A concierge that already knows Kyoto
NUM holds 34,561 places in and around Kyoto. Text it what you want, in any language. It finds three real places that fit, open now, and books the one you pick.
Four of us in Gion tonight around 7. Somewhere for kaiseki that takes walk-ins?
Three kaiseki spots near Gion that fit four. Want me to ask which can seat you at 7?
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What is in the Kyoto directory
Built from open map data, kept current, and never ranked by who paid, because nobody can pay. Placement is not for sale on NUM. Counted November 8, 2026.
Kyoto at a glance
Kyoto was Japan's imperial capital from 794, when it was founded as Heian-kyo, until the court moved to Tokyo in 1869. It keeps a dense spread of temples, shrines and old wooden streets, many listed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most visitors come for the temples, the geiko district of Gion and the seasonal colors of spring and autumn.
Known for
Fushimi Inari Taisha 伏見稲荷大社
Shrine at the foot of Mount Inari where roughly 10,000 vermilion torii gates line trails that climb about 4 km; open 24 hours and free to enter.
Kiyomizu-dera 清水寺
Hillside temple in Higashiyama whose main hall has a large wooden stage on tall pillars, with the Otowa waterfall below.
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) 金閣寺
Gold-leaf-covered pavilion of Rokuon-ji in Kita Ward, rebuilt in 1955 after a monk burned the original in 1950.
Nishiki Market 錦市場
A narrow covered street of about 130 food shops downtown, known as Kyoto's kitchen, for pickles, fish, knives and snacks.
Gion and Hanamikoji 祇園・花見小路
The geiko district by Yasaka Shrine, with Hanamikoji as its main street and the willow-lined Shirakawa canal to the north.
Getting there
From Kansai Airport (KIX), the JR Haruka limited express runs to Kyoto Station in about 75 minutes, roughly every half hour. Airport Limousine Buses run to Kyoto Station (Hachijo exit) in about 1 h 30 min to 2 h, depending on traffic. Cheaper local-train routes via Osaka take about 1 h 50 min. From Osaka Itami Airport, take the airport limousine bus.
Getting around
Two subway lines (Karasuma and Tozai) and a dense city bus network; most city buses have a flat fare inside the central zone and take IC cards such as ICOCA or Suica, not credit cards. JR, Keihan, Hankyu and Keifuku trains reach outlying sights such as Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama.
When to go
Late March to April for cherry blossoms and November for autumn leaves, both the most crowded times. The rainy season runs from about mid-June to July, and summers are hot and humid. Typhoons peak in August and September. Winter is cold, with occasional snow, and quieter.
Local tip
City buses from Kyoto Station fill up fast. For Fushimi Inari, take the JR Nara Line to Inari Station, about five minutes from Kyoto Station.
Facts checked November 1, 2026. Transport and openings change, so NUM checks them again.
More of Kyoto
Fushimi Inari TaishaPhoto: Basile Morin · CC BY-SA 4.0 
Kiyomizu-deraPhoto: Jordy Meow · CC BY-SA 3.0 
Gion and HanamikojiPhoto: 663highland · CC BY 2.5 
KyotoPhoto: Marek Ślusarczyk (Tupungato) Photo gallery · CC BY 3.0 
KyotoPhoto: Cassiopeia sweet · Public domain 
KyotoPhoto: Oren Rozen · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where NUM looks in Kyoto
Districts NUM covers here.
- Nakagyo Ward 京都市中京区
- Shimogyo Ward 京都市下京区
- Higashiyama Ward 京都市東山区
- Kyoto City (whole city) 京都市
- Sakyo Ward 京都市左京区
- Kamigyo Ward 京都市上京区
- Kita Ward 京都市北区
- Ukyo Ward 京都市右京区
- Minami Ward 京都市南区
- Yamashina Ward 京都市山科区
- Fushimi Ward 京都市伏見区
- Nishikyo Ward 京都市西京区
How NUM works in Kyoto
- 1
Text NUM what you want
A table, a massage, a driver, a pharmacy. In your words, in your language.
- 2
Get three real places
Checked, open now, and close to where you are. Nobody paid to be on the list.
- 3
It books the one you pick
The confirmation stays in your thread. A real person is one message away.
Questions about NUM in Kyoto
How many restaurants does NUM know in Kyoto?
2,928 in and around Kyoto, from the open map data NUM builds its directory on. NUM does not list all of them at you. It picks three that fit what you asked for, and says why.
Does NUM cover street food and markets in Kyoto?
Yes: 442 street-food spots and 40 markets. Ask it what is open now and it will answer for the hour you are actually in.
Can NUM help me find a hotel in Kyoto?
NUM knows 1,465 places to stay here. It finds the one that fits and hands you to the licensed partner who books it, so you always know who you are booking with.
What is the fastest way from Kansai Airport to Kyoto?
The JR Haruka limited express to Kyoto Station, about 75 minutes. The airport limousine bus is slower, about 1 h 30 min to 2 h.
Can I take photos in Gion?
Yes on public streets such as Hanamikoji, but ask before photographing geiko or maiko. Since April 2024, signs bar tourists from Gion's private alleys and warn of a 10,000 yen fine.
Can I pay the city bus with a credit card?
No. Kyoto City Bus takes cash, IC cards such as ICOCA or Suica, and day passes, but not credit or debit cards.
What language can I message NUM in for Kyoto?
Whatever you write in. NUM answers in the language of your message, and in the script you used, which for Chinese means Traditional stays Traditional.
Does it cost anything?
Not for travelers. Booking through NUM is free and nothing is added to your bill. NUM Plus and NUM Platinum are optional and only add room.
For businesses in Kyoto
If you run somewhere here, list it free. No account needed: add your place or update its details, and NUM checks them before they go live. Taking bookings through NUM is a separate, optional sign-up.
- Free to list, no account needed
- NUM checks every listing before it goes live
- Nobody can pay to be recommended
Kyoto eSIM: data on the local networks in Kyoto, installed before you land. Japan eSIM plans.