Japan: A Complete Guide to Kyoto Photography Locations

A Photographer’s Guide to Kyoto, Japan

The true beauty of Japanese culture comes to life in the traditional city of Kyoto.

Wooded forests hide ornate temples and shrines, Geisha scurry into historic merchant houses on dimly lit alleys and misty mountains reveal their beauty throughout the seasons.

A visit to Kyoto is like experiencing a glimpse into the past. With over 2000 temples and a huge number of UNESCO world heritage sites, the city is known as Japan’s cultural capital. Those hoping to witness the quirkier side of Japan will be kept busy too with Purikura (photo booths) and arcades, animal cafes and markets filled with weird and wonderful delights. Whether you’re looking to capture the cuisine, nature, traditions or bustle of Kyoto, there’s something photogenic for everyone.

Depending on when you’re visiting Kyoto there will always be something to capture. The atmospheric festivals of summer, vibrant leaves of autumn, cherry blossom magic in spring and then there’s the chance of seeing a blanket of snow fall over the region in winter. If you can visit four times a year, I’d highly recommend it, you can never get enough of Japan in my opinion!

In this guide I’ve listed some of the most photogenic sights of Kyoto along with the best day trip and places to stay. If you’re visiting Kyoto and have a question, feel free to leave it in the comments below and I’ll do my best to help you out!

Getting to Kyoto – If you haven’t already explored the JR Pass, take a peek at the options and purchase your pass for train travel on the JR lines via Klook here.

Also scroll down to see my recommendations for the best day trip from Kyoto and which summer festival you don’t want to miss!

To get started, here’s a little map to share where each location is –


Kyoto Photography Locations –

Kinkaku-ji – Golden Pavilion

Known as the Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji dazzles in appearance and sparkles with the sunlight. With the upper storey completed covered in gold leaf, this is one of the most popular places for visitors in Kyoto, it’s truly an impressive sight to see.

Due to it’s popularity, it’s essential to arrive early when visiting Kinkaku-ji. Be sure to join the queue about 30minutes before opening time to ensure you can get in and photograph the pavilion without too many people in your way. Another reason to arrive early is to experience the serenity of the grounds.

The complex befits the Zen temple of Kinkaku-ji with mossy gardens and a quaint little path leading towards the Sekkatei Teahouse and small wooden hall featuring Buddhist statues.

Getting here: This is a great opportunity to leave relatively early in the morning and take the public bus. Looking out the window or just watching as people jump on and off is a great way to see the city from outside the tourist sights. Bus #12 leaves from the Gion area and takes roughly 50mins otherwise bus #101 or #205 departs Kyoto Station taking around 40minutes.

Photo Tip: If you arrive at opening time, head straight for the pavilion and grab a great vantage point looking across the pond. Keep an eye out for reflections or frame the pavilion using the surrounding maple trees, if you’re visiting in autumn this is a great place for vibrant leaves!

Kyoto Photography Locations, a complete travel guide to Kyoto's best photo spots by The Wandering Lens


Ginkaku-ji – Silver Pavilion

Hidden in the foothills of the Higashiyama Mountains, Ginkaku-ji is my favourite temple in Kyoto. The serenity and peaceful atmosphere here is like nothing I’ve ever experienced, even when there’s hundreds of people around. With raked Zen patterns, moss covered manicured gardens and a forest path winding between maples, giant bonsai and bamboo, it’s a tranquil escape.

Don’t expect the pavilion to be all bright and shining silver. Despite the original intention to match the golden Kinkakuji and cover the pavilion in silver, instead it now blends with the surroundings. You’ll find Ginkaku-ji nestled among the trees with koi filled ponds and little waterfalls all around, it’s such a special place!

Wandering around the garden path takes you up into the hills a little where you can see the pavilion and Kyoto city from above. Be sure to take your time as it’s a one way path so stop and enjoy it as you make your way around.

Getting here: An ideal way to reach Ginkaku-ji is to follow the Philosopher’s Path from Nanzen-ji. This path follows a canal and is known as the best location to experience Hanami, cherry blossom viewing in Spring. Otherwise, buses 100, 17 or 5 will get you to Ginkaku-ji from Kyoto Station for 230yen.

Photo tip: The entrance is lined with a tall hedge but peep through the hedge and you’ll see thick bamboo. It’s worth a peek to capture a shot of the bamboo using the hedge as a mysterious green foreground blue. Once inside, meander slowly through the grounds of Ginkaku-ji and keep your eyes peeled for details within the gardens. There’s a great angle at the north-eastern corner in front of The Hondo which allows you to photograph the gardens and Togudo Hall. The garden path however offers so many beautiful vantage points to capture both Ginkaku-ji and Kyoto using the trees to frame your shots.

Kyoto Photography Locations, Japan travel guide by The Wandering LensGinkakuji Temple, Kyoto photography locations in Japan by The Wandering Lens


Kiyomizu-dera + Higashiyama District

Quaint traditional streets dot the hillside on the way to Kiyomizu-dera. The Higashiyama District is so picture perfect that you can easily spend the entire day just wandering and photographing all the little details and hidden spots. You might get lucky and see Geishas walking through this area but mainly, the streets of Higashiyama are filled with local produce, restaurants and activity all leading the way to the β€œPure Water Temple” Kiyomizu-dera.

Nestled among cherry and maple trees, this ornate wooden temple is listed on the UNESCO world heritage list and it only takes one visit to see why. The balcony of the main hall was actually built without nails, once you see how tall and intricately it’s built, you’ll see how impressive this truly is. The main hall and various temple buildings are the first places you’ll visit however I was personally taken by the temple grounds that feature around 200 small stone statues of Jizo, the protector of children and travellers. The little statues are clothed in small apron like dresses making them extra cute!

Getting here: I recommend walking here from Gion to really get the full experience of the Higashiyama District and there are a few temples to visit along the way. Alternatively you can catch buses 100 or 206 from Kyoto Station and jump off at Gojo-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi bus stops.

Photo tip: Go through Kiyomizu-dera and photograph it from the temple grounds so you have the city of Kyoto in the background and can showcase the immense wooden structure clinging to the hillside. There’s a great vantage point about 50m along the path from the temple, just keep walking and looking back until you see the pagoda similar to the photograph below. Keep an eye out for the little Jizo statues too, they are adorable.

Kyoto Photography Locations, a complete travel guide to Kyoto's best photo spots by The Wandering LensKyoto Photography Locations, Japan travel guide by The Wandering LensKyoto Photography Locations, a complete travel guide to Kyoto's best photo spots by The Wandering Lens


Arashiyama

Venture to this quaint suburb of Kyoto to photograph Japanese scenery at its most spectacular. A visual feast in every season, Arashiyama is home to the infamous lush Bamboo Forest and it doesn’t disappoint with a peaceful path that winds beneath a towering canopy of bamboo. For photographers it’s an inspirational garden of opportunities, my tip is to look up and capture the immense height of the bamboo by leaning right up against them.

There’s numerous temples and shrines throughout Arashiyama so take your time walking through the small back streets and visiting places like Gio-ji Temple or Tenru-ji Temple which is UNESCO listed.

Arashiyama is also home to Monkey Park Iwatayama which you can reach by an uphill hike through wooded forests and at the base of the hill you’ll find the Cormorant Fishing boats that are a great cultural experience once the sun sets…I’ll be posting more details about this soon in a detailed Arashiyama location guide.

Getting here: The most reliable and fastest way is by train and most lines will eventually connect to the Arashiyama line. I took the Hankyu Arashiyama Line from Gion but the JR Sagano Line (also known as JR Sanin Line) is the most direct and a one-way ride to Saga-Arashiyama Station takes 15 minutes and costs 240 yen.

Photo tip: Spend the day in Arashiyama and venture alongside the southern side of Katsura River where little waterfalls and drooping trees make for natural photo subjects. Also when photographing the Bamboo Grove, play with your White Balance settings to showcase the bright greens properly, cloudy usually works best to bring out the vibrant colours.

Read a more detailed article on how to photograph the Bamboo Grove here.

Kyoto Photography Locations, a complete travel guide to Kyoto's best photo spots by The Wandering Lens Kyoto Photography Locations, a complete travel guide to Kyoto's best photo spots by The Wandering LensKyoto Photography Locations, Japan travel guide by The Wandering Lens


Fushimi Inari Shrine

It was the promise of ruby red Torii Gates that had me dreaming of visiting this gem that lies on the sacred Mount Inari in southern Kyoto. While Fushimi Inari Shrine boasts an impressive Shinto Shrine at its entrance, the thousands of Torii Gates (donated by individuals and companies) are the major drawcard and are so striking it takes a moment to sink in that the gates just keep going.

You can hike the entire route of hillside trails that lead to a clearing with a great view over the city or just wander slowly in awe of this unique tunnel of colour. Along the way be sure to get another perspective by stepping outside the gates and view the snake like path of red as it weaves through the woods.

Arriving at sunrise, or even 45minutes before will ensure you have the shrine to yourself and can photograph those prized images without crowds. To be photographing and wandering amongst the torii gates as the sun rises is a truly incredible experience.

Getting here: Take either the JR Nara Line to Inari station or the Keihan Main Line to Fushimi Inari Station. Both are roughly 5-10mins from Kyoto.

Photo tip: If you’re feeling creative, it can be fun to blur people as they are walking along the path, cross your fingers for a Japanese woman wearing traditional Kimono to really perfect the shot. The result can turn a regular photo into a moving image that gives a real sense of place. Leading lines work wonders here also, continue to follow the trail up into the hillside and you’ll find a number of great places to photograph the torii gates as they weave through the forest.

Read more – ‘Perspectives: Photographing Fushimi Inari Shrine – How + When’

Kyoto photography locations and travel guide to Kyoto by The Wandering LensKyoto Photography Locations, a complete travel guide to Kyoto's best photo spots by The Wandering LensJapan Photo Tour with The Wandering Lens


Gion District

Known as the best place to see the beautiful Geisha, the Gion District is made up of traditional wooden machiya merchant houses which line streets such as Hanami-koji Street. It’s worth visiting at various times of the day because the scene changes greatly once the lights begin to dimly showcase teahouses and gently reveal narrow alleyways. During the day it’s bustling and alive with tourists but if you head towards Yasaka Shrine you’ll break away from the crowds and get a great view back over Shijo Avenue, the main street of Gion.

My favourite place is the Shirakawa Area just to the north of Shijo Ave, it’s a stunning little path that runs alongside Shirakawa Canal and takes you back a few centuries with gorgeous willow trees that look like giant bonsai, a small bamboo fence and wooden teahouses.

Getting here: Ask anyone in Kyoto and they can point you in the direction of Gion but if you’re travelling by train look for the Gion Shijo Station on the Keihan Line.

Photo tip: Please follow the new rules along Hanami-koji Dori and the Geisha area and do not take photos here. You will see signage around and it’s important to adhere to the rules as in the past, tourists have pestered the Geishas by being their personal paparazzi, they’re working and who wants flash bulbs in their face while walking to work!? Observe respectfully and keep your distance. For the best opportunities to see Geisha visit after dark and wander along Hanami-koji Dori or Shirakawa Canal to soak up the calm evening vibe. Also climbing the stairs to Yasaka Shrine at sunset will give you a great view over the city or at night it will allow you to play around with a slow shutter and blur the traffic below.

*the images below were taken in 2019 prior to the rules being put in place. This gives an example for what you can see and enjoy, however you can no longer stand here and take photos. 

Kyoto Photography Locations, Japan travel guide by The Wandering Lens Kyoto Photography Locations, Japan travel guide by The Wandering Lens Kyoto Photography Locations, Japan travel guide by The Wandering Lens


Yasaka Shrine + Maruyama Park

As the most famous shrine in the area, it’s essential to pop by the Yasaka Shrine for a peek when you’re in the Gion region. Located right at the end of Shijo Dori you’ll find this beautiful shrine complex sitting pretty looking over the city. A staircase leads up to the shrine entrance through a two-story rōmon gate where some evenings you’ll find market stalls lining the path selling all kinds of yummy Japanese snack foods.

Throughout the complex there’s a series of halls, lanterns and bells which are rung when worshipers notify the gods of their presence and prayers. It’s a beautiful place to wander around watching as people perform rituals and also write on wish plaques and take part in luck readings.

If you continue walking up through the Yasaka Shrine you’ll venture into Maruyama Park which is a relaxing area filled with ponds, blossom trees and maples. There’s further temples hidden throughout the park so keep your camera ready to capture the smaller details and scenery around each corner.

Getting here: If you’re in Gion, simply wander to the end of Shijo Dori (the main street) and you’ll see the red gates at the end when facing east. Otherwise take buses 100 or 206 from Kyoto Station and jump off at the Gion stop, it takes roughly 20minutes.

Photo tip: Visit around sunset so you can watch the colours change over Gion from beneath the rōmon gate then wander up into Yasaka Shrine around dusk when the lanterns begin to glow.

Yasaka Shrine, Kyoto photography locations in Japan by The Wandering Lens Yasaka Shrine, Kyoto photography locations in Japan by The Wandering Lens Yasaka Shrine, Kyoto photography locations in Japan by The Wandering Lens


Nishiki Market

The smells, the culture, tastes and colours, it’s all under the roof of Nishiki Market, fondly dubbed β€˜Kyoto’s Kitchen’. Here your eyes will be opened to the world of Japanese cuisine with sweet Octopus skewers, soy ice cream and fish of all sorts on display ready for munching. Oh and donuts, the donuts are good!

There is such a buzz in the air as you wander through the market and while there are hundreds of people, take a few pit stops at the various little stalls and sample something weirdly wonderful. The market is a great place for photographing details from the food through to the signage with Japanese characters.

Getting here: Nishiki Market is one block north of Shijo Street and runs parallel for five blocks west from Teramachi Shopping Arcade, also worth a peek for its oodles of arcade games!

Photo tip: While the food is distracting, keep an eye out for the stall holders that sit patiently waiting for people to sample their products. They are great photography subjects and in the middle of all the chaos a calm face can be a great contrast.

Kyoto Photography Locations, Japan travel guide by The Wandering Lens Kyoto Photography Locations, Japan travel guide by The Wandering Lens Kyoto Photography Locations, Japan travel guide by The Wandering Lens


Where to Stay in Kyoto?

Kyoto has many areas to choose between and all have a variety of accommodation options available. If you’re visiting during the popular Sakura season (cherry blossoms) be sure to book your accommodation well in advance because it’s not only popular for foreign visitors, but domestic travellers too.

Having visited Kyoto four times now, my favourite place to stay is in the Gion or Higashiyama Districts. They’re centrally located, well accessed by public transport and are right in the midst of the temples, shrines and historic streets.

Four Seasons Kyoto is a brand new hotel and a haven for all things culturally luxurious. The hotel features it’s own private gardens, an 800 year old ikeniwa, a pond garden that absolutely shines during autumn. Take a peek at my visual hotel review of the Four Seasons Kyoto for more images, but if you’re looking for somewhere special to stay in Kyoto, this is the place.

Experience somewhere truly special and stay at Hoshinoya Kyoto, a tradtional hotel nestled amongst the beautiful landscapes of Arashiyama. Read about my stay here.

If your budget is a little tighter, the Japaning Hotel chain are the perfect solution. With hotels in Gion, Higashiyama and other suburbs of Kyoto, they’re small apartment style rooms with everything you’ll need to stay for a few days. Don’t expect anything fancy, just clean, comfortable rooms located perfectly throughout Kyoto. They’ve got little kitchens and laundries plus feature the fancy Japanese toilets that everyone needs to experience at least once!

Four Seasons Kyoto, Japan Visual Hotel Review


The Gion Matsuri – A summer festival not to miss!

There are only so many words you can use to describe a Japanese festival and that’s because they’re simply one of a kind. They’re loud, colourful, crazy and entertaining but so very traditional and weirdly calming. Every July the streets of Kyoto turn into a giant celebration with the most famous festival of them all, Gion Matsuri.

Large wooden floats up to 25m high known as Yamaboko roll through the city centre. At around 12 tonnes in weight, these impressive structures are pulled by groups of men dressed in traditional Yukatas as crowds line the path and cheer in delight. If you’re visiting in July be prepared to be wowed by the Gion Matsuri!

Take a peek at some images below…

Gion Matsuri Festival, Kyoto Japan Gion Matsuri Festival, Kyoto Japan Gion Matsuri Festival, Kyoto Japan


Best Day Trip from Kyoto – Nara

If you’ve got a few days in Kyoto, spend one of them exploring the nearby historic town of Nara. With 8 UNESCO world heritage sights and the sprawling Nara Park dotted with temples and museums, it’s the perfect place for a day trip from Kyoto.

One of the main reasons visitors flock to Nara are the furry and friendly deer. Thought to be messengers of the gods, there’s over 1200 deer that roam throughout Nara Park and they’re even considered to be natural treasures.

Visiting during cherry blossom season means the park will be covered in pastel pink Sakura, a beautiful time to experience this area of Japan.

No visit to Nara is complete without seeing Toda-ji Temple. Housing Daibutsu, the world’s largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana, it’s an impressive wooden building and very photogenic both inside and out.

Getting Here: From Kyoto the fastest way to get to Nara is on the JR Nara Line Express (Kaisoku) which takes roughly 45mins. Alternatively there’s the local line which takes just over an hour. Trains run regularly throughout the day and there’s about a 20minute walk from the station to Nara Park.

Todaji Temple Nara, Kyoto photography locations in Japan by The Wandering LensNara Day Trip from Kyoto - Kyoto photography location guide by The Wandering Lens


Escape the Crowds on Mount Hiei

Take a break from downtown Kyoto and venture on a short bus ride to the top of Mt Hiei where expansive views over Lake Biwa will keep any photographer happy. In autumn, the colours in surrounding forests are a rainbow of warm hues with sunset providing the perfect opportunity to photograph over Kyoto towards the Arashiyama district.

If you fancy an overnight experience, you can stay at the L’Hotel de Hiei and enjoy wine tasting, fine dining, a plush room then wake up at sunrise for a special cultural experience. Designed around the French ‘auberge’ concept where a restaurant has lodging facilities, a stay at this Hoshino property is further enhanced by witnessing the morning prayer at the Enryakuji temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

This peaceful experience is just 30 minutes from downtown Kyoto and I’d consider it a must do if you’ve got a few extra days spare in your itinerary to see another side of this fascinating city.

Related Japan Travel Guides:

A Photographer’s Guide to Tokyo

Perspectives: Photographing the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Perspectives: Tips for Visiting Fushimi-Inari

Read more: Japan Travel Ideas – Visit the official Japan National Tourism Organization website

Hoshino Resorts Kyoto

Hoshino Resorts Kyoto

Have you been to Kyoto and have somewhere photogenic to recommend? Feel free to leave a message in the comments below!

Kyoto photography locations, the best photo spots in Kyoto and Nara by The Wandering Lens

 

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Blog Comments

Amazing! Just what I needed to read for my trip in April

Oh you’re going for cherry blossoms!? That will be so beautiful Melinda!

These pictures are gorgeous, Lisa! I can’t even choose a favorite, they’re all that good. If you need an assistant to, like, carry your camera equipment or something on a future photography workshop in Kyoto, I’m your girl. πŸ™‚

Excellent, are you free in November!? Not for the carrying part, just for the visiting Kyoto part πŸ™‚

How good is Japan! I just got back from skiing in Hakuba and am totally hooked on visiting again soon. Do you think summer is good for around Kyoto and Tokyo? I didn’t get to see them this trip and am really keen.

Oh cool! I bet skiing was awesome! Summer is beautiful in Kyoto and Tokyo but it is hot and humid. If you have a choice, I’d probably opt for Autumn, it’s much more enjoyable with less humidity. That said, if you want to see the summer festivals, then it’s well worth it.

Ahh kyoto is one of my all time favorite places! It is so wonderfully photogenic!! I am dying to go back!

Isn’t it such a beautiful city! I can’t get enough πŸ™‚

Wow! Such beautiful photos! You definitely picked some great spots.

Thanks Michelle!

A fantastic guide with some stunning images. Brings back happy memories of my time there. Just need to go back with a camera now!

Thanks Suz! Oh you definitely need to go back and take your camera πŸ™‚

Wow, these photos are just stunning. I love all the reflections you captured so perfectly in the water. And including the map is super helpful, thanks for this!

Thanks Emily, glad to hear the map was helpful, I’m a total map geek so this made my day πŸ™‚

One of my life goals is to travel to Japan. It seems like a whole other universe only better! The feelings I get when I see photos like yours make me want to put everything aside and hop on a plane. I love that you can walk through many of this areas, this way you can get a better experience.

So lovely of you to say this Akamatra! Kyoto is so photogenic and it’s definitely a great city to explore on foot. Probably best to stick to certain areas for a day and really wander slowly to soak it all in.

Wow! Your photos look amazing. You’ve captured Kyoto so well. It looks like a photogenic destination but you’ve truly made the most of it. Well done πŸ™‚

Thanks Eloise πŸ™‚

Great ideas and some wonderful photography! I’m off to Japan later this year, this has made me even more excited about it!

Super exciting to hear you’re heading to Japan! What spots have you got on your itinerary?

As always, I’m so in love with your photography – I’m constantly stunned at how you take such great shots, and make them look so refreshing and new. And an awesome guide too; I’ll be holding on to it! πŸ™‚

Thanks so much Nicky, that’s such a lovely thing to say!

How come I only came across your site now?!? Your photos are stunning and your tips are great! I will follow them when I go to Japan this autumn πŸ˜‰

Hooray you’re visiting in autumn! It’s such a beautiful time in Japan, I’m heading back too, I can’t get enough πŸ™‚

I love your work Lisa and hope I get a chance to try out these angles in Kyoto sometime!

Thanks Jayne πŸ™‚

Amazing pictures! I loved Kyoto, I always only there for a day and it certainly wasn’t enough to see everything πŸ˜€

It’s definitely worth planning a return trip to really see all that Kyoto has to offer πŸ™‚ Great to hear you’ve had a peek though!

Goals in life: Photograph like you. Jesus, your photos are so beautiful! I’m still learning so you can imagine the results aren’t the best yet. Congrats!

Haha, I love this comment! Thank you Bruna, it definitely takes time to learn photography but once you’ve got the hang of it and become a little obsessed (pointing at myself!), it’s so fun!

Amazing work, I just love your photos. Cannot wait to travel to Kyoto to explore these locations myself.

Thanks Piia!

Love love love your photos! You captured Kyoto’s icons really beautifully! It was gloomy weather when I was at Kinkaku-ji – my photos turned out pretty dull, so I really liked what you have on this post!

Oh thank you so much Kristine! So lovely of you to say, that’s a shame Kinkaku-ji was a little gloomy during your visit. Good excuse to return one day maybe!? πŸ™‚

Your photos are stunning. Your map will really come in handy when I visit Kyoto, thanks!

Kyoto looks stunning, especially with fall colors! Your photography captures it so well!

Wonderful shots. That’s very helpful to have a map with all these notes. Someday I’ll get to Kyoto!

I really love your work!! That photo with the monkey’s paw and with the adorable deer just got me so much! I am going to Kyoto in June. Thanks so much for these ideas!

Thanks Viola! June is a great time to visit, so excited for you and all the amazing places you’ll be seeing soon πŸ™‚

Thank you so much for such detailed photography tips. We are planning to goto Kyoto in November. We are targeting mid-November which is when we heard the foliage peaks. These tips will come in quite handy. Thanks again for sharing!

What breathtaking photos! Now I wish I had visited Kyoto during Autumn as well seeing these beautiful tones. But Kyoto was indeed a beautiful and charming city πŸ™‚

Wow! This makes me want to visit Japan even more! Thank you for these amazing photos and the tips!

Gosh – your photos are absolutely STUNNING! It’s hard to choose a favourite image from this article (the monkey’s hand is very cute though!) During my visit to Japan, I thought Ginkaku-ji stole the show too, and its gardens were much more interesting and beautiful than Kinkaku-ji’s. I also followed the Philosopher’s Path to get there. Such an enjoyable day. Thanks for sharing your experience!

What a fantastic guide! Your photos are absolutely stunning, I can’t get over it. Makes me want to visit Kyoto so badly!!
Thank you for sharing all these details!

Great article and I love the way you include photography tips specific to that location! I need to start following your blog! Photography for me is a big reason why I travel!

Your shots are just absolutelyyyy gorgeous! I was so bummed that I didn’t have my Nikon yet when in Japan, now I am even more so. But no worries, it’s just a reason more to go back to this wonderful country and city!

Sitting at the airport on my way to Kyoto. Found your site, fantastic photo’s. Hope mine come out even half as good as yours.

Thanks a lot for the tips

That’s amazing Graham! So happy you found my Kyoto guide before your trip. Have an amazing time and good luck with the photos πŸ™‚

On the bullet train right now to Kyoto and will areive in about 1 hour with about 24 hours to take photos. Bamboo forest tomorrow morning is a must for me. What do you recommend hitting up in order for efficiency?

How exciting Steve!
I’d suggest getting to the bamboo grove for sunrise to avoid crowds…it’s a much better experience to stand in there and soak up the serenity without hundreds of people πŸ™‚ enjoy Kyoto!

Lisa your post are always so insightful and your photography is amazing! I was just in Japan, and it is my favorite place to photograph, it is just so visually interesting. If you are ever willing to take on a mentee please let me know, I’d jump at an opportunity to learn from you.

This makes me so happy Katy! I hope you had an amazing time in Japan πŸ™‚
I actually currently mentor a select number of people either online or in person so if you’re keen send through an email to hello@thewanderinglens.com, I’d love to chat further!

Hi, do you know where is a good spot to capture Kyoto Tower and the cityscape?

You can photograph the tower from Kiyomizudera in Higashiyama (but you’ll need a good zoom) otherwise the surrounding city is best captured from the tower itself. Alternatively along the bridges of the Kamo River you’ll find some interesting vantage points of the architecture.

Thank you for a very informative comments. Most locations in Kyoto (such as Kinkakuji, etc) do not allow tripods or monopods. Some seem to allow if you pay extra. Some locations, such as Fushimi Inari, there is no issue with tripods. I like using tripods for anything relating to landscape.

Hi Lisa, I’m going to Japan next 2 weeks and thank God I came here before leaving. May I know how long did you spend in Kyoto to visit all those places?

I hope you had a wonderful time in Kyoto, I was actually there for the past two weeks also so didn’t get a chance to reply to your message. To visit all of the locations I would suggest at least 3 full days in Kyoto…but to cover them properly, then 5 days in Kyoto would be best.

Very useful info for photographer, very appreciate.
Would you mind give me a suggestion for taking photo of the Kyoto skyline ?
Im going to japan this December and planning for taking Day to Night time lapse of landmarks in each city I stayed.

You can hike to the top of Fushimi-Inari for a great view over the skyline (the path is open 24hrs), or there are great skyline views from Kiyomizudera in the Higashiyama district also.

Very nice summary. I visited Kyoto several times and you pick up quite nice places.

Great post on one of the most beautiful places in Japan ! I’ve visited Kyoto twice. There is so much to see and feel there! Thanks for sharing your amazing pictures!

Did you get time to finalize the book on “photography Kyoto”?

I have 3 weeks left before I reach Kyoto. It would be nice to get photo spots and tips to take with me.

Autumn is at its peak, but the crowd may be difficult to handle.

Let me know.

Nalin Shah

Hi Nalin, very exciting you’ll be in Kyoto soon, and timing your trip beautifully for some autumn colours! Publication of the eBook has been delayed unfortunately, however most of the locations of note are within this guide so hopefully there’s plenty of places to visit to fill up your itinerary πŸ™‚
Have a wonderful trip! If you’re looking to get away from the crowds, try the Eizan Railway and explore the northern temples and hillside up to Kurama, it’s still busy during autumn, but less so than Gion and Arashiyama.

You should update the website talking about the photography ban in Gion as pestering tourists kept hindering everyday life there.

Thanks Sid. I’m in the midst of updating the guide after a recent trip however have just published that part first as it’s a very important change. Thanks for the reminder! I’ve seen a number of Geisha get hassled in the past and chased by photographers, so I think the new rules really help to protect their privacy and reduce the big groups and their flashes causing havoc.

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