Kyoto, neighbourhood by neighbourhood
Kyoto's sights run from the temples on the eastern hills to Arashiyama on the western edge, so where you stay decides how long you'll spend on buses and trains. 14 of them are covered here, each with hand-picked places, how to get there, and where to stay.
Arashiyama
30 placesBamboo at first light, then the maple temples under Mount Ogura
Okazaki
27 placesArt museums, Meiji gardens and Nanzen-ji along the Lake Biwa Canal
Kawaramachi
26 placesDowntown Kyoto, between Nishiki Market and the Kamo River
Gion
25 placesThe teahouse streets below Yasaka Shrine, best early or at dusk
Kitano
25 placesTenjin's head shrine, Kyoto's oldest geisha district and Daitoku-ji
Kyoto Station
23 placesFree temples and late ramen a few minutes from the platforms
Imperial Palace
23 placesFree palace walks, a park that never shuts, and the court's old shops
Higashiyama
22 placesKiyomizu-dera at opening, then the temples and pottery below it
Fushimi
21 placesTorii tunnels at dawn, then sake by the old castle moat
Nijo
17 placesThe shogun's castle, with the Shinsengumi's Mibu a walk south
Shijo-Karasuma
16 placesKyoto's old bank corner, with kimono streets one block back
Ginkakuji
15 placesTemple gardens along a canal path, under the Daimonji hill
Demachiyanagi
15 placesStepping stones, a shrine forest and the trains to Kurama
Kinkakuji
14 placesThree World Heritage temples on one road under Mount Kinugasa