Looking to some self-guided Kyoto walking tour ideas? You are in the right place.
Kyoto is a place with a rich history, religion, and local culture. To slow down and take everything all in on foot is probably the best way to explore the city. That is why you should take a tour in Kyoto.
And if you are wondering how to tour Kyoto on your own, we have a brief guide for you with some recommendations on how to go about it.
1. Higashiyama Walking Tour
Higashiyama is home to many famous temples in Kyoto as well as centuries-old Zen and Shinto sites, so doing a DIY Kyoto tour around Higashiyama is very doable. In fact, you will be able to visit 6 temples in less than 3 kilometers within 1 hour. Some sites you can visit in this self-guided walking tour are:
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Kodai-ji Temple
Nene-no-Michi (The Path of Nene)
Yasaka Shrine
Chion-in Temple
Shoren-in Temple
2. Kyoto Shopping and Food Tour
Kyoto is a shopper’s mecca. And as a cultural center of Japan, Kyoto is the best place to find contemporary and traditional goods. From souvenirs to homeware to out-of-the-ordinary goods, you can find pretty much everything here. Walking around Kyoto is the best way to enjoy shopping and food adventure because you are moving at your own pace. You can travel 1.5 kilometers to hit 4 well-known food and shopping markets in Kyoto, including:
Shinkyogoku Shopping Street
Daimaru Department Store
Shijo-dori Avenue
3. Gion District Walking Tour
Your Kyoto trip won’t be complete without hitting the cobblestone streets of Gion district. Gion is the entertainment capital of Kyoto which plays a huge part in it becoming the geisha district. Gion is the perfect place in Kyoto to immerse yourself in the old traditional Kyoto. It’s where you can find lots of izakaya (“traditional pub”), ryotei (“traditional fine-dining restaurant”), and ochaya (“teahouse”). Embark on a 2-hour self-guided Gion walking tour spanning 2 kilometers and hit at least 11 Kyoto attractions:
Minamiza Kabuki Theater
Gion Shirakawa
Tatsumi Bridge
Shinmonzen-dori Street
Ichiriki Chaya
Hanamikoji Street
Gion Corner
Kenninji Temple
Yasui Kompira-gu Shrine
Ebisu-jinja Shrine
SaryoTsujiri Tea House
If you wish to explore Gion at night on a guided walking tour, join Kyoto Localized’s free night walking tour.
4. Kiyomizudera Temple Tour
Kiyomizu-dera is one of the most popular places in Kyoto. But more than a tourist destination, Kiyomizu-dera is still a place of worship that preserves the Old Kyoto well. The temple is already a stunning temple on its own, but from it is another stunner. From the temple lookout point, you can see the city of Kyoto in all its glory. Be warned that walking your way through the temple from Kiyomizu-michi stop can be a bit exhausting for the untrained feet, especially on a hot summer day. After your temple visit, you can proceed to Yasaka Shrine and Jishu Shrine as you go back downtown.
Kyoto is the heart of Japan and has a rich history and culture. Our walking tours will show you why. On our Walking Tours, you will learn about the Old and New Kyoto, tradition, religion, history, food, and culture. Free Walking Tours in Kyoto | Kyoto Walking Tours. Book your free walking tour of Kyoto today.
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