Unique Things to Do in Kyoto Japan + A Michelin Kyoto Experience

That one time I planned a trip to Japan for dinner. Yes, I crossed the Pacific solely for a Michelin Kyoto experience. Kyoto is a must-visit city located in west-central Japan. The capital city of the Kyoto Prefecture (and former ancient capital of Japan) in the Kansai region has gained popularity in recent years and there are many good reasons why. Not only is it an easy train ride from Tokyo but there are many unique things to do in Kyoto’s city limits and nearby areas for easy day trips. For these reasons, Kyoto has become a highly desirable destination and I’m sharing with you why I went for a Michelin dinner and how I built a trip around it!

Unique Things to Do in Kyoto

For the unsuspecting traveler, Kyoto might be overshadowed by Tokyo, Mt Fuji, or even Osaka and Hiroshima. While I’ve been to all of these places (and some of them including Kyoto twice), Kyoto stands out. The unique things to do in Kyoto is just one of many reasons why. A pop-up three Michelin star dinner experience is another. As you can imagine, Japan rose to the top of my list of favorite countries!

Michelin Kyoto Experience

Noma. It’s a three Michelin star restaurant based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Operated by Chef René Redzepi, Noma has held the title of “world’s best restaurant” an astonishing FIVE times (most recently in 2021). To give you an idea of the level, the restaurant completely closes and revamps itself periodically.

It also travels to different countries (including the United States and Japan) to hold “pop-up” residences that are typically ten weeks long. As in the entire staff and their families MOVE for these experiences. In the spring of 2023, they designed a full menu around the flavors of the Kyoto region specifically during cherry blossom season.

These reservations sold out in mere minutes but I had a friend lucky enough to snag a 4-tabletop! So the question of whether I would fly across the world for the dinner reservation of a lifetime became a reality. I had zero hesitation.

A chance to eat at a three Michelin star and world’s best restaurant winner in Japan during cherry blossom season? Um, yes. Please and thank you. While I’m at it, I will take full advantage of additional travel around my favorite country!

Noma Kyoto

This 12-course meal (with the 1st and the 12th courses including sub-dishes) came paired with our choice of wine and sake or fresh juice. I chose the wine and sake pairings and they were fantastic. I looked forward to each plating presentation and they were also phenomenal. The entire experience is one I will NEVER forget!

Courses One through Four

With this kind of experience, there is no menu. They bring out beautiful presentations of mouthwatering perfection and you eat. It’s that simple.

Courses Five Through Eight

At this point, I was hoping the meal would never end. It truly is the best food I’ve had in all my years on this planet! Strong statement and I stand behind it.

Courses Nine through Twelve

Unfortunately, most good things come to an end and this was no exception. But the memories and the photos last forever!

Noma, as we currently know it, returned to Kyoto in fall 2024 for its final ten-week residency, vegetarian style. It will close in January 2025 to revamp into a new chapter, Noma 3.0.

Kyoto Michelin Star Dining

While this specific restaurant is no longer an option, Kyoto has the highest density per capita of Michelin restaurants in the world. If this is on your bucket list, Michelin dining in Kyoto has endless possibilities!

Dining Out in Kyoto

For everyday eats and treats, these are foods in Kyoto worth checking out!

Okonomiyaki

Try okonomiyaki, authentic family-style. Okonomiyaki is a savory type of Japanese pancake made on the hibachi. Kyoto was my first experience with this delightful food. Now, outside of sushi, it’s my favorite thing to eat in Japan. I also thoroughly enjoyed taking off my shoes, putting them in a locker, and sitting on cushions on the floor sharing tables with locals!

TIP: Try Gion Tanto for the best, delicious okonomiyaki!

Sake Tasting

Sake tasting is a popular thing to do in Japan. During my stay, the hotel had a complimentary evening sake tasting. Of course, I participated! While this was a mini-tasting, there are options in Kyoto to do full sake tasting tours for an authentic experience.

Gold (Foiled) Ice Cream

While in the Gion District, try the gold foiled (gold leaf) ice cream. It’s close to the Hōkan-ji Temple. There are a few different flavor options and the edible gold was interesting!

Create Your Own Food Tour

You can certainly take traditional food tours or why not create your own? Wander the Food Hall on the 7th and 8th floors of Kyoto Kawaramachi Garden and try as much Japanese food as possible!

Attractions

See Kyoto at Night

Obviously, most travelers tour Kyoto during the day but have you ever considered exploring Kyoto at night? I did just that and it’s gorgeous!

Fushimi Inari Taisha

One of Kyoto’s most famous and unique attractions is Fushimi Inari Taisha. Admittedly, it is one of the top reasons visitors travel to Kyoto. Along with a few thousand of my closest friends, I toured Fushimi Inari during the day on my first trip to Japan. On the second trip, I learned it’s open 24 hours.

Upon learning this little gem, I went with friends at night around 11 pm. It was after our Michelin dinner and the only time my friends could go. When it came down to see it or not, they said, “Why not?” And, I completely agreed.

We had The Shrine of the Thousand Torii Gates mostly to ourselves. Even with the rain that started while there, it is one of my all-time favorite Kyoto experiences and photo moments!

Fushimi Inari Info
Operating Hours: 24 hours daily
Entrance Fees: FREE
TIP: Please do NOT go here or anywhere else alone. Japan is a very safe country but exercise common caution and don’t go anywhere alone at night. If going during the day, the best views are about midway up and not at the very top.

Kyoto Tower

While it’s only open until 9 pm, you can see the outside of Kyoto Tower lit up in all its glory from sunset to midnight.

However, if you want to see stunning views of Kyoto, sunset is the best time to visit the observation deck.

Kyoto Tower Info
Operating Hours: 10 am to 9 pm daily
Entrance Fees: Adults are 900 yen (6 USD) and kids are 200 to 700 yen (1.30 to 5 USD) depending on age.
TIP: To have a day and night experience, go for the views at sunset and stay until after dark (depending on time of year and operating hours).

Yasaka Shrine

In my opinion, Yasaka Shrine (also called Gion Shrine) is prettiest lit up at night. The Shinto shrine is another Kyoto attraction open 24 hours daily.

Yasaka Shrine Info
Operating Hours: 24 hours daily
Entrance Fees: FREE
TIP: Go after dinner to see the shrine lit up with fewer people around.

Kyoto by Day

Yasaka Kōshin-dō Temple

Yasaka Kōshin-dō Temple is a Buddhist temple that is quite small and known for being framed with colorful little balls. These balls are called “kukurizaru” or “hanging monkeys” of Kyoto which represent the bound hands and feet of a monkey and symbolize self-control and triumph over desires.

Yasaka Kōshin-dō Temple Info
Operating Hours: 9 am to 5 pm daily
Entrance Fees: FREE
TIP: The colorful balls make a great photo backdrop.

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Another popular Kyoto attraction, the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is very unique. It’s fairly difficult to get great photos without tons of people in them but wandering its maze leaves lasting memories.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Info
Operating Hours: 24 hours daily
Entrance Fees: FREE
TIP: Try to visit early in the morning for the best chance of fewer people.

Gion District

Walk the streets of Kyoto’s Gion District for a chance to see geishas. There are even places to have your own geisha makeover experience complete with a kimono, makeup, and hair styling!

Please be respectful and don’t get close to the geishas or put a camera or phone in their faces. Recently, the city has closed some smaller streets and put up signs banning photos and videos to protect the geishas.

While in the Gion District, check out Hōkan-ji Temple, a 5-story, 151-foot-tall pagoda. Its current building dates back to 1440 and is the only remaining structure of a complex of temples from the 6th century.

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Arashiyama Monkey Park

When visiting Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, you might also want to check out the Arashiyama Monkey Park. It is a park where the monkeys roam free and the humans are caged. Okay, kidding there, sort of!

The monkeys are wild and freely roam at this ethical park. If you want to feed them, they sell apples and other healthy, native food monkeys eat in the wild. For the safety of the visitors and the monkeys, you step into a wire-caged hut where you can buy the treats and feed the monkeys through the wiring.

Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama Info
Operating Hours: 9 am to 4 pm daily
Entrance Fees: Adults are 600 JPY (4 USD) and kids are 200 yen (2 USD). Bags of food are 100 yen (0.66 USD) each.
TIP: Monkeys are quick, ruthless, and want what they want. Keep things secured (now is not the time to let the kids have your phone) and only feed them what the park sells. Also, don’t forget your cameras. The views on the trail to the park are stunning!

Kiyomizu-dera for Sunset Views

I highly recommend visiting Kiyomizu-dera at sunset for the stunning, panoramic views. This Japanese Buddhist temple is approximately 1,250 years old and is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located on Mt Otowa, the sunset views are stunning especially during fall foliage and cherry blossom seasons!

The temple is a “reijo” which means holy place. Kannon is the deity of compassion and mercy and so it’s known as the Kannon Reijo. Hopefully, you’ll get to witness one of the water ceremonies – it’s known for its purity!

Kiyomizu-dera Info
Operating Hours: Vary seasonally – check calendar
Entrance Fees: 500 JPY (3 USD) for adults and 200 JPY (1 USD) for kids
TIP: Carve out time (around 1-2 hours) for this visit. There are many different parts including the main hall, the waterfall, the west gate, and more.

Day Trips from Kyoto

Nara

There are many options for day trips but I think this is my favorite. Traveling to Nara from Kyoto is an easy 45 minutes (one way) and is covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Just take the Myakoji rapid train from Kyoto Station to JR Nara Station. Super easy!

After arriving, it’s about a 20-minute walk to the Nara (Deer) Park. There is a local bus service (not covered by Japan Rail Pass) but if you’re going to use it make sure you understand which direction it’s going. Nothing is in English and the Japanese don’t speak English (outside of tourist spots).

If you go the wrong direction, you might find yourself outside the city, in the middle of nowhere with buses not often running through the area. We won’t talk about how I know that.

Nara (Deer) Park

The Nara deer are SO cute! Yes, Nara Park is ethical and the deer are revered and treated almost like celebrities. They roam quite freely. If you aren’t okay with (smaller) deer coming right up to you, nuzzling you, and at times getting all up in your business, this might not be the place for you.

The deer are sweet, gentle, and playful. Even so, they are still wild animals. The park sells crackers to feed the deer and you will see the stands at the entrance. These crackers are made with rice bran and flour keeping the safety and health of the deer in mind. Please do NOT feed them anything else.

The feeding of the deer is considered cultural as it began during the Edo period (1600-1800s). Part of the sales from the crackers goes to protecting the beloved Nara deer.

They know who has the crackers and who doesn’t and they. want. the. crackers. Some of them will bow for the crackers (they’ve been taught to bow!) and others just like my pups will nose about your body trying to find them. One even untied my sweatshirt from around my waist!

Nara Deer Selfies

There was one deer who just stuck with me almost my entire time at the park. While I walked around admiring the cherry blossoms and other deer, he or she, never left my side. I started to wonder if the deer was imprinting! LOL! Occasionally asking for a cracker, I decided to share a quick, cute moment and oblige its request.

Side note, those crackers really are just rice bran and flour. Zero taste!

Nara Park Info
Operating Hours: 24 hours daily (crackers only for sale during unspecified day hours)
Entrance Fees: FREE (crackers are 200 yen or 1.30 USD per package)
TIP: Do NOT throw trash away as it can cause injury or even death to the deer. There are no trashcans in the park. I kept a small grocery bag in my backpack and emptied it at my accommodation or the train station.

Great Buddha Hall

Before returning to Kyoto, walk to the nearby Todaiji Daibutsuden or Great Buddha Hall. There are many attractions in the area but Great Buddha Hall was impressive. You will pass by Todaiji-Kagami-ike Pond which is beautifully framed by fall foliage in autumn and cherry blossoms in the spring.

Great Buddha Hall Info
Operating Hours: Vary seasonally – check calendar
Entrance Fees: 800 yen (5.25 USD) for adults and 400 to 800 yen (2.60 to 5.25 USD) for kids depending on age
TIP: Don’t be surprised if you encounter Nara deer as you walk between the park and the hall. Even though they may “ask” don’t feed them unless you have “their crackers”.

Best Time to Visit Kyoto

The best time to visit Kyoto could depend on your likes and dislikes. However, the popular times (and my favorites) are fall and spring, in that order.

Fall

Fall in Kyoto showcases gorgeous fall foliage all around. The peak time for colors depends on the region but typically occurs mid-November into December. However, we were there late October through mid-November and saw gorgeous fall colors in Kyoto!

Spring

Spring is also beautiful in Kyoto when the cherry blossoms are in peak bloom. On average, this occurs the first 7-10 days of April. Our pop-up Michelin Kyoto dinner was planned for cherry blossom season with reservations on the 14th of April. Although a few days past peak, we still saw beautiful blooms!

How to Get to Kyoto

Kyoto is super easy to get to from both Osaka and Tokyo. Of these, the closest city is Osaka. However, Tokyo is only around 2 hrs 40 min via the Shinkansen (Hikari) bullet train. Most people fly in and out of Tokyo as I did on my Japan trips. I loved this plan because I thoroughly enjoyed all my train rides, particularly from Tokyo to Kyoto and vice versa.

Why? Good question, thanks for asking!

The ride is long enough for you to decompress and truly enjoy the impeccable train travel in Japan. It’s also short enough that you don’t feel tired and restless. The scenery is beautiful and on a good day, you should see Mount Fuji from the train (right side from Tokyo to Kyoto and left from Kyoto to Tokyo).

Japan Rail Pass

The easiest, most cost-effective way to utilize train travel in Japan is with the Japan Rail Pass. This pass is for foreign travelers only, must be purchased before arriving in Japan, and can easily be obtained with 12Go.

The Whole Japan Rail Pass is a comprehensive pass that gives travelers access to Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains (except for Nozomi and Mizuho), local trains, airport transfers, JR buses, and even the Miyajima ferry. Travel in Japan is expensive so if you are leaving Tokyo twice for day trips and/or traveling from any major city to another, the pass pays for itself.

The Japan Rail Pass eliminates the need for multiple tickets

The pass has the option of 7, 14, or 21 days to suit the length of your trip. Of course, if you don’t need the comprehensive pass, you can purchase smaller options such as this regional one-day pass that includes Kyoto or anything in between.

The benefits of booking with the all-in-one travel platform 12Go are the flexibility to adjust plans without additional purchase and the convenience (if purchasing the Whole Japan Rail Pass) of one cost-effective pass covering most of your rides across different transportation modes. I had this pass for both Japan trips (one in spring and one in fall) and was SO glad I did!

Where to Stay in Kyoto

I have three recommendations on where to stay in Kyoto. Two of these were my accommodations on two different trips. The third is where I had my Michelin Kyoto experience and the customer service was top-notch!

Hotel Vischio Kyoto

On my first trip to Kyoto, I stayed at the Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA. I chose it for its pricing, inclusions, and convenience. Located right across the street from Kyoto Station, it’s perfect for those who travel with more than a backpack.

The elevated room had all the necessities and outlets, air-conditioning, and my favorite thing in Japan – the Japanese toilet! Seriously, it was a cool bathroom.

Additionally, the breakfast was fantastic, Kyoto Tower is within walking distance, and there is easy access to Kyoto Station for transportation AND eating options. I would stay here again.

The Chapter Kyoto

On my second trip to Kyoto, the Hotel Vischio Kyoto was sold out and I wanted to stay near the host hotel for the Michelin dinner. For that reason, I chose The Chapter Hotel Kyoto. Because it’s a Marriott property, I could use or earn Marriott Bonvoy points.

Although not as conveniently located in central Kyoto, I liked my room here even more. Their staff went above and beyond with concierge services and the included breakfast and “sparkling & sake tasting” weren’t bad either. I would stay here again too.

Ace Hotel Kyoto

While I didn’t stay at the Ace Hotel Kyoto, my friend did and I enjoyed my Michelin Kyoto experience there. For these reasons and the exceptional staff and customer service, I would stay here on a future trip to Kyoto. The prices were too high due to the dinner event or I would have stayed there that time!

PIN IT!

Are these not the coolest things to do in Kyoto? These must-see attractions and activities are well worth their time and except for Michelin dining, fairly easy to fit in most budget ranges. Hopefully, this helps you plan your own epic visit to Kyoto. I just have one question. Fall, spring, or both?

Which of these unique things to do in Kyoto is your favorite? Have you been to Kyoto? Do you have anything to add to my list? As always, let me know below!

‘Til next time…

Trimm Travels,

Heather