Districts · Kyoto
Kyoto by district
Kyoto sits in a basin open to the south, with mountains on three sides and the Kamo River running north–south along the east of the centre. Kyoto Station is at the south edge; downtown (Shijō to Sanjō) is 10 min north by subway; the temple hills rise to the east (Higashiyama), north-west (Kinkaku-ji) and west (Arashiyama).
About these names
Names are neighbourhoods, not wards: the walking clusters cut across ward lines.
- Downtown (Kawaramachi, Karasuma, Sanjō)sleepeatSuits: First visit, rain days, eveningsCovered arcades, Nishiki, most restaurants; subway, Hankyū and Keihan; walk to Gion.4 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Kyoto Station areasleepSuits: 1–2 nights, early trains, big bagsStep-free from the Shinkansen to the hotel; dull at night and 10–15 min from downtown.1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Gion and PontochōeatseeSuits: EveningsBest after 17:00; expensive; private lanes with photo bans.Best after 5:00 PM; expensive; private lanes with photo bans.1 sights · 2 eatsDistrict guide →
- Higashiyama (Kiyomizu to Yasaka)seeSuits: Early risersBefore 08:00 or after 16:00 only; slopes and stone steps.Before 8:00 AM or after 4:00 PM only; slopes and stone steps.3 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Sakyō (Ginkaku-ji, Philosopher's Path, Nanzen-ji)seeSuits: A slower temple half-dayQuieter than Higashiyama south; buses are slow, so walk it end to end.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- FushimiseeSuits: Dawn walkersInari gates at first light; 5 min by JR from Kyoto Station.1 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Arashiyama and SaganoseeSuits: One early morningBamboo and Tenryū-ji before 08:00; one line in and out, so leave by noon.Bamboo and Tenryū-ji before 8:00 AM; one line in and out, so leave by noon.2 sights · 2 eatsDistrict guide →
- Kinugasa (Kinkaku-ji, Ryōan-ji)seeSuits: A half dayBus-only corner: do it as one block, not in pieces.2 sightsDistrict guide →
- Minami and the southern suburbsskip as a baseSuits: The 21st of the month (Tō-ji market)Residential and industrial; Tō-ji is the exception.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Osaka Itami Airport (ITM, domestic) (55–75 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Sakyō (Ginkaku-ji, Philosopher's Path, Nanzen-ji), Minami and the southern suburbs. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Downtown (Kawaramachi, Karasuma, Sanjō): Covered arcades, Nishiki, most restaurants; subway, Hankyū and Keihan; walk to Gion. Suits: First visit, rain days, evenings. Price band $$.
- Kyoto Station area: Step-free from the Shinkansen to the hotel; dull at night and 10–15 min from downtown. Suits: 1–2 nights, early trains, big bags. Price band $$.
- Gion and Pontochō: Best after 17:00; expensive; private lanes with photo bans.Best after 5:00 PM; expensive; private lanes with photo bans. Suits: Evenings.
- Higashiyama (Kiyomizu to Yasaka): Before 08:00 or after 16:00 only; slopes and stone steps.Before 8:00 AM or after 4:00 PM only; slopes and stone steps. Suits: Early risers.
- Sakyō (Ginkaku-ji, Philosopher's Path, Nanzen-ji): Quieter than Higashiyama south; buses are slow, so walk it end to end. Suits: A slower temple half-day.
- Fushimi: Inari gates at first light; 5 min by JR from Kyoto Station. Suits: Dawn walkers.
- Arashiyama and Sagano: Bamboo and Tenryū-ji before 08:00; one line in and out, so leave by noon.Bamboo and Tenryū-ji before 8:00 AM; one line in and out, so leave by noon. Suits: One early morning.
- Kinugasa (Kinkaku-ji, Ryōan-ji): Bus-only corner: do it as one block, not in pieces. Suits: A half day.
- Minami and the southern suburbs: Residential and industrial; Tō-ji is the exception. Suits: The 21st of the month (Tō-ji market).
- Sleep area Kawaramachi / Sanjō: suits First visit, rain days, evenings, price band $$.
- Sleep area Kyoto Station area: suits 1–2 nights, early trains, big bags, price band $$.
- Osaka Itami Airport (ITM, domestic), 55–75 min by the usual route.
- Kansai International Airport (KIX), about 81 km50 mi from the centre, 76–82 min by the usual route.