Photos of Kyoto, Japan
Today, we’d like to share some of our favourite photos of Kyoto. There are many reasons to visit Kyoto. It’s considered to be the cultural capital of Japan and it has over 1,600 hundred temples and shrines. The whole city is basically a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We spent four nights in Kyoto on our most recent trip to Japan. Most of our time was spent visiting temples, exploring markets and eating delicious Japanese cuisine.
We hope these photos of Kyoto will inspire you to visit.
The iconic torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine, one of Kyoto’s most visited tourist attractions.
Fushimi Inari Shrine is famous for its thousands of bright orange torii gates.
Torii Gates inside Fushimi Inari Shrine
Hundreds of small shrines can be found in wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari.
Connor rings the bell inside one of the shrines found on the forest trails inside Fushimi Inari.
Rows of torii gates on the hiking trails inside Fushimi Inari.
The shrines and temples inside Fushimi Inari Shrine are stunning.
Giant torii gate at the entrance to Fusimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto.
The immense grounds at Kyoto Imperial Park, home of the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
View inside Kyoto Imperial Palace.
The Hall of State Ceremonies within the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
Watch our IG Stories from Kyoto to see more photos and short videos.
Related post – 25 Japan travel tips for first time visitors
Yasaka Pagoda, also known as Hōkan-ji Temple, is one of the most popular Kyoto photo locations.
A popular tourist activity is to dress up in traditional Japanese kimono and hire photographers to capture the moment. The streets of Kyoto are filled with tourists seeking that perfect Instagram worthy image.
The old stone streets of Higashiyama District in Kyoto.
Torii gate outside the Higashiyama District in old Kyoto.
The impressive gate to Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Kiyomizu-dera is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage site.
Pagoda and temple inside the grounds of Kiyomizu-dera, a Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto.
The bustling Matsubara-dori that leads to Kiyomizu-dera temple.
Heian Shrine in Kyoto
Capturing the moment in front of a temple inside Heian Shrine.
The is the largest torii gate in Kyoto. It can be found on the road that leads to Heian Shrine.
Yasaka Shrine in the Gion District of Kyoto
Inside the grounds of Yasaka Shrine, once called Gion Shrine.
Connor taking it all in. He was impressed by the temples in Kyoto.
Ringing the bells inside Yasaka Shrine.
Beautiful temples and shrines inside Yasaka Shrine.
Yasaka Jinja, the gate entrance to Yasaka Shrine
Admiring the stunning Yasaka Shrine architecture at night.
Related – 25 Japan travel tips for first time visitors
The lively backstreets of Kyoto at night.
This delicious sushi platter is a work of culinary art.
Local eats on a stick found inside the popular Nishiki Market in Kyoto.
Grilled meats for sale inside Nishiki Market.
We had to include some sushi in this collection of photos of Kyoto.
And the noodles! We can’t forget about the tasty udon noodles.
A lone geisha walking the backstreets of Gion District, Kyoto’s most famous geisha district.
Temple offerings at Otani Hombyo in the Higashiyama Ward.
Traditional Japanese rickshaw in the Higashiyama District.
The Kyoto Tower. This is the tallest structure in Kyoto with its observation deck at 100 metres.
Homes and buildings along the Kamo River.
Read more travel blog posts from Japan:
- 25 Japan travel tips for first time visitors
- Beginner’s guide to Food in Japan for tourists
- Our experience at the Rugby World Cup in Japan
- Should you stay at a Tokyo Disney Resort? Read our review
- 100 Photos of Tokyo Disneyland
What about you? Is Kyoto on your travel list?
Leave us a comment below with questions you have about travel to Kyoto, Japan.
Great photos! We went there in December and can’t wait to go back for more delicious food (and beer). How was the weather there in October? Not too rainy?
I love how the electric red is so striking throughout the city and is really just so vibrant. It’s beautiful. Thanks for the great photo essay, definitely elicits some Kyoto wanderlust!