The Best Neighborhoods to Visit in Kyoto

From UNESCO World Heritage-designated temples and castles to bustling food markets and iconic bamboo groves, Kyoto's rich culture has been brewing for 1,000 years. There's a lot of information on where to go and what to see, so we've pulled together everything you need to know about Kyoto's best neighborhoods from the travel mavens we all know and trust.

Higashiyama

Higashiyama is home to many famous city landmarks and a locally nourished food and shopping scene.

"..the Higashiyama district, where the streets are littered with temples and historic buildings...If the area starts to feel too busy, hop on a bus to the Imperial Palace Park, where jade-green pines and maples form a peaceful, shady canopy." -

National Geographic

"The Higashiyama district of Kyoto is famous for its many beautiful and historic temples all located within easy walking distance of each other. The most famous is Kiyomizu-dera Temple...The journey to the ancient temple is all part of the charm and experience of Higashiyama with the narrow lanes lined with traditional wooden buildings and merchant shops selling all kinds of local crafts and souvenirs." -

Culture Trip

Ponto-chō

Ponto-chō is a popular area for its vibrant food and nightlife scenes.

"Pontocho, a narrow lane that parallels the Kamo River's western bank just a stone's throw from the Kawaramachi-Shijo Dori intersection, is Kyoto's most famous street for nightlife. It's lined with bars and restaurants that boast outdoor verandas extending over the Kamo River in summer." -

Frommer's

"Follow the melody of glasses clinking, and salivate over the alluring char from sizzling yakitori joints leading you into the vibrant tapestry of izakayas, cocktail bars, and hidden joints – all amidst the cackle from the inebriated.." -

Time Out

"When hunger strikes, head directly to Pontocho. Located one block west of the Kamogawa River, this lively and atmospheric street contains hundreds of restaurants, ranging from fine dining to traditional tea to inexpensive kebabs." -

Conde Nast Traveler

Fushimi

Fushimi is home to famous city landmarks and local sake production.

"One of Kyoto’s most beautiful sights to see, this ultimate Torii gate destination is home to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. The main shrine area is a spectacle in its own right so make a stop to wander the grounds before embarking on the forest trail upwards Mount Inari." -

Time Out

"Known for its thousands of vermillion gates leading to the top of Mount Inari, the Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of the most famous Shinto shrines in Kyoto. As an added bonus, it also happens to be one of the best spots in the city to drink sake...Paper cranes are another popular offering left at the Fushimi Inari Shrine, supposedly because folding them can grant wishes." -

Conde Nast Traveler

Arashiyama

Arashiyama is home to some of Kyoto's famous natural landmarks.

"Every traveler should experience the ethereal glow and seemingly endless heights of this bamboo grove on the outskirts of Kyoto. The experience even extends beyond the visual realm: In 1996, the Ministry of the Environment included the sounds here—wood creaking, leaves rustling—as one of the top 100 Soundscapes of Japan." -

Conde Nast Traveler

"Here, you will find many native Japanese couples or singles coming to seek a blessing for love. After all, it enshrines Shirafuku Inari Daimyōjin, a matchmaking deity...Flanked by Mount Arashi as the backdrop, the lush landscape makes it one of the best sights to witness, especially during spring and autumn" -

Time Out

An image taken from the other side of the street of people standing on a sidewalk in front of a large retail storefront which is completely illuminated from within, and there are large letters on the outside partially cropped in the top of the image.

Nakagyo-ku

Nakagyo-ku, the Downtown area of Kyoto, is a bustling area perfect for foodies, shoppers, and nightlife-seekers.

"Nakagyo-ku, the central part of Kyoto west of the Kamo River and north of Shimogyo-ku, embraces Kyoto's main shopping and nightlife districts, with most of the action on Kawaramachi Dori and Shijo Dori and Teramachi and Shin-kyogoku covered shopping arcades...Nakagyo-ku is one of the most desirable places to stay in terms of convenience and atmosphere" -

Frommer's

"Known fondly by locals as ‘Kyoto’s Kitchen’, the indoor Nishiki Market is a fantastic place to get a feel for the rhythms of daily life in the city, with vendors hawking fresh seafood and vegetables just as they have for 400 years. Ready-to-eat snacks are also on offer here for an unforgettable lunch..." -

National Geographic

Gion

Gion is filled with history and culture, home to city landmarks and a local food scene.

"Located in the Higashiyama-ku ward, the Gion geisha district is one of the best places to experience traditional Kyoto. Aside from the surreal thrill of seeing geiko walking down the street, the area offers ancient architectural details, merchants selling pottery and sweets, and hidden scatterings of pink-and-white cherry blossoms." -

Conde Nast Traveler

"…Gion is a time capsule that reminisces the best of old Japan regardless of night and day. It is studded with many interesting souvenir shops, snack stops, and of course, traditional ryokans (small Japanese inns). The busy Hanamikoji Street is where you’ll find some of the most exquisite dining experiences while the Shirakawa area offers dreamy canal views…" -

Time Out

"Many of the neighbourhood’s machiya (traditional townhouses) are now cafes and restaurants; stop off at Ramen Muraji for a bowl of steaming noodles topped with chicken and egg." -

National Geographic

Shimogyo

Shimogyo is an area near many landmarks in central Kyoto.

"Shimogyo, near the train station, boasts a number of five-star, luxury hotels, on par with any major city. Shimogyo's convenience to shopping, restaurants, and transportations makes it a popular spot for travelers." -

Trip Savvy

"The southern ward of Shimogyo-ku, which stretches from Kyoto Station north to Shijo Dori Avenue, caters to tourists with its cluster of hotels and to commuters with its shops and restaurants. Kyoto Station… is now this area's top attraction with Isetan department store, a shopping arcade, restaurants, and dramatic public spaces, including a rooftop plaza." -

Frommer's