Known as the thousand-year capital, Kyoto is filled with culture and traditional shrines perfect for photos that bring you back to historical Japan. Enjoy the cityscape vistas and natural landscapes as you discover the city’s rich history.

Your cultural trip to Kyoto will not be complete without visiting its important shrines like the Fushimi Inari, attending a tea ceremony, wearing a kimono and walking around the neighborhoods, or seeing geishas and maikos.

Don’t forget to make your way to the popular Arashiyama forest where not only you can take a breather from the city’s hustle and bustle, but you can also have a nice photography session. Indeed, every corner offers a background for a photo opportunity when in Kyoto.

Photospot City Guide

Check out the best places for your Kyoto photoshoots recommended by our local photographers and users.

Best Time to Visit

Because of the cherry blossoms and fall foliage, spring and autumn are considered to be the best times to visit Kyoto. Expect an influx of tourists during these seasons. But the vibrant and colourful background is worth it, especially for your photos. Summer in Kyoto, on the other hand, can be uncomfortably hot and humid, with bouts of showers. However, some people prefer this because of the low flight and hotel prices. If you plan to visit during winter months, expect cool weather with a possibility of snowfall.