The city's great temples keep a different mood for those who arrive with the morning.
3 min read
By mid-morning, Kyoto’s most famous sights fill with visitors. At dawn, the same paths belong to monks, gardeners and a few determined walkers.
Start at the edges
The thousands of vermilion gates at Fushimi Inari are open at all hours, and the upper trails stay peaceful long after the lower ones grow crowded.
Stop for breakfast
A traditional ryokan breakfast of rice, grilled fish and pickles is its own small ceremony. It is also the best reason not to rush back into the day.