LOCATIONS

Suggested Kyoto locations

The route follows the season, weather, light, crowds, and the rules of the place. The list below is a reference.

Please note:Temple, shrine, and private-property rules can change. They are checked before the day. Tickets, permits, and transport follow what the place requires.

Gion

Gion

One of the most intact old quarters. Stone lanes and townhouses suit kimono and solo portraits. Shirakawa Minami-dori is nearly empty early in the morning.

Suggested time
7–8 in the morning
Crowds
Busy by day. Quieter early.
What to wear
Kimono or your own clothes both work
Suggested length
about 40–60 minutes
Note
Watch your step in kimono on the stones. Some private lanes and temple gates do not allow commercial photography.
Kimono at Shirakawa Minami-dori

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Fushimi Inari

The senbon torii are the most recognizable frames in Kyoto. Red gates contrast with almost any clothing. Farther up the mountain there are fewer people.

  • Suggested hours:7:00
  • Suits:Solo portraits and kimono sessions
Suggested time
6–8 is best, or evening
Crowds
Very busy by day. Fewer people as you walk uphill.
What to wear
Kimono, or your own clothes in a light color
Suggested length
about 30–45 minutes
Note
The shrine is free and open all day. Do not stop in the middle of the path.
Fushimi Inari torii

Nanzen-ji

Nanzenji / Higashiyama

Nanzen-ji is one of the better places in Higashiyama. The grounds are open and less crowded. The brick aqueduct and the trees make a quiet solo portrait.

  • Suggested hours:Morning or evening
  • Suits:Solo portraits and kimono sessions
Suggested time
Morning or dusk
Crowds
Quieter on weekdays. Packed in the autumn-leaf weeks.
What to wear
Kimono, or light-colored clothes
Suggested length
about 40–60 minutes
Note
Temple rules can differ from the street outside. Check before the day. The free areas at Nanzen-ji can be photographed.
Nanzen-ji, Suirokaku

Eikan-do

Eikando / Eikando Zenrinji

Eikan-do is known for autumn maple. The corridors, garden, and pond give several frames. Spring green is also worth it, and it is less crowded than Arashiyama.

  • Suggested hours:Early morning
  • Suits:Kimono sessions and solo portraits
Suggested time
Morning or dusk
Crowds
Packed in the autumn-leaf weeks. Quieter otherwise.
What to wear
Kimono or your own clothes
Suggested length
Usually combined with Nanzen-ji, about 40–60 minutes together
Note
Rules inside a temple can differ from the streets around it. Check what is open before the day.
Eikan-do garden in autumn

Arashiyama

Arashiyama

The bamboo path and Togetsukyo Bridge suit kimono portraits. They are about 30 minutes from the center. The extended package is the practical choice.

  • Suggested hours:Before 7:00
  • Suits:Solo or kimono. The extended package is the practical choice.
  • Transport:About 30 minutes from the center. Transport is at cost.
Suggested time
Before 7:00 in the bamboo, or dusk
Crowds
Very busy by day. The bamboo fills up after 9:00.
What to wear
Kimono or your own clothes. Light colors suit the bamboo.
Suggested length
about 40–50 minutes
Note
The bamboo path is narrow, so you yield to other visitors. Arashiyama is about 30–40 minutes from the city, and transport is extra.
Arashiyama bamboo path

Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka

Ninenzaka / Sannenzaka

The stone slope toward Kiyomizu-dera, with wooden buildings on both sides. It suits kimono. Fewer people morning and evening.

  • Suggested hours:Morning or evening
  • Suits:Solo portraits and kimono sessions
Suggested time
Before 8:00, or evening
Crowds
Busy by day. Morning is the better hour.
What to wear
Kimono works well here
Suggested length
about 30–40 minutes
Note
The stone slope is steep. Watch your step in kimono. After the shops open, the lane fills up.
Kimono on the Ninenzaka slope

Philosopher’s Path

Philosopher's Path

About 2 km along the canal. Blossom in spring, maple in autumn. The path is flat.

  • Suggested hours:Late March to early April, in the morning
  • Suits:Solo portraits and kimono sessions
Suggested time
Morning or evening
Crowds
Busy in cherry blossom season. Quieter in other months.
What to wear
Kimono or your own clothes both work
Suggested length
about 30–40 minutes
Note
The path is long. It is better to work one section near Ginkaku-ji or Nanzen-ji.
Philosopher’s Path in blossom season

Yasaka Pagoda, Hokan-ji

Yasaka Pagoda / Hokanji Temple

The five-story pagoda at Hokan-ji marks Higashiyama. After the lights come on, it suits kimono and solo portraits.

  • Suggested hours:Evening
  • Suits:Solo portraits and kimono sessions
Suggested time
Before 7:00 is best: fewer people, better light
Crowds
Crowded by day, with little room to work
What to wear
Kimono or your own clothes
Suggested length
about 20–30 minutes
Note
The pagoda is not open to enter. The lanes are narrow. Early morning works best.
Yasaka Pagoda in Higashiyama

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