Kyoto neighbourhoods
11 neighbourhoods, each with its sights, streets and food on the map, how to get there and what to expect as a visitor.
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Kyoto Station area 京都駅周辺
The blocks around Kyoto Station, the city's main rail and bus hub, from Higashi Hongan-ji in the north to To-ji in the south. It suits first-time visitors on short stays, travellers doing day trips to Nara, Osaka or Hiroshima, and anyone arriving with heavy luggage.
14 places To-ji, Kyoto Station Building, Kyoto Ramen Koji, Kyoto Tower, Nishi Hongan-ji
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Shijo-Karasuma and Karasuma-Oike 四条烏丸・烏丸御池
Kyoto's business district along Karasuma-dori between Shijo and Oike, with the subway and Hankyu lines underneath. It suits first-time visitors and budget travellers who want a central base with direct subway access to Kyoto Station and Nijo Castle.
8 places Kyoto International Manga Museum, Rokkaku-do (Choho-ji), Museum of Kyoto, Inoda Coffee (main shop), Daimaru Kyoto
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Kawaramachi and Pontocho (downtown) 河原町・先斗町
Downtown Kyoto around the Shijo-Kawaramachi crossing, with the covered arcades, Nishiki Market, Pontocho and Kiyamachi between Shijo and Sanjo. It suits first-time visitors and travellers who want restaurants and bars at the door and Gion across the river.
17 places Nishiki Market, Pontocho, Kiyamachi-dori, Teramachi and Shinkyogoku Arcades, Kamo River Walk
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Gion 祇園
The geisha district on the east bank of the Kamo river, between the river and Yasaka Shrine, including Hanamikoji and the Shirakawa canal. It suits travellers who want traditional streets on the doorstep and can pay higher room rates.
16 places Hanamikoji-dori, Yasaka Shrine, Gion Shirakawa, Kodai-ji, Maruyama Park
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Kiyomizu-Gojo and southern Higashiyama 清水五条・東山
The slopes below Kiyomizu-dera and the streets down to the Kamo river at Gojo, including Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka and the Sanjusangen-do area. It suits first-time visitors who want the preserved lanes nearby and quieter evenings than downtown.
12 places Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjusangen-do, Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, Yasaka Pagoda (Hokan-ji), Kyoto National Museum
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Okazaki and Northern Higashiyama 岡崎・北東山
The museum and shrine district around Heian Shrine and the temples along the eastern hills from Nanzen-ji to Ginkaku-ji and the Philosopher's Path. It suits travellers who want a calmer, residential base near gardens and museums.
20 places Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion), Philosopher's Path, Nanzen-ji, Heian Shrine, Eikan-do (Zenrin-ji)
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Arashiyama and Sagano 嵐山・嵯峨野
The riverside and hillside district on Kyoto's western edge around Togetsukyo Bridge, Tenryu-ji and the bamboo grove. It suits travellers who want quiet evenings and early access to Arashiyama's sights, and who accept long trips to the rest of the city.
19 places Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji, Togetsukyo Bridge, Okochi Sanso, Gio-ji
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Nijo Castle area 二条城周辺
The residential and hotel streets around Nijo Castle, between Horikawa-dori and JR Nijo Station. It suits budget-conscious travellers and families who want a quieter base on the subway.
7 places Nijo Castle, Nijo Jinya, Shinsen-en, Sanjo-kai Shopping Street, Mibu-dera
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Imperial Palace and Demachiyanagi 京都御所・出町柳
The streets east of Kyoto Gyoen park up to Demachiyanagi, where the Kamo and Takano rivers meet. It suits travellers who want quiet, green surroundings with subway and Keihan access.
12 places Kyoto Imperial Palace, Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, Sento Imperial Palace, Kamogawa Delta
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Fushimi Inari and Fushimi 伏見稲荷・伏見
The area around Fushimi Inari Taisha in southern Kyoto, one JR stop from Kyoto Station on the Nara Line, with the Fushimi sake district about 4 km further south on the Keihan line. It suits budget travellers and those who want to walk the shrine's torii gates at dawn.
12 places Fushimi Inari Taisha, Tofuku-ji, Fushimi Sake District, Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, Teradaya
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Kitano and Kinkaku-ji (north-west) 北野・金閣寺
The north-west of the city around Kitano Tenmangu, the Kamishichiken geisha district and Kinkaku-ji, with Ryoan-ji and Ninna-ji along the Randen line. It suits repeat visitors who want a quiet base near the north-western temples.
18 places Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Ryoan-ji, Kitano Tenmangu, Ninna-ji, Daitoku-ji