Photography spots
10 best photography spots in Kyoto
Kyoto is one of the most photographed cities in Japan – and most of the photographs are of the same five spots. These 10 include the iconics, with notes on when to actually catch them empty, plus the alternative shots that locals prefer.
Fushimi Inari torii tunnel
Location: Fushimi Inari Taisha, southern Kyoto
The shot: Repeating vermillion torii gates ascending the hill
- When to shoot
- Pre-7am for empty corridors; late evening also works
- Lens / settings
- 35mm equivalent for the tunnel perspective
- Tips
- Free, open 24/7. The upper sections (above Yotsutsuji intersection) become solitary.
Kinkaku-ji golden reflection
Location: Kinkaku-ji Temple
The shot: Golden pavilion reflected in the mirror pond
- When to shoot
- Pre-9am for cleanest reflection and fewer visitors
- Lens / settings
- 70-200mm to compress and isolate the pavilion
- Tips
- Entry 500 yen. Winter snow days are the most photogenic but rare.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Location: Sagano-Arashiyama district, western Kyoto
The shot: Tall bamboo on both sides of the cobbled path, light filtered green
- When to shoot
- Pre-7am for empty grove
- Lens / settings
- 24-35mm wide-angle for the full bamboo enclosure
- Tips
- Free, always open. The early-morning empty shot is the iconic frame.
Kiyomizu-dera with autumn foliage
Location: Higashiyama hilltop, eastern Kyoto
The shot: Wooden stage temple with red maples filling the foreground
- When to shoot
- Mid-November peak foliage, late afternoon for golden light
- Lens / settings
- 35-70mm equivalent for environmental; 70-200mm for foliage compression
- Tips
- Entry 400 yen. Sannenzaka approach street is the alternative shot.
Pontocho narrow alley at dusk
Location: Pontocho district, Kamogawa river side
The shot: Lantern-lit narrow pedestrian alley with traditional wooden buildings
- When to shoot
- Just after sunset for lit lanterns and atmosphere
- Lens / settings
- 35mm equivalent for the alley perspective
- Tips
- Free to walk. Restaurants line both sides. Don’t photograph geisha or maiko without permission.
Yasaka Pagoda from Sannenzaka
Location: Sannenzaka stone-paved approach street, Higashiyama
The shot: Five-story pagoda framed at the end of cobbled street with traditional buildings
- When to shoot
- Pre-8am for empty street
- Lens / settings
- 50-85mm equivalent
- Tips
- Free, public street. Cherry blossom and autumn foliage make this an iconic shot.
Ginkaku-ji Zen garden
Location: Silver Pavilion, eastern Kyoto
The shot: Raked silver sand garden (Kogetsudai – ‘moon viewing platform’) with the moss garden behind
- When to shoot
- Pre-10am opening, soft morning light
- Lens / settings
- 35-50mm equivalent
- Tips
- Entry 500 yen. The conical sand mound (Kogetsudai) is the iconic image.
Ryoan-ji rock garden
Location: Northwest Kyoto
The shot: Famous 15-stone Zen rock garden
- When to shoot
- Pre-10am opening for empty viewing platform
- Lens / settings
- 24-35mm wide-angle for full garden
- Tips
- Entry 500 yen. From any vantage point you can never see all 15 stones at once – that’s the intentional design.
Philosopher’s Path canal
Location: Path connecting Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji
The shot: Cherry tree-lined canal with stone path
- When to shoot
- Cherry blossom (early April) at peak; autumn (November) also striking
- Lens / settings
- 35mm equivalent
- Tips
- Free, public path. 1.5km long. The canal water sometimes catches reflections of the cherry trees.
Geisha in Gion at dusk
Location: Hanami-koji or Pontocho
The shot: Maiko or geisha walking to evening appointments in traditional dress
- When to shoot
- Just after dusk (~6pm winter, 7-8pm summer)
- Lens / settings
- 85mm telephoto from a distance
- Tips
- Never photograph without explicit permission – fines now apply in some streets. Many ‘geisha’ you see are tourists in rental costumes.