⁃ Temples with extensive Japanese art collections: Kosan Temple (高山寺), Jingo Temple (神護寺), Ryoan Temple (龍安寺), and Chishaku-in Temple (智積院). 

⁃ Museums with okay collections, but can have really good temporary exhibitions: Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, Kyoto National Museum.

⁃ Shrines and temples that are outside of the city center, and where you can be immersed in nature: Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷), Kifune Shrine (貴船神社), Enryaku Temple on Mount Hiei (比叡山延暦寺), Byodo-in Temple (平等院) and Ujigami Shrine (宇治上神社) [the two are right across a river from each other]. 

⁃ Bonus: one of the three main shrines in Japan dedicated to the Shinto god of education — Kitano Tenmangu (北野天満宮)

⁃ Being the ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto is the birthplace and best place in the country to eat traditional Japanese courses (Kaiseki 懐石料理). 

⁃ Kyoto is also home to hundreds of vegetables and proteins that are specific to the area, and so has extremely good French, Italian, Chinese restaurants, and izakaya (居酒屋).

⁃ Tourists love to eat sushi because they’re in Japan, but since it isn’t too close to the sea, I wouldn’t recommend sushi in Kyoto. 

⁃ To and from: Kyoto doesn’t have good access from any airports, so your best bet is shinkansen (新幹線) 2 hours from Tokyo (東京) or any train from Osaka (大阪)

⁃ Within: Kyoto surprisingly has a very poor public transport network, so your most efficient bet is to drive, cycle, or hire a taxi for the day. Due to their historical and cultural significance, most shrines and temples have massive lots of land, thereby having ample space for parking.

⁃ Kyoto has the country’s best luxury/affordable hotels and hostels. The best locations are the Higashiyama (東山), Gion (祇園), Kawaramachi (河原町), and in front of city hall (市役所前). 

⁃ Don’t get a hotel near Arashiyama, it’s too far out from everything.