Free things to do in Kyoto
Places with free entry, from temple grounds and shrines to markets and riverside walks. 58 places, the most featured first.
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Shrine · Fushimi
Fushimi Inari Taisha 伏見稲荷大社
The head shrine of Inari, the Shinto deity of rice, known for thousands of vermilion torii gates over trails climbing Mount Inari (233 m).
Inari (JR Nara Line), 1 min walk · Free entry · 2 h
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Nature · Arashiyama
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove 嵯峨野竹林の小径
Paths through dense bamboo groves between Tenryu-ji's north gate and Okochi Sanso, in the Sagano area of Arashiyama.
Arashiyama (Keifuku Arashiyama Line), 7 min walk · Free entry · 30 min
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Street · Gion
Hanamikoji-dori 花見小路通
The main street of the Gion geisha district, running south from Shijo-dori to Kennin-ji.
Gion-Shijo (Keihan Main Line), 5 min walk · Free entry · 30 min
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Market · Kawaramachi
Nishiki Market 錦市場
A narrow covered street five blocks long, one block north of Shijo-dori, lined with more than a hundred food shops and stalls selling pickles, fish, sweets, tofu and kitchen knives.
Kyoto-Kawaramachi (Hankyu Kyoto Line), 5 min walk · Free entry · 1 h
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Street · Okazaki
Philosopher's Path 哲学の道
A stone path of about 2 km along a canal of the Lake Biwa Canal system, between Ginkaku-ji and the Nanzen-ji area.
Ginkakuji-michi bus stop (Kyoto City Bus 5, 17), 8 min walk · Free entry · 45 min
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Shrine · Gion
Yasaka Shrine 八坂神社
Founded more than 1350 years ago at the east end of Shijo-dori, between Gion and the Higashiyama district.
Gion-Shijo (Keihan Main Line), 7 min walk · Free entry · 20 min
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Landmark · Imperial Palace
Kyoto Imperial Palace 京都御所
The residence of the imperial family until 1868, set inside Kyoto Gyoen park.
Imadegawa (Karasuma Line), 7 min walk · Free entry · 1 h
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Street · Kiyomizu-Gojo
Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka 産寧坂・二寧坂
Two stepped, stone-paved lanes on the approach to Kiyomizu-dera, lined with preserved wooden shops, cafes and restaurants.
Kiyomizu-Gojo (Keihan Main Line), 15 min walk · Free entry · 45 min
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Street · Gion
Gion Shirakawa 祇園白川
A stretch of the Shirakawa canal north of Shijo-dori, lined with willows, restaurants and ochaya, around the small Tatsumi bridge.
Gion-Shijo (Keihan Main Line), 5 min walk · Free entry · 20 min
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Shrine · Kinkaku-ji and Kitano
Kitano Tenmangu 北野天満宮
A shrine to Sugawara no Michizane, revered as the deity of learning, with a grove of nearly 2000 plum trees that bloom from February to March.
Kitano-Hakubaicho (Keifuku Kitano Line), 7 min walk · Free entry · 40 min
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Shrine · Imperial Palace
Shimogamo Shrine 下鴨神社
One of Kyoto's oldest shrines and part of the UNESCO Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, at the junction of the Kamo and Takano rivers.
Demachiyanagi (Keihan Oto Line, Eizan Main Line), 15 min walk · Free entry · 45 min
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Landmark · Kyoto Station
Kyoto Station Building 京都駅ビル
The station building opened in 1997 for the 1200th anniversary of Kyoto's founding and was designed by architect Hara Hiroshi.
Kyoto (JR lines, Karasuma Line, Kintetsu Kyoto Line), 1 min walk · Free entry · 45 min
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Temple · Kyoto Station
Nishi Hongan-ji 西本願寺
Head temple of the Honganji branch of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, built in 1591 under Toyotomi Hideyoshi and part of the UNESCO Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.
Kyoto (JR lines, Karasuma Line, Kintetsu Kyoto Line), 15 min walk · Free entry · 45 min
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Temple · Kyoto Station
Higashi Hongan-ji 東本願寺
Head temple of the Otani branch of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, founded a few blocks east of Nishi Hongan-ji in 1602.
Kyoto (JR lines, Karasuma Line, Kintetsu Kyoto Line), 8 min walk · Free entry · 40 min
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Market · Kyoto Station
To-ji Kobo-ichi Flea Market 弘法市
A monthly market on the 21st in the grounds around To-ji, with stalls selling second-hand kimono, antiques, pottery, tools, plants and street food.
Toji (Kintetsu Kyoto Line), 7 min walk · Free entry · 1 h 30 min
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Nature · Kyoto Station
Umekoji Park 梅小路公園
A 13.7 ha city park west of Kyoto Station with lawns and a children's play area, and the Kyoto Railway Museum and Kyoto Aquarium at its edges.
Umekoji-Kyotonishi (JR Sagano Line), 3 min walk · Free entry · 1 h
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Temple · Shijo-Karasuma
Rokkaku-do (Choho-ji) 六角堂
A small Tendai temple in the business district named after its hexagonal main hall.
Karasuma Oike (Karasuma Line, Tozai Line), 5 min walk · Free entry · 15 min
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Nightlife · Kawaramachi
Kiyamachi-dori 木屋町通
A street following the Takase canal, dug in 1611, between the Kamo river and Kawaramachi-dori.
Kyoto-Kawaramachi (Hankyu Kyoto Line), 3 min walk · Free entry · 45 min
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Shopping · Kawaramachi
Teramachi and Shinkyogoku Arcades 寺町京極・新京極
Two parallel covered shopping streets running between Shijo and Sanjo.
Kyoto-Kawaramachi (Hankyu Kyoto Line), 5 min walk · Free entry · 1 h
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Nature · Kawaramachi
Kamo River Walk 鴨川
Paths run along both banks of the Kamo river through central Kyoto.
Sanjo (Keihan Main Line), 3 min walk · Free entry · 45 min
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Shrine · Kawaramachi
Nishiki Tenmangu 錦天満宮
A small shrine at the eastern end of Nishiki Market, facing Shinkyogoku, dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning.
Kyoto-Kawaramachi (Hankyu Kyoto Line), 4 min walk · Free entry · 10 min
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Nature · Gion
Maruyama Park 円山公園
A public park directly behind Yasaka Shrine.
Gion-Shijo (Keihan Main Line), 12 min walk · Free entry · 30 min
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Street · Gion
Ishibe-koji Lane 石塀小路
A pedestrian-only stone-paved lane of about 200 m near Kodai-ji, lined with wooden townhouses, ryokan and restaurants.
Gion-Shijo (Keihan Main Line), 12 min walk · Free entry · 15 min
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Temple · Okazaki
Honen-in 法然院
A small temple a short walk east of the Philosopher's Path, entered through a thatched gate between raked sand mounds.
Ginkakuji-michi bus stop (Kyoto City Bus 5, 17), 12 min walk · Free entry · 20 min
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Street · Okazaki
Keage Incline 蹴上インクライン
A disused inclined railway, about 582 m long, that carried boats on the Lake Biwa Canal from 1891 to 1948.
Keage (Tozai Line), 3 min walk · Free entry · 20 min
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Landmark · Arashiyama
Togetsukyo Bridge 渡月橋
Arashiyama's central landmark over the Katsura river, first built in the Heian period and last reconstructed in the 1930s, with forested mountains behind.
Arashiyama (Keifuku Arashiyama Line), 5 min walk · Free entry · 20 min
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Shrine · Arashiyama
Nonomiya Shrine 野宮神社
A small shrine on the bamboo grove path, marked by a black torii made in the style of unstripped timber.
Arashiyama (Keifuku Arashiyama Line), 7 min walk · Free entry · 15 min
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Garden · Nijo Castle
Shinsen-en 神泉苑
The remains of a much larger Heian period garden just south of Nijo Castle, with a pond, a small shrine and a red arched bridge.
Nijojo-mae (Tozai Line), 3 min walk · Free entry · 20 min
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Shopping · Nijo Castle
Sanjo-kai Shopping Street 三条会商店街
A covered neighbourhood shopping arcade of about 800 m on Sanjo-dori between Horikawa and Senbon streets, with around 180 shops and restaurants serving local residents.
Nijo (JR Sagano Line, Tozai Line), 7 min walk · Free entry · 45 min
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Nature · Imperial Palace
Kyoto Gyoen National Garden 京都御苑
A park about 1300 m long and 700 m wide around the Imperial Palace and Sento Palace, with gravel paths, lawns and tree groves.
Marutamachi (Karasuma Line), 5 min walk · Free entry · 45 min
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Garden · Imperial Palace
Sento Imperial Palace 仙洞御所
A secondary palace built in 1630 for retired emperors, now visited for its stroll garden around the North and South ponds.
Marutamachi (Karasuma Line), 15 min walk · Free entry · 1 h
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Nature · Imperial Palace
Kamogawa Delta 鴨川デルタ
The point at Demachiyanagi where the Kamo and Takano rivers meet, with turtle-shaped stepping stones across both rivers.
Demachiyanagi (Keihan Oto Line, Eizan Main Line), 2 min walk · Free entry · 30 min
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Shopping · Imperial Palace
Demachi Masugata Shopping Street 出町桝形商店街
A covered neighbourhood arcade of about 160 m west of the Kamo river, with fruit and vegetable shops, a supermarket and small eateries.
Demachiyanagi (Keihan Oto Line, Eizan Main Line), 5 min walk · Free entry · 30 min
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Street · Fushimi
Fushimi Sake District 伏見の酒蔵
A traditional sake brewing district along the willow-lined Horikawa canal in southern Kyoto, home to nearly 40 breweries, with old brewery buildings, a visitor centre and sake bars.
Chushojima (Keihan Main Line), 5 min walk · Free entry · 1 h 30 min
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Shopping · Fushimi
Otesuji Shopping Arcade 大手筋商店街
A four-block covered shopping street west of Momoyama-Goryomae Station, with local shops and restaurants, including a few that sell Fushimi sake.
Fushimi-Momoyama (Keihan Main Line), 2 min walk · Free entry · 30 min
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Shrine · Kinkaku-ji and Kitano
Hirano Shrine 平野神社
A shrine a few minutes north of Kitano Tenmangu with around 60 varieties of cherry trees that flower in succession over about six weeks.
Kitano-Hakubaicho (Keifuku Kitano Line), 7 min walk · Free entry · 20 min
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Street · Kinkaku-ji and Kitano
Kamishichiken 上七軒
The oldest of Kyoto's five geisha districts, a short street of teahouses just east of Kitano Tenmangu.
Kitano-Hakubaicho (Keifuku Kitano Line), 10 min walk · Free entry · 20 min
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Street · Shijo-Karasuma
Sanjo-dori (Karasuma to Teramachi) 三条通
The stretch of Sanjo-dori between Karasuma and Teramachi keeps several Western-style buildings from the Meiji to early Showa periods among its shops, including the 1903 former Bank of Japan branch (now the Museum of Kyoto annex), the 1902 Nakagyo Post Office and the 1928 Building.
Karasuma Oike (Karasuma Line, Tozai Line), 12 min walk · Free entry · 40 min
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Museum · Shijo-Karasuma
Kyoto Art Center 京都芸術センター
A public arts centre in the 1931 building of the former Meirin Elementary School, which opened in 1869 and closed in 1993.
Shijo (Karasuma Line), 6 min walk · Free entry · 40 min
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Shrine · Gion
Yasui Konpira-gu 安井金比羅宮
A shrine south-east of Kennin-ji known for its enkiri stone, a large rock covered in paper charms with a hole at its base.
Gion-Shijo (Keihan Main Line), 9 min walk · Free entry · 20 min
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Shopping · Gion
Furukawacho Shopping Street 古川町商店街
A covered neighbourhood shopping street about 220 m long with around 40 shops, between Sanjo-dori and the Shirakawa canal near Higashiyama Station.
Higashiyama (Tozai Line), 3 min walk · Free entry · 20 min
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Street · Kiyomizu-Gojo
Kiyomizu-zaka 清水坂
The main approach to Kiyomizu-dera, a slope of about 700 m lined with shops selling Kiyomizu-yaki pottery, fans, sweets, pickles and souvenirs.
Kiyomizu-Gojo (Keihan Main Line), 20 min walk · Free entry · 40 min
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Temple · Kiyomizu-Gojo
Yasaka Koshin-do 八坂庚申堂（金剛寺）
A small temple, formally Kongo-ji, just below the Yasaka Pagoda, hung with thousands of colourful cloth balls called kukurizaru.
Kiyomizu-Gojo (Keihan Main Line), 15 min walk · Free entry · 15 min
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Shrine · Kiyomizu-Gojo
Toyokuni Shrine and the Hoko-ji bell 豊国神社・方広寺
A shrine to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, rebuilt in 1880 on the site of the Great Buddha hall of Hoko-ji, with a Momoyama-period karamon gate designated a National Treasure.
Shichijo (Keihan Main Line), 8 min walk · Free entry · 30 min
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Temple · Okazaki
Konkai Komyo-ji (Kurodani) 金戒光明寺（くろ谷）
A head temple of the Jodo sect founded in 1175 by Honen, on a hill north of Okazaki, known locally as Kurodani.
Okazaki-michi bus stop (Kyoto City Bus 5), 7 min walk · Free entry · 45 min
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Street · Arashiyama
Saga-Toriimoto preserved street 嵯峨鳥居本
A village street in the far north-west of Arashiyama that grew as a stop for pilgrims to Atago Shrine, lined with townhouses and thatched farmhouses from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Saga-Arashiyama (JR Sagano Line), 26 min walk · Free entry · 45 min
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Viewpoint · Arashiyama
Arashiyama Park (Kameyama area) viewpoint 嵐山公園 亀山地区
A hillside park at the end of the bamboo grove path, past Okochi Sanso, with an observation deck about 40 m above the river looking up the Hozu gorge and across to Senko-ji on the far bank.
Arashiyama (Keifuku Arashiyama Line), 10 min walk · Free entry · 30 min
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Landmark · Arashiyama
Kimono Forest キモノフォレスト
An installation of about 600 clear pillars wrapped in Kyo-yuzen dyed kimono fabric, set up in 2013 around the platforms and paths of the Randen Arashiyama Station.
Arashiyama (Keifuku Arashiyama Line), 1 min walk · Free entry · 15 min
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Shrine · Arashiyama
Matsuo Taisha 松尾大社
One of Kyoto's oldest shrines, founded in 701 at the foot of Mount Matsuo south of Arashiyama.
Matsuo-taisha (Hankyu Arashiyama Line), 5 min walk · Free entry · 45 min
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Temple · Nijo Castle
Mibu-dera 壬生寺
A Ritsu sect temple founded in 991, south-west of Nijo Castle, long visited for protection from misfortune.
Omiya (Hankyu Kyoto Line), 9 min walk · Free entry · 40 min
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Shrine · Kinkaku-ji and Kitano
Seimei Shrine 晴明神社
A small shrine on Horikawa-dori dedicated to Abe no Seimei, the Heian court diviner, founded in 1007 on the site of his residence.
Ichijo-modoribashi Seimei-jinja-mae bus stop (Kyoto City Bus 9), 1 min walk · Free entry · 20 min
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Museum · Kinkaku-ji and Kitano
Nishijin Textile Center 西陣織会館
The showroom of the Nishijin weaving industry association at Horikawa and Imadegawa, with daily kimono shows, displays on the history of Nishijin weaving, demonstrations by artisans and a shop.
Horikawa Imadegawa bus stop (Kyoto City Bus 9), 1 min walk · Free entry · 45 min
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Shrine · Imperial Palace
Kamigamo Shrine 上賀茂神社（賀茂別雷神社）
One of Kyoto's oldest shrines and part of the UNESCO Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, about 3.5 km up the Kamo river from Shimogamo Shrine.
Kamigamo-jinja-mae bus stop (Kyoto City Bus 4), 5 min walk · Free entry · 45 min
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Temple · Imperial Palace
Shokoku-ji 相国寺
A large Rinzai Zen temple north of the Imperial Palace, head of the school that also runs Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji.
Imadegawa (Karasuma Line), 8 min walk · Free entry · 1 h
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Shrine · Imperial Palace
Goo Shrine 護王神社
A shrine on Karasuma-dori facing the west side of Kyoto Gyoen, moved here in 1886 by order of Emperor Meiji.
Marutamachi (Karasuma Line), 11 min walk · Free entry · 15 min
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Shrine · Fushimi
Gokonomiya Shrine 御香宮神社
A shrine in Fushimi named after the Gokosui spring that by tradition began to flow in its grounds in 862 and is listed among the Ministry of the Environment's 100 remarkable waters of Japan.
Momoyama-Goryomae (Kintetsu Kyoto Line), 5 min walk · Free entry · 30 min
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Shrine · Kinkaku-ji and Kitano
Imamiya Shrine 今宮神社
A shrine north of Daitoku-ji, first established in 994 and moved to its present site in 1001 to protect the city from epidemics.
Imamiya-jinja-mae bus stop (Kyoto City Bus 46), 2 min walk · Free entry · 30 min
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Market · Kinkaku-ji and Kitano
Tenjin-san Market (Kitano Tenmangu) 天神市（北野天満宮）
A market held on the 25th of every month, the day associated with Sugawara no Michizane, around the approach and grounds of Kitano Tenmangu.
Kitano-Hakubaicho (Keifuku Kitano Line), 7 min walk · Free entry · 1 h 30 min
Other categories
More by season and situation
- Kyoto on a rainy day 70 places
Museums, covered arcades and halls that stay dry when it rains.
- Kyoto early in the morning 28 places
Places at their best early, at opening time or before the day crowds.
- Kyoto at night 30 places
Places to go after dark: lit streets, shrines open at night and evening views.
- Autumn leaves in Kyoto 23 places
Places known for their autumn colour.
- Cherry blossoms in Kyoto 17 places
Places known for their cherry blossom.
- Kyoto with kids 21 places
Places that work well with children.