Enjoy Your Night Out In Kyoto! The Best 10 Night Spots In Kyoto!

Kyoto is one of the major cities in Japan where many visitors are recorded every year. You might have a lot of places you want to visit – but don’t forget Kyoto has the beautiful spots that make you night so special! In this article, I will introduce the best 10 sightseeing spots in Kyoto for night. Let’s plan your visit to Kyoto!

Kitano Tenmangu

“Kitano Tenmangu” is a head temple that enshrines a God of study “Michizane Sugawara”. There are approximately 1,500 plum trees that are believed to be loved by him, and more people visit this place in the season of plum trees. Of course, students who are preparing for their exams often visit here too.

Actually, about 250 maple trees are also planted as well as plum trees and the autumn would be one of the best seasons to visit here to see the autumn leaves. They will be illuminated in the mid-November and the beginning of December between the time of sunset until 20:00 every year.

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

One of the most popular sightseeing spots in Kyoto, “Fushimi Inari Taisha”. Many people actually visit this place during the day, but I would also recommend visiting here at night.

It opens 24 hours – all the Torii is lighten up after the dawn and you can come pray at night too. When there’s the illumination, you immediately realise it’s totally different to the day time and feel more glorious atmosphere. Also, there are more visitors during the day, so it’d be better at night if you want to pray at a quiet time. Thus, this place would be one of the best recommendations for you to go out at night.

Nijo Castle

One of the world heritage sites and the popular sightseeing spots in Kyoto – “Nijo Castle”. Nijo Castle has a gate that a plenty of gold is used and looks so dynamic. It had been used for special events by the Tokugawa shogunate, and from this background, many tourists visit this place from overseas. However, Nijo Castle at night looks so different and attractive!

In the season of cherry blossoms (roughly between the end of March to the mid April), there’s an event called “Nijo Castle Light Up”. More than 200 cherry blossoms around the castle are illuminated every year, and you will get to see the different garden and feel a mysterious atmosphere.

Shogun Zuka Seiryuden / Shorenin Temple

In Kyoto where you can touch the history of Japan, there are a number of shrines and temples that are illuminated at night. It’s actually great to visit those places and have fun, but if you plan to go on a Trip to Kyoto, why not visit the place that you can enjoy the illumination of the city of Kyoto at the same time?

Your wish comes true at “Shogun Zuka Seiryuden”. This one of the most popular sightseeing spots for the night views, and the site is quite busy all year round. You can overlook the city of Kyoto, and can even see the illumination of Kyoto tower from here.

Togetsu Bridge

“Togetsu Bridge” is a bridge over Katsura River and is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Arashiyama – if you are planning to visit Kyoto, you just can’t forget this place! Especially in the season of cherry blossoms and the autumn leaves, the views are fantastic that many visitors are recorded every year.

At Togetsu Bridge, there is an annual event called “Arashiyama Hana Tourou” for 10 days in December. Saga and the areas in Arashiyama are lighten up and this winter event is so popular!

Hanami Koji Dori

A little street in Kyoto, called “Hanami Koji Dori”, goes from Sanjo Dori to Kenninji for 1km, and you will be attracted with the city of Kyoto where there has always been an entertainment area. Along this street, there are a lot of shrines and temples as well as cafes that you can experience the unique culture of Kyoto.

All those stone pavements reflecting the light from lantern have a mysterious atmosphere and it definitely looks different at night. Also, there are so many geishas that come in and out of the traditional restaurants and that still makes the good old days of Japan.

Kamogawa Nouryo Yuka

When it comes to summer in Kyoto, some of you might think of “Kamogawa Nouryo Yuka”. In this place, you can have a dining experience on the ground that sticks out over the river “Misogi Gawa” in the area between Kiya Town Nijo and Gojo. You can get the unrealistic feeling while being exposed to the breeze at night, and many visitors woud love it!

Also, there’s a French restaurant as well as the Japanese restaurants. This is a time limited experience that you can enjoy only between May and September, so just be aware that you might need to reserve your seats beforehand.

Ponto Cho

If you wonder what you would like to have for dinner, this is the area you might want to visit – “Ponto Cho”. As it used to be a Hana Machi and the atmosphere itself still remains, there are a lot of restaurants with an atmosphere of Kyoto.

Even though this is simply a narrow street, Ponto Cho has so many restaurants that let you experience the Kyoto cuisine. Be aware that you would need to make a reservation beforehand. From the traditional restaurants to the Western style restaurants, the types of restaurants vary and you won’t get bored even when you visit this place every day!

Kyoto Kanko Yoru Bus (Night Bus)

If you visit the places that offer the sightseeing spots at once, try “Kyoto Kanko Yoru Bus”. Depending on where you get on the bus, you will be guided in Kyoto at night taking about 1.5 hours sometime between 20:00 and 21:30.

Starting off with Touji, one of the world heritage sites, you will be able to go to Nishi Honganji, Nijo Castle, Heian Jingu, and Yasaka Shrine etc. But not only that, you will get a chance to visit some unique spots such as Kyoto university and Doshisha university too! The number of the sightseeing spots you can visit is approximately 20. Even if you have already visited some of them, they definitely look different at night, so don’t miss it.

Arashiyama Hot Springs

It happens so often when you go on a trip – a trip should be filled with joy and fun all the time, but the more you get excited, the more you get tired at night. When it happens, why not try “Arashiyama Hot Springs”? Arashiyama, a well-known sightseeing spot, is also known as a town of hot springs.

The town has a lot of different hot springs including “Togetsutei” and “Arashiyama Benkei”. It has a high quality of hot water which is good for the muscle ache, joint pain, and refreshing your body. So don’t you think this is great for treating yourself at night?

Let’s Explore The Night Of Traditional Kyoto!

In this article, I have introduced the best 10 sightseeing spots that you could enjoy at night. As there are countless sightseeing spots in Kyoto, many people get satisfied during the day. However, you have to keep in mind that Kyoto has a lot of places that you could visit at night. When you experience your night out in Kyoto, you will immediately fall in love with this traditional city!