The Japanese subsidiary of US IT giant Google has announced the top five most popular locations for each prefecture on its mapping service, Google Maps. Number one in Kyoto Prefecture was "that place" popular with both domestic and international tourists.
The announcement was made on the Japanese subsidiary's official blog to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the service's launch. The ranking was compiled based on a survey conducted in June 2025, taking into account the number of user reviews and review ratings posted on Google Maps. Restaurants, retail stores, hotels, etc. were not included.
Number one in Kyoto Prefecture was Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine (Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City). Following in second place were famous tourist destinations within Kyoto City: Kiyomizu-dera Temple (Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City), Kinkaku-ji Temple (Kita Ward, Kyoto City), Nishiki Market (Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City), and Nijo Castle (Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City).
Google analyzed, "Looking at the country as a whole, the top spots were those where you can enjoy quintessentially Japanese scenery and culture, such as temples, castles, gardens, and hot springs, which are popular tourist destinations. Zoos, aquariums, and scenic spots where you can enjoy dynamic natural beauty also ranked highly." For Kyoto, the number of reviews from both within Japan and overseas was about the same.
"Google Maps is more than just a map; it's a vibrant community that brings together people's "wants to know" and "wants to recommend." We hope that this ranking will inspire you to discover the hidden charms of Japan."
