Kyoto Instagrammable Photo Spots: Choose by Scenery Type
When touring Kyoto's Instagrammable photo spots, you will be more satisfied by first deciding the type of scenery you want to capture, whether temples, bamboo groves, rivers, the sea, or trains, rather than visiting as many famous spots as possible.
By including not only central Kyoto City but also Ujitawara-chō and northern Kyoto Prefecture in your view, you can combine historic Kyoto photos and seaside scenery in a single trip.
First, let's organize the 15 photo spots introduced here by their photo theme.
| Spot | Photo theme | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Eikando | Autumn leaves and halls | Season-focused |
| Nanzen-ji | Gate and garden | Temple lovers |
| Suirokaku | Repeating brick arches | Architecture lovers |
| Keage Incline | Depth of the tracks | Spring trips |
| Fushimi Inari Taisha | Vermilion torii gates | First-time Kyoto |
| Shōju-in | Heart-shaped window | Japanese interiors |
| Rurikōin | Garden reflection | Quiet trips |
| Kimono Forest | Yuzen light | Evening strolls |
| Togetsukyo Bridge | River and mountains | Open feel |
| Arashiyama Bamboo Grove | Green path | Nature lovers |
| Sagano Romantic Train | Window scenery | Transport lovers |
| Kyoto Tower | City overview | Station-area fans |
| Amanohashidate | Pines and sea | Day trips farther out |
| Kyoto Tango Railway | Train along the coast | Railway trips |
| Yuhigaura Beach | Sunset shore | Sea lovers |
For Temple and Shrine Photo Spots, Include the Background to Convey Kyoto's Character
At Eikando, Nanzen-ji, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Shōju-in, and Rurikōin, including not only the buildings or windows but also the gardens, approaches, and open space among the trees makes it easier to convey the atmosphere of the place.
For Natural Scenery Photo Spots, Wait for the Flow of People to Take Your Shot
At the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Togetsukyo Bridge, Amanohashidate, and Yuhigaura Beach, even the same place gives a different impression depending on how people move and how the clouds appear.
For Train and Station-Area Photo Spots, Make the Journey Itself the Photo
The Sagano Romantic Train, the Kyoto Tango Railway, and Kyoto Tower are spots where it is easy to preserve the scenery before and after reaching your destination as part of the trip.
Kyoto Photo Spots in the Higashiyama and Okazaki Area: Eikando, Nanzen-ji, and Keage Incline
From Higashiyama to around Okazaki is a photo-friendly area of Kyoto where the calm of temples and the scenery of modern engineering gather close together, making it easy to take pictures.
Some places leave a strong impression of autumn leaves or cherry blossoms, but regardless of the season, being mindful of the texture of stone paving, gates, rails, and brick adds depth to your photos.
Eikando: Capture the Colors of Autumn Leaves Together with the Halls
Eikando (formally Zenrin-ji) is a photo spot striking for its combination of around 3,000 maple trees changing color and the temple architecture.
The best time to see autumn leaves is typically mid-November to early December, and the "reflected autumn leaves" mirrored in the pond are also photogenic.
General admission is usually 1,000 yen, and fees and hours change during the temple treasure exhibition and nighttime illumination periods during the autumn foliage season.
Rather than cropping just the building large, placing the approach or tree branches in the foreground conveys the quiet temple atmosphere.
Since photography rules can change inside the halls and in special viewing areas, check the on-site signs before pointing your camera.
Nanzen-ji: Make Use of the Sanmon Gate and the Open Space of the Garden
Nanzen-ji is a temple where it is easy to fit the imposing Sanmon gate, the spacious grounds, and the calm atmosphere of the garden into a single frame.
The roughly 22-meter-tall Sanmon gate can also be climbed, letting you enjoy compositions looking down over the grounds.
Placing people small conveys the scale of the architecture, but care is needed so that visitors' faces are not captured prominently.
Suirokaku: View the Continuous Arches from the Front
The Suirokaku within the grounds of Nanzen-ji is a photo spot where it is easy to create a composition of continuous brick arches.
It is an aqueduct bridge of the Lake Biwa Canal completed in the Meiji period, about 93 meters long, characterized by its continuous brick arches.
Standing with the center line of the arches in mind brings out the rhythm extending into the distance in your photos.
Keage Incline: Use the Lines of the Rails
The Keage Incline is the trace of a 582-meter-long inclined railway connected to the Lake Biwa Canal, and the rails are now preserved.
About 90 cherry trees are planted along the tracks, and during the peak from late March to early April it becomes a popular spring photography spot where you can capture the tracks and cherry blossoms together.
Standing on the tracks for a long time gets in the way of others, so it is reassuring to take your shots in a short time while giving way to surrounding pedestrians.
Kyoto Photo Spots in the Fushimi and Ujitawara Area: Fushimi Inari Taisha and Shōju-in
If you want to photograph red torii gates or indoor window views, Fushimi Inari Taisha and Shōju-in in Ujitawara-chō are candidates.
Both are known for being photogenic, but they are places where you should value the calm of a place of worship and giving way to others indoors.
Fushimi Inari Taisha: Shoot the Vermilion Senbon Torii in a Vertical Composition
Fushimi Inari Taisha is a shrine widely known for the Senbon Torii (thousands of torii gates), where vermilion torii gates line up in a row.
On the approach, waiting for a moment when the flow of people breaks and capturing the depth of the torii in a vertical composition is striking.
Early morning and evening are relatively calm times that are easier for shooting, but prioritize the passage of worshippers and avoid standing still for long inside the torii.
Shōju-in: Quietly Enjoy the Heart-Shaped Window and Ceiling Paintings
Shōju-in is a temple in Ujitawara-chō, well known for the inome-mado (heart-shaped window) in its guest hall, the "Sokuten-no-Ma."
The inome is a traditional Japanese motif resembling a heart shape, used in temple and shrine decoration for about 1,400 years, and it is said to ward off misfortune and invite good fortune.
Capturing the scenery beyond the window together with the "flower ceiling" (hana-tenjō) composed of 160 paintings makes for a shot full of Japanese interior charm.
When photographing indoors, be especially considerate as crowds build: avoid spreading out your belongings, wait your turn, and take your photos quickly.
Kyoto Photo Spots in the Yase and Arashiyama Area: Rurikōin, Kimono Forest, and Togetsukyo Bridge
In Yase and Arashiyama, you can take photos with different atmospheres, such as a garden reflected indoors, glowing Kyō-yūzen poles, and the scenery of a bridge and mountains.
Since some areas are crowded, adjusting the time of day and your shooting angle makes it easier to get a calm shot.
Rurikōin: Wait for the Beauty of the Reflection on the Tables
Rurikōin is a temple in Yase known for "reflection" photos in which the garden's green maples and autumn leaves are mirrored on black tables and floors.
It is open only during special viewing periods in spring, summer, and autumn, and admission is around 2,000 yen.
Since the viewing periods, viewing methods, and whether reservations are required change by season, check the viewing conditions before your visit.
Indoors, it is important not to monopolize a shooting position and to give way to others quietly.
Kimono Forest: Capture the Rhythm of Japanese Patterns
Kimono Forest is a photo spot within the station space of Arashiyama Station on the Randen (Keifuku Electric Railroad), where poles wrapped in Kyō-yūzen fabric encased in acrylic stand in rows.
About 600 poles around 2 meters tall stand in rows, and after sunset they are lit up for a magical atmosphere.
Shooting the patterns up close reveals the layering of colors, while stepping back a little gives the feel of a path of light.
Togetsukyo Bridge: Fit the Bridge, River, and Mountains into One Shot
Togetsukyo Bridge is a photo spot where it is easy to capture the Katsura River (Hozugawa) together with the mountains of Arashiyama.
Rather than stopping on the bridge to shoot, including the whole bridge from the riverbank makes it less likely to block foot traffic and easier to organize the scenery.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove: Be Mindful of the Vertical Lines
The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is a photo spot where you can make use of the vertical lines of the straight-growing bamboo and the curve of the path.
In places where the path is narrow, prioritize the flow of pedestrians rather than spreading out a tripod or holding a pose for a long time.
A Kyoto Photo Trip by Train: The Sagano Romantic Train and the Kyoto Tango Railway
Using trains lets you make the journey itself part of your photo trip.
You will find compositions different from a walking trip, such as window views, stations, platforms, bridges, and coastal scenery.
Sagano Romantic Train: Enjoy the Seasonal Feel of Hozukyō Gorge
The Sagano Romantic Train is a sightseeing train running from Arashiyama and Sagano toward Kameoka, letting you enjoy the scenery of Hozukyō Gorge from the train window.
It covers roughly 7.3 kilometers from Torokko Saga Station to Torokko Kameoka Station in about 25 minutes, and the one-way fare is 880 yen for adults.
Since its appearance changes by season, with cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, and autumn leaves in fall, deciding the scenery you want to aim for based on your visit time makes shooting easier.
When you want to avoid window reflections, adjusting the angle so that bright clothing or your smartphone screen is not reflected makes shooting easier.
Kyoto Tango Railway: A Good Fit for a Photo Trip Toward Kyoto by the Sea
The Kyoto Tango Railway (commonly called Tantetsu, operated by WILLER TRAINS) is a railway easy to combine with a trip toward Amanohashidate and the Kyotango area.
Sightseeing trains such as the "Tango Akamatsu," "Tango Aomatsu," and "Tango Kuromatsu" also run, letting you enjoy the window views of Tango near the sea.
If you use a sightseeing train, the operating days, reservation conditions, and additional fees differ by train, so check the usage conditions in advance and plan accordingly.
Enjoy Train Photography from Safe Locations
At stations and along the tracks, it is important not to enter off-limits areas or attempt reckless photography at platform edges or near railroad crossings.
Inside the train, choose an angle that does not capture other passengers, and keeping continuous shooting sounds and flash to a minimum makes for a comfortable experience.
Photo Spots in Kyoto Station and Kyoto by the Sea: Kyoto Tower, Amanohashidate, and Yuhigaura Beach
Combining the area around Kyoto Station with northern Kyoto Prefecture lets you compare a city overview and seaside scenery within a single article.
For a short stay, choose Kyoto Tower; if you can travel farther, choose Amanohashidate or Yuhigaura Beach to broaden your range of photos.
Kyoto Tower: Capture the Beginning and End of Your Trip
Nidec Kyoto Tower is a roughly 131-meter-tall building that serves as a landmark in front of Kyoto Station, with an observation room about 100 meters above ground offering views over the city of Kyoto.
In April 2024, its name changed to "Nidec Kyoto Tower" through naming rights, but it is still affectionately known as Kyoto Tower.
The composition looking up from in front of the station suits a record of your trip right after arrival, while the view from the observation room helps you understand Kyoto's topography.
Amanohashidate: Capture the Pine Grove and the Sea Widely
Amanohashidate, in Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture, is a scenic spot known as one of Japan's Three Scenic Views, alongside Matsushima and Miyajima.
About 6,700 pines line a sandbar roughly 3.6 kilometers long, and a photo taken while walking among the pines up close gives a different impression than one viewing the sandbar from a high place.
The aerial compositions enjoyed via matanozoki (viewing the scenery upside down between your legs) are classics, such as the "Hiryūkan" (Flying Dragon View) at Amanohashidate View Land and the "Shōryūkan" (Rising Dragon View) at Kasamatsu Park.
On the beach and among the pines, shoot from designated paths and safe locations so as not to damage the natural environment.
Yuhigaura Beach: Enjoy the Time Spent Waiting for the Sunset
Yuhigaura Beach is a famous sunset spot in Kyotango City, a beach where you can capture a wide view of the sunset sinking into the Sea of Japan.
Including the swing on the beach or the coastline makes it easier to take both portrait photos and landscape photos.
In the evening, check your route back before it gets dark, and avoid getting too close to the sea on days with high waves or in stormy weather.
Seasons and Etiquette for Beautifully Photographing Kyoto's Photo Spots
The colors and light you can aim for at Kyoto's Instagrammable spots change with each season.
However, prioritizing photos too much can get in the way of foot traffic, worship, and other travelers' experiences.
| Season | Easy photos to aim for | Representative spot |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Cherry blossoms and tracks | Keage Incline |
| Early summer | Green maples | Rurikōin |
| Summer | Sunset and sea | Yuhigaura Beach |
| Autumn | Autumn leaves | Eikando |
| Winter | Quiet light | Temple interiors |
At Temples and Shrines, Remember They Are Places of Prayer
Before they are tourist sites, temples and shrines are places of worship and faith.
Do not shoot where there are no-photography signs, and exercise careful judgment when pointing your camera at people in prayer or at Shinto priests and Buddhist monks.
On Public Roads, Be Careful How You Stop
In places where people come and go, such as the bamboo grove path, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Keage Incline, it is important not to hold a pose for a long time in the middle of the road.
Tripods, large equipment, and costume photography may require permission depending on the location.
Distinguish What Is OK to Shoot from What to Avoid
When in doubt, it is easier to judge by the standard of whether it would be safe and pleasant if other travelers did the same thing.
| Situation | Good way to shoot | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Briefly, to the side | Occupying the passage |
| Indoors | Shoot quietly | Spreading out belongings |
| Bridge | Shoot from the riverbank | Lingering on the bridge |
| Train | Shoot from your seat | Photographing passengers without permission |
| Coast | Keep a safe distance | Approaching in stormy weather |
Summary: Enjoy Kyoto's Instagrammable Spots with Both Scenery and Etiquette
Kyoto's Instagrammable photo spots, when expanded beyond classics like Fushimi Inari Taisha and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove to include Shōju-in, Rurikōin, the Kyoto Tango Railway, Amanohashidate, and Yuhigaura Beach, give your travel photos a wide variety of expressions.
Keeping quiet and courteous at temples and shrines, and prioritizing passage and safety on public roads and at stations, is the basis for comfortably enjoying a photo trip.
While checking viewing conditions and service status in advance, find Kyoto's distinctive light, colors, and compositions at your own pace.
