foxes everywhere. These are Inari’s messengers, the god of rice and prosperity. It’s a great mix of culture, nature, and food all in one spot. But just a heads up, it can get crowded. So, if you can try to come a little early in the morning to beat the crowds and enjoy it just a little bit more. Next up, we have downtown Kyoto. Okay, now if you really want to see Kyoto come alive, you’ve got to check out the downtown area. This is where the city’s heartbeat is. Tons of markets, bustling streets, and the vibe just changes as the sun goes down. It starts with the markets. Places like Nishiki Market, also known as Kyoto’s Kitchen, is where you can wander through endless stalls selling everything from fresh seafood and pickles to weird snacks you didn’t even know existed. It’s perfect for grabbing a bite, discovering local flavors, and just soaking up the energy. Then there’s the river running right through the city. During the warmer months, people hang out along the river banks, chilling on the steps, having picnics, or just watching the world go by. It’s honestly one of the best spots to relax and feel that Kyoto rhythm. As the night falls, downtown lights up with tons of bars, izakayas, and nightclubs. Whether you want a chill spot for a craft beer or a wild night out, Kyoto’s nightlife scene has got you covered. And if you want something a little different, there are some cozy jazz bars and live music spots tucked away that are just perfect for unwinding after a long day exploring. Downtown Kyoto is where tradition meets modern fun, markets, river vibes, and night life all rolled into one unforgettable experience. Next up on the list is the Gillon District. If you’ve ever truly wanted to feel like you were walking around in the ancient streets of Japan, then this is the place for you. It’s an area of Kyoto that has seemingly been stuck in a time capsule for hundreds of years. Also, this place is the area that you can sometimes see Geisha walking around, which by the way, if you do, don’t take pictures of them. They don’t like that. You can also find Yasaka Pagod, which is the ancient tower in the center of the Gillon district. It’s a tower that was originally constructed to enshrine sacred Buddhist relics and served as a place of worship and today stands as a symbol of history. All around Gon you can find shops that have more of a traditional vibe, tea houses, street food, shrines, jibli stores, but most importantly the beautiful streets of Ganon itself. Next up is Nijjo Castle. If you’re looking for a more cultured experience, the Nij Castle might be for you. An ancient castle built in the 1600s. It has tons of historical value. You can enjoy a relaxing walk through the castle at the low price of $10. This whole experience takes around an hour and you can get here using one of the city buses. The most impressive part of this castle is just how large the whole complex is and the many different buildings that you get to walk through. That’s right. You actually get to walk through the castle’s ancient walls and experience what a traditional Japanese castle would have been like. They also have little replicas of people inside showing you what life was like back then. And I know I’m not showing you any footage of what it looks like inside, but that’s because filming inside the building is not allowed. I’m not sure why, but I’m not going to break any rules to make a YouTube video. Filming outside, however, now that’s totally okay. You can do that. Film outside as much as your heart desires. Njo Castle definitely makes it on my list of recommendations, especially if you’re going for a more cultured experience. Next, we have the Monkey Park. And I’m going to make this fast because when I was visiting Kyoto, by the time I got over to the monkey park, it was already closed. So, I don’t have any footage of me being there. Either way, it’s a monkey park where you can go and hang out with monkeys. What’s better than that? This was originally a scientific research place, but then tourism happened and now you can go there and enjoy hanging out with monkeys. All right, next up on the list is the famous bamboo forest. Officially called the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. This place is straight up magical. And honestly, it feels like you’re stepping into another world. Imagine these insanely tall bamboo stalks all around you, swaying gently in the wind, making that calm creaking sound. It’s like nature’s own cathedral. Walking through here is super peaceful. No crazy crowds if you go early, and it’s the perfect spot to just slow down and soak in some of the zen vibes. The light filtering through the bamboo creates these cool shadows and highlights. So, if you’re into photos or you just want to vibe out, this is the place. Plus, it’s right near Arashiyama, which has some great spots for food, temples, and the monkey park, so you can make a whole day out of it. Honestly, if you’re in Kyoto, the bamboo forest is a must-see. It’s not just pretty, it’s like stepping into a living postcard. So, that’s my guide to Kyoto. If you’re a firsttime tourist, I think these are definitely the must goto places. A few honorable mentions is the Golden Temple and the Imperial Palace. If you guys want some more Japanese content, then be sure to subscribe to this channel as I’m always making content about Japan. That’s about it.

#kyoto Discover the BEST things to do in Kyoto, Japan! 🏯🇯🇵
In this Kyoto travel guide, I’ll take you through my Top 7 must-visit spots — from iconic temples and historic streets to hidden gems, food markets, and breathtaking nature. Whether you’re visiting Kyoto for the first time or coming back for more, this video is packed with tips, local insights, and can’t-miss experiences.

📍 Featured in this video:
1️⃣ Kyoto Station, Aeon Mall & Kyoto Tower – Shopping, food, and amazing city views
2️⃣ Fushimi Inari Shrine – Walk through thousands of iconic red torii gates
3️⃣ Nijo Castle – Step inside history and explore an ancient samurai castle
4️⃣ Iwatayama Monkey Park – Get up close with wild Japanese macaques
5️⃣ Downtown Kyoto & Nishiki Market – Street food, riverside vibes, and nightlife
6️⃣ Arashiyama Bamboo Grove – One of the most magical nature spots in Japan
7️⃣ Gion District – Traditional streets, Yasaka Pagoda, and Kyoto’s cultural heart

0:00 Intro
0:12 Shopping: Kyoto Station
1:24 Shopping: Aeon Mall
2:41 Shopping: Kyoto Tower Area
3:34 Fushimi Inari
4:36 Downtown / River
5:49 Gion
6:36 Nijo Castle
7:36 Monkey Park
7:58 Bamboo Forest