Karasuma

Kyoto

Karasuma
Karasuma
Photo provided by City of Kyoto and Kyoto Tourism Council
Photo provided by City of Kyoto and Kyoto Tourism Council
Karasuma
Experience sensory delights at the Kitchen of Kyoto, shop for souvenirs, take an art class and visit a sacred temple in this central neighborhood.

Spend a day in the area around Karasuma station for insights into Kyoto’s wonderful art, culinary and retail attractions. Food stalls and gift shops line the streets and alleys of the colorful shopping districts. Museums celebrate everything from local history to crafts and kaleidoscopes. Visit Karasuma to also see a centuries-old Buddhist shrine.

Established as a fish market in the early 1300s, today the bustling Nishiki Market presents a feast of authentic Japanese flavors. Sample delicacies, such as dried seafood, octopus skewers, soy ice cream and yuba (tofu skin) at hundreds of restaurants. Observe bartering battles and shop for knives and culinary utensils. The combination of food locales and kitchenware stores has earned the market the nickname Kyoto’s Kitchen.

Close to the market, the covered arcades of Shinkyogoku Shopping Street and Teramachi Shopping Street are among Kyoto’s most popular shopping areas. Purchase candy, footwear, slogan T-shirts, yukatas and kimonos on Shinkyogoku. Teramachi has more of the same in addition to bookstores, galleries and religious gift shops. The name Teramachi translates to Temple Town and refers to the relocation of several temples here in the 1500s by warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Journey through the ages of Japanese arts and crafts and see a replica of an Edo-era street at the Museum of Kyoto. The Kaleidoscope Museum features a fascinating collection of kaleidoscopes and a make-your-own exhibit. Expositions by resident artists, concerts and contemporary dance performances take place at Kyoto Art Center. Peruse displays of Japanese crafts and sign up for workshops at the Gallery of Kyoto Traditional Arts & Crafts.

Find serenity at the 16th-century Bukkōji Temple, known locally as the Temple of the Buddha’s Light. It features an impressive collection of prayer halls and woodcarvings. Another interesting temple is Nishiki-Tenmangu Shrine, located inside Nishiki Market.

The Karasuma area is on the border of Kyoto’s central Nakagyo and Shimogyo wards. Get here by taking the train to Karasuma station, from where most attractions are within a 10-minute walk.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Karasuma

The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo
The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo
4 out of 5
74 Nakajimacho,Kawaramachi Higashi-iru, Sanjo-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is P4,567 per night from 19 Mar to 20 Mar
P4,567
P5,777 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 19 - Mar 20
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,136 reviews)
Great location
"Was upgraded to a bigger room.. hotel environment was cool."

Reviewed on Mar 12, 2025

The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo
LOISIR HOTEL CLASSIC GARDEN KYOTO SANJO
LOISIR HOTEL CLASSIC GARDEN KYOTO SANJO
3 out of 5
80 Mikuracho, Kyoto, Kyoto
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P3,857 per night from 19 Mar to 20 Mar
P3,857
P4,243 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 19 - Mar 20
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Nishiki Market and Kiyomizu Temple ...
9/10 Wonderful! (146 reviews)
"Great location and fantastic staff. Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. Can’t fault the service. Heaps of restaurants within walking distance and a convenience store across the roads ensure very easy access to dining options. Also within walkable distance to other shopping and nightlife, ..."

Reviewed on Mar 14, 2025

LOISIR HOTEL CLASSIC GARDEN KYOTO SANJO
Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
4 out of 5
420 Sakuranocho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is P5,057 per night from 17 Mar to 18 Mar
P5,057
P5,563 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 17 - Mar 18
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"Great Location"

Reviewed on Mar 8, 2025

Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
Cross Hotel Kyoto
Cross Hotel Kyoto
3.5 out of 5
71-1 Daikokucho, Kawaramachi-dori, Sanjo-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is P13,096 per night from 17 Mar to 18 Mar
P13,096
P14,405 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 17 - Mar 18
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,365 reviews)
"A warm welcome and easy check in process. Very helpful staff our entire stay. Room was quite spacious for Japan. We were extremely comfortable. Breakfast buffet was plentiful (they open at 7am though so if you have an early day tour the opening time could be a bit late for you.) Location was perfect ..."

Reviewed on Mar 14, 2025

Cross Hotel Kyoto
Hotel Gran Ms Kyoto
Hotel Gran Ms Kyoto
3 out of 5
410-3 Shimomaruya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"Had a great stay at Hotel Gran Ms Kyoto! Had the most kind staff ever, who helped us collect our luggage after it was turned away by the convenience store we sent it to. They went above and beyond by contacting the Yamato Transport desk that our luggage was left at, and organising with them that ..."

Reviewed on Mar 13, 2025

Hotel Gran Ms Kyoto
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji
4 out of 5
620 Teianmaenocho, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is P7,493 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
P7,493
P8,242 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 16 - Mar 17
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"We had a short stay and it was very convenient."

Reviewed on Mar 11, 2025

Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Karasuma

Kyōto showing a river or creek and mountains

Downtown Kyoto

If you're spending time in Downtown Kyoto, check out sights like Nishiki Market or Kawaramachi Street and hop on the metro to see more the city at Karasuma Oike Station or Marutamachi Station.

Downtown Kyoto
Kyōto showing a river or creek and mountains

Nakagyo Ward

Travelers love Nakagyo Ward for its popular shops, and you can see more of Kyoto by jumping on the metro at Nijojo-mae Station or Karasuma Oike Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Nijō Castle and Nishiki Market.

Nakagyo Ward
Kenninji Temple featuring interior views, religious aspects and a temple or place of worship

Komatsucho

If you're spending some time in Komatsucho, Kenninji Temple and Hanamikoji Street are top sights worth seeing.

Komatsucho
Gion which includes cycling, street scenes and night scenes

Gion

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Unique features of Gion include the monuments and shopping. Make a stop by Yasaka Shrine or Hanamikoji Street while you're exploring the area.

Gion
Shoren-in Temple which includes a temple or place of worship and signage

Higashiyama Ward

Consider a visit to Kiyomizu Temple and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Higashiyama Ward. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Higashiyama Station or Sanjo Keihan Station.

Higashiyama Ward
Sannenzaka Ninenzaka which includes street scenes and a small town or village as well as a large group of people

Sannenzaka Ninenzaka

You'll enjoy the gardens and monuments in Sannenzaka Ninenzaka. You might want to make time for a stop at Kiyomizu Temple or Hokanji Temple.

Sannenzaka Ninenzaka

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