This article introduces recommended spots and activities for enjoying Kyoto in the early morning and late night hours.
Table of contents
1.Early Morning Activities
2. Late Night Activities
3. Special Experiences to Enjoy
1. Early Morning Activities
While Kyoto's city center is crowded with tourists every day, the early morning and late night hours offer a unique opportunity to experience the city with fewer people. This article introduces recommended spots and activities near tourist attractions during these quieter hours.
Temples and Shrines Open Early Morning
Fushimi Inari Shrine: https://inari.jp/en/
[7 min walk from "Inari Taisha-mae" bus stop, South Route 5 from Kyoto Station]
Open 24 hours, early morning offers a chance to have the torii gate tunnels to yourself. Famous as a photography spot with the morning sun. Recommended for travelers with cameras.
Kiyomizu Temple: https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/en/
[Get off at "Gojo-zaka" via City Bus Routes 86/206 from Kyoto Station]
Opens from 6:00 AM. Enjoy the main hall and Otowa waterfall in the crisp morning air. Perfect for those wanting to avoid crowds.
Nanzen-ji Temple: https://www.nanzenji.or.jp/
[10 min walk from "Keage" Station via Subway Tozai Line (transfer at Karasuma Oike from Karasuma Line)]
The area around Sanmon Gate is particularly beautiful in the morning light. Autumn colors can be enjoyed from early morning.
During early morning temple and shrine visits, you can listen to morning prayers and sutra chanting. You may also encounter monks during their cleaning time, giving you a glimpse into their daily lives. Some temples offer sutra copying experiences in the crisp morning air, making it perfect for spending quiet, peaceful moments.
Quiet Morning Walking Routes
Mornings in Kyoto are wrapped in a special tranquility. You can discover a different side of Kyoto with its unique charm, quite unlike the tourist-filled afternoons. Why not wake up early and enjoy a Kyoto morning?
Let me introduce you to recommended spots and ways to enjoy early morning Kyoto. Let's spend some relaxing time in morning Kyoto to heal your daily fatigue.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
[13 min walk from "Saga-Arashiyama" Station via JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station]
Around 6-7 AM, there are few tourists, allowing you to enjoy the mystical bamboo grove in silence. Unlike the crowded afternoon and evening hours, you might even get photos with no one else in them.
Philosopher's Path
https://ja.kyoto.travel/tourism/single01.php?category_id=8&tourism_id=2684
[5 min walk from "Kinrin-Shako-mae" bus stop via City Bus Route 7 from Kyoto Station]
A path stretching from Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji Temple. You can enjoy beautiful scenery in every season - cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, and autumn foliage in fall. Perfect for morning walks, jogging, or enjoying breakfast with bread and coffee.
Kamogawa River
A walk along the Kamogawa River is especially peaceful in the early morning, perfect for refreshing yourself. You can walk while listening to birdsong by the riverside. Recommended for morning jogs. Whether with children, as a couple, or alone, you can spend your time freely.
Spots for Photography Enthusiasts
Want to capture Kyoto's beautiful scenery with your camera! But there are too many people to get a good shot...
Here are some recommended spots for early morning when there are fewer people around.
Morning Mist at Arashiyama
The contrast between the misty Togetsukyo Bridge and the mountains is spectacular. Especially beautiful from autumn through winter.
View from Mt. Daimonji (Nyoigatake)
For hiking enthusiasts, watching the sunrise from Mt. Daimonji is recommended. You can get a panoramic view of Kyoto city.
Higashi Honganji and Nishi Honganji Temples
http://english.higashihonganji.or.jp/english_top/
https://www.hongwanji.kyoto/global/
Within walking distance from Kyoto Station for convenient access. Morning visits allow for photography in a quiet environment. You can capture special scenes like morning sutra chanting and ceremonies, and the spacious grounds offer various shooting angles
Toji Temple Morning Market
In addition to the Kobo Market held on the 21st of each month, there is also a morning market that opens early. The unique scene of the five-story pagoda illuminated by the morning sun combined with the lively market atmosphere is a popular spot among photographers. On misty mornings, you can capture particularly mystical scenes.
2. Late Night Activities
Late-Night Ramen Shops
Shinpuku Saikan (Near Kyoto Station)
Famous for its black soup ramen. A long-established ramen shop open late at night.
Tenkaippin Main Store (Kitashirakawa)
You can enjoy Kyoto's original "rich and thick ramen" even late at night.
Moonwalk (Bar/Kawaramachi)
https://barmoonwalk.jp/store_info/kawaramachi/
A popular bar with all menu items at 300 yen. Open until late, perfect for a drink after sightseeing.
Nippon Ramen Rin Kyoto (Shijo)
https://www.daimaru.co.jp/kyoto/restaurant_floor_open/rin_hanare.html
Ramen made with carefully selected Japanese ingredients from soup to noodles and even the seasoned egg.
Daiichi Asahi Main Store (Kiyamachi)
https://www.honke-daiichiasahi.com/
Open 24 hours, a popular Kyoto ramen shop famous for its rich Chinese-style noodles.
Ramen Kairikiya (Shijo Kawaramachi)
Open until 2 AM. Popular for its light pork bone soy sauce ramen.
Live Music Venues and Club Guide
Here is information about three live music venues and clubs
Jittoku
A hidden gem live music venue in a renovated traditional Japanese house
Enjoy music until late at night
Access: 5 min walk from "Horikawa Marutamachi" bus stop via City Bus Route 50 from Kyoto Station
Club Metro
A unique venue located inside a subway station
Hosts music events of various genres
Popular spot among local youth
Access: 8 min walk from "Higashiyama Nijo/Okazaki Koen-guchi" bus stop via City Bus Route 206 from Kyoto Station
WORLD KYOTO
A representative club in Kyoto's Kiyamachi district
Hosts music events focusing on dance music
Access: Take Karasuma Subway Line from Kyoto Station to "Shijo" Station, transfer to Hankyu "Kawaramachi" Station, 3 min walk
Beautiful Illuminated Spots by Season
Toji Temple (Special Night Viewing) [15 min walk from Kyoto Station]
The five-story pagoda is illuminated, creating a mystical atmosphere. Especially recommended during the autumn foliage season.
Spring: A magical collaboration of illuminated cherry blossoms and the five-story pagoda (Late March - Early April)
Summer: Illumination of fresh greenery and temple lotus flowers creates a cool atmosphere (June - August)
Autumn: The most popular season featuring illuminated autumn leaves and five-story pagoda (Mid-November - Early December)
Winter: Snow scenes and pagoda illumination create a serene winter night atmosphere (December - February)
Gion Shirakawa Area [5 min walk from Hankyu Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station]
Stone-paved streets and traditional townhouses along the stream are illuminated, creating an atmospheric scenery.
Spring: Atmospheric illumination of cherry blossom tunnels and stone pavements (Late March - Early April)
Summer: Kawadoko platforms and lantern lights create a cooling atmosphere (June - September)
Autumn: Rich ambiance with illuminated autumn leaves and traditional townhouses (November)
Winter: Snow scenes and andon lights create a quiet winter night atmosphere (December - February)
Arashiyama Hanatouro [10 min walk from "Saga-Arashiyama" Station via JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station, or 5 min walk from Hankyu "Arashiyama" Station]
Winter-exclusive event (About 10 days in mid-December)
Enjoy magical evening walks through illuminated bamboo groves, Togetsukyo Bridge, and paths lined with bamboo lanterns
Special outdoor illuminations and light shows are held during the period
Particularly magical atmosphere on nights with light snow or fog
3. Special Experiences to Enjoy
Early Morning Exclusive Experiences
Shojin Ryori Breakfast
At Nanzenji and Daitokuji Temple subtemples, there are places that offer early morning shojin ryori by reservation. You can savor seasonal Buddhist cuisine while calming your mind in a tranquil spaceLet's Go to Kyoto.
Shojin Ryori Cooking Class / Myoshinji Torinin Temple
【Time】Every Tuesday & Friday (excluding certain dates) 10:00-13:00
【Fee】3,600 yen (including materials & textbook)
【Website】https://souda-kyoto.jp/guide/spot/myoshinji-torinin.html
Tea Ceremony Experience
Kyoto Tea Ceremony Experience Nagomi
private tea ceremony experiences are available. Through the experience of preparing your own matcha tea, you can connect with Japanese tea ceremony culture. It's a perfect experience for a quiet morningKyoto Nagomi Tea.
【Fee】Adults: ¥3,500 (tax included)
Children (6-12 years): ¥2,500 (tax included)
【Website】https://kyoto-nagomi-tea.com/
Late Night Exclusive Experiences
Kamogawa Night Walk
A late-night stroll along the Kamo River offers a mystical atmosphere different from daytime. It's particularly enjoyable on summer nights when you can feel the cool air while walking along the riverbank. You can spend some relaxing time here.
Gion Night Tour
In the Gion area, guided tours that explore the district's historical background at night are popular. You can explore the quiet streets late at night while viewing the illuminated historical townscape.
These experiences will provide you with precious moments to feel the tranquility and beauty of Kyoto.
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