Free Things to Do in Kyoto, Japan

Are you planning a trip to Kyoto, Japan on a budget? This guide covers my recommendations for the top free things to do in Kyoto!

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Kyoto is a beautiful, historic city in Japan’s Kansai region. It’s one of Japan’s most visited cities for a good reason: there’s so much to do! When I’m traveling on a budget, I always try to seek out free things to do in order to save money. There are tons of free things to do in Kyoto – in fact, many of the city’s top attractions are free!

If you’re planning a trip to Kyoto on a budget, make sure to add some of these free things to do to your itinerary. From beautiful temples to free tours, there’s a ton of free things to do in Kyoto that will make your trip memorable.

Keep reading for a guide to some of the best free things to do in Kyoto, Japan!

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Free Things to do in Kyoto: Free Walking Tour

When I’m visiting a new city, the first thing I do is take a free walking tour. On these tours, locals will take you around to some of the city’s top sights and tell you all about the history of the city. Best of all, the tours are completely free! While the tours are free, you should give a tip to your guide at the end of the tour to thank them for showing you around.

The Kyoto Free Walking Tour is one of the top-rated free things to do in Kyoto. This tour lasts 2.5 hours and takes you through Kyoto’s Gion and Higashiyama districts. All tours are led in English. If you’d like to reserve a spot on a tour, all you have to do is click “Going” on the tour’s Facebook event page. Click here to see all upcoming tours.

Fushimi Inari Shrine – One of the top free things to do in Kyoto

If you’ve seen any pictures of Kyoto, I’m willing to bet you’ve seen one of Fushimi Inari Shrine. This Shinto shrine, located in the southern part of Kyoto, is one of the most visited shrines in the city and is one of the best free things to do in Kyoto. This shrine is famous for its vermillion torii gates. There are thousands of them, and they make for wonderful photos!

Fushimi Inari Shrine is located at the base of a mountain, and you can follow the trails up the mountain for gorgeous views of Kyoto.

Admission to the shrine is free and it is open 24/7. Since Fushimi Inari is so popular, the shrine can get extremely crowded at mid-day. If you want to get there before the crowds, head to the shrine early in the morning (8 a.m. or earlier). You’ll get an added bonus of being able to see a beautiful sunrise over Kyoto!

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Arashiyama, a district in the western outskirts of Kyoto, is home to the frequently-Instagrammed Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Walking through this sprawling bamboo grove is one of the best free things to do in Kyoto and is one of the most bucket list-worthy experiences in Japan. Like Fushimi Inari, the forest can get very busy. Head to the forest the first thing in the morning to beat the crowds!

After paying a visit to Arashiyama Bamboo forest, head to some of Arashiyama’s other top things to do. Some of my favorites were Tenryu-ji Temple and the Monkey Park Iwatayama. These attractions aren’t free, but they’re definitely worth a visit!

Nishiki Market – Free things to do in Kyoto for Foodies

Walking around local markets is a great, free way to experience a city. Nishiki Market, also known as Kyoto’s Kitchen, is a 400-year-old, five-blocks long shopping street located in the center of Kyoto’s downtown. Here, you can find delicious local foods, fresh produce, delicious desserts, fun souvenirs, and much more.

Walking along Nishiki Market is free, but you’ll definitely want to have some yen on-hand to pick up some goodies. Some of the stalls will even hand out samples! Nishiki Market is typically open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM; however, these hours may vary between merchants.

Walk along the Kamogawa River

Taking a walk along the Kamogawa River is one of the best free things to do in Kyoto. There are scenic paths along the river that are perfect for people watching. The walk is also especially beautiful at nighttime! If you’re visiting Kyoto during cherry blossom season, strolling along the river is something you won’t want to miss – you can even stop and have a picnic alongside the river with beautiful cherry blossom views!

The Philosopher’s Path – Free Things to do in Kyoto

Walking along the Philosopher’s Path is one of the best free things to do in Kyoto. This beautiful stone path runs along a canal and is lined with shops, cafes, and hundreds of cherry trees that come to life during cherry blossom season.

Even if you’re not visiting Kyoto during cherry blossom season, taking a walk along the Philosopher’s Path is still a worthwhile activity. The walkway is beautiful at all times throughout the year.

Walk around Gion at Night

Walking around Kyoto’s Gion district is one of the top things to do while visiting Kyoto. Gion is best known for being Kyoto’s most famous geisha district and is one of the best places to experience geisha culture in Japan.

Gion is full of traditional buildings; when you’re walking through, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a time machine! Gion is one of the best places to see geiko (the word for geisha in Kyoto) and maiko (geisha in training) in Kyoto. Geisha are traditional entertainers who are trained in various forms of Japanese art.

The best time to see geisha in Kyoto’s Gion district is during the early evening, especially on weekends. Spotting a geisha is a big bucket-list item while visiting Kyoto, but it is important to always be respectful of them. If you see a geisha, remember that she is most likely reporting for work. Do not block their way or approach them for a photo; rather, photograph them from afar.

Check out this list of some of the best books about Japan, including Memoirs of a Geisha

Pay a visit to the Kyoto Imperial Palace

The Kyoto Imperial Palace was the residence of the Japanese Imperial Family until 1868, when Japan’s capital was moved from Tokyo. Today, the grounds of the Palace are open to the public and guided tours are given of the grounds for free nearly every day!

Guided tours of the Palace grounds are not given on Mondays or on national holidays. No tickets are needed – you can just show up shortly before a tour starts to join a tour. For more information on how to tour the Kyoto Imperial Palace, click here.

Stroll through Kimono Forest

After you explore Arashiyama’s Bamboo Forest, make sure to check out the Kimono Forest! The Arashiyama Kimono Forest is located just outside of Arashiyama Station. There, you’ll find pillars featuring different patterns of kimono textiles. The pillars are illuminated with light at night, making the Kimono Forest the perfect stop before heading back to Kyoto after exploring the sights of Arashiyama.

Free Things to Do in Kyoto

There are plenty of free things to do in Kyoto to keep your trip budget-friendly.  There are also several wonderful hostels in Kyoto, perfect for keeping your accommodation costs down.

No matter which sights you choose to add to your itinerary, you’re sure to have a great time exploring beautiful Kyoto!

Have you been to Kyoto, Japan?

Planning a trip to Japan? Read these posts next:

• The Ultimate Tokyo Bucket List
• 8 Exciting Day Trips from Tokyo, Japan
• The Best Cities to Visit in Japan
• Unique Experiences to Add to Your Japan Bucket List
• Japan Travel Tips: Everything to Know Before Visiting for the First Time