Karasuma Travel Guide

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 neighbourhood. 

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

Hotel Forza Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi

Hotel Forza Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi

3.5 out of 5
Shijo-Dori, Fuya, Nishihairu, Tachiuri, Kyoto, Kyoto
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and in-room massages. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,277 reviews)
"Nice and clean property. Decent amenities. A lot of shopping and restaurants in the area. Really conveniently that the B1 leads to the subway. It would be nicer to have more laundry machines and a bigger laundry and ice area. It would also be convenient if we could place our dirty towels and trash ..."

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2025

Hotel Forza Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi
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 ฿3,308 per night from 28 Aug to 29 Aug
฿3,308
฿3,639 total
28 Aug - 29 Aug
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,618 reviews)
"Excellent facilities with great service."

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2025

Cross Hotel Kyoto
Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo

Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo

4 out of 5
420 Sakuranocho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,004 reviews)
"Excellent day we had a very comfortable day at Kyoto"

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
LOISIR HOTEL CLASSIC GARDEN KYOTO SANJO

LOISIR HOTEL CLASSIC GARDEN KYOTO SANJO

3 out of 5
80 Mikuracho, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ฿1,350 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
฿1,350
฿1,485 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Kiyomizu Temple and Nishiki Market ...
9/10 Wonderful! (488 reviews)
Cannot enjoy the onsen
"Although this hotel is not new, general is okay. This only disappointment is about the onsen. The photo shows the size is okay but it’s really small. 5 places for shower and onsen can aloe 4 people inside only."

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

LOISIR HOTEL CLASSIC GARDEN KYOTO SANJO
Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto Shijokarasuma

Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto Shijokarasuma

3 out of 5
160 Dojisha-cho Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ฿1,894 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
฿1,894
฿2,084 total
18 Aug - 19 Aug
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"Great location!"

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto Shijokarasuma
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 ฿3,138 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
฿3,138
฿3,970 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,247 reviews)
"Loved our stay at the hotel. The staff was nice, the rooms were very clean, tons of restaurants within 5 min walking distance, central location."

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2025

The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo
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

Kyoto which includes a river or creek and mountains

Downtown Kyoto

While you're in Downtown Kyoto, take in top sights like Kyoto International Manga Museum or Museum of Kyoto, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Karasuma Oike Station or Marutamachi Station.

Downtown Kyoto
Kyoto which includes a river or creek and mountains

Nakagyo Ward

5/5(10 area reviews)

Sanjo Street and Nijō Castle are top sights in Nakagyo Ward, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Nijojo-mae Station or Karasuma Oike Station to see more sights in the area.

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

Komatsucho

While visiting Komatsucho, you might make a stop by sights like Kenninji Temple and Hanamikoji Street.

Komatsucho
Gion showing cycling, night scenes and street scenes

Gion

5/5(46 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

5/5(2 area reviews)

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 showing street scenes and a small town or village as well as a large group of people

Sannenzaka Ninenzaka

5/5(5 area reviews)

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

Sannenzaka Ninenzaka

Karasuma Travel Guide