Walk A Kimono Pathway

The Kimono Forest

📍20-2 Sagatenryuji Tsukurimichicho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8384, Japan

The Kimono Forest is a free public art exhibit located at Randen Station in Arashiyama. It features 600 poles decorated with Yūzen prints, a Japanese dyeing technique for kimonos that originated in the 17th century. The patterns include flowers, herons, and even skeletons. Designed to resemble a bamboo grove, the poles light up at night to create a beautiful golden ambiance. There is also a footbath in the area where you can soak your feet in warm water. At the end of the path, a small pond features a golden dragon, and it is said that placing your hands into the fountain’s waters will bring you peace and happiness.

Toss A Coin into The Fountain of Love

Tenryu-ji Temple

📍1 Chome-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan

The Fountain of Love is located at Tenryu-ji, a Zen temple in the Arashiyama district of Kyoto. The water rises naturally from the earth and is considered sacred. It is called the Fountain of Love in honor of the compassionate heart of Kannon, the goddess of mercy in Japanese Buddhism. A statue of Kannon overlooks the fountain, and several frog figures sit at the center of the spring. It is believed that love and blessings may come to you if you can toss a coin and land it in the small dish placed in front of the frogs. You can find this fountain within the temple’s Sogenchi Garden, though a small entrance fee is required to access it.

Purchase a Rolly Doll

The Chiri-Men Craft Museum

📍19-2 Sagatenryuji Tsukurimichicho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8384, Japan

The Chiri-Men Craft Museum, also known as the “Crepe Craft Museum,” has an adorable shop filled with crepe-material merchandise that can be taken home as souvenirs. One popular item sold here is the “Rolly Doll,” a doll that cannot tip over due to its rounded base. These dolls come in a wide variety of animals, including ducks, whales, turtles, and others. According to the shop’s signage, these dolls are considered lucky charms that help ensure the safety and health of the family. In addition, if you buy more than the number of people in your family, “it is good luck for families wishing for a baby and prosperity.” Of course, this may simply be a ploy to encourage you to buy more dolls, but they are reasonably priced at 660 yen for one doll and 1,650 yen for three (approximately 4 USD and 11 USD, respectively). Other items sold at this location include change purses, jewelry, and decorative hanging pieces. This shop is a great place to visit if you are looking for something cute and handmade in Japan.

Eat a Crepe with Green Tea Ice Cream

ARINCO Kyoto Arashiyama Head Shop

📍Japan, 〒616-8384 Kyoto, Ukyo Ward, Sagatenryuji Tsukurimichicho, 20-1

You can’t leave Kyoto without trying some green tea ice cream! A great place to get it is ARINCO, which is known for its “Kyo Matcha Crepe,” a green tea crepe served with green tea ice cream. The shop also offers crepes with a variety of toppings, including chocolate, red beans, caramel, heavy cream, apples, and oranges. In addition to sweet treats, they serve drinks such as hot and iced matcha and Italian soda. ARINCO is conveniently located in Arashiyama, next to a cluster of shopping centers and souvenir stores.

Snap a Picture with Totoro

Donguri Kyowakoku (Ghibli Store)

📍363-22 Masuyacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0826, Japan

I absolutely love Studio Ghibli, so this store was one of the highlights of my trip. The Ghibli Store offers a wide variety of merchandise inspired by Studio Ghibli films, including mugs, plush toys, socks, stationery sets, and collectible figurines. There are actually two Studio Ghibli stores in Kyoto, but both sell similar—if not the same—products. However, the store at the address listed above appeared to be the only one with a large, life-size Totoro figure that you can take a photo with, complete with a train station sign next to him. Note that prices tend to be on the higher end due to the brand name, and you may need to sort through the items, as some are made in Japan while others are made in China (I was hoping to buy only items made in Japan). If you are a Studio Ghibli fan, this shop is a must-see!

Walking Night Tour in the Geisha District

Booked Through Japan Experience

📍Gion District in Kyoto, Japan

I highly recommend taking at least one guided tour while you are in Kyoto, as the city offers immense historical and cultural significance. We took a walking night tour, which was ideal because there were far fewer tourists out after dark. This gave us the opportunity to spread out and enjoy the sights without much competition. We booked our tour through Japan Experience, a French travel website that offers tours and activities in English. Our tour guide was French but had been living in Kyoto for many years. He guided us through Gion, the geisha district, and showed us numerous temples, shrines, historical landmarks, and great photo spots. Seeing the area in a different light was unforgettable, and it was wonderful to learn through an interactive tour rather than from a book.

Purchase Some Snoopy Treats

SNOOPY Chocolat 京都・清水坂店

📍2 Chome-252 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan

Snoopy is very popular in Japan, and there are even cafés dedicated to this cute cartoon dog. SNOOPY Chocolat is a shop that sells various types of boxed chocolates and also has a café serving drinks and ice cream. There are only six locations in Japan, two of which can be found in Kyoto. The location listed above features a small Zen garden at the back of the shop, with rocks arranged to form Snoopy’s head. I loved the variety of chocolates they had for sale, and some even included cartoon strips with commentary for all types of occasions. This is a great place to pick up souvenirs and stop for a drink or a quick bite. I ordered green tea ice cream paired with a green tea chocolate Snoopy head. I will admit that the green tea chocolate was a bit waxy, but the ice cream itself was creamy, rich, and decadent.

Visit The Blue Dragon Statue

Kiyomizu-Dera Buddhist Temple

📍Kiyomizu-dera temple’s West Gate, 1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0862, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

Kiyomizu-dera, meaning “Pure Water Monastery,” is a Buddhist temple that sits high above Kyoto. While the temple itself requires an admission ticket, the Blue Dragon Statue is located outside the temple’s West Gate, so you can visit it for free. The statue features two intertwined dragons and represents the guardian deity of the East. The Blue Dragon is believed to be an incarnation of the Buddhist Bodhisattva Kannon, the goddess of compassion. It is also the centerpiece of the Seiryu-e Festival, held annually in March, April, and September. While visiting the statue, you can enjoy sweeping views of Kyoto, as the temple is situated on a hillside. I recommend going early to avoid the large crowds.

Get Gyoza as an Entree

Chao Chao Sanjo Kiyamachi

📍117 Ishiyacho, Kiya-Machi Sanjo Sagaru, Nakagyo-Ku, Kyoto 604-8002 Kyoto Prefecture

Chao Chao is an intimate restaurant known for its crispy gyoza. They are open late, until 11 p.m., and are a short walk from both the Keihan Sanjo Station and the Hankyu Kawaramachi Station. They serve a variety of sides, but their main focus is gyoza, with fillings such as shrimp, ginger pork, garlic pork, chicken, and more. There’s even a dessert gyoza made with chocolate.

It’s recommended to go before 2 p.m. because there is usually a long wait. My sister and I arrived around 7 p.m. and ended up waiting outside for two hours before being let inside. Honestly, I didn’t think the gyoza was worth that long of a wait, so if you show up and the line is already very long, I’d recommend passing and going elsewhere. But if you manage to get a quick seat, it’s a great spot to relax, enjoy a cold beer, and chow down on some fried deliciousness. The staff were also very friendly, and menus are available in English.

Walk Amidst A Lush Bamboo Grove

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

📍Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8394, Japan

Situated in western Kyoto, this bamboo grove evokes Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon vibes. The path is only 0.03 miles long and offers scenic views of towering bamboo trees and a small stream. There are also ponds and shrines within walking distance, making it a lovely addition to a morning stroll. However, the location can get extremely crowded, so I recommend arriving as early as possible. We got there around 7 a.m., and a large number of tourists were already starting to arrive. Despite the foot traffic, this spot is definitely a must-see if you have the chance!

Eat Crispy Tonkatsu

Katsukura, Sanjo Honten

📍16 Ishibashicho, Kyoto City Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto Pref. 604-8036

If you are looking for the best pork katsu, look no further than Katsukura! Tucked away in a narrow alley within a shopping mall, this restaurant is perfect for lunch or dinner. According to the restaurant’s website, they use safe and reliable pork raised in a clean environment and fed a selective diet. They also use an original brand of Shirashime oil, made from vegetables and containing zero cholesterol. This ensures that the panko breading on the katsu is flaky and crispy without being greasy. In addition, their katsu meals come with a side of rice, miso soup, and a delicious cabbage salad. There is even an interactive element where you can grind your own sesame seeds and mix flavorings to create your own personalized katsu sauce! It was a lot of fun, and you could feel the enjoyment at other tables as well. An English menu is available, and the staff are very friendly and service-oriented. It did not appear that reservations were accepted, so be prepared to potentially wait in line. We arrived around 2 p.m. and waited for approximately 30 minutes.

Walk Through Gates

Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine

📍68 Fukakusa Yabunouchi-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto City 612-0882

Fushimi Inari-Taisha is a Shinto shrine best known for its 10,000 torii gates that wind up the mountainside. The grounds feature scenic trails, with the total distance ranging from approximately one and a half to three miles, depending on the route taken. If you hike halfway up the mountain, you can reach the Yotsutsuji intersection, which has a large clearing offering views of Kyoto city and the surrounding mountains. It took us around 30–45 minutes to reach this point but be aware that the hike is fairly steep and involves walking on uneven stairs and dirt paths. I recommend bringing water to stay hydrated and wearing comfortable shoes. I go into more detail about the shrine in this blog post, but it is truly a must-see location to experience at least once in your lifetime.