Higashiyama is a historic district on the eastern edge of Kyoto and one of the most atmospheric places in the city.

Narrow stone streets, wooden houses, small shrines and views of the hills beyond the city create exactly the image of "old Japan" that most people associate with Kyoto.

In a relatively small space, you'll find some of the city's most famous sights - such as Kiyomizu-dera, Yasaka Shrine, Kodai-ji and the iconic Yasaka Pagoda.

Find a hotel in the Higashiyama Historic District

In contrast to the Gion district, which is mainly home to teahouses and traditional Japanese restaurants, Higashiyama is mainly known for its souvenir shops, cafes and curcas.

Higashiyama

Shops in Higashiyama District

Best time to visit

Shops usually open around 9:30am and close around 6pm, however cafes and restaurants tend to stay open until 9pm.

The walk through the Higshiyama district is just under 2 km and takes about 45 minutes.

If you'd like to take photos of empty streets without people, head to Higashiyama early in the morning before 7am or late in the evening after 9pm.

Is Higashiyama worth a visit?

✅ Yes, if:

you want to see the most photogenic part of Kyoto
you enjoy the historical atmosphere of the old Japanese streets
you plan to visit Kiyomizu-dera or Yasaka Shrine

❌ Probably not if:

you hate large crowds of tourists
you are looking for authentic local neighborhoods without tourism

Higashiyama

The most beautiful streets in Higashiyama

The most famous part of the district is the historic streets leading to Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

The most photographed are:

Sannenzaka
Ninenzaka
Yasaka Pagoda area

This is where most of Kyoto's iconic photographs are taken.

It's also where the biggest crowds tend to be.

Yasaka Pagoda

How to get around Higashiyama (best walking route)

The best way to explore the area is to walk through it.

Recommended route:

Yasaka Shrine + Maruyam Park
Kodai-ji Temple
Higashiyama Historical Streets + Yasaka Pagoda
Kiyomizu-dera

The whole tour will take approximately 2-3 hours.

Accommodation in Higashiyama

This area is one of the most beautiful in Kyoto and has the most historical character.

Higashiyama is a premium location with the best and most luxurious hotels:

But you'll also find plenty of local apartments with significantly lower prices.

View all offers in Higashiyama

Most common mistakes

1️⃣ Coming here in the middle of the day
Between 11:00 and 16:00, Higashiyama's main streets are often extremely crowded and traffic is much slower than you expect.

2️⃣ Underestimate the time for transfers
It looks like a few minutes on a map, but the narrow streets and crowds can make a short distance into 20-30 minutes.

3️⃣ Stay only on the main tourist route
The best atmosphere tends to be in the side streets away from the main stream - and you'll often get better photos there.

Is Higashiyama the same as Gion?

No. Higashiyama is a broader historical area in eastern Kyoto that includes the alleyways around Kiyomizu-dera, Yasaka Pagoda, and a number of smaller temples and shrines.

Gion, on the other hand, is a specific district on the outskirts of the city centre, known for its traditional alleyways and geisha culture, and lies on the western edge of Higashiyama. The two areas build on each other and you'll often pass through them in a day, but they're not synonymous.

Practically: if you're looking for "old alleyways and pagoda", you're more likely to head to Higashiyama. If you're looking for evening atmosphere, lanterns and a chance to catch a glimpse of a maiko, you'll be more in Gion.

But the fact is that Higashiyama and Gion are very close to each other - about a 10 minute walk.

👉 F or more tips, check out our Gion neighbourhood guide

How to get there

Higashiyama is on the eastern edge of Kyoto, but is easily accessible by public transport.

The closest bus routes are those that pass along the main road about 150 metres from the centre of the district.

For a detailed listing of buses and other transport, see the information about Gion, which is adjacent to Higashiyama.

Expect long queues at bus stops when travelling from Higashiyama to central Kyoto between 16:00 and 19:00. You can wait more than 30 minutes for a seat. We recommend walking against the direction of the line to a bus stop where there won't be as many people waiting.