Kyoto event weekends: what to do between sessions

Japan's old capital: 1,600 temples, geisha districts, bamboo groves and the year's best cherry blossom and autumn colour.

Events we cover in Kyoto

Arriving

Kansai airport (KIX) has the Haruka express to Kyoto in 75 minutes. Tokyo is 2 hours 15 minutes by shinkansen.

Where to stay

Three hotels we would book

• Budget: Piece Hostel Sanjo
• Mid-range: Hotel Kanra Kyoto
• Splurge: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Tours

Where to eat

• Nishiki Market Covered food market
• Pontocho alley Riverside dining
• Ippudo or local ramen on Ramen Koji Ramen alley at the station

With kids

• Kyoto Railway Museum.
• Toei Kyoto Studio Park.

Rainy-day backups

• Kyoto National Museum.
• Manga Museum.

Free things to do

• Philosopher's Path.
• Maruyama Park (night illuminations in hanami season).

Getting around

• Buses get crowded; the subway and walking are often faster.
• A Suica or PASMO card (or Apple Pay) works on trains, buses and convenience stores.
• Shinkansen tickets can be booked on smartEX; reserved seats sell out on holidays.