Photo Shoot Locations in Kyoto
This page shows pictures taken at various photo shoot locations is use around Kyoto City.
The locations are listed geographically starting in the southeast from Fushimi Inari Shrine and moving counterclockwise around city, finishing with the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.
The locations are listed geographically starting in the southeast from Fushimi Inari Shrine and moving counterclockwise around city, finishing with the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.
Southeast Kyoto
- Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Tofukuji Temple
- Ishibei Koji Street
- Yasaka Pagoda
- Heian Jingu Shrine
- Nanzenji Temple
- Koinchi-in Temple (Nanzeji)
- Kurodani Temple
- Honen-in Temple
- The Philosopher's Path (Tetsugaku-no-michi)
- Manshuin Temple
- Gion-Shirakawa
- Ponto-cho
- Shimogamo Shrine
- Kawai Shrine (Shimogamo)
- Zuiho-in Temple (Daitokuji)
- Koto-in Temple (Daitokuji)
- Shokokuji Temple
- Myoshiji Temple
- Otagi Nembutuji Temple
- Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Avoiding the Crowds
You'll notice that many the most famous sites in Kyoto are NOT listed, like Kiyomizu Dera area (Ninenzaka/Sanenzaka), Kinkakuji (The Golden Pavilion), Ryoanji, Ginkakuji (The Silver Pavilion) and Nijo Castle. These locations are almost always very crowded with tourists. They are horrible for taking good photos. If it is on the top of Trip Advisor, it will be crowded.
Fushimi Inari is the one famous location that I will still go to (depending on the day or the season), but it can be horribly crowded. It is a truly unique place, so I still go there. Getting photos in the torii gate tunnel without other people is becoming very difficult because of the massive influx of visitors.
Arashiyama is also horribly crowded, but I know a route that works, but we will avoid the main part of Arashiyama.
Most of my competition, especially the photographers working for the kimono shops, will take you very crowded locations in the busy tourist areas.
I take my clients to quieter locations that are just as beautiful -- or more so. Let's talk and I will help you find the right locations.
I'll put some photos of the crowds at the bottom of this list.
Fushimi Inari is the one famous location that I will still go to (depending on the day or the season), but it can be horribly crowded. It is a truly unique place, so I still go there. Getting photos in the torii gate tunnel without other people is becoming very difficult because of the massive influx of visitors.
Arashiyama is also horribly crowded, but I know a route that works, but we will avoid the main part of Arashiyama.
Most of my competition, especially the photographers working for the kimono shops, will take you very crowded locations in the busy tourist areas.
I take my clients to quieter locations that are just as beautiful -- or more so. Let's talk and I will help you find the right locations.
I'll put some photos of the crowds at the bottom of this list.
Southeast Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Tofukuji Temple
Eastern Kyoto
Ishibei Koji Street
Yasaka Pagoda
Heian Jingu Shrine
Nanzenji Temple
Konchi-in Temple (Nanzenji)
Kurodani Temple
Honen-in Temple
The Philosopher's Path (Tetsukaku-no-michi)
Manshuin Temple
Central Kyoto
Gion-Shirakawa
Ponto Cho
Northern Kyoto
Shimogamo Shrine
Kawai Shrine (Shimogamo)
Zuiho-in Temple (Daitokuji)
Koto-in Temple (Daitokuji)
Shokokuji Temple
Western Kyoto - Arashiyama/Sagano & Myoshinji
Myoshinji Temple
Otagi Nembutsuji Temple
Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Crowds
Here are some pictures of crowded locations around Kyoto. These were taken on average days.
The road to Kiyomizu Dera
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Nishiki Market on a Sunday
Fushimi Inari Shrine on New Years
This is a poster showing Fushimi Inari Shrine during the New Year's holidays. About 3 million people visit the shrine over the course of the 4 day holiday. The population of Kyoto is only 1.5 million. It is not fun at all.