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Kyoto

Discover Kyoto with 5 scavenger hunts full of riddles and puzzles at real landmarks.

Along the way you'll pass Nishiki Market, Teramachi Arcade, Shijo Bridge, Kitano Tenmangu, Taishogun Yokai Street, Hirano Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera and Sannenzaka, among other spots.

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Vintage travel-poster illustration of Kyoto with the Yasaka Pagoda and traditional streets

Hunts in Kyoto

Nishiki Market to Gion

Nishiki Market to Gion

~80 min · 6 stops

Taste Kyoto's culinary heritage at Nishiki Market, known as 'Kyoto's Kitchen', before walking across the river to the geisha district of Gion.

First stops
  • Nishiki MarketBegin your walk in Nishiki Market, a historic covered street lined with over a hundred stalls selling Kyoto specialties.
  • Teramachi ArcadeCross into Teramachi-dori, an ancient street now serving as a long, vibrant covered shopping arcade.
  • Shijo BridgeWalk towards the wide river running through the heart of the city and stand on Shijo Bridge. Locals love to sit on the banks here in the evening.
Yokai Street to the Golden Pavilion

Yokai Street to the Golden Pavilion

~100 min · 6 stops

Explore the hidden monster-themed Yokai Street and walk through historic shrines all the way to the breathtaking Golden Pavilion.

First stops
  • Kitano TenmanguStart at Kitano Tenmangu, a massive shrine dedicated to the god of academics, especially beautiful during the plum blossom season.
  • Taishogun Yokai StreetWalk down Taishogun Shopping Street, known locally as Yokai Street. Shopkeepers have placed homemade 'yokai' (monster) figures outside their stores.
  • Hirano ShrinePass by Hirano Shrine, a quiet and historically significant sanctuary founded in the same year Kyoto itself was made the imperial capital.
Historic Higashiyama

Historic Higashiyama

~120 min · 6 stops

Wander through the beautifully preserved streets of Kyoto's Higashiyama district, exploring ancient temples, wooden townhouses, and the famous Yasaka Pagoda.

First stops
  • Kiyomizu-deraBegin at Kiyomizu-dera, one of Kyoto's most celebrated temples, famous for its massive wooden stage overlooking the city.
  • SannenzakaWalk down Sannenzaka, a preserved traditional street lined with wooden houses, teahouses, and souvenir shops.
  • Yasaka PagodaStand before the Yasaka Pagoda (Hokan-ji), a 5-story wooden tower that is the most recognizable landmark in the area.
Arashiyama Bamboo & Temples

Arashiyama Bamboo & Temples

~110 min · 6 stops

Experience the natural beauty of western Kyoto, walking from the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge through the towering Bamboo Grove and historic temples.

First stops
  • Togetsukyo BridgeStart at the Togetsukyo Bridge, whose name means 'Moon Crossing Bridge'. It offers stunning views of the surrounding forested mountains.
  • Tenryu-ji TempleEnter Tenryu-ji, the most important temple in Arashiyama, featuring a 14th-century Zen garden that has survived centuries in its original form.
  • Arashiyama Bamboo GroveStep into the otherworldly Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, where thick green bamboo stalks tower high above the path.
The Philosopher's Path

The Philosopher's Path

~100 min · 6 stops

A serene walk along a canal lined with cherry trees, connecting the brilliant Silver Pavilion to the massive gate of Nanzen-ji.

First stops
  • Ginkaku-jiBegin at Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion. Built as a retirement villa by a shogun, its sand garden is meticulously sculpted to resemble Mount Fuji.
  • Philosopher's Path StartStart walking down the Philosopher's Path, a stone walkway beside a canal. It is named after a 20th-century university professor who walked it daily in meditation.
  • Honen-inDetour slightly to Honen-in, a peaceful, moss-covered temple nestled in the woods, far quieter than its famous neighbors.
Frequently asked questions

Scavenger hunts in Kyoto: practical questions

How long does a scavenger hunt in Kyoto take?

The hunts in Kyoto take roughly 80 to 120 minutes and have 6 to 6 stops. You walk at your own pace and can pause and pick up again anytime.

How much does a scavenger hunt in Kyoto cost?

A hunt costs €1.99 as a one-time purchase in the app — no subscription. You can also unlock the whole city with all themes at once.

Which themes are available in Kyoto?

There are 5 hunts in Kyoto: Nishiki Market to Gion, Yokai Street to the Golden Pavilion, Historic Higashiyama, Arashiyama Bamboo & Temples, The Philosopher's Path. Each theme follows its own route past different places.

Can I play together in Kyoto?

Yes — play solo, share one phone, or try the co-op duo mode (beta) with two phones. For groups and team outings there are private hunts everyone joins in the browser.

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