![Things to Do: Kyoto Railway Museum [4K] @discoverkyoto](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AMvzdzwzmkA/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded February 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
If there’s one thing Japan is praised for the world over, it’s the punctuality, wide coverage, and convenience of its railway system. Here in Kyoto you’ll surely make use of the shinkansen bullet train when you arrive or leave, and the local lines that crisscross the city for sightseeing… But if you want to do more than just ride, you can always visit the Kyoto Railway Museum! Opened in 2016, this shiny new museum is a sprawling space that covers everything about trains from their construction and operation to their history and services. Interactive in many ways, this museum has lots of areas where guests can touch and operate exhibits in a way that makes things both educational and fun, making it great for visitors traveling with families. The real trains are hard to overlook, but be sure not to miss the train conductor simulators and the country’s largest train diorama!
If there’s one thing Japan is praised for the world over, it’s the punctuality, wide coverage, and convenience of its railway system. Here in Kyoto you’ll surely make use of the shinkansen bullet train when you arrive or leave, and the local lines that crisscross the city for sightseeing… But if you want to do more than just ride, you can always visit the Kyoto Railway Museum! Opened in 2016, this shiny new museum is a sprawling space that covers everything about trains from their construction and operation to their history and services. Interactive in many ways, this museum has lots of areas where guests can touch and operate exhibits in a way that makes things both educational and fun, making it great for visitors traveling with families. The real trains are hard to overlook, but be sure not to miss the train conductor simulators and the country’s largest train diorama!
![Things to Do: Kyoto Railway Museum [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AMvzdzwzmkA/mqdefault.jpg "Things to Do: Kyoto Railway Museum [4K]
If there’s one thing Japan is praised for the world over, it’s the punctuality, wide coverage, and convenience of its railway system. Here in Kyoto you’ll surely make use of the shinkansen bullet train when you arrive or leave, and the local lines that crisscross the city for sightseeing… But if you want to do more than just ride, you can always visit the Kyoto Railway Museum! Opened in 2016, this shiny new museum is a sprawling space that covers everything about trains from their construction and operation to their history and services. Interactive in many ways, this museum has lots of areas where guests can touch and operate exhibits in a way that makes things both educational and fun, making it great for visitors traveling with families. The real trains are hard to overlook, but be sure not to miss the train conductor simulators and the country’s largest train diorama!")
![Beautiful Kyoto: Sakura at the Sewaritei River Park [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AT2yU-KS56Q/mqdefault.jpg "Beautiful Kyoto: Sakura at the Sewaritei River Park [4K]
Popular among locals but as of yet unknown to many tourists, journey southwest of Kyoto to find the Sewaritei riverbank, where a 1.4 kilometer long path is lined on both sides with tall, bountiful cherry trees. The sakura tunnel effect at this riverside park in Yawata city is absolutely gorgeous, and you can even picnic underneath the branches heavy with flowers. In a nearby area vendors set up selling tasty snacks and souvenirs, and depending on the day you might see some entertainment during Aprils cherry blossom season. Those interested can even take a short boat ride along the path. As beautiful as this place is, make sure you get there early if you want a prime spot to lay your picnic blanket down!
Music: Ambient Space Soundscape by Seatools")
![Kyoto Event: 2018 Kitano Odori Dance Performance [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AtnPo3IiQuY/mqdefault.jpg "Kyoto Event: 2018 Kitano Odori Dance Performance [4K]
The geiko and maiko of Kyoto, keepers of time-honored traditional dance and music, are concentrated in five kagai (geisha districts) across the city. Each of the districts performs a large-scale dance for the public once a year, and Kamishichiken districts Kitano Odori runs from March 25th to April 7th to usher in the spring. Two performances are held each day, at 13:30 and 16:00, and tickets cost 4,300 yen. For an additional 500 yen guests can enjoy a cup of green tea and a sweet before the play, which also comes with a commemorative plate. Tickets can be purchased online for those with Japanese credit cards, procured through travel agents, or reserved with assistance at the Tourist Information Center in Kyoto Station.
For more information, please visit the Kitano Odori page on our website:
https://www.discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar/march/kitano-odori/")
![Beautiful Kyoto: Autumn 2016 Eikan-dō [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ER1ykUnqtNg/mqdefault.jpg "Beautiful Kyoto: Autumn 2016 Eikan-dō [4K]
Kyotos autumn leaves (kōyō) are some of the most famous in the country, and one of the most popular places to view the changing colors is at Eikan-dō temple. A Pure Land Buddhist temple originally founded in 853, Eikan-dōs precincts are filled to the brim with maple trees, which turn a variety of fall colors come November and brighten up the landscape in shades of yellow, orange, and red. Since Eikan-dō is host to a light-up event, you can enjoy their gorgeous autumn scenery by day or by night, and neither will disappoint!
To see more of Eikan-dō and how to get there, check out our page: https://www.discoverkyoto.com/places-go/eikan-do-zenrin-ji")
![Kyoto Festival: Hiwatari Matsuri at Tanukidanisan Fudō-in [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ET4kVb8rgxo/mqdefault.jpg "Kyoto Festival: Hiwatari Matsuri at Tanukidanisan Fudō-in [4K]
For more information, visit our website:
https://www.discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar/july/fire-walking-tanukidanisan-fudoin-temple
Tanukidanisan Fudō-in is a temple that eschews the more traditional Buddhist sect system in favor of the ascetic nature worship of Shugendō. A practice that combines various Buddhist, Shinto, and Taoist beliefs, Shungendō can be translated as the way to spiritual power through discipline.
One of the rituals associated both with Shungendō and Fudō Myōō worship is the Hiwatari Matsuri, or Fire Walking Festival. In this ceremony, goma (wooden prayer sticks) are assembled into a pyre to be ritualistically burned and the still flaming ashes and remnants raked flat.
Shungenja (Shugendō followers) lead the way by walking barefoot across the hot ground before helping the public do the same. This fascinating ritual is not only interesting for its religious components but also for anyone who would like to participate themselves. Can you handle the heat?")
![Beautiful Kyoto: Cherry Blossoms by the Kamogawa River [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/EbgFHMR5p9E/mqdefault.jpg "Beautiful Kyoto: Cherry Blossoms by the Kamogawa River [4K]
The cherry blossom season truly delivered this year! Except for a couple of rainy days, sunshine illuminated the beautiful trees in full bloom and there were many happy cherry blossom admirers in Kyoto.
Temples and shrines are popular and beautiful places to view the pink spring beauties, but the Kamogawa river in Kyoto City is also a great place. Not only is it very accessible, but it’s also the perfect place to have a picnic underneath the trees.
Our team took a camera out to the river this cherry blossom season so we could share this Kamogawa sakura magic with you all!
To see more of what Kyoto has to offer, check out our website:
https://www.discoverkyoto.com
Music: Warm Evening by FredIMusicProduction")
![Things to Do: Maiko Theater [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FAYhoRnbdF4/mqdefault.jpg "Things to Do: Maiko Theater [4K]
For reservations at the Maiko Theater for your trip to Kyoto, see here:
http://maikotheater-rs.resv.jp/reserve/calendar.php?x=1493012476&pc=1
When visitors come to Kyoto, one thing is almost always on their bucket list: to see a beautiful geiko or maiko up close and personal. But outside of the annual dance season, hoping to see one on the street, or reserving a seat on the specific day a restaurant calls an entertainer… how do you meet one without breaking the bank or knowing the right people?
That is where the Maiko Theater comes in! At the Maiko Theater guests can choose between four different dining courses according to their budget/desired reservation time. During the course guests are treated not only to a delicious catered meal, but to explanations from staff in English or Japanese, an intimate hosted tea ceremony with sweets, and of course, a traditional dance performed by the maiko host(s). Like at expensive zashiki banquet parties, you can also try your hand at chatting with the young ladies, and a commemorative group photo will make sure you don’t forget meeting one of Kyoto’s beloved maiko!")
