10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Kyoto
Where to Go in Kyoto at Night?
Looking for local nightlife experiences in Kyoto? You’ll find all kinds of great nightspots, with highlights including beautiful temples and shrines to admire as as the sun sets and the illuminations of the night begin to glow. Or discover old street to stroll along and immerse yourself in a magical night-time world.
On top of that, you’ll also find public baths that are great for a bit of relaxation after work or dinner, and plenty of bars where you can enjoy a light snack and a drink. Here we explore the places that define Kyoto’s local nightlife scene.
1. Gion Corner
A tour of Japan’s many art forms
Good for: Families, Nightlife
The directors and producers at Gion Corner have taken the best of all the classical Japanese arts and combined them into a show that features everything from tea ceremony and flower arrangement to puppetry and dance.
Aimed at the tourist market, the show is a little costly, but it represents a good introduction to Japan’s fine arts. This whistle-stop demonstration of Japan’s traditional arts lasts 50 minutes and shows are scheduled twice a day, at 6 pm and 7 pm. Children under 6 get in free.
Location: 570−2 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0074, Japan
Open: April–November: Daily at 6 pm and 7 pm, December–March: Friday–Sunday at 6 pm and 7 pm
Phone: +81 (0)75-561-1119
Gion Corner
2. Fushimi Inari Taisha
A spectacular illuminated shrine
Good for: Couples, History, Photo, Nightlife
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine in Kyoto is famous for its thousands of torii gates, collectively called Senbon Torii (“thousands of torii gates”). As you go beyond the main shrine, gates painted in a beautiful vermilion form a path. The total number of gates now stands at about 10,000.
It’s wonderful to visit during the day, but Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine is exceptionally striking at night when the main gate (Romon), the main shrine (Honden), Senbon Torii, and the paths to the summit are all illuminated. The shrine can, unusually, be visited at any hour. We recommend visiting during the Motomiyasai Festival in July when thousands of lanterns illuminate the main shrine and Inari Mountain. The results are incredibly beautiful.
Location: 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto 612-0882, Japan
Phone: +81 (0)75-641-7331
Fushimi Inari Taisha
3. Tower of Yasaka at sunset
A gorgeous historical tower in a spectacular setting
Good for: Couples, Photo, Nightlife
The Tower of Yasaka is a 5-story pagoda that is a symbol of Kyoto. The beautiful tower has been designated a Nationally Important Cultural Property and is also called the 5-Storey Pagoda of Hokanji Temple. The Tower of Yasaka, which can be seen from various streets in the town of Yasaka, is very popular for its beauty whether seen up-close or from afar.
The tower is quite incredible at sunset. The silhouette of the pagoda stands out against the sky like a painting, really bringing attention to the beauty of Kyoto. It’s also illuminated at night during the peak season. Why not arrange your trip so that you can enjoy it both at sunset and with illuminations?
Location: 388 Yasaka Kamimachi, Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto 605-0862, Japan
Tower of Yasaka at sunset
4. Sky Lounge KUU
Refreshments with a view
Good for: Couples, Nightlife
Sky Lounge KUU is a great place to enjoy a drink while gazing at the beautiful night view of Kyoto. It’s located in the observatory of Kyoto Tower, one of the city’s most famous landmarks. With chic furnishings and blue lighting, the lounge is a sophisticated space with a relaxing atmosphere.
There’s space to sit at the counter, in booths, and at tables, so it’s suitable for every situation. You can take your time and enjoy a drink alone or with a friend, or visit after eating out. To access the lounge, transfer to the observatory elevator on the 11th floor of the tower. If you’re going to the lounge, the elevator to the observatory is free of charge.
Location: 3rd floor, Kyoto Tower Observation Deck, 721 Higashihiokojicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto 600-8216, Japan
Open: Monday–Friday from 5 pm to 11 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 11.30 am to 11 pm
Phone: +81 (0)75-371-3370
Sky Lounge KUU
5. Hanami Koji Dori
A charming street in Kyoto
Good for: Couples, Food, Nightlife
Hanami Koji Dori connects Sanjo Dori in the north and Kenninji Temple in the south, and it’s very popular thanks to its charming townscape. This street was created in the early Meiji period to improve access, but became the Kyoto-like street it is now after work to protect the scenery of Kyoto in 2001.
Here you’ll find temples and shrines, such as Kenninji Temple and its sub-temple (Tatchu Jiin); facilities where you can enjoy traditional entertainment, like Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater; and many traditional Japanese restaurants and souvenir shops. It’s fun during daytime, but it’s even better at night. As the sun sets, the streetlights and lights from shops light up the street and the unique Kyoto atmosphere becomes enchanting.
Location: Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Japan
Hanami Koji Dori
6. Kyoto Illumination Synesthesia Hills
A festival of light
Good for: Photo, Nightlife
Kyoto Illumination Synesthesia Hills is an illumination facility that uses the latest technology to realize the “experience-based beauty of creation.” The venue, which is almost 2000 ft long, creates spectacle and beauty using illumination with the theme of “synaesthesia” (or unusual perception of sensations).
It’s a trippy experience, as though you’ve entered a different dimension, with features like the Spiral Lights Tunnel, a vortex of light in 7 colors creating a strange and fantastical space, and Crystal Lake, where a shining lotus flower and artworks made of light are reflected on the surface of a lake. You can also conduct a symphony of light yourself with physical movement at Synaesthesia Hills.
Location: 1-14 Hirotani, Sonobecho, Okawachi, Nantan, Kyoto 622-0065, Japan
Open: Hours vary by season
Kyoto Illumination Synesthesia Hills
7. Fushimi Sake Village
A go-to for sipping sake
Good for: Couples, Nightlife
Fushimi Sake Village (Fushimi Sakagura Koji) serves delicious food from Kyoto and sake from 18 brewers in Fushimi. Any dishes from stalls on the “delivery menu” will be delivered to your table no matter which stall you’re seated at, meaning you can pay for everything together at the same stall.
The main feature of this place is the Japanese sake bar where you can try more than 120 sake brands at a 75-ft-long bar counter. Make sure you try the tasting set made up of samples of sake brands from all 18 sake brewers. This is a great way to try the best of what each brewer has to offer.
Location: 115 Nayamachi, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto 612-8363, Japan
Open: Daily from 11.30 am to 10 pm (closed on Tuesdays)
Phone: +81 (0)75-601-2430
Fushimi Sake Village
8. Graphical Illumination Plus at Kyoto Station Building
Amazing light show on a vast staircase
Good for: Couples, Photo, Nightlife, Budget
Graphical Illumination Plus at Kyoto Station Building in JR Kyoto Station is a must if you want to enjoy Kyoto at night. Illuminations using 15,000 LED lights appear on the big staircase inside the Station Building. The show started to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the opening of Kyoto Station Building in 2012, but it’s been upgraded since then.
The 20-minute show of light and sound takes seasonal themes, including the 3 major festivals of Kyoto (Aoi (Kamo), Gion, and Jidai) and typical events such as the Star Festival, Halloween and Christmas. This show is best seen from the landing of the big staircase on the east side of the Station Building.
Location: Higashihiokojicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto 600-8216, Japan
Open: Vary by season
Graphical Illumination Plus at Kyoto Station Building
9. Sauna no Umeyu
Spa and hot springs
Good for: Couples, Nightlife
Sauna no Umeyu is one of the public baths in Kyoto loved by locals and visitors. It’s open until 2 am, except for Thursdays, so take your time and enjoy even if you arrive late.
Sauna no Umeyu is said to have been established in the Meiji period, and the structure of the facility has a warm and retro feel, especially the mirrored wall in the women’s bath. It’s said that there are only 2 public baths in Kyoto that have mirrored walls. This sauna is more spacious than a regular public bath. Normally, you need to pay an additional fee to use a sauna at a public bath, so it’s nice that it’s included in the entrance fee here.
Location: 175 Iwatakicho Kiyamachi-dori Uenokuchi Noboru, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto 600-8115, Japan
Open: Friday–Wednesday 6 am to 2 am (closed on Thursdays)
Phone: +81 (0)80-2523-0626
Sauna no Umeyu
10. BAR Oku
Out of the way bar that shouldn’t be overlooked
Good for: Couples, Nightlife
BAR Oku is in an alley a little away from downtown Kyoto, where you can enjoy all kinds of drinks including whiskey and wine. The bar is a renovated Kyoto-style townhouse with a calm atmosphere. There’s a counter and table seating on the 1st floor and sofa seating on the 2nd floor, so groups of any size are welcome.
Don’t miss BAR Oku’s original cocktails. ‘Maiko’ is a cocktail using white soybean paste, based on the Kyoto version of a traditional Japanese soup called Zoni, and various cocktails inspired by the seasons of Kyoto are also top-notch. If you want to spend an extraordinary time in an extraordinary place, don’t miss this secret hideaway bar.
Location: 221-1 Takazaimokucho, Shijo Sagaru, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto 600-8082, Japan
Open: Daily from 7 pm to 2 am (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +81 (0)75-344-6040
BAR Oku
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