Things to do · Kyoto

Things to do in Kyoto京都

What's on tonight and this weekend, then every evening option by kind: bars, shows, cinema, spas, sport, classes, markets, family and rainy-day picks, with times, prices and whether to book.

Key facts

Picks: 32
With set times: 9
Categories: 11
Checked: 2026-09

In this city

Tonight

What is on now and later today in Kyoto, from picks with set times. Your device clock is converted to Kyoto time.

Checking the time in Kyoto…

Evening light

Kiyomizu-deraOpening, or sunset in autumnShoot the stage from the viewpoint by the Koyasu pagoda.
Shirakawa canal, GionBlue hourWillows and teahouse lights; do not photograph maiko or enter private lanes.

Plan tonight

Dinner, then a show or activity, then a bar or night market, built from picks with times. Walk and ride minutes are straight-line estimates.

Working out tonight from the Kyoto clock…

This weekend

Weekend-only markets, walking streets and shows for the coming Saturday and Sunday in Kyoto, plus festivals that usually fall this month.

Working out the dates…

Nightlife & bars

Bar streets, rooftops, pubs and late spots, with closing times and the usual traps.

No citywide closing time. The real curfew is your last train (check the line) and the door lock at ryokan and guesthouses. Kiyamachi and Pontochō run past midnight.

Pontochō alley先斗町
EveningLateWalk in
A lantern-lit lane barely wide enough for two, lined with restaurants and small bars; from May to September many open riverside decks (yuka) over the Kamo River.
When
Evenings, about 17:00 until 23:00 or later at bars (check)Evenings, about 5:00 PM until 11:00 PM or later at bars (check)
Price
¥800–2,000 per drink (dinners run 5) (≈ US$6–14)
Booking
Reserve for a riverside deck in summer.
Where
Between Kiyamachi and the Kamo River
Getting there
Walk from Kawaramachi (Hankyū) or Sanjō-Keihan; the alley runs between Shijō and Sanjō streets.
Some places add a table charge; read the menu at the door. Photography inside is often banned by signs.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Kiyamachi bars木屋町
EveningLateNo bookingIndoor
The narrow Takase canal street is Kyoto's liveliest late-night strip, with izakaya, standing bars and small clubs where students and locals drink.
When
Evening until 02:00 or later at some bars (check)Evening until 2:00 AM or later at some bars (check)
Price
¥500–1,500 per drink (≈ US$4–11)
Where
Kiyamachi, between Sanjō and Shijō
Getting there
Kawaramachi station (Hankyū) or Sanjō-Keihan; walk.
Ignore street touts around the southern end; walk in to places with prices posted.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Pontochō
EveningLate
Riverside restaurants and bars; summer platforms (kawayuka) May–Sep. Ask about seat or cover charges before sitting.
When
Until About 23:00, some laterUntil About 11:00 PM, some later
Map ↗
Kiyamachi (Sanjō to Shijō)
EveningLate
Izakaya, small bars, clubs. The late strip; loud on weekends.
When
Until Past midnight; some until morning
Map ↗
Gion
EveningLate
Cocktail bars, teahouses. Many places are introduction-only; walk on if there is no menu outside.
When
Until About 00:00Until About 12:00 AM
Map ↗
Kamo riverbank
EveningLate
Convenience-store drinks on the banks. Legal; take your rubbish home and keep it quiet late.
When
Until Evening
Map ↗
Fushimi sake breweries
EveningLate
Tasting rooms, a sake museum. The day-drinking option; check hours.
When
Until Daytime, closes late afternoon
Map ↗Times and prices: check

Live music & shows

Concerts, jazz, circus and theater that work without the local language.

Jittoku live house拾得
Book same dayIndoor
A folk and blues club inside an old sake storehouse, running since the 1970s; small shows by Japanese and touring acts.
When
Shows on most evenings, doors usually around 18:00 (check the calendar)Shows on most evenings, doors usually around 6:00 PM (check the calendar)
Price
¥2,000–4,000 per ticket (plus a drink order) (≈ US$14–30)
Where
Kamigyō, west of Nijō Castle
Getting there
About 10 minutes by bus or taxi from Nijō station.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Kyoto Concert Hall京都コンサートホール
AfternoonBook a week or more aheadIndoorKids: Teens
The home of the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, with a large pipe organ and a mix of orchestral, chamber and visiting-artist concerts.
When
On concert dates only, usually afternoon or 19:00 starts (check)On concert dates only, usually afternoon or 7:00 PM starts (check)
Price
¥2,000–8,000 per seat (≈ US$14–55)
Where
Kitayama, near the Botanical Garden
Getting there
Karasuma subway line to Kitayama, 5 minutes on foot.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)

Traditional performances

Folk theater, music and ritual shows: usually short, seated and easy to book.

Gion Corner cultural showギオンコーナー
EveningBook a day or two aheadIndoorKids: 5–12, Teens
A one-hour sampler of seven traditional arts, from tea ceremony and koto music to a maiko dance and kyōgen comedy, with English notes; a quick overview rather than a deep dive.
When
Evening shows, usually 18:00 and 19:00 (check the current schedule and closed days)Evening shows, usually 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM (check the current schedule and closed days)
Price
¥4,000–6,000 per adult (≈ US$30–45)
Booking
Book online ahead in spring and autumn; walk-in seats go on quieter nights.
Where
Gion, Yasaka Hall
Getting there
A 10-minute walk from Gion-Shijō station (Keihan line) through Hanamikōji.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Gion and Hanamikōji at dusk花見小路
EveningNo booking
Stone lanes of wooden teahouses where geiko and maiko head to evening appointments; the Shirakawa canal just north is lit after dark.
When
Best from about 17:30 to 19:30Best from about 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Price
Free
Where
Gion
Getting there
Gion-Shijō station (Keihan) or Kawaramachi (Hankyū), then walk east along Shijō.
Several private side lanes are closed to visitors and signs warn of a fine for entering; stay on Hanamikōji itself. Never block, touch or photograph a maiko up close.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Kabuki at Minamiza南座
EveningBook a week or more aheadIndoorKids: Teens
Japan's oldest kabuki theater site, on the Kamo River at Shijō bridge; its December "kaomise" all-star program is the big event of the year.
When
Only during scheduled runs, with matinee and evening programs (check the calendar)
Price
¥4,000–30,000 per seat (kaomise seats at the top of the range) (≈ US$30–250)
Where
Shijō Ōhashi, Gion side
Getting there
Directly outside Gion-Shijō station (Keihan line), exit 6.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Geiko and maiko spring dances (Miyako Odori and others)都をどり
Book a week or more aheadIndoorKids: Teens
Each of Kyoto's five geisha districts stages a public dance season, the Miyako Odori at Gion Kōbu Kaburenjō through April being the best known; the only easy way for visitors to see these performers on stage.
When
Mostly April and May, several shows a day during the run (check each district's dates)
Price
¥4,000–7,000 per seat (seats with a tea ceremony cost more) (≈ US$30–50)
Where
Gion and other hanamachi
Getting there
Kaburenjō is on Hanamikōji, a 10-minute walk from Gion-Shijō station.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Maiko dinner or performance
Evening
The respectful way to meet a maiko instead of chasing one in Gion's lanes; expensive, so worth it only if it matters to you.
When
Evening; not every day
Price
¥15,000–40,000 (≈ US$110–300)
Booking
1–3 weeks
Map ↗
Tea ceremony in a machiya茶道
Classes & workshopsBook a day or two aheadIndoorKids: 5–12, Teens
A short lesson in a tatami room, watching the host prepare matcha, then whisking your own bowl; English-run sessions are common in Higashiyama and Gion.
When
Several sessions a day, 45–90 minutes (check)
Price
¥3,000–7,000 per person (≈ US$25–50)
Where
Higashiyama and Gion
Getting there
Most hosts are a short walk from Kiyomizu-dera or Gion bus stops.
Dress and etiquette
Clean socks; you will sit on tatami.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Temple night illuminationsライトアップ
Markets at nightNo bookingKids: 5–12, Teens
In spring and autumn, temples such as Kiyomizu-dera and Kōdai-ji reopen after dark with lit gardens and maples; the Higashiyama Hanatōro lantern path runs in March.
When
Spring (March–April) and autumn (mid-November to early December), about 17:30–21:30 (check each temple)Spring (March–April) and autumn (mid-November to early December), about 5:30 PM–9:30 PM (check each temple)
Price
¥400–1,000 per temple (≈ US$3–7)
Where
Higashiyama
Getting there
City bus to Gojō-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi, then walk uphill; taxis cannot reach the top.
The slopes up to Kiyomizu-dera get very crowded; keep a close hold on small children.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)

Cinema

Where films run in English (or with English subtitles) and what a ticket costs.

Cinemas (MOVIX Kyoto, TOHO Cinemas Nijō)
MorningAfternoonEveningLateBook same dayIndoorKids: 5–12, Teens
Hollywood releases play in English with Japanese subtitles; MOVIX sits in the Shinkyōgoku covered arcade downtown.
When
Daily, about 09:00–23:00Daily, about 9:00 AM–11:00 PM
Price
¥1,500–2,200 per ticket (≈ US$11–15)
Booking
Choose screenings marked 字幕 (subtitled), not 吹替 (dubbed).
Where
Shinkyōgoku (downtown) and Nijō
Getting there
MOVIX is a 5-minute walk from Kawaramachi station; TOHO Nijō is beside JR Nijō station.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)

Karaoke

Private rooms by the hour: how pricing works and which places to avoid.

Karaoke boxes on Kawaramachiカラオケ
MorningAfternoonEveningLateWalk inIndoorKids: 5–12, Teens
Chain karaoke (Jankara, Big Echo and others) with private rooms and English song lists; a cheap, dry place to spend a rainy evening.
When
Midday until 05:00 at most downtown branchesMidday until 5:00 AM at most downtown branches
Price
¥200–1,000 per person per 30 minutes (≈ US$2–7)
Where
Kawaramachi and Shijō
Getting there
Kawaramachi station (Hankyū); the chains sit along Kawaramachi and Kiyamachi.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)

Spas & massage

Bathhouses, massage and saunas: prices, tipping and what to wear (or not).

Funaoka Onsen public bath船岡温泉
AfternoonEveningLateNo bookingIndoorKids: 5–12, Teens
A 1920s bathhouse with carved wooden ceilings, an outdoor bath, a sauna and an electric bath that gives a mild tingle; a neighborhood institution rather than a resort.
When
Afternoon until about 01:00, from morning on Sundays (check)Afternoon until about 1:00 AM, from morning on Sundays (check)
Price
¥490–600 per adult (bring or rent a towel) (≈ US$4–5)
Where
Kita-ku, near Daitokuji
Getting there
City bus to Senbon-Kuramaguchi, then a 5-minute walk; about 15 minutes by taxi from downtown.
Dress and etiquette
Nude and split by gender; wash at the stools first. Ask before entering with tattoos.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)

Sport & fitness

Matches to watch, runs, rides and lessons.

Kyoto Sanga FC at Sanga Stadiumサンガスタジアム
Book a day or two aheadKids: 5–12, Teens
J.League soccer in a compact, football-only stadium in Kameoka, with the stands right on top of the field.
When
Home games February to December, mostly weekends (check the fixture list)
Price
¥2,000–6,000 per ticket (≈ US$14–45)
Where
Kameoka, west of Arashiyama
Getting there
JR Sagano line to Kameoka; the stadium is next to the station, about 25 minutes from Kyoto station.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)

Classes & workshops

Cooking, crafts and guided tastings: a morning or evening you learn something in.

Tea ceremony in a machiya茶道
Book a day or two aheadIndoorKids: 5–12, Teens
A short lesson in a tatami room, watching the host prepare matcha, then whisking your own bowl; English-run sessions are common in Higashiyama and Gion.
When
Several sessions a day, 45–90 minutes (check)
Price
¥3,000–7,000 per person (≈ US$25–50)
Where
Higashiyama and Gion
Getting there
Most hosts are a short walk from Kiyomizu-dera or Gion bus stops.
Dress and etiquette
Clean socks; you will sit on tatami.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Craft workshop (pottery, dyeing or incense)
Book a day or two aheadIndoorKids: 5–12, Teens
Hands-on sessions in Kyoto crafts such as Kiyomizu-style pottery, yūzen fabric dyeing or blending your own incense; you take the piece home or have it shipped.
When
Daytime sessions, 1–2 hours (check)
Price
¥2,500–8,000 per person (shipping of fired pottery costs extra) (≈ US$17–55)
Where
Higashiyama and downtown
Getting there
Depends on the studio.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Obanzai home-cooking class
MorningKids: 5–12, Teens
Kyoto home dishes you will not find on restaurant menus, and a solid plan for a rain day.
When
Morning, or a rainy day
Price
¥8,000–14,000 (≈ US$55–95)
Booking
3–7 days
Map ↗
Nishiki Market food walk
Afternoon
The market is 390 m long and prices are on the signs; graze it yourself at 10:00 with the Voykit page and save the fee.The market is 390 m long and prices are on the signs; graze it yourself at 10:00 AM with the Voykit page and save the fee.
When
10:00, before the lunch crowd10:00 AM, before the lunch crowd
Price
¥8,000–15,000 (≈ US$55–110)
Booking
2–5 days
Map ↗
Zen meditation (zazen) at a temple
Morning
An hour of silence explained in simple English; the experience depends on the temple, so check the format before paying.
When
Morning
Price
¥1,000–3,000 (≈ US$7–25) (check)
Booking
Some temples need a booking a few days ahead
Map ↗Times and prices: check
Cooking class (obanzai home cooking)
Kyoto home dishes and a market visit; good rain-day plan.
Price
¥8,000–14,000 (≈ US$55–95)
Booking
Hands-on stations per person.
Map ↗

Markets at night

Night markets, walking streets and evening strolls.

Temple night illuminationsライトアップ
No bookingKids: 5–12, Teens
In spring and autumn, temples such as Kiyomizu-dera and Kōdai-ji reopen after dark with lit gardens and maples; the Higashiyama Hanatōro lantern path runs in March.
When
Spring (March–April) and autumn (mid-November to early December), about 17:30–21:30 (check each temple)Spring (March–April) and autumn (mid-November to early December), about 5:30 PM–9:30 PM (check each temple)
Price
¥400–1,000 per temple (≈ US$3–7)
Where
Higashiyama
Getting there
City bus to Gojō-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi, then walk uphill; taxis cannot reach the top.
The slopes up to Kiyomizu-dera get very crowded; keep a close hold on small children.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)

Family fun

What works with kids, by age band.

Kyoto Railway Museum and Kyoto Aquarium sit together in Umekōji Park, a 15–20 min walk west of Kyoto Station: the rain-or-heat half day.
Strollers are fine on the subway and in downtown arcades; gravel temple paths and the Fushimi Inari steps need a carrier.
Kamo River delta at Demachiyanagi: turtle stepping stones and open banks to run around.
Peak-season buses are packed: fold the stroller or take a taxi (larger taxis seat five).

Kyoto Railway Museum京都鉄道博物館
MorningAfternoonWalk inIndoorKids: Under 5, 5–12, Teens
Three floors of real trains, from steam engines to early bullet trains, plus driving simulators and a working roundhouse with short steam-train rides.
When
About 10:00–17:00, closed Wednesdays and some other days (check)About 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, closed Wednesdays and some other days (check)
Price
¥200–1,500 per ticket (adults at the high end) (≈ US$2–11)
Where
Umekōji, west of Kyoto station
Getting there
JR Umekōji-Kyōtetsuhakubutsukan station, or a 20-minute walk from Kyoto station.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Toei Kyoto Studio Park東映太秦映画村
MorningAfternoonWalk inKids: 5–12, Teens
A working film lot with Edo-period street sets, costumed samurai, ninja shows and a haunted house; kids can dress up in period costume.
When
Daytime, roughly 09:00–17:00 (check closed days)Daytime, roughly 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (check closed days)
Price
¥1,300–2,400 per ticket (adults at the high end; costume rental extra) (≈ US$9–17)
Where
Uzumasa
Getting there
JR Sagano line to Hanazono or Keifuku Randen line to Uzumasa-Kōryūji, then a 5–10 minute walk.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Gion Corner cultural showギオンコーナー
Traditional performancesEveningBook a day or two aheadIndoorKids: 5–12, Teens
A one-hour sampler of seven traditional arts, from tea ceremony and koto music to a maiko dance and kyōgen comedy, with English notes; a quick overview rather than a deep dive.
When
Evening shows, usually 18:00 and 19:00 (check the current schedule and closed days)Evening shows, usually 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM (check the current schedule and closed days)
Price
¥4,000–6,000 per adult (≈ US$30–45)
Booking
Book online ahead in spring and autumn; walk-in seats go on quieter nights.
Where
Gion, Yasaka Hall
Getting there
A 10-minute walk from Gion-Shijō station (Keihan line) through Hanamikōji.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Kabuki at Minamiza南座
Traditional performancesEveningBook a week or more aheadIndoorKids: Teens
Japan's oldest kabuki theater site, on the Kamo River at Shijō bridge; its December "kaomise" all-star program is the big event of the year.
When
Only during scheduled runs, with matinee and evening programs (check the calendar)
Price
¥4,000–30,000 per seat (kaomise seats at the top of the range) (≈ US$30–250)
Where
Shijō Ōhashi, Gion side
Getting there
Directly outside Gion-Shijō station (Keihan line), exit 6.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Geiko and maiko spring dances (Miyako Odori and others)都をどり
Traditional performancesBook a week or more aheadIndoorKids: Teens
Each of Kyoto's five geisha districts stages a public dance season, the Miyako Odori at Gion Kōbu Kaburenjō through April being the best known; the only easy way for visitors to see these performers on stage.
When
Mostly April and May, several shows a day during the run (check each district's dates)
Price
¥4,000–7,000 per seat (seats with a tea ceremony cost more) (≈ US$30–50)
Where
Gion and other hanamachi
Getting there
Kaburenjō is on Hanamikōji, a 10-minute walk from Gion-Shijō station.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Kyoto Concert Hall京都コンサートホール
Live music & showsAfternoonBook a week or more aheadIndoorKids: Teens
The home of the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, with a large pipe organ and a mix of orchestral, chamber and visiting-artist concerts.
When
On concert dates only, usually afternoon or 19:00 starts (check)On concert dates only, usually afternoon or 7:00 PM starts (check)
Price
¥2,000–8,000 per seat (≈ US$14–55)
Where
Kitayama, near the Botanical Garden
Getting there
Karasuma subway line to Kitayama, 5 minutes on foot.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Karaoke boxes on Kawaramachiカラオケ
KaraokeMorningAfternoonEveningLateWalk inIndoorKids: 5–12, Teens
Chain karaoke (Jankara, Big Echo and others) with private rooms and English song lists; a cheap, dry place to spend a rainy evening.
When
Midday until 05:00 at most downtown branchesMidday until 5:00 AM at most downtown branches
Price
¥200–1,000 per person per 30 minutes (≈ US$2–7)
Where
Kawaramachi and Shijō
Getting there
Kawaramachi station (Hankyū); the chains sit along Kawaramachi and Kiyamachi.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Funaoka Onsen public bath船岡温泉
Spas & massageAfternoonEveningLateNo bookingIndoorKids: 5–12, Teens
A 1920s bathhouse with carved wooden ceilings, an outdoor bath, a sauna and an electric bath that gives a mild tingle; a neighborhood institution rather than a resort.
When
Afternoon until about 01:00, from morning on Sundays (check)Afternoon until about 1:00 AM, from morning on Sundays (check)
Price
¥490–600 per adult (bring or rent a towel) (≈ US$4–5)
Where
Kita-ku, near Daitokuji
Getting there
City bus to Senbon-Kuramaguchi, then a 5-minute walk; about 15 minutes by taxi from downtown.
Dress and etiquette
Nude and split by gender; wash at the stools first. Ask before entering with tattoos.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Kyoto Sanga FC at Sanga Stadiumサンガスタジアム
Sport & fitnessBook a day or two aheadKids: 5–12, Teens
J.League soccer in a compact, football-only stadium in Kameoka, with the stands right on top of the field.
When
Home games February to December, mostly weekends (check the fixture list)
Price
¥2,000–6,000 per ticket (≈ US$14–45)
Where
Kameoka, west of Arashiyama
Getting there
JR Sagano line to Kameoka; the stadium is next to the station, about 25 minutes from Kyoto station.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Tea ceremony in a machiya茶道
Classes & workshopsBook a day or two aheadIndoorKids: 5–12, Teens
A short lesson in a tatami room, watching the host prepare matcha, then whisking your own bowl; English-run sessions are common in Higashiyama and Gion.
When
Several sessions a day, 45–90 minutes (check)
Price
¥3,000–7,000 per person (≈ US$25–50)
Where
Higashiyama and Gion
Getting there
Most hosts are a short walk from Kiyomizu-dera or Gion bus stops.
Dress and etiquette
Clean socks; you will sit on tatami.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Craft workshop (pottery, dyeing or incense)
Classes & workshopsBook a day or two aheadIndoorKids: 5–12, Teens
Hands-on sessions in Kyoto crafts such as Kiyomizu-style pottery, yūzen fabric dyeing or blending your own incense; you take the piece home or have it shipped.
When
Daytime sessions, 1–2 hours (check)
Price
¥2,500–8,000 per person (shipping of fired pottery costs extra) (≈ US$17–55)
Where
Higashiyama and downtown
Getting there
Depends on the studio.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Temple night illuminationsライトアップ
Markets at nightNo bookingKids: 5–12, Teens
In spring and autumn, temples such as Kiyomizu-dera and Kōdai-ji reopen after dark with lit gardens and maples; the Higashiyama Hanatōro lantern path runs in March.
When
Spring (March–April) and autumn (mid-November to early December), about 17:30–21:30 (check each temple)Spring (March–April) and autumn (mid-November to early December), about 5:30 PM–9:30 PM (check each temple)
Price
¥400–1,000 per temple (≈ US$3–7)
Where
Higashiyama
Getting there
City bus to Gojō-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi, then walk uphill; taxis cannot reach the top.
The slopes up to Kiyomizu-dera get very crowded; keep a close hold on small children.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Cinemas (MOVIX Kyoto, TOHO Cinemas Nijō)
CinemaMorningAfternoonEveningLateBook same dayIndoorKids: 5–12, Teens
Hollywood releases play in English with Japanese subtitles; MOVIX sits in the Shinkyōgoku covered arcade downtown.
When
Daily, about 09:00–23:00Daily, about 9:00 AM–11:00 PM
Price
¥1,500–2,200 per ticket (≈ US$11–15)
Booking
Choose screenings marked 字幕 (subtitled), not 吹替 (dubbed).
Where
Shinkyōgoku (downtown) and Nijō
Getting there
MOVIX is a 5-minute walk from Kawaramachi station; TOHO Nijō is beside JR Nijō station.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Obanzai home-cooking class
Classes & workshopsMorningKids: 5–12, Teens
Kyoto home dishes you will not find on restaurant menus, and a solid plan for a rain day.
When
Morning, or a rainy day
Price
¥8,000–14,000 (≈ US$55–95)
Booking
3–7 days
Map ↗

Rainy day

Indoor picks for a wet afternoon.

Teramachi and Shinkyōgoku arcades
Indoor
Covered streets from Sanjō to Shijō.
Map ↗
Nishiki Market
Indoor
Covered; go before 11:00 or after 15:00.Covered; go before 11:00 AM or after 3:00 PM.
Map ↗
Sanjūsangen-dō
Indoor
One long indoor hall: the best temple visit in the rain.
Map ↗
Kyoto Railway Museum and Kyoto Aquarium
Indoor
Indoor half day in Umekōji Park; the museum closes on Wednesdays.
Map ↗
Kyoto National Museum
Indoor
Closed on Mondays.
Map ↗
Gion Corner cultural showギオンコーナー
Traditional performancesEveningBook a day or two aheadIndoorKids: 5–12, Teens
A one-hour sampler of seven traditional arts, from tea ceremony and koto music to a maiko dance and kyōgen comedy, with English notes; a quick overview rather than a deep dive.
When
Evening shows, usually 18:00 and 19:00 (check the current schedule and closed days)Evening shows, usually 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM (check the current schedule and closed days)
Price
¥4,000–6,000 per adult (≈ US$30–45)
Booking
Book online ahead in spring and autumn; walk-in seats go on quieter nights.
Where
Gion, Yasaka Hall
Getting there
A 10-minute walk from Gion-Shijō station (Keihan line) through Hanamikōji.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Kabuki at Minamiza南座
Traditional performancesEveningBook a week or more aheadIndoorKids: Teens
Japan's oldest kabuki theater site, on the Kamo River at Shijō bridge; its December "kaomise" all-star program is the big event of the year.
When
Only during scheduled runs, with matinee and evening programs (check the calendar)
Price
¥4,000–30,000 per seat (kaomise seats at the top of the range) (≈ US$30–250)
Where
Shijō Ōhashi, Gion side
Getting there
Directly outside Gion-Shijō station (Keihan line), exit 6.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Geiko and maiko spring dances (Miyako Odori and others)都をどり
Traditional performancesBook a week or more aheadIndoorKids: Teens
Each of Kyoto's five geisha districts stages a public dance season, the Miyako Odori at Gion Kōbu Kaburenjō through April being the best known; the only easy way for visitors to see these performers on stage.
When
Mostly April and May, several shows a day during the run (check each district's dates)
Price
¥4,000–7,000 per seat (seats with a tea ceremony cost more) (≈ US$30–50)
Where
Gion and other hanamachi
Getting there
Kaburenjō is on Hanamikōji, a 10-minute walk from Gion-Shijō station.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Jittoku live house拾得
Live music & showsBook same dayIndoor
A folk and blues club inside an old sake storehouse, running since the 1970s; small shows by Japanese and touring acts.
When
Shows on most evenings, doors usually around 18:00 (check the calendar)Shows on most evenings, doors usually around 6:00 PM (check the calendar)
Price
¥2,000–4,000 per ticket (plus a drink order) (≈ US$14–30)
Where
Kamigyō, west of Nijō Castle
Getting there
About 10 minutes by bus or taxi from Nijō station.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Kyoto Concert Hall京都コンサートホール
Live music & showsAfternoonBook a week or more aheadIndoorKids: Teens
The home of the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, with a large pipe organ and a mix of orchestral, chamber and visiting-artist concerts.
When
On concert dates only, usually afternoon or 19:00 starts (check)On concert dates only, usually afternoon or 7:00 PM starts (check)
Price
¥2,000–8,000 per seat (≈ US$14–55)
Where
Kitayama, near the Botanical Garden
Getting there
Karasuma subway line to Kitayama, 5 minutes on foot.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Karaoke boxes on Kawaramachiカラオケ
KaraokeMorningAfternoonEveningLateWalk inIndoorKids: 5–12, Teens
Chain karaoke (Jankara, Big Echo and others) with private rooms and English song lists; a cheap, dry place to spend a rainy evening.
When
Midday until 05:00 at most downtown branchesMidday until 5:00 AM at most downtown branches
Price
¥200–1,000 per person per 30 minutes (≈ US$2–7)
Where
Kawaramachi and Shijō
Getting there
Kawaramachi station (Hankyū); the chains sit along Kawaramachi and Kiyamachi.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Funaoka Onsen public bath船岡温泉
Spas & massageAfternoonEveningLateNo bookingIndoorKids: 5–12, Teens
A 1920s bathhouse with carved wooden ceilings, an outdoor bath, a sauna and an electric bath that gives a mild tingle; a neighborhood institution rather than a resort.
When
Afternoon until about 01:00, from morning on Sundays (check)Afternoon until about 1:00 AM, from morning on Sundays (check)
Price
¥490–600 per adult (bring or rent a towel) (≈ US$4–5)
Where
Kita-ku, near Daitokuji
Getting there
City bus to Senbon-Kuramaguchi, then a 5-minute walk; about 15 minutes by taxi from downtown.
Dress and etiquette
Nude and split by gender; wash at the stools first. Ask before entering with tattoos.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Tea ceremony in a machiya茶道
Classes & workshopsBook a day or two aheadIndoorKids: 5–12, Teens
A short lesson in a tatami room, watching the host prepare matcha, then whisking your own bowl; English-run sessions are common in Higashiyama and Gion.
When
Several sessions a day, 45–90 minutes (check)
Price
¥3,000–7,000 per person (≈ US$25–50)
Where
Higashiyama and Gion
Getting there
Most hosts are a short walk from Kiyomizu-dera or Gion bus stops.
Dress and etiquette
Clean socks; you will sit on tatami.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Craft workshop (pottery, dyeing or incense)
Classes & workshopsBook a day or two aheadIndoorKids: 5–12, Teens
Hands-on sessions in Kyoto crafts such as Kiyomizu-style pottery, yūzen fabric dyeing or blending your own incense; you take the piece home or have it shipped.
When
Daytime sessions, 1–2 hours (check)
Price
¥2,500–8,000 per person (shipping of fired pottery costs extra) (≈ US$17–55)
Where
Higashiyama and downtown
Getting there
Depends on the studio.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Cinemas (MOVIX Kyoto, TOHO Cinemas Nijō)
CinemaMorningAfternoonEveningLateBook same dayIndoorKids: 5–12, Teens
Hollywood releases play in English with Japanese subtitles; MOVIX sits in the Shinkyōgoku covered arcade downtown.
When
Daily, about 09:00–23:00Daily, about 9:00 AM–11:00 PM
Price
¥1,500–2,200 per ticket (≈ US$11–15)
Booking
Choose screenings marked 字幕 (subtitled), not 吹替 (dubbed).
Where
Shinkyōgoku (downtown) and Nijō
Getting there
MOVIX is a 5-minute walk from Kawaramachi station; TOHO Nijō is beside JR Nijō station.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)
Kyoto Railway Museum京都鉄道博物館
Family funMorningAfternoonWalk inIndoorKids: Under 5, 5–12, Teens
Three floors of real trains, from steam engines to early bullet trains, plus driving simulators and a working roundhouse with short steam-train rides.
When
About 10:00–17:00, closed Wednesdays and some other days (check)About 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, closed Wednesdays and some other days (check)
Price
¥200–1,500 per ticket (adults at the high end) (≈ US$2–11)
Where
Umekōji, west of Kyoto station
Getting there
JR Umekōji-Kyōtetsuhakubutsukan station, or a 20-minute walk from Kyoto station.
Map ↗Times and prices: check (checked 2026-09)

How this page is built

Built from Voykit's data; times and prices change

17 picks come from Voykit's entertainment notes for Kyoto, checked 2026-09. The rest are drawn from this guide’s own Kyoto lists: the things-to-do list, experiences and tours, drinking spots, weekly events, the rainy-day plan and the like-a-local picks. A city gets this page with at least 6 picks across 3 kinds.

“Tonight” and “this weekend” use your device clock converted to Kyoto time (Asia/Tokyo) and only list picks with set times in our data. Walk and ride times in the planner are straight-line estimates. The rain switch uses a live Open-Meteo forecast. Prices are local currency with an approximate conversion; anything marked check can change, so confirm on the venue’s own site before you go.

Pontochō alley先斗町

Kiyamachi bars木屋町

Pontochō

Kiyamachi (Sanjō to Shijō)

Gion

Kamo riverbank

Fushimi sake breweries

Jittoku live house拾得

Kyoto Concert Hall京都コンサートホール

Gion Corner cultural showギオンコーナー

Gion and Hanamikōji at dusk花見小路

Kabuki at Minamiza南座

Geiko and maiko spring dances (Miyako Odori and others)都をどり

Maiko dinner or performance

Tea ceremony in a machiya茶道

Temple night illuminationsライトアップ

Cinemas (MOVIX Kyoto, TOHO Cinemas Nijō)

Karaoke boxes on Kawaramachiカラオケ

Funaoka Onsen public bath船岡温泉

Kyoto Sanga FC at Sanga Stadiumサンガスタジアム

Tea ceremony in a machiya茶道

Craft workshop (pottery, dyeing or incense)

Obanzai home-cooking class

Nishiki Market food walk

Zen meditation (zazen) at a temple

Cooking class (obanzai home cooking)

Temple night illuminationsライトアップ

Kyoto Railway Museum京都鉄道博物館

Toei Kyoto Studio Park東映太秦映画村

Gion Corner cultural showギオンコーナー

Kabuki at Minamiza南座

Geiko and maiko spring dances (Miyako Odori and others)都をどり

Kyoto Concert Hall京都コンサートホール

Karaoke boxes on Kawaramachiカラオケ

Funaoka Onsen public bath船岡温泉

Kyoto Sanga FC at Sanga Stadiumサンガスタジアム

Tea ceremony in a machiya茶道

Craft workshop (pottery, dyeing or incense)

Temple night illuminationsライトアップ

Cinemas (MOVIX Kyoto, TOHO Cinemas Nijō)

Obanzai home-cooking class

Teramachi and Shinkyōgoku arcades

Nishiki Market

Sanjūsangen-dō

Kyoto Railway Museum and Kyoto Aquarium

Kyoto National Museum

Gion Corner cultural showギオンコーナー

Kabuki at Minamiza南座

Geiko and maiko spring dances (Miyako Odori and others)都をどり

Jittoku live house拾得

Kyoto Concert Hall京都コンサートホール

Karaoke boxes on Kawaramachiカラオケ

Funaoka Onsen public bath船岡温泉

Tea ceremony in a machiya茶道

Craft workshop (pottery, dyeing or incense)

Cinemas (MOVIX Kyoto, TOHO Cinemas Nijō)

Kyoto Railway Museum京都鉄道博物館