Higashiyama
Geographical district
The Higashiyama District is one of the best places to see historic Kyoto. The area is famous for its charming streets filled with small shops, cafes, and restaurants. These places have been around for hundreds of years, serving tourists and pilgrims. They still keep their traditional designs and sell local goodies like pottery, sweets, pickles, crafts, and other unique souvenirs. If you go during cherry blossom season, the district becomes even more magical with cherry blossoms blooming along the streets. When you visit, you should visit the famous Kiyomizu Temple in the Higashiyama District. You can enjoy amazing views and check out the impressive main hall. Also, make sure to see the Yasaka Shrine, another important cultural spot that adds to the area's historical charm. Walking through these streets feels like going back in time, giving you a real taste of Japanese culture. But that's not all! One of the best things to do in Higashiyama is to visit the various tea houses and experience a traditional tea ceremony. With so much to see and do, Higashiyama is a must-visit part of any trip to Kyoto City.
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Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Japan
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The best of Higashiyama
Bucket-list experiences
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Kyoto Higashiyama Rickshaw Tour
Private group
Easy refund
Instant confirmation
From
NZ$ 110.45
Kyoto Higashiyama Gion Kimono & Photography Travel (Okimono House)
Easy refund
Instant confirmation
From
NZ$ 29.15
One Day Kimono Rental
Bestseller
Easy refund
Instant confirmation
From
NZ$ 46.15
Arashiyama, Nara & Yasaka Shrine & Hanamikoji OneDay Tour from Osaka
Easy refund
Instant confirmation
From
NZ$ 124.25
Kimono Photo Shoot in Kyoto
Easy refund
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From
NZ$ 245.99
Must See Kyoto Private Tour
Private group
Easy refund
Instant confirmation
From
NZ$ 138.09
NZ$ 220.89
Kyoto Maiko Bus One Day Tour in Kyoto
48-hour confirmation
NZ$ 303.19
Kyoto 4 Hour Low-Down Private Walking Tour
Private group
Easy refund
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NZ$ 95.59
NZ$ 152.95
Kyoto courtesan experience (Arare Kiyomizu Kodaiji)
24-hour confirmation
NZ$ 60.75
Kimono Rental Experience Provided by Kyoto/smile photo office
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From
NZ$ 291.55
Kyoto City, Traditional Japanese Sweet Tasting Private Half Day Tour
Private group
Easy refund
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NZ$ 142.35
NZ$ 227.69
Kimono Rental Experience in Kyoto
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From
NZ$ 145.75
Make it a getaway
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THE HOTEL HIGASHIYAMA by Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
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NZ$ 183.74
NZ$ 204.23
M’s Inn Higashiyama
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NZ$ 62.57
Shiki Shiki Higashiyama
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NZ$ 61.22
NZ$ 61.87
DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto Higashiyama
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NZ$ 142.71
HARUYA Higashiyama - Hostel
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NZ$ 65.05
NZ$ 65.77
Higashiyama Hills
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NZ$ 363.99
Higashiyama Hills
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NZ$ 212.32
NZ$ 214.62
Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto
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NZ$ 1,638.47
Kyoto Higashiyama SANTOUAN
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From
NZ$ 276.16
Kyoto Higashiyama Kurumi
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NZ$ 109.9
RESI STAY GIONDO KYOTO Higashiyama Sanjo
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NZ$ 160.79
Stay SAKURA Kyoto Higashiyama Shirakawa
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NZ$ 106.1
NZ$ 148.41
Trouble-free transport
Randen Pass
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NZ$ 7.75
Kyoto car rentals | Rent a car for Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu Temple, Golden Temple Kyoto, Osaka International Airport
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NZ$ 80
/day
NZ$ 87.89
Eizan Railway Ee Kippu 1-Day Pass
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NZ$ 13.25
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NZ$ 88.35
Kyoto to Tokyo - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket
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NZ$ 149.09
Kyoto to Shinagawa - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket
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NZ$ 149.09
All that's good & tasty
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Gion Suetomo (祇園末友) in Higashiyama
Easy refund
NZ$ 578.15
Minokichi Honten Takeshigerou (美濃吉本店 竹茂楼) in Kyoto Higashiyama - Japanese Traditional Kaiseki
Easy refund
From
NZ$ 135.85
Nanzenji Junsei Traditional Tofu Kaiseki Cuisine - Kyoto
Bestseller
Easy refund
From
NZ$ 58.45
Guenpin in Gion- Puffer Fish Specialist
Bestseller
Easy refund
From
NZ$ 59.75
Gion Kawakami (祇園川上) in Kyoto Gion
Easy refund
From
NZ$ 85.05
Kyo Kurozakura in Kyoto Gion
Easy refund
From
NZ$ 79.99
Sopporo Kaniya - Crab Specialty in Kyoto
Easy refund
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NZ$ 87.05
From
NZ$ 251.79
From
NZ$ 63.49
Mokube in Gion - Michelin Starred Kaiseki
Easy refund
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NZ$ 337.89
From
NZ$ 51.99
From
NZ$ 124.79
More to explore
Kyoto Hop-On Hop-off sightseeing bus by Skyhop Bus (1day / 2days ticket)
Bestseller
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Instant confirmation
From
NZ$ 44.19
Bic Camera Tourist Privilege Discount Coupon in Kyoto
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Free
From
NZ$ 117.35
From
NZ$ 38.65
Why people love Higashiyama
Klook User
2 days ago
It was a beautiful day! The guide made a couple of jokes so made it enjoyable. the itenary was very nice and he even offered to take photos.
Amanda ********************
2 days ago
loved this Nidec tower experience, a beautiful way to see the city, old and new coming together. you could spend as much time as needed but quite a small space so consider popping up if you even have half an hour. was great!
1+
Amanda ********************
2 days ago
I loved this tour. Was expertly run and organised by tour leader Theodor, and his intern Scarlett, and ably assisted by the Master bus driver. We visited fabulous locations with lots of tips to get the most out of our time, and lots of laughs and fun. Theodor and Scarlett were excellent at their jobs and making us all feel comfortable and happy. Japan is amazing, but is even more so when people go out of the way to make it better and Theodor and Scarlett did this. Was very lucky to have met them both and am excited to return again soon!
2+
周 **
3 days ago
Tour guide Cui Haihua has excellent explanations that can be switched between Chinese, Korean and Japanese. He is also very enthusiastic and will answer any questions. Five-star praise.
Klook User
3 days ago
the hospitality they provided was beyond amazing! so helpful, professional, knowledgeable, friendly and clean! the photographer did a beautiful job of capturing our moment and i love the photos so much! if your on the fence this is your sign to do it! you won’t regret it! it’s definitely a must do here in Kyoto!!
Hsueh ********
2 days ago
10 years ago, a friend recommended that we arrange a walk around Amanohashidate. When I went to Kyoto this time, I signed up for a one-day tour of Amanohashidate and Ine with my husband and my children. The itinerary was a bit short, and the time spent at each designated stop was not long. However, with the arrangement of tour guide Hu Jun, we didn’t have to queue up to buy tickets ( Amanohashidate Chairlift, Ine Yacht) times, as well as the special features, key points, and safety reminders of each attraction. I also repeatedly remind everyone that this is a group activity, please do not be late, otherwise it will affect the subsequent itinerary arrangements. But there are three girls from Hong Kong who have been late since the early morning meeting! For the rest of the trip, those who are either the last to come back will be late! The round trip from Kyoto to Amanohashidate takes a long time, and chatting on the minibus without caring about other people's feelings is the disappointing part of this one-day trip. Apart from this point, Amanohashidate and Ine are natural and cultural landscapes worth visiting. Thanks again to tour guide Hu Jun for his detailed explanation and arrangements for the day.
Fellendorf ******
2 days ago
It was just great, I was able to borrow a beautiful Furisode kimono and got accessories and a simple hairstyle to go with it. The "simple" Furisode package had, in my opinion, a fairly small selection of Furisode kimonos and most of them were very colorful, which wasn't really my thing, but I did find a beautiful kimono. A simple obi is included but I opted for the upgrade with the bow because I didn't think the other one was quite right. Getting dressed was pretty quick and I also got socks. The lady kept asking if everything was OK while I was getting dressed, which I thought was really good. A simple hairstyle was included and I really liked it, I could choose between four hairstyles for long hair and found them all very beautiful. The hairstyle was enhanced with lots of accessories and looked beautiful. You're not that fast with the shoes you get and it can be a bit difficult to walk up stairs or mountains. But I would definitely book this again, it was a great experience wearing a Kinono in Kyoto and the shop was very clean and well organized. Definitely five stars!
1+
Greta ****
2 days ago
Fun and very good experience! They are very attentive and help you choose the ideal kimono for you, the photos with Ike were easy and great. I totally recommend the package.
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FAQs about Higashiyama
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What to know before visiting Higashiyama
What to know before visiting Higayashima
Must-see attractions in Higashiyama
Kiyomizudera Temple
Kiyomizu-Dera Temple is one of Japan's most famous temples. It sits in the tree-covered hills of eastern Kyoto and has fantastic views of the city from its famous wooden terrace. On your way there, you'll walk through a busy street filled with shops and restaurants. Plus, this famous temple is especially stunning during cherry blossom season, making it one of the best places to visit in Kyoto.
Kodaiji Temple
Kodaiji Temple is a beautiful temple in Higashiyama, built to honor the political leader Toyotomi Hideyoshi. You'll find everything from landscape gardens to a bamboo grove. This Zen temple is perfect for a quiet break where you can take part in a traditional tea ceremony and see its amazing buildings.
Yasaka Pagoda
Yasaka Pagoda is one of the most famous spots in the Higashiyama district. This tall, five-story pagoda is the last remaining part of Hokanji Temple and is perfect for taking amazing photos. Sometimes, you can even go inside the pagoda, which is a rare experience. Be sure to take a picture of this stunning pagoda while you're exploring the area!
Yasaka Shrine
Yasaka Shrine is a busy spot at the end of Shijo Street, right next to Maruyama Park. The shrine is famous for the big Gion Festival, which is a big part of Kyoto's culture. It's a great place to learn about traditional Shinto practices and try tasty local cuisine food from nearby vendors.
Maruyama Park
Maruyama Park is an amazing place to see cherry blossoms bloom, especially in early April. Next to Yasaka Shrine, the park comes alive with color during cherry blossom season, drawing in both tourists and locals. The calm surroundings, filled with blooming cherry trees, make it perfect for a peaceful walk. Bring a picnic and enjoy some local Kyoto food while you're there.