Best Kyoto Travel Guides of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: May 12, 2023

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Kyoto Travel Guides are essential resources for anyone planning to visit this beautiful city in Japan. These guides provide comprehensive information on the best places to visit, eat, and stay, as well as practical tips on transportation and cultural etiquette. With stunning photography and detailed maps, Kyoto Travel Guides offer an immersive experience that allows readers to fully appreciate the rich culture and history of this ancient city. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Kyoto Travel Guides are the perfect companion for your journey.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Lonely Planet Japan 17 (Travel Guide) Cover #TOP 1
Lonely Planet Japan 17 (Travel Guide)
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Learning Japanese Workbook for Beginners: Hiragana Katakana And Kanji - Quick and Easy Way to Learn the Basic Japanese Up-to 300 Pages (EXPANDED EDITION) Cover #TOP 2
Learning Japanese Workbook for Beginners: Hiragana Katakana And Kanji - Quick and Easy Way to Learn the Basic Japanese Up-to 300 Pages (EXPANDED EDITION)
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Moon Japan: Plan Your Trip, Avoid the Crowds, and Experience the Real Japan (Travel Guide) Cover #TOP 3
Moon Japan: Plan Your Trip, Avoid the Crowds, and Experience the Real Japan (Travel Guide)
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Kyoto Travel Guides

Lonely Planet Japan 17 (Travel Guide)

Milner, Rebecca
Bartlett, Ray
Bender, Andrew
Forge, Samantha
McLachlan, Craig
Morgan, Kate
O'Malley, Thomas
Richmond, Simon
Tang, Phillip
Walker, Benedict
d'Arc Taylor, Stephanie
Mar 8, 2022
Lonely Planet Japan 17 (Travel Guide) Cover
Lonely Planet Japan 17 (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet Japan 17 (Travel Guide) is an up-to-date guidebook with detailed information on what to see and skip in Japan. It features over a thousand temples in Kyoto, onsens scattered across the archipelago, and Japan's sublime cuisine. The guidebook offers planning tools for family travelers, insider tips, and cultural insights. It covers Tokyo, Mt Fuji, The Japan Alps, Honshu, Kyoto, Kansai, Hiroshima, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Shiko-ku, Kyushu, and Okinawa with over 150 maps. Overall, it is a comprehensive guide for exploring top sights and taking roads less traveled in Japan.

Learning Japanese Workbook for Beginners: Hiragana Katakana And Kanji - Quick and Easy Way to Learn the Basic Japanese Up-to 300 Pages (EXPANDED EDITION)

Reality, Just
Jul 17, 2021
Learning Japanese Workbook for Beginners: Hiragana Katakana And Kanji - Quick and Easy Way to Learn the Basic Japanese Up-to 300 Pages (EXPANDED EDITION) Cover
Learning Japanese Workbook for Beginners: Hiragana Katakana And Kanji - Quick and Easy Way to Learn the Basic Japanese Up-to 300 Pages (EXPANDED EDITION)

The Learning Japanese Workbook for Beginners: Hiragana Katakana And Kanji - Quick and Easy Way to Learn the Basic Japanese Up-to 300 Pages (EXPANDED EDITION) is an ideal resource for anyone who wants to learn the Japanese language. This newly revised and updated edition includes additional reading and writing exercises, updated stroke order and kanji, and expanded content. The book covers the Japanese writing system, stroke order diagrams, writing instructions, hiragana and katakana writing practice, daily vocabulary, and 103 kanji symbols required for JLPT Level N5. Upon completion, learners will be able to read simple texts in Japanese and use basic vocabulary in everyday communicative situations. Overall, this book is an excellent tool for beginners looking to explore the rich and mysterious culture of Japan through language learning.

Moon Japan: Plan Your Trip, Avoid the Crowds, and Experience the Real Japan (Travel Guide)

DeHart, Jonathan
Oct 4, 2022
Moon Japan: Plan Your Trip, Avoid the Crowds, and Experience the Real Japan (Travel Guide) Cover
Moon Japan: Plan Your Trip, Avoid the Crowds, and Experience the Real Japan (Travel Guide)

Moon Japan is an excellent travel guide for those who want to experience the natural beauty and rich culture of Japan. It provides flexible itineraries, outdoor adventures, and the best local flavors that Japan has to offer. The book also includes useful tips for navigating public transportation and detailed maps. Written by American expat and longtime Tokyo local Jonathan DeHart, this guide offers honest insights and practical advice for travelers. With its thorough background information and helpful tools, Moon Japan is a must-have for anyone planning a trip to Japan.

Japanese Picture Dictionary Coloring Book: Over 1500 Japanese Words and Phrases for Creative & Visual Learners of All Ages (Color and Learn)

Lingo Mastery
Jun 25, 2022
Japanese Picture Dictionary Coloring Book: Over 1500 Japanese Words and Phrases for Creative & Visual Learners of All Ages (Color and Learn) Cover
Japanese Picture Dictionary Coloring Book: Over 1500 Japanese Words and Phrases for Creative & Visual Learners of All Ages (Color and Learn)

The Japanese Picture Dictionary Coloring Book is a unique and innovative way to learn Japanese, designed for visual and creative learners of all ages. With over 1500 Japanese words and phrases, this coloring book is a fun and engaging tool that will help you build your vocabulary while having fun. The book contains over 50 beautiful illustrations, each with up to 20 items to color, and dozens of different categories to help you learn new words. Challenging quizzes are also included to test your knowledge. With an in-depth basic Japanese guide at the beginning, this book is perfect for beginners who want to learn while having fun.

#TOP 5

Lonely Planet Pocket Kyoto & Osaka 3 (Pocket Guide)

Morgan, Kate
Apr 26, 2022
Lonely Planet Pocket Kyoto & Osaka 3 (Pocket Guide) Cover
Lonely Planet Pocket Kyoto & Osaka 3 (Pocket Guide)

Lonely Planet Pocket Kyoto & Osaka 3 (Pocket Guide) is a comprehensive guidebook that provides up-to-date information on the best experiences and local life in Kyoto and Osaka, from exploring the Gion district to visiting the Kinkaku-ji temple. The guidebook offers insider tips to help travelers save time and money while avoiding crowds and trouble spots. It also includes essential information, such as hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, and prices, making it an easy-to-use guide filled with top experiences that literally fits in your pocket. Overall, it is a must-have guidebook for anyone planning a trip to Kyoto and Osaka.

Tokyo Maze - 42 Walks in and around the Japanese Capital: A Guide with 108 Photos, 48 Maps, 300 Weblinks and 100 Tips (Japan Travel Guide)

Schwab, Axel
Riester, Jane
Jan 5, 2022
Tokyo Maze - 42 Walks in and around the Japanese Capital: A Guide with 108 Photos, 48 Maps, 300 Weblinks and 100 Tips (Japan Travel Guide) Cover
Tokyo Maze – 42 Walks in and around the Japanese Capital: A Guide with 108 Photos, 48 Maps, 300 Weblinks and 100 Tips (Japan Travel Guide)

Tokyo Maze – 42 Walks in and around the Japanese Capital is a comprehensive travel guide that offers readers an in-depth view of Tokyo. The guide features 42 walking tours to 500 sights, taking readers to places that are often overlooked. The guide includes 108 photos, 48 maps, and over 100 insider tips to aid readers in their pre-trip preparations and during their stay. The author, who has spent over 25 years in Japan, offers readers a unique perspective on the country. The guide is an excellent resource for both tourists and those planning to live in Tokyo for a while.

Learn Japanese Hiragana and Katakana - Workbook for Beginners: The Easy, Step-by-Step Study Guide and Writing Practice Book: Best Way to Learn ... Inside) (Elementary Japanese Language Books)

Tanaka, George
Polyscholar
Jan 11, 2021
Learn Japanese Hiragana and Katakana - Workbook for Beginners: The Easy, Step-by-Step Study Guide and Writing Practice Book: Best Way to Learn ... Inside) (Elementary Japanese Language Books) Cover
Learn Japanese Hiragana and Katakana – Workbook for Beginners: The Easy, Step-by-Step Study Guide and Writing Practice Book: Best Way to Learn ... Inside) (Elementary Japanese Language Books)

This workbook is the perfect tool for beginners who want to learn Hiragana and Katakana, the two basic alphabets of the Japanese language. Packed with practical information, it includes stroke order diagrams, writing instructions, and flashcards to cut out and keep. With over 120 pages of calligraphy practice exercises, it is suitable for both adults and children. The author, George Tanaka, provides just enough detail to get readers started quickly. Whether for self-study or as a gift for a friend, this workbook is the best way to begin learning Japanese.

The Monocle Travel Guide to Kyoto: The Monocle Travel Guide Series (Monocle Travel Guide, 27)

Brule, Tyler
Tuck, Andrew
gestalten
Dec 6, 2017
The Monocle Travel Guide to Kyoto: The Monocle Travel Guide Series (Monocle Travel Guide, 27) Cover
The Monocle Travel Guide to Kyoto: The Monocle Travel Guide Series (Monocle Travel Guide, 27)

The Monocle Travel Guide to Kyoto is part of the Monocle Travel Guide Series, which offers readers an informal but informed way of exploring different cities around the world. The book provides readers with recommendations for the best places to stay, eat, drink, and visit in Kyoto, all compiled by the Monocle team. Unlike other travel guides, this book focuses on quality over quantity, ensuring visitors get the best experience possible, no matter how long their stay. The book is also compact and collectible, making it a great addition to any travel enthusiast's library.

#TOP 9

Lonely Planet Kyoto 7 (Travel Guide)

Morgan, Kate
Milner, Rebecca
Lonely Planet
Aug 21, 2018
Lonely Planet Kyoto 7 (Travel Guide) Cover
Lonely Planet Kyoto 7 (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet's Kyoto 7 is the ultimate travel guide for those planning a trip to the beautiful city of Kyoto. With detailed information on what to see and skip, insider tips to save time and money, and cultural insights to deepen your travel experience, this guidebook has everything you need to plan your perfect trip. From the vermillion entrance gates of Fushimi Inari-Taisha to the lanes of Gion, this guidebook covers all the must-see destinations and hidden gems that most guidebooks miss. Overall, Lonely Planet's Kyoto 7 is an essential travel companion that will make your trip to Kyoto unforgettable.

#TOP 10

Kyoto Travel Map Fourth Edition

Periplus Editors
Periplus Editions
Oct 22, 2013
Kyoto Travel Map Fourth Edition Cover
Kyoto Travel Map Fourth Edition

The Kyoto Travel Map Fourth Edition from Periplus is a must-have for travelers visiting the city. This map is made of durable coated paper and can be easily opened and folded multiple times. It includes scaled city plans of central Kyoto, greater Kyoto, Kawaramachi & Gion, and Nara, along with an area map of Kansai. The map shows highways, byways, banks, gardens, hotels, golf courses, museums, monuments, restaurants, churches and temples, movie theaters, shopping centers, and more. Periplus Travel Maps cover most of the major cities and travel destinations in the Asia-Pacific region, ensuring a comprehensive guide for anyone traveling in the region.

Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our kyoto travel guide research, we found 539 kyoto travel guide products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 6,476 customer reviews through our big data system to write the kyoto travel guides list. We found that most customers choose kyoto travel guides with an average price of $15.73.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.