City Quarter

Gion is Kyoto's most famous historic district and the place most people think of when they say "old Japan". Narrow streets, wooden machiya houses, paper lanterns and ochaya restaurants where geisha and maiko come in the evening for private performances. This is exactly the atmosphere that has made Gion one of the most photogenic places in the city. Located between the Kamo River and the Yasaka Shrine, it's very easy to fit it into the walk…

City Quarter

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. …

Water Canal

The Lake Biwa Canal (Biwa Sosui) was built in the late 19th century and brings water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto. The project was crucial for the modernisation of the city - water supply, transport and electricity generation. Today, the canal is more of a quiet pedestrian zone that connects several important sites in the eastern part of the city, including Nanzen-ji. [btn "Compare hotel prices in Kyoto" https://www.booking.com/city/jp/kyoto.en…

City Quarter

Arashiyama is a historic area on the western outskirts of Kyoto that is best known for its bamboo forest, Tenryu-ji Zen Temple and the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge over the Katsura River. Unlike neighborhoods like Higashiyama, this is not a single landmark, but an entire tourist area full of attractions that can be explored in an afternoon or a full day. [btn "Find a discount Kyoto hotel" https://www.booking.com/city/jp/kyoto.en.html?aid=2380460] …

Street

Pontocho is a narrow historic street full of restaurants, bars and traditional houses that runs parallel to the Kamo River. Unlike the Gion district, which is known mainly for its geishas, Pontocho is primarily a place for evening atmosphere and food. The alley is only a few metres wide and is lit up in the evening with dozens of lanterns. This is when Pontocho is one of the most beautiful places in all of Kyoto. [btn "View hotels in central…

City Quarter, Shopping class

Kawaramachi is Kyoto's main shopping and entertainment area. If you want to see the modern side of the city - the shops, restaurants, bars and busy intersections - you'll most likely end up here. You'll find the largest concentration of hotels and bus lines here, so Kawaramachi is also a great logistics hub. The district is spread around the Shijo-Kawaramachi intersection and the street of the same name, just minutes from the Kamo River,…