Guidebook for Kyoto
Sightseeing
A Shinto shrine built in remembrance of Toyotomi Hideyoshi that features perhaps one of the largest bells in Japan.
28 locals recommend
Toyokuni Shrine
530 ChayachōA Shinto shrine built in remembrance of Toyotomi Hideyoshi that features perhaps one of the largest bells in Japan.
Impressive collection of pre-modern Japanese and Asian art. Recently re-opened after several years of renovations. About Y500 entry but special exhibits are more.
513 locals recommend
Kyoto National Museum
527 ChayachōImpressive collection of pre-modern Japanese and Asian art. Recently re-opened after several years of renovations. About Y500 entry but special exhibits are more.
This temple has wonderful gardens but is unfortunately only open to the public on special occasions. A great place to visit if you can.
Myohoin Temple
447 Myōhōin MaekawachōThis temple has wonderful gardens but is unfortunately only open to the public on special occasions. A great place to visit if you can.
Beautiful Buddhist temple which has lovely gardens and is famous for its painted screens. This temple was moved from Koyasan in Wakayama and is head of the Shingon Sect.
12 locals recommend
Chishaku Council Hall
964 HigashikawarachōBeautiful Buddhist temple which has lovely gardens and is famous for its painted screens. This temple was moved from Koyasan in Wakayama and is head of the Shingon Sect.
Sanjusangendo temple is famous for the 1001 carved wooden statues of Kannon - the Buddhist goddess of mercy and also the archery contests that take place here every year. A must see.
549 locals recommend
Sanjusangendo Temple
657 SanjūsangendōmawariSanjusangendo temple is famous for the 1001 carved wooden statues of Kannon - the Buddhist goddess of mercy and also the archery contests that take place here every year. A must see.
Food Scene
This is a nice little cafe for coffee or lunch. Lunch sets from Y1550. There is also a nice bakery where you can buy yummy pastries, bread, chocolates and cakes to eat in or take out.
12 locals recommend
Trattoria Sette
644-2 SanjūsangendōmawariThis is a nice little cafe for coffee or lunch. Lunch sets from Y1550. There is also a nice bakery where you can buy yummy pastries, bread, chocolates and cakes to eat in or take out.
Warajiya is a very old (over 300 years) traditional Japanese restaurant that specializes in Unagi Zosui - a rice gruel containing eel, vegetables etc and seasoned with miso or soy sauce.
6 locals recommend
わらじや
Warajiya is a very old (over 300 years) traditional Japanese restaurant that specializes in Unagi Zosui - a rice gruel containing eel, vegetables etc and seasoned with miso or soy sauce.
A slightly upmarket izakaya (Japanese style pub) with a range of interesting dishes and good service.
BAR Sherry
Higashihashizumechō Higashiyama WardA slightly upmarket izakaya (Japanese style pub) with a range of interesting dishes and good service.
A very nice rather upscale Italian restaurant with friendly English speaking staff. The bread and pizza dough is nice here and generally better than most Italian fare in Kyoto.
22 locals recommend
IL PAPPALARDO
451-1 Myōhōin MaekawachōA very nice rather upscale Italian restaurant with friendly English speaking staff. The bread and pizza dough is nice here and generally better than most Italian fare in Kyoto.
Sato cafe is a quiet little coffee shop which we sometimes visit for breakfast. It is popular with the girls who study at Kyoto Women's University (up the hill). Breakfast is served until 11.30.
8 locals recommend
手作りの洋食屋さん里
451-1 Myōhōin MaekawachōSato cafe is a quiet little coffee shop which we sometimes visit for breakfast. It is popular with the girls who study at Kyoto Women's University (up the hill). Breakfast is served until 11.30.
This is a friendly family run cafe with English menu that serves various Japanese and Western fare. Just 1 min walk from Hidden Inn. Good value lunch.
グリル五条坂
This is a friendly family run cafe with English menu that serves various Japanese and Western fare. Just 1 min walk from Hidden Inn. Good value lunch.
A lovely little cafe in an old style Kyoto house which has been tastefully renovated. Warm and friendly hosts and very kid friendly place. Food is Hawaiian style (loco moco etc).
東山PINE
Yamatoōji 2chōme Higashiyama WardA lovely little cafe in an old style Kyoto house which has been tastefully renovated. Warm and friendly hosts and very kid friendly place. Food is Hawaiian style (loco moco etc).
This is one of our favourite local restaurants. They have delicious spicy dishes at very reasonable prices along with friendly staff and English menu. Yummy lunch sets which start at Y900.
20 locals recommend
Kinkhao
447-2 InarichōThis is one of our favourite local restaurants. They have delicious spicy dishes at very reasonable prices along with friendly staff and English menu. Yummy lunch sets which start at Y900.
A cool local cafe with lovely views of the Kamo river. Good for both drinks and also lights meals (Western mostly). Greta place to relax after sightseeing.
59 locals recommend
efish
798-1 NishihashizumechōA cool local cafe with lovely views of the Kamo river. Good for both drinks and also lights meals (Western mostly). Greta place to relax after sightseeing.
ラーメン藤五条店
Friendly owner and English menus. Probably the closest ramen to Hidden Inn.
This is a great place for udon and soba. Previous guests have raved about the curry udon.
10 locals recommend
自家製麺 うどん 讃式
2-chōme-9-4 GojōbashihigashiThis is a great place for udon and soba. Previous guests have raved about the curry udon.
For traditional Kyoto kaiseki cuisine and a special night out you can't do better than Harise. Dinner from about Y10,000 per person. Not cheap but an experience you are unlikely to forget.
12 locals recommend
Harise
Daikokuchō Higashiyama WardFor traditional Kyoto kaiseki cuisine and a special night out you can't do better than Harise. Dinner from about Y10,000 per person. Not cheap but an experience you are unlikely to forget.
お好み焼 鉄板焼 きむら
Simple and cheap local okonomiyaki place.
Nice place for traditional Japanese food. Recommend lunch rather than dinner. Prices about Y5000 for lunch and Y20,000 for dinner.
Douraku
Shōmenchō Higashiyama WardNice place for traditional Japanese food. Recommend lunch rather than dinner. Prices about Y5000 for lunch and Y20,000 for dinner.
Lovely owner who cooks hearty organic food. A good choice for vegetarians. Closed Tuesdays. Mid-range budget.
マチャプチャレ
290-1 KamihoritsumechōLovely owner who cooks hearty organic food. A good choice for vegetarians. Closed Tuesdays. Mid-range budget.
Essentials
Happy Rokuhara
110 RokurochōClosest supermarket to Hidden Inn.
Shopping
7-11 is always open and they offer a lot of convenient services like printing, copying and ATM. This is one of the best places to do your banking and is preferable to going to a Japanese bank.
24 locals recommend
7-Eleven Kyoto Higashiyama Gojo
五条橋東-2-7 東山区7-11 is always open and they offer a lot of convenient services like printing, copying and ATM. This is one of the best places to do your banking and is preferable to going to a Japanese bank.