Historic Sites • Religious Sites
Southern Kyoto
•
Open now
THE 10 BEST Large Group Activities & Things to Do in Kyoto
Best Group Activities in Kyoto
Category types
Awards
Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
Traveller rating
Neighbourhoods
Good for
117 results sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Speciality Museums
Shinkyogoku Shopping District
•
Open now
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Castles
City Center
•
Open now
Architectural Buildings • Shopping Malls
Shimogyo-ku
•
Open now
Historic Sites • Religious Sites
Southern Kyoto
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Western Kyoto
•
Open now
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
City Center
Historic Sites • Religious Sites
Gion
•
Open now
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Southern Kyoto
Historic Sites • Religious Sites
Nishijin District
Historic Walking Areas • Parks
City Center
•
Open now
Observation Decks & Towers
Shimogyo-ku
•
Open now
…
Showing results 1-30 of 117
What travellers are saying
- Evelin R4 contributionsFushimi Inari has very traditional Japanese atmosphere as we expected. Walking through all gates up was very unique and fun experience!Written 14 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Julia MIndianapolis, Indiana502 contributionsThis is the easternmost of three famous UNESCO World Heritage Buddhist temples arrayed along a single road on the north side of Kyoto, about 1.5 (?) miles apart. Plan to see them all. There are similarities but each has a unique feature that you won't want to miss. Kinkakuji is the one that has the big taxi and bus lot and easiest to access via Uber or taxi. I would recommend starting here, then walking west to Ryoanji (about 25 min) and then continuing west to Ninnaji (about 10 mins). Seeing all three at a non-rushed pace will take you half a day.
You enter the temple grounds, pay your admission fee, and then follow the walking path that winds through the grounds. Do not try to split off the path! The big draw of Kinkakuji is the Golden Pavilion, which you cannot go into but the set walking route takes you around 3 sides of it. The rest of the walk takes you around the lovely part-manicured, part-wild and very aesthetic grounds and past various buildings, which you cannot go into either. But there are opportunities all around to purchase votives and leave them at the many open air small shrines. There are easily located restrooms.
I feel that because of the easy access for tour buses this will be the most heavily touristed one of the three for you, as it was for us, so prepare for the crowds and none of them will be locals (although they will be Japanese tourists). Lots of Westerners who love this particular aesthetic.Written 14 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Diana M5 contributionsKiyomizu temple is my favorite temple in Japan. Very traditional itself and the view from the main deck is so beautiful too.Written 15 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Maurice C3 contributionsToo many people taking selfies all over ruining the experience a bit, but when you get past that and can immerse yourself in the nature around you, it feels amazing. The bamboo is tall and majestic.Written 14 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Ahmad E1 contributionThe tour and the museum is amazing and is like a deep dive into samurai history
The museum is also full of authentic samurai stuffWritten 23 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Julia MIndianapolis, Indiana502 contributionsA must-see site right in the center of Kyoto. You will pay a fee to get into the grounds, and more fees for access to the 2 palaces within. One palace (the Shogun one) you can pay for as you enter the complex but the other (the Imperial palace) requires advance reservations. We didn't know about the advance reservation situation so missed going in to that one, but you can still walk around the outside and stroll the pretty gardens. Be prepared to take your shoes off and bring/wear socks. It's chilly inside the Shogun palace in January! Plan to spend a good half-day exploring the site. There are 2 tea shops that make for good break and warm-up stops, but they are overpriced.Written 11 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- CanuckJamesNishinomiya, Japan1,795 contributionsThis is the heart of the entertainment district in Kyoto. You can't avoid this place. It is noisy, overcrowded, and expensive but a must-see.
This is where Hankyu & Keihan railway networks start, the two major department stores are here, the core where tea houses and restaurants all congregate.Written 23 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Dwayne D2 contributionsMonkey park in Kyoto was a so fun place to visit. It was my first time to see monkey monkey but was better experience than i expected. Totally worth to try.Written 20 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- 649001Springfield361 contributionsIt is a magical place.
The main hall contains a big Buddha sitting on a lotus flower surrounding 1001 (!) standing golden Kannons (Goddess of Mercy) about human height made from cypress wood almost 1000 years ago. It's a shining army! The statues have 21 pairs of arms which symbolizes 1000 arms. There are different objects in the statues' hands. The statues have many faces (there are 11 small heads attached to the Main head). There are many other statues: G-d of Wind, G-d of Thunder, Heavenly Kings, etc. Some are playing musical instruments, some have wings, some have horse head on their head, some have fin-like brows, etc.
Unfortunately, you cannot take a picture there.
There is also a nice small garden outside.
Allow at least an hour.Written 20 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - HonestTelLeicester, UK264 contributionsBit of a walk from our hotel but worth it in the end.
The temple is stunning and the park is beautiful. There is so much to walk around and see.
It was a very popular spot and there was a good mix of westerners and locals.Written 26 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - HarisankarChennai (Madras), India187 contributionsWandered through this area multiple times during my Kyoto visit. Since, I stayed in Gion, accessing this area was especially easy. This is one of the signature areas of Gion and gets very crowded especially during mid day. The cobble stone paved narrow alleyways lined up with multiple shops, restaurants and cafes gives this place its identity alongside the famous Yasaka Pagoda. This place truly shines after nightfall and the whole place gains a fairytale or manga atmosphere.Written 8 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Tony ESwitzerland590 contributionsSo much of Japan is of cultural and historical significance that it was a refreshing change to visit a modern, bang-up-to-date site which is equally impressive. The station is gigantic, built in black and gray granite and topped by a glass canopy above the concourse. There is a huge shopping centre, lots of restaurants and a long, multi-level elevator. The glass tunnel above the concourse offers a dizzying view of the whole edifice.Written 4 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Soko37Budapest, Hungary14,040 contributionsNice park area with historical buildings, we have few visits of different religious places and I started to be confused. Nice wooden temple with position walk aroundWritten 13 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- CanuckJamesNishinomiya, Japan1,795 contributionsThis smaller entertainment district runs parallel to the Kamo River, directly north of the bigger Gion district. A narrow road that used to house the red light district is now filled with tiny tea houses, bars of all types, izakayas, and other types of night entertainment. During the day, this area is pretty boring but after dark, it's worth a stroll.
One notable place is Bee's Knees, one of Asia's best bars.
Be aware that there are still a few places that operate 'the world's oldest profession' along this district.Written 23 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - 649001Springfield361 contributionsThis place is nice but not a must. It has a five-story Pagoda (the tallest in Japan), Kondo (main hall with 3 Buddhas), Kodo (a hall with 21 Buddhas, one of them is riding an elephant - no pictures of Buddha image is allowed), a small garden, and Kanchi-in Temple (house interior consisting of almost empty rooms with tatami mats, sliding doors, and an ink painting of attacking eagles on the wall - take off your shoes at the entrance).
Allow at least an hour.Written 20 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
