Kyoto Luxury Travel Guide

Originally Published: February 17th, 2020
Updated: January 6th, 2026 

Kyoto is my favorite city in the world! It was the capital of Japan from the year 794 until 1869, when the capital was moved to Tokyo. Famed for its cultural significance, Kyoto has influenced Japanese dining, arts, music, literature, and forms of worship for centuries. Home to more than 1600 different Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, hundreds of parks, gardens, and cultural sites, three palaces, the world-famous Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, an incredible castle, and endless luxury, Kyoto is one of Japan’s most fascinating, complex, and inviting cities for discerning travelers interested in exploring Japanese culture and history with this Kyoto Luxury Travel Guide.

Out of all the other cities we visited during our visits to Japan (Atami, Hakone, Himeji, Izu Peninsula, Kurokawa Onsen, Kyoto, Nara, Nikko, Osaka, Tokyo, and many others), Kyoto tied with historic Nikko as my favorite place in all of Japan. This Kyoto Luxury Travel Guide is full of my favorite temples, shrines, gardens, museums, and fine dining in Kyoto, as well as useful cultural notes, ideas for day trips to nearly a dozen nearby cities, and advice on what to wear, how to spend rainy days, and much more.

About Kyoto & Its Culture

Kyoto is one of Japan’s oldest and most culturally significant cities. The former capital city has been around for more than 1,200 years, and is an incredible cross-section of Japanese history and culture. The older districts of Kyoto, like Gion, showcase beautifully preserved traditional wooden Japanese houses, and the city is covered in small and large-scale gardens, set in various styles reflective of the time period in which they were planted. Some gardens have been maintained for centuries to preserve the unique gardening style of the year they were planted.

One of the most famous and easily recognizable facets of Kyoto is the presence of Geisha, women who spend years perfecting the arts of music, dance, tea ceremonies, conversation, and entertaining. Geisha, called geiko in Kyoto, are easily recognized by their white-painted faces, jet-black, ornately styled hair, and elaborate kimono. Geisha performances are typically available to those with existing connections to an okiya, or the teahouse where they work. Some accommodations, like Hotel the Celestine in Gion, offer geisha performances during certain times of year to their guests.

Kyoto is a popular tourist destination, ergo most things are in both English and Japanese. Of course, it’s important to learn some basic Japanese phrases to be polite and more independent. Still, visitors won’t have difficulty navigating the city if they can only speak English.

How to Get To Kyoto

Kyoto is one of Japan’s largest cities and is easily accessible from any major city via shinkansen (bullet train). From Osaka, it’s one hour by train, or a 3.5-hour shinkansen ride from Tokyo. It’s possible to arrange a private car ride via a ride-share or taxi, but keep in mind it will be significantly more costly than a train ride.

Best Times to Visit Kyoto

We first visited Kyoto to create this Kyoto Luxury Travel Guide during the height of Cherry Blossom season, and it was positively magical. The weather was a bit rainy, but that made for even lighting in photographs, dramatic views around the city, and helped make popular tourist attractions like Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine less busy. Every May 15th is one of Kyoto’s most popular festivals, the Aoi Matsuri Festival. During, there’s a long parade of dancers wearing Heian period traditional clothing and shrine festivities, which are popular with visitors and locals alike.

In the summertime, head to Kyoto’s historic Gion district to find the Gion Matsuri Festival, which celebrates purification and healing from disease, and takes place in July. It is one of Japan’s most popular festivals. The summertime is generally hot and humid, which can make going outdoors or on long hikes difficult, but not impossible.

Autumn sees Kyoto’s stunning surroundings set ablaze with beautiful oranges, yellows, and deep reds as Japanese maples and other trees turn colors in the fall. The weather is generally cool and rainy. The Jidai Matsuri Festival happens each fall on October 22nd, and is considered to be one of Kyoto’s three most important festivals (the other two mentioned above). The main event of this festival is the five-hour-long parade, in which volunteers recreate historical events from Kyoto’s 1,200+ years of history, down to the most minute details. Volunteers meticulously research and utilize traditional techniques to create their techniques, even down to the type and process of creating specific dyes and weaving fabric for their costumes in the same way it would’ve been done during the time period they represent.

Winter in Kyoto is cold, and it occasionally snows. During the new year, Geisha travel together to great local businesses and visit shrines, praying for favor and success, among other things, for the new year. From January 1st-3rd, hundreds of thousands of people visit Kyoto to make their first shrine visit of the year, a tradition among Japanese people dating back thousands of years.

Where to Stay in Kyoto | Luxury Ryokan and Beyond

If you’d like accommodations that represent the rich traditions of Kyoto, check out a Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn). There, embrace the traditional, multi-course cuisine served in traditional, handmade-in-Kyoto lacquered dishes. These meals take 2-3 hours to enjoy, and the rich history and traditions are not to be missed on your trip to Kyoto! Below are our favorite hotels in Kyoto.

Hotel the Celestine, Gion

Located in the heart of Gio, Hotel the Celestine is the quintessential Japanese luxury hotel. Guests can enjoy dozens of temples, shrines, and other attractions within walking distance. Hot-spring-fed onsen baths turn relaxation into something craveable, while the included breakfast is a crash course in Japanese fine dining.

Moksa Rebirth Hotel

This beautiful 5-star wellness hotel earned its Michelin Keys for a reason. Located in the foothills of Mount Hiei, Moksa Rebirth Hotel is the perfect place for anyone who wants to enjoy a different side of Kyoto in historic Yase Village. Enjoy moss gardens, mountain views (and hikes), slow living, nutritious food, and endless cultural lessons. Plus, take the funicular up Mount Hiei to see unmatched views of Kyoto and experience Garden Museum Hiei. Book a stay at Moksa, here.

For a ryokan stay, we loved our time spent at Luxury Hotel SOWAKA, Yuzuya Ryokan, and Ryokan Sanga.

The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto was the first place we stayed during our first trip to Kyoto. Known the world over for its luxury, it was conveniently located along the Kamo River, in downtown Kyoto, with convenient access to the city center. The Ritz expertly blends Japanese simplicity and tradition with Western sensibilities to bring the best of both worlds to guests.

Where to Eat in Kyoto

As of 2020, Kyoto has 8 3-Michelin star restaurants, which is the highest ranking Michelin gives restaurants, 22 2-star restaurants, and 78 restaurants with one star, giving Kyoto a total of 108 restaurants with a Michelin star rating for excellence. We didn’t have a single bad meal in all of Kyoto, so it’s easy to see why so many restaurants have earned such high international regard on the culinary scene. As this is a Kyoto Luxury Travel Guide, I will focus on fine dining establishments in the city.

Kyoto is famous for its kaiseki dining, which uses seasonal ingredients, prepared artistically and served on small, lacquered trays. These dishes and the food on them are generally very brightly colored and served in multiple courses. The first course typically contains miso soup, as well as 3-5 very small dishes which act as an appetizer. Subsequent courses may include rice, fish, seasonal vegetables, pickled or preserved foods, and mild desserts that aren’t too sweet.

Kyoto is also well known for its regional specialties like Hamo (Conger Eel), Matcha (in any form you can imagine, from tea and ice cream to matcha rice and soups), tsukemono (pickled cucumbers, usually green or bright purple), and vegetarian Buddhist fare.

Check out my guide to quintessential Japanese foods to learn more.

Mala Restaurant, Yase Village
$150 USD per Person
With incredible moss garden views, this multi-course meal with an emphasis on locally-grown, sustainably harvested ingredients highlights traditional Kyoto dining in a tranquil environment. Mala Restaurant is attached to Moksa Rebirth Hotel.

Gion Ichiho Maki Sushi
$50 USD per person
Step into this tiny restaurant for some of the biggest flavors in all of Kyoto. Run by a husband-and-wife duo who serve up preset maki sushi made with seasonal, organic ingredients, Gion Ichiho was a highlight of our visit and some of the best sushi we had in Japan!

Gokago Matcha Teahouse
$5 USD per person
Listen, I love matcha. Everywhere I go, I seek it out. So, believe you me when I tell you this is hands down the best matcha I’ve ever had. I loved it so much I bought an entire pound of tea to bring back home, and I drank it all within a month. It’s incredible, plus they have a great assortment of alternative milks.

Gion Maruyama 
$450 USD+ per person
This restaurant has earned itself 2 Michelin stars and has held on to them for several years. Just as the below restaurant, no photography is allowed inside, and diners are expected to arrive early, looking their best. The sushi here is the freshest I’ve ever had, and the luxury full-course meal will be one of the most incredible meals you’ll eat in your lifetime. If you’re going to spring for a fine dining meal in Kyoto, let it be this one. Select the “luxury B or C course” option to make your meal shine.

Kikukoi Main Restaurant by Chef Yoshihiro Murata
$150 USD+ per person
This fine dining restaurant fully embraces traditional Kaiseki dining, and does not allow guests to take pictures anywhere within the restaurant. It was one of the most incredible dining experiences I’ve ever had the privilege of enjoying. Children younger than 16 years old are forbidden. Dress is business casual+.

Kyoto Kitcho Hana Kitcho (Gion)
$120 USD+ per person
Filled with handmade art from local artists, moss gardens, and gorgeous modern-meets-traditional surroundings, this elevated fine dining establishment is sleek, sophisticated, and as modern as can be. I highly recommend their hotpot, tempura, and full-course meals. We ate here twice during our time in Kyoto, and it was phenomenal each time.

Above image courtesy of Kyoto Kitcho.

Shoraian Arashiyama
$100+ USD per person
The Shouju option is the most elaborate and is by far the best investment at this unassuming restaurant. Tucked away in Arashiyama, this beautiful eatery offers stunning views, outdoor dining, and the staff are exceedingly helpful to visitors with dietary restrictions.

Rokujuan Hanawarabi Water Mochi
$10 per person
This dessert captured our imagination from the moment a friend who lived locally told me all about it. Made with sweet soybean flour, brown rice syrup, and edible seasonal flowers, these crystal-like mochi were soft and chewy, with just the right hint of sweetness. Something they now offer that they didn’t when we visited is beautiful sushi sets for only $50 USD!

What to Do in Kyoto

Japan’s former capital city is home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, more than any other region of the country, which further underscores the city’s tremendous cultural impact. There’s no shortage of incredible things to see and do in the city that is considered by many to be the cultural capital of Japan, so here’s a list of my favorite things we saw and experienced in Kyoto, organized within this Kyoto Luxury Travel Guide in no particular order.

Walk through Famous Arashiyama Bamboo Forest 
Enjoy one of Japan’s most pristine and expansive bamboo groves. It’s truly a sight to behold. Try to arrive around sunrise (which is early!) to beat the crowds, or visit on a rainy day when crowds aren’t as present.

Visit Nijo Castle
Built in 1603 as the residence of the first Shogun of the Edo Period, this grand castle and its lovely traditional gardens are a sight to behold. Enjoy gold leaf-topped matcha-flavored ice cream inside the castle’s café, and walk through the castle’s famous “singing halls,” where the floorboards’ squeaks sound like birds singing.

Visit Kyoto’s Temples & Shrines

Kyoto is home to more than 1600 temples and shrines, most of which have their own walkable gardens and souvenir shops. Read all about temple and shrine etiquette before you go. Below are some of my favorite temples & shrines we’ve visited.

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine and its thousands of red torii gates are perhaps Kyoto’s most recognizable shrine, dedicated to the Japanese god of business and harvest, Inari-sama.

Yasaka Koshin-Do (Daikoku-san Kongo-ji Koshin-Do) is a shrine dedicated to love and romance.

Renge-ji Temple
This is the perfect place to visit if you stay at Moksa Rebirth Hotel. Located in the Yase Village region of Kyoto, it’s secluded, tranquil, and quiet.

Nanzen-ji Temple
This was a place I’d saved on Pinterest way back in high school. Finally standing there in person was surreal. It’s even more beautiful and serene than you could imagine.

Kiyomizudera Temple
One of Kyoto’s most famous temples with views to match, this is a fantastic place if you want to say a prayer for peace in our world.

Seikanji Temple
This hike from Kiyomizu-dera takes about a mile round-trip, so it’s very quick. Wild monkeys, songbirds, and wildflowers abound. Check the temple’s hours before you go, as it’s not always open.

Heian Jingu Shrine
This breathtaking orange temple & sprawling garden invite visitors to leave their phones in their bags, reconnect with nature & loved ones, and learn about Kyoto’s cultural heritage.

Kennin-ji Temple
One of the most beautiful temples I’ve seen anywhere in person or online. If you seek a place to reflect, find peace, and give back, Kennin-ji Temple may just be what you’re looking for.

Hit up The Museum of Kyoto to learn more about Kyoto’s history, and art forms that are popular in Kyoto, such as video game creation, manga illustration, ikebana, calligraphy, and more.

The Samurai and Ninja Museum in Kyoto houses dozens of authentic suits of samurai armor, swords, and other historical artifacts. This museum, like many in Kyoto, offers tours in English.

Visit a professional kimono dresser and rent a kimono for the day, and explore the city in traditional fashion. Especially in the traditional Gion district, you’ll see as much as 80% of locals and visitors alike wearing a kimono!

How to Navigate Kyoto

Kyoto was easy to navigate on foot, as most things are very close together. The city’s bus system has English-language signs and departs regularly at scheduled times, making it a reliable form of transportation. Be aware that most buses do not have the ability to give change, so you must have the exact fare in Japanese Yen prepared.

If you have a Japan Rail (JR) pass (which I talk all about in my guide to Tokyo), you will be able to navigate the more far-flung reaches of Kyoto easily and without incurring additional fees. For short-distance travel, rickshaws are available for hire, and are very popular amongst locals and the Japanese visitors dressed in kimono, however, we did not participate in this, as it seemed a bit disrespectful to expect people to pull us around when we are perfectly capable of walking.

Day Trips from Kyoto

Just as Kyoto itself is easily accessible, so too are numerous surrounding cities of great cultural, historical, and culinary interest to the discerning traveler.

Arashiyama 
30 Minute Bus Ride from Kyoto City Center
An outlying neighborhood of Kyoto, this neighborhood is much more “out of the way” and relaxed than downtown Kyoto. Visit the Arshiyama Bamboo Grove, the Kimono Forest, and walk the family-owned shops, gardens, and forest paths of this idyllic neighborhood.

Himeji
1.5 Hours via JR Rail System
Home of the beautiful Himeji Castle, this day trip is made easy via the JR system, roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes from Kyoto.

Hiroshima
1.5 Hours via Shinkansen Bullet Train
The international city of peace, where the first of two atomic bombs was dropped on Japan during WWII, this city today stands as a reminder and a promise that nothing so horrific will ever happen again, anywhere on Earth. Explore the thoughtful museums, gardens, temples, and shrines that encourage peace and love to all on Earth.

Kobe
30 Minutes via Shinkansen Bullet Train
This mountainous harbor town is famous for its high-quality, highly prized Kobe Beef, natural beauty, and ancient Ikuta Shrine, one of the oldest in Japan.

Miyajima, aka Shrine Island
1 hr 40 Minutes via Shinkansen Bullet Train
Famous for its seaside shrine and vibrant orange torii gate that becomes partially submerged during high tide, this beautiful island city is perfect for nature lovers, those who enjoy visiting ancient temples and shrines, beach goers, and forest hiking.

Nagoya
35 Minutes via Shinkansen Bullet Train
Visit Nagoya, Japan’s 4th largest city, and explore Nagoya Castle, Atsuta-jingu Shrine & Cypress Forest, Toganji Temple, Climb to the top of Nagoya TV Tower,  or visit during July to see the Nagoya Sumo Tournament. While in Nagoya, be sure to sample the city’s unique cuisine, like Miso Udon, Tenmusu Rice Balls, and Ebi Furai (shrimp fritters).

Nara
45 Minutes via Shinkansen Bullet Train
Famous for the former capital city’s population of tame (yet wild) deer who bow to visitors in exchange for nutritionally dense biscuits, Nara is a beautiful city to learn about nature and Japan’s various religions. Be sure to visit Nara Deer Park, Syoka Teori-Sushi Restaurant, located inside a former samurai house, and Kasuga Taisha shrine, which has more than 3,000 lanterns on display.

Osaka
15 Minutes via Shinkansen Bullet Train
Osaka, Japan’s 3rd largest city, is home to Universal Studios Japan, Spa World, Osaka Castle and its peach, plum, and cherry trees, Umeda Sky Building, and the Dotonburi shopping and nightlife district, which is where the famous Glico Running Man Neon Sign is located. Osaka is famous for its cuisine, like takoyaki (fried squid balls) and okonomiyaki. Don’t skip Katsuo-ji Temple, famous for its thousands of vermillion daruma dolls, pictured below.

Tokyo
2 hours via Shinkansen
I love Tokyo. It’s such a cool place that truly has something for everyone. We’ve taken flower-arranging and cooking classes, spent a day shopping, gone on shrine visits, visited gardens, walked the historic castle grounds, learned ink-blending, and done so much more. It’s always a great place to start or end a trip to Japan. If you’re a fan of temples & shrines like I am, check out Senso-ji, Meiji Shrine, and Gotokuji, the famous lucky cat shrine!

Cultural Considerations

Kyoto is a city steeped in tradition, and residents expect visitors to have a good understanding of their cultural norms and societal expectations. Be sure to bookmark the Kyoto Luxury Travel Guide and refer to it often to avoid social faux pas.

Since formality and tradition aren’t just reserved for special occasions in Kyoto, a visit to this city is the perfect occasion to visit a professional kimono stylist and rent a kimono for the day. There are even several kimono resale shops, so for around $500 USD you can purchase your very own kimono to take home as an incredible, sentimental souvenir. Buy your own kimono, or rent one, hire a professional to help you put it on properly, and explore the town in style. About 80% of visitors and locals alike in Kyoto’s Gion district wear a kimono, while about 25% in the downtown area of Kyoto wore kimono, so you can feel at ease knowing you’ll fit right in.

Kyoto is home to nearly 2,000 temples and shrines, and visiting these beautiful architectural and cultural wonders are a wonderful way to explore Japanese culture, and learn about the history, art & architectural styles of the time in which the temple or shrine was built, and a wonderful way to see some beautiful views and Japanese gardens. Read my guide to Buddhist Temple & Shinto Shrine etiquette so that you know what to do (and what not to do) when visiting these staples of Japanese society, and refer to this Kyoto luxury travel guide to learn which of the popular temples and shrines you should visit first.

As I mentioned above, Kyoto is home to more Geisha than anywhere else in the world. I received more questions about Geisha than about any other topic regarding Kyoto. If you see a geisha on the street, do not pester them, attempt to touch them, or follow them around. They’re professionals, usually traveling to or from a work engagement, so they don’t have time to stop and pose with visitors or participate in impromptu photoshoots, or else they’d never arrive at their destinations. Plus, geishas are paid well for their time, so if they gave out performances or allowed their photograph to be taken in a professional photoshoot, it would damage their business.

Always be respectful and keep your distance. It should go without saying that they, like you and me, deserve to be treated appropriately.

Tipping in Kyoto is seen as particularly insulting, as though the person receiving the tip is being pitied by the person giving it. If you come from a country where tipping is the norm, this may feel strange, but simply offer a heartfelt “arigatou!” or “ookini” as is common in Kyoto, and be on your way. Never tip anyone in Kyoto; they will most likely be offended.

Don’t touch things or buildings unnecessarily. Many of the buildings in Kyoto are more than 1,000 years old, and some of the objects on display in museums, gardens, or other galleries can be even older. Don’t touch them for any reason. Oil on the fingers can transfer and damage items. If everyone touched things, they’d be ruined very quickly, so keep your hands to yourself and don’t touch anything. If all visitors are respectful, it will help preserve the sites and surroundings as described in this Kyoto luxury travel guide for generations to come.

Check out my adventures in Kyoto and Japan.

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