Things to Do in Higashiyama Ward Kyoto | Best Temples, Dining, Hotels & Culture | MK Travel

Stretching along the foothills of Kyoto’s eastern mountains—hence its name—Higashiyama feels like stepping into a living watercolor. Stone-paved lanes wind past wooden townhouses, willows trail into the Kamogawa where families, students, and friends pause along the banks in quiet reflection, and lantern-lit teahouses glow in narrow alleys. Shops selling pottery and confections keep alive centuries-old traditions, while the ward’s temples and shrines frame scenes as timeless as a ukiyo-e print.

Spared from wartime destruction and preserved as Japan’s cultural ambassador to the world, Higashiyama remains a stronghold of heritage in Kyoto. Here, Zen meditation and kaiseki dining coexist with World Heritage sites and national treasures. While Tokyo dazzles with neon futurism, Higashiyama holds its ground in lantern light, whispering history through sliding doors as geisha tiptoe between gatherings.

Higashiyama resists hyper-modernity. Instead, it offers subtlety, mystery, and immersion for those willing to look beyond the surface. MK is here to guide you deeper—beyond the crowded spectacles and into the hidden courtyards, refined kitchens, and quiet chambers known best to locals. This is Kyoto distilled: the old capital at its most elegant and enduring.

What are the top attractions in Higashiyama?

• Kiyomizudera – Kyoto’s legendary hillside temple, famed for its wooden stage, sacred springs, and spiritual energy.

• Sanjusangendo Temple – A historic temple renowned for its 1,001 statues of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy.

• Kenninji – One of Kyoto’s oldest Zen temples, known for its serene gardens and cultural significance.

• Tōfuku-ji Temple – A vast Rinzai Zen temple famed for fiery autumn foliage and wooden bridge views.

• Kōmyō-in Temple – A tranquil subtemple of Tofuku-ji with a minimalist raked stone garden.

• Yasaka Koshin-Do – A colorful temple dedicated to the Koshin faith, instantly recognizable for its vivid cloth balls.

• Kōdaiji Temple – Elegant Zen temple in Higashiyama, known for its landscaped gardens, seasonal lights, and connections to Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Nene.

• Kenninji Temple – Kyoto's oldest Zen temple, famous for its peaceful gardens, fusuma paintings, and the iconic Twin Dragons ceiling artwork.

• Chion-in Temple – Head temple of the Jōdo sect, known for its large Sanmon Gate, historic halls, and sprawling hillside grounds overlooking Higashiyama.

• Yasaka Shrine – Historic Shinto shrine in Gion, known for its vibrant vermilion gates, seasonal festivals, and role as the host of Kyoto’s renowned Gion Matsuri.

• Maruyama Park – Kyoto’s oldest public park, known for cherry blossoms, seasonal scenery, and its famous weeping cherry tree next to Yasaka Shrine.

• Yasui Kompiragū Shrine – Small but distinctive shrine in Higashiyama, famous for its “enkiri/enmusubi” stone that severs bad ties and creates new bonds.

• Shōrenin Temple – Tranquil Tendai temple in Higashiyama, known for its painted fusuma, landscaped gardens, and glowing evening lights.

• Shōgunzuka Mound – Historic mound east of Kyoto offering panoramic city views, gardens, and a dramatic stage-like observation deck at Seiryuden Temple.

• Ryosoku-in Temple – Subtemple of Kenninji in Gion, known for its seasonal gardens, meditation programs, and modern cultural events.

• Shirakawa Canal – Picturesque canal in Gion lined with willow trees, stone bridges, and traditional teahouses, offering one of Kyoto’s most atmospheric strolls.

• Kyoto National Museum – Prestigious national museum in Higashiyama showcasing Japanese art, cultural treasures, and rotating special exhibitions.

• Chishakuin Temple – Head temple of the Chisan Shingon sect, famous for its beautiful gardens, lively screen paintings, and extensive monastic history.

• Rokuharamitsuji Temple – Heian-era temple in Higashiyama connected to Kuya Shonin, guardian statues, and significant Pure Land Buddhist treasures.

• Sennyū-ji Temple – Imperial temple south of Higashiyama, revered as the emperors' mausoleum and known for its peaceful halls and gardens.

• Shōrin-ji Temple – Compact Zen temple near Tōfuku-ji, known for seasonal gardens, contemporary cultural events, and intimate meditation experiences.

Where should I eat in Higashiyama?

Sushi & Omakase

• Gion Sushiyoshi – Omakase sushi with seasonal seafood in a cozy counter setting.

• Gion Sushi Nakamura – Intimate sushi bar marrying Kyoto elegance with Edomae traditions.

• Sushi Ginza Onodera – Refined Edomae-style sushi in a polished Kyoto setting.

• Sushi Rakumi – A sushi experience focused on seasonal omakase artistry.

• Sushi Gion Matsudaya – High-end omakase in the heart of Gion.

Kaiseki & Kappo

• Gion Asakura – Seasonal Kyoto cuisine in a refined setting.

• Gion Sekiya – Counter kappo with seasonal dishes and charcoal specialties.

• Yukifuran Sato – A hidden kaiseki retreat off Hanamikoji Lane.

• Sakagawa – Precision kaiseki by Chef Masakatsu Sakagawa.

• Higashiyama Tsukasa – Kaiseki reimagined with inventive techniques.

• Sumibi Kappo Ifuki – Charcoal-grilled kappo with Kyoto’s best seasonal ingredients.

• Nishi Kaiseki – Seasonal dishes paired with sake and wine.

• Sangencha – Cozy Michelin-starred kaiseki spot in Gion.

• Mizai – A three-star Michelin pilgrimage in Maruyama Park.

• Keninji Gion Maruyama – Michelin-rated multi-course dining near Kenninji.

• Miyagawacho Suiren – Kaiseki in a renovated machiya townhouse.

• Saijiki Toshigami – Seasonal kaiseki in a serene setting.

• Kōdaiji Jūgyūan – Kaiseki dining in the temple grounds.

• Oryori Mashita – Seasonal kaiseki crafted with precision.

• Noguchi Tsunagu – Traditional and modern Kyoto techniques in balance.

• Maeda – Exquisite Kyoto-style kaiseki in Gion.

• Gion Rakumi – Sophisticated seasonal dining in Gion.

• Tsuneo – Contemporary Kyoto dining with traditional roots.

• LURRA° – Innovative blend of Japanese and international flavors.

Yakiniku, Steak & Teppanyaki

• Gion Karoku – Premium wagyu grilled with Kyoto finesse.

• Nikunotakumi Miyoshi – Luxury wagyu steakhouse.

• Kobe Beef Steak Mouriya Gion – Iconic Kobe beef in a Gion setting.

• Itoh Dining – Refined teppanyaki using local ingredients.

• Tanyoshi – Specialty yakiniku focused on beef tongue.

• Emba Kyoto Chophouse – Premium steaks and seafood in an elegant chophouse.

Cafés & Others

• Cafe Roji-Usagi – Traditional Japanese breakfast in a machiya townhouse.

• Fuju – Café offering artisanal teas, coffees, and light bites.

• hakubi – Exclusive Chinese fine dining.

• SUI Fine Dining – Elegant Japanese cuisine in Gion.

• Roji Kitchen Bisshon – Standing bar with handcrafted pizzas.

• Madame Delluc – Belgian chocolate shop in Gion, offering exquisite pralines, pastries, and café-style treats in an elegant setting.

What are the best hotels in Higashiyama?

• Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto – Luxury retreat with gardens and refined serenity.

• Park Hyatt Kyoto – Panoramic views blending modern design and tradition.

• The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto – Unparalleled riverside luxury.

• Luxury Hotel SOWAKA – Traditional elegance with modern luxury in a restored machiya.

• Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto – Secluded ryokan-inspired retreat.

• The Shinmonzen – Boutique luxury blending modern and traditional aesthetics.

• The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu – Refined hilltop hotel with temple views.

• The Westin Miyako Kyoto – Nestled in the eastern hills with natural serenity.

• Art Mon Zen Kyoto – Museum-like interiors and boutique calm.

• Hyatt Regency Kyoto – Blending global hospitality with Kyoto refinement.

• The Celestine Hotel Gion – Polished calm tucked into Gion’s narrow lanes.

• DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto Higashiyama – International comfort near temples and gardens.

• THE HOTEL HIGASHIYAMA KYOTO TOKYU – Pan Pacific design rooted in Kyoto tradition.

• Dhawa Yura Kyoto – Design-forward hotel on Sanjo Ohashi.

• Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto – Modern luxury near Kiyomizu Temple.

• Yuzuya Ryokan – Traditional ryokan with gardens and seasonal cuisine.

• Chourakukan – Meiji-era grandeur turned boutique luxury.

• Six Senses Kyoto – Wellness-focused urban sanctuary.

• OMO5 Kyoto Gion by Hoshino Resorts – Modern comfort infused with Gion charm.

The MK Take

Higashiyama is like Kyoto’s heart preserved in amber—a district where dedication, artistry, and hospitality have endured for centuries. Temples rise above the maples and moss, while kaiseki chefs create meals as seasonal meditations, and inns and ryokans host guests in the city’s most timeless traditions.

For travelers seeking immersion rather than spectacle, Higashiyama offers Kyoto in its purest form. Let MK guide you through its temples, kitchens, and hidden paths—so you can experience the old capital not just as a visitor, but as part of its living story.

Let MK guide you through Kyoto’s timeless heart.

Image Credits

• Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

• Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

• Courtesy of Sumibi Kappo Ifuki, official website

• Courtesy of Park Hyatt Kyoto