Most people would agree that Kyoto is better-suited for adults, as most of the eye-popping attractions are historical and cultural. Kids may find the first couple of temples interesting, but if they start to get antsy you may be in trouble. The zoo and the movie village are both good quick-fixes, and most children will enjoy exploring the vast grounds of Nijo Castle or the Imperial Palace.

Kyoto Zoo
Kyoto’s zoo pales by comparison with those found in other major cities around the globe, but if you need something to entertain your kids then this could do the trick. The zoo has many of the standard wild animals you’d expect to find, and its smallish nature makes it easy to see the whole park without walking too much. There’s even a Children’s Corner, where a variety of farm animals are waiting to be hand fed.

Nijo Castle
With the recent popularity of wizards, kings and castles thanks to Harry Potter stories, most children should get a kick out of exploring an old Japanese-style castle. Nijo dates back to 1603 and is a beautiful complex replete with massive stone walls and a moat. One of the most interesting features is the nightingale floors, which deliberately creak when walked on. The surrounding garden is also quite impressive, offering plenty of outdoor exploration for the kids.

Uzumasa Movie Village
Japan’s version of Hollywood is packed with stage sets that replicate the traditional and ancient atmosphere of the country. This is where most Japanese samurai movies are actually filmed, as well as many of the nation’s popular television shows. You can check out the stage sets and even sit in on the filming of one of the television series. A small amusement park called Padios is also on site if you need a little more action. Other attractions include a 20-minute ninja show performed four times each day, a haunted house, special effects show and a museum dedicated to Japan’s movie industry. Make sure you get the kids to dress up as a samurai or geisha and have their picture taken while you’re here.

Kyoto itself is a massive cultural hub and rightfully deserves its title as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The dozens of ancient temples, exquisite gardens and informative museums will keep you busy throughout your visit, and best of all, they can be explored on foot. Also save some time to get out into the surrounding mountains where even more temples can be found, and savour the amazing food which reaches a pinnacle in Kyoto. But most of all, simply wander the timeless narrow lanes of this world-class city and try and absorb as much of the unique ambiance as you can before you have to return home.

Heian Shrine
Surprisingly, Kyoto’s most famous shrine was only built about 100 years ago to commemorate the 1,100 anniversary of the city. The shrine is dedicated to two of Japan’s most influential emperors, the 50th and the 121st, but the real highlight is the stunning Shinen Garden which lies to the left of the shrine as you enter. Considered one of the finest examples of Meiji Period gardening, it’s a must-see during the spring for its weeping cherry trees and in the autumn for the brilliant colours of the maple trees.

Kiyomizu Temple (Kiyomizudera)
One of the most famous temples in all of Japan was built in 798 in a stunning spot on the side of Mount Otowa. The view from the main hall, which was built on the edge of a cliff with a balcony extending out over the abyss, is worth the trip alone. This temple is very popular, especially during the spring cherry blossom season and during the autumn foliage colours, so be prepared to share the space if you visit during these months.

Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho)
When Kyoto was still Japan’s capital city, the imperial family resided here until 1868 when everything moved to Tokyo. Although the palace has been levelled by fire several times over its 700 year history, it has always been rebuilt exactly in its original form. This fine example of tranquil Heian Period imperial living is well worth a visit, especially since it was the Heian Dynasty who put Kyoto on the map. Palace tours are one hour long, free and guided, but they don’t allow any time for hanging around and they only show the buildings from the outside. The tour does, however, provide some interesting insight into palace life during this period. Make sure you spend some time in the emperor’s garden before you leave.

Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts (Fureaikan)
This excellent museum is the best place to view the amazing array of crafts which were created during Kyoto’s centuries-long role as the imperial capital of Japan. The exhibits are well-constructed and offer explanations in English using video and other media to present a step-by-step display of how each of these wonderful crafts were originally made.

Ryoanji Temple
Nearby the gleaming Golden Pavilion is this temple, which is home to Japan’s most famous Zen rock garden. First laid out in the 15th century, the 15 rocks deliberately set among a sea of perfectly raked white pebbles inspires deep contemplation, proving that Zen gardens are not just over hyped sand pits with pretty stones. After a bit of meditation, stroll around the temple’s lovely moss-covered garden and check out a 1,000 year old pond.

Temple of the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji)
This inspiration for the equally popular Silver Pavilion was built in 1390 as a retirement retreat for a powerful shogun named Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. The structure’s three stories are covered in gold and topped with a looming phoenix cast from bronze. On a clear day the reflection of the shimmering temple can be seen in its pond, making for a memorable photograph. The surrounding garden, with its teahouses and moss-draped trees, is also worth a wander.

Temple of the Silver Pavilion (Ginkakuji)
One of the most popular and beautiful, structures in the city is the Silver Pavilion. This retirement villa for a prominent shogun was built in 1492 and was originally going to be coated in silver to emulate the Golden Pavilion which had been built by his grandfather. The shogun died before he could accomplish this, so the structure retains a simple but elegant wooden facade. The sand garden is of particular interest, especially if you visit during a full moon, which is highly recommended.

Cultural experiences
Kyoto offers you numerous opportunities to learn firsthand of tea-ceremony, cooking, origami, Japanese calligraphy, and many other a culture pursuit.

Kyo-ryori, as Kyoto’s local cuisine is known, is famous across Japan for its long tradition and use of seasonal produce found in the region. Being an imperial capital for several centuries helped the city create a new level of cooking as it strove to satisfy the wealthy and powerful. There are many styles to choose from, but all of them have a specific role to play. Perhaps the most well-known style is the vegetarian shojin ryori set meals which were designed to satisfy the flocks of Buddhist pilgrims and priests who came to Kyoto in the past. Kaiseki ryori is another famous Kyoto experience you won’t want to miss. These costly multi-course meals, originally designed to go before the tea ceremony, are elegant and fit for royalty. Texture, the blending of flavours and most importantly, presentation, are the factors which set this meal apart from all others. In the city’s simpler restaurants, you’ll find obanzai style dining, which is akin to simple home cooking based around seasonal ingredients. If you need something to take with you, try a kaiseki bento box lunch served by one of the city’s top-end restaurants.

Unlike many other Japanese cities, Kyoto is a two-day trek from the seaside. Here, instead of the ubiquitous fresh, or raw, fish and seafood found almost everywhere else, the ancient chefs of Kyoto learned clever ways to preserve fish. The natural flavour of ingredients is stressed more than the use of heavy sauces, creating a delicate and light cuisine. Vegetarians in particular will be delighted by the sheer variety and wonderful balance of foods available in just about every restaurant in the city.

Kyoto is Japan’s arts and crafts capital and created many of the country’s finest art forms over the centuries. This demand for elaborate and refined things was a result of the imperial court and wealthy upper classes that lived in Kyoto throughout its long time as the capital of Japan. The variety and imagination of the art is staggering. Textiles, pottery, paper items and dozens of other treasures can be found in shops all over the city.

The best area for one-stop crafts shopping is in central Kyoto’s Kawaramachi Dori district, where four streets create a square of specialised shops selling the full range of Kyoto handicrafts. Gion’s Furumonzen Dori and Shinmonzen Dori are the spots to search for antiques and art. Markets are another fun way to experience Kyoto, and on the 21st day of every month, Toji Temple holds a huge flea market, with a history running more than 700 years. If you want to look for something more modern, the underground arcade of Porta is a good place to start. Most shops open at 10:00 and close around 19:00.

The Japanese enjoy sports as much as anyone, especially baseball and soccer, so if you need a different kind of diversion during your visit to Kyoto you can catch a home game from a local sporting team. The traditional martial arts are another popular pastime, for both spectators and participants. But perhaps the best outdoor activity in Kyoto is simply walking around this pedestrian-friendly town enjoying the sights. Cycling is another great way to explore the city and there are several designated walking tours if you need a bit of guidance.

Kamo River
Kyoto’s main waterway is not only beautiful to look at; it also provides some of the city’s best recreational opportunity. In the summer you can join many other Japanese by swimming in the river, which is still relatively clean. On land, there is an excellent flat bike path which runs the entire length of the river.

Path of Philosophy
Kyoto’s canal system provides another wonderful environment for casual strolling. Traditionally a place for scholars to take quiet thoughtful walks and ponder the meanings of life, conditions are a bit busier these days as students, residents and visitors all converge on the canal side path to take in the scenery. The cherry trees which line the canal are a special highlight and in the spring you can count on the path being packed with people.

Walking Tours
Kyoto is one of the best walking cities in the world, so use your feet to get around and you’ll see and experience much more. The Japanese National Tourism Office conveniently offers brochures which give directions and maps for five different walking tours. These walks take from 45 to 90 minutes each and cover a unique aspect of Kyoto, making it easy to explore the city if you’re short on time. The Kyoto Station transport centre is where you can find the Tourism Office and pick up a pamphlet.