10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Kyoto
What to Do on a Romantic Trip to Kyoto?
Looking for the best things to do for couples in Kyoto? Firstly, the former Japanese capital is one of the most history-rich places to visit in the country. That means there’s plenty of charming features to take in. The ancient Japanese vibe is retained with old townhouses all over the city and the picturesque cobblestoned streets. Many of these old townhouses have been repurposed as restaurants and cafés that serve delicious food and drinks in a uniquely Kyoto setting.
With shrines, temples and other historical sites at every turn, Kyoto is a modern city with a calming atmosphere - it’s small wonder that the city is so popular with couples. From historical landmarks to popular modern shops, here are Kyoto’s most romantic places for you and your partner to discover and enjoy.
1. Sannenzaka Slope
Traditional restaurants and shops
Categoría: Parejas, Compras, Fotos, Gastronomía
Sannenzaka Slope was named after a legend saying that Nene, the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, went uphill to visit Kiyomizudera Temple to make a prayer asking for a child. It’s also called Sannenzaka because it was completed in the 3rd year of the Daido period (808). It connects sightseeing spots and is lined with traditional restaurants and souvenir shops, so it’s always crowded with visitors.
Sannenzaka is designated as a Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings of Kyoto City, and there are Kyoto-style houses along the slope. It’s nice to take a walk while visiting shops during the day, but the best time to be here is at night when the street is lit with dim streetlights.
Ubicación: 2 Chome-221 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan
Sannenzaka Slope
2. Sagano Romantic Train
A date on a lovely train ride
Categoría: Parejas, Fotos
A ride on the Sagano Romantic Train lets you enjoy a date in nature. Sagano Romantic Train runs 4.5 miles from Torokko Saga Station to Torokko Kameoka Station in about 25 minutes. Both the exterior and interior are decorated in art deco style, and it has a classical atmosphere.
Ride on the ‘Rich’ car, an open car without window glass, and refresh your mind and body with the fragrant breeze. Tickets for the ’Rich’ car are only available same-day. You can enjoy the nature of Hozu Ravine in every season, so it doesn’t matter when you visit. The train slows down for especially beautiful scenery. All seats are reserved, and you can make a reservation from 1 month in advance.
Ubicación: Torokko Saga Station, next to JR Saga-Arashiyama Station
3. Kimono Forest
The forest of light
Categoría: Parejas, Fotos, Opciones económicas
Kimono Forest is an art installation and easily one of the most romantic places in Kyoto. Arashiyama Station on the Keifuku Electric Railroad was reopened in July 2013 under the nickname of Hannari Hokkori Square. The Kimono Forest installation, designed by interior designer Yasumichi Morita, is also known as Yuzen Forest of Light.
Kyo-Yuzen fabric wrapped in acrylic and made into 2-m-high poles was set up like a forest, with about 600 poles in all. There are 32 different patterns of colorful fabric and, walking through, it’s like a museum tour and you almost forget it’s a railroad station. It’s lit up at night, producing a fantastic atmosphere, but it’s well worth a visit either day or night.
Ubicación: Sagatenryuji Tsukurimichicho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto 616-8384, Japan
Kimono Forest
4. Okazaki Shrine
The ‘cute’ shrine of Kyoto
Categoría: Parejas, Historia, Fotos, Opciones económicas
Okazaki Shrine in Kyoto’s Sakyo Ward is popular for being so ‘cute’, with guardian rabbits (<em>koma-usagi</em>) and lucky rabbits (<em>maneki usagi</em>) instead of lion-dogs and cats. Besides that, this shrine is said to bring blessings for children, marriage, and protection from bad luck, so it’s especially popular among couples.
Male and female guardian rabbits sit in front of the main shrine. Stroking the head of each rabbit is said to bring matrimonial harmony. It’s also said that pouring water on the black granite rabbit statue where you clean hands (<em>chozusha</em>), rubbing its stomach and then praying will bring blessings in having children and safe delivery. Lucky rabbit amulets are available; they’re so cute that you’ll want them all.
Ubicación: 51 Okazaki Higashitennocho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto 606-8332, Japan
Horario: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm
Teléfono: +81 (0)75-771-1963
Okazaki Shrine
5. Kyoto Kimono Rental Rei
Romance in traditional Japanese attire
Categoría: Parejas, Fotos, Viajes diferentes
Kyoto Kimono Rental Rei is a go-to in Kyoto. This place is popular because there are many kinds of kimono at affordable prices, so you can easily find one to suit you. Staff will give advice on how to coordinate to suit each customer, and they’re renowned for their attentive service.
Kimono rental plans that include everything you need for wearing kimono are available, and there are plenty of bags, shoes, and shawls to choose from. Enjoy wearing kimono for the first time without needing to bring anything. Famous shrines and temples like <strong>Kiyomizudera Temple</strong>, <strong>Yasaka Shrine</strong>, and <strong>Chion-in </strong>are nearby, so you can visit these places wearing your kimono. It’s a great idea for your romantic date in Kyoto.
Ubicación: 5th floor, Prestige Gion, Umemotocho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto 605-0064, Japan
Horario: Daily from 9 am to 6 pm
Teléfono: +81 (0)75-531-1890
Kyoto Kimono Rental Rei
6. Kyoto Arashiyama Orgel Museum
An enchanting collection of music boxes
Categoría: Parejas, Historia, Fotos, Opciones económicas
Kyoto Arashiyama Orgel Museum displays and plays the collection of Guido Reuge, a music box collector. There are about 150 valuable music boxes on display, some of which are of European historical and cultural heritage. Looking at the world’s oldest music box, made in 1796, you can’t help thinking about the long history of these fascinating machines.
There are also tours where staff explain the exhibits and play the music boxes for you. If you visit with your partner, make sure you ask about admission discounts for couples. There’s a music box shop in this stone-built museum, and you can have a good time just by looking at the music boxes here.
Ubicación: 1-38 Sagatenryuji Tateishicho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto 616-8375, Japan
Horario: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm (Closed Wednesday & Thursday)
Teléfono: +81 (0)75-865-1020
Kyoto Arashiyama Orgel Museum
7. Togetsu-kyo Bridge
A scenic icon of Arashiyama
Categoría: Parejas, Fotos, Opciones económicas
Togetsu-kyo Bridge is an iconic landmark of Arashiyama. This quintessential sightseeing spot is a 370-ft-long, 36-ft-wide bridge with a beautiful view of the calm Katsura River and Arashiyama. Its beauty continues throughout the year, cherry blossoms in spring, green leaves in summer that turn golden in fall, and snowy scenery. No wonder that’s it’s often used in pictures and movies.
It’s said that the bridge was named by Emperor Kameyama in the Kamakura period because the moon seemed to be moving as if it was crossing the bridge. Arashiyama gets completely dark at night, but Togetsu-kyo Bridge is illuminated with LED lights. If possible, you should try to see Togetsu-kyo Bridge at night as well as during the day.
Ubicación: Saganakanoshimacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto 616-8383, Japan
Togetsu-kyo Bridge
8. Suzumushidera Temple
18th century temple in an idyllic setting
Categoría: Parejas, Historia, Fotos, Opciones económicas
Suzumushidera Temple is popular for its Jizo statue, which is the only Jizo of happiness (Kofuku jizo) wearing straw sandals in Japan. It’s believed that he’s wearing sandals because if you visit Suzumushidera Temple and make a wish, Kofuku jizo will walk to you to fulfill your wish. But this is not the only reason that Suzumushidera Temple is unique.
The Suzumushi sermon given by 6 priests in rotation is also popular because it’s like a comic monologue. Suzumushidera Temple’s official name is Myotokuzan Kogenji Temple. It’s called Suzumushidera Temple because crickets (<em>suzumushi</em>) can be heard here not only in autumn but all throughout the year. This is also a popular place for couples to pray for blessings of happiness.
Ubicación: 31 Matsumorojikecho, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto 615-8294, Japan
Horario: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm (last entry at 4.30 pm)
Teléfono: +81 (0)75-381-3830
Suzumushidera Temple
9. Shogunzuka Seiryuden Temple
Sensational views of Kyoto
Categoría: Parejas, Fotos, Opciones económicas
Shogunzuka Seiryuden Temple offers a great vantage point for looking out over Kyoto. When it comes to a stage in Kyoto, the first thing that comes to mind is the Stage of Kiyomizudera Temple, but a larger stage was built in Shogunzuka Seiryuden Temple in October 2014 and it has become popular as a new sightseeing spot in Kyoto. In fact, it’s about 5 times bigger than the stage of Kiyomizu.
From the 700-ft-high stage, you can see Mount Hiei, Ginkakuji Temple, Jodoji Temple, the Gozan no Okuribi Festival and even Osaka. Also, Ao Fudo, one of the 3 most important Fudo paintings, is on display here. Make sure you check out this first-class Buddhist painting when you visit.
Ubicación: 28 Zushiokukachocho, Yamashina Ward, Kyoto 607-8456, Japan
Horario: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm
Teléfono: +81 (0)75-771-0390
Shogunzuka Seiryuden Temple
10. Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya Branch
Modern coffee in a traditional Japanese atmosphere
Categoría: Parejas, Fotos, Gastronomía, Viajes diferentes
Starbucks Coffee Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya branch is different from all the other Starbucks around the world. First of all, there’s its exterior. This branch is set in a renovated old Kyoto-style townhouse. When you enter, you’ll find a front garden with a stone basin arranged in the Omotesenke style.
The wooden food counter has a distinctly Japanese appearance. And to get to the bar, you pass through a darkened hallway called a passage garden (Tori-niwa), which is unique to old houses in Kyoto. After appreciating the inner garden behind the bar, you’ll find seating with tatami mat flooring and cushions on the 2nd floor. This is not your typical Starbucks date.
Ubicación: 349 Masuyacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto 605-0826, Japan
Horario: Daily from 8 am to 8 pm
Teléfono: +81 (0)75-532-0601
Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya Branch
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