Kyoto is Japan’s beating historical, cultural and spiritual heart. Home to more than 1,600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines, a vast samurai castle, an Imperial palace and 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Unlike other Japanese cities embracing modernity, Kyoto clings to old traditions. Robed monks glide between temple buildings, prayer chants echo across manicured Zen gardens, and geishas scurry along dimly lit alleyways to their next appointment.
Three days in Kyoto lets you explore the city’s main sightseeing districts and experience its rich culinary traditions without rushing. Based on two visits to this seductive city, I’ve created this 3-day Kyoto itinerary to help you make the most of your time.
If you only have two days in Kyoto, you’ll need to move faster and skip some attractions, but it’s doable. If you have more than 3 days, there are excellent day trip options to Nara and beyond.
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My Suggested 3-Day Kyoto Itinerary + Tips
What you’ll see
- Fushimi Inari’s vermillion torii gates
- The Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku-ji
- Arashiyama’s bamboo forest
- Multiple temples along the Philosopher’s Path
- Geisha spotting in Gion
- Traditional Pontocho Alley
This itinerary keeps you busy — expect at least six hours of sightseeing daily, excluding evenings, plus early starts. Bring comfortable shoes
My top tips
- Start early to beat crowds and make the most of your day
- Don’t slavishly follow this — adapt to your pace and interests
- Northern and Southern Higashiyama blend together; visit more or fewer sights per day as you prefer
- Hundreds of temples aren’t included — part of Kyoto’s joy is stumbling across lesser-visited treasures
- Short on time? Combine Days 1 and 2 into one longer, faster-paced day
DAY 1: Temple Hopping in Northern Higashiyama + Pontocho Alley
Higashiyama area is Kyoto’s main sightseeing area, home to the densest concentration of its temples, shrines, museums, parks and Zen gardens. Your first day explores the northern section before spending the evening in Pontocho Alley.
Total walking: ~5 miles | Start time: 8:00am
Ginkaku-ji | 8 -9 am
Start at Ginkaku-ji, once shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa’s home (1436-1490). This graceful temple owes its nickname to silver leaf encasing its roof of overlapping cypress blocks held in place with bamboo nails.
But I love Ginkaku-ji for its gardens: white sand meticulously raked into cones, designed to reflect moonlight, surrounded by lush moss gardens.
You follow a prescribed circular route to view the temple’s buildings, ponds and gardens. Don’t miss the footpath in the northeastern corner leading to a viewpoint over Kyoto.
Getting there: Raku Bus 100 or 102, or city bus 5 or 17 from Kyoto Station.
After exploring Ginkaku-ji Temple, walk about 100 meters to the Path of Philosophy (Tetsugaku-no-Michi).
The Path of Philosophy | 9 – 11.30 AM (WITH STOPS)
The Philosopher’s Path (Tetsugaku no Michi) is an ancient stone path running alongside the Lake Biwa Canal for 1.8km, connecting Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji. It takes 30-40 minutes without stops.
Lined with thousands of cherry trees, this trail is spectacular during sakura season when the canal banks explode with white and pink blossoms. But it’s one of Kyoto’s most rewarding and peaceful walks any time of year. It’s one of my favourite places.
The path has craft shops and places to stop for refreshments, plus plenty of benches for sitting and… well… philosophising.
Honen-in | 9:15 – 9.30 am
About ten minutes’ walk from the start of the Philosopher’s Path, Honen-in is a secluded and serene temple founded in 1680 to honour the priest Honen. Featuring raked sand gardens, it’s a welcome refuge from crowds descending on more well-known temples.
Otoyo Shrine | 9.45 – 10 am
One of the things that I love about Kyoto is that there are gems around every corner. The Otoyo Shrine, a minor detour from the Philosopher’s Path, is one of these.
Legend has it that this shrine was built in 887 as a devotion for the recovery of Emperor Uda from an illness. Today, it is the guardian shrine for local people.
Some of its sub-shrines have animal statues, including mice, monkeys and kites, and it is also famous for its symbolic trees.
Eikan-do | 10.15 – 11.15 am
Another frequently overlooked temple on the Path of Philosophy (apart from autumn when it’s rammed with fall foliage spotters!) is the wonderful Eikan-Do.
I debated visiting because of its steep entrance fee, but I was so glad I parted with those yen.
Founded in 853, Eikan-Do is special because of its varied architecture, gardens and works of art. Wooden walkways take you on a prescribed route around the temple’s buildings, which feature exquisite gold leaf silk screens from the Edo and Momoyama periods and painted sliding doors.
The star of the show is the famous Amida Statue, with its face turned to look over its shoulder.
Nanzen-ji, the final temple of the day, is a few minutes’ walk south of Eikan-do.
Nanzen-ji Temple | 11.30 AM – 1 PM
Located at the base of the Higashiyama mountains, Nanzen-ji is one of the most impressive temples in Kyoto.
This complex of Zen temples and sub-temples has it all. An imposing two-storey entrance gate (Sanmon Gate), a beautiful zen garden (Hojo Garden), a scenic location, a soaring main hall and serene and secluded sub-temples. Plus a red-brick aqueduct built in 1890.
For me, the highlight of Nanzen-ji was Nanzen-ji Oku-no-in, a small shrine concealed in a forested hollow behind the main precinct.
To get there, follow the road running parallel to the aqueduct up into the hills. Walk past Kōtoku-an, a small sub-temple on your left, and continue up the steps until you reach a waterfall in an idyllic mountain glen.
LUNCH BREAK | 1.30 – 3 PM
Getting back to central Kyoto: Walk 15 minutes to Keage Station for the subway (Tozai Line), or catch city bus 5 or Raku Bus 100 towards Kyoto Station.
EVENING: Pontocho Alley
Treat yourself to a little downtime, then, as night falls, Pontocho Alley beckons. This narrow pedestrian-only street is hard to beat when it comes to atmosphere.
Running from Shijo-dori to Sanjo-dori, one block west of Kamo-gawa (Kamo River), Pontocho Alley barely warrants a glance during the day. But by night, it is transformed into one of Kyoto’s most beautiful streets.
Lined with a huge selection of restaurants with traditional wooden exteriors illuminated with vibrant lanterns, it’s the perfect end to the first of your three days in Kyoto.
DAY 2: Temples and Geisha in Southern Higashiyama & Gion
Day two continues exploring Higashiyama’s temples, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kiyomizu-dera and the iconic Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine, ending with a walk around the geisha district of Gion.
Start time: 8 am (aim to reach Kiyomizu-dera to beat the tour groups — the main hall opens at 6 am)
Kiyomizu-dera | 8 – 9:30 am
Occupying a commanding position overlooking Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera, or ‘Pure water temple’, is one of the most celebrated temples in Japan. Founded at the end of the 8th century, the temple was associated with the Hosso sect of Japanese Buddhism but formed its own Kita Hosso sect in 1965.
Kiyomizu-dera is best known for its massive wooden veranda jutting out from the temple’s main hall, 15 meters above the hillside below.
At the base of the main hall is the Otowa-no-taki spring, whose sacred waters are said to bestow long life, success at school and success in love, depending on which of the three streams you drink from. Take your pick.
Kiyomizu-dera is also home to Tainai-meguri, one of Japan’s most unique experiences.
Said to represent the womb of a female Bodhisattva, you descend into this space in total darkness, guided only by a thick chain of wooden beads. When you reach the bottom, make a wish while spinning a sacred stone. Emerging blinking into the sunlight is intended to give you a feeling of being reborn.
Getting there: Raku Bus 100 or city bus 206 to Gojo-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi bus stop, then a ten-minute uphill walk.
From Kiyomizu-dera, it’s a 25-minute walk north through Higashiyama and across Maruyama Park to Chion-in.
Chion-in | 10 AM – 11 AM
Founded in 1234, Chion-in, also known as ‘the Vatican of Pure Land Buddhism’, is the headquarters of the Jodo sect of Japanese Buddhism.
Standing 24 meters tall and 50 meters wide, the temple’s main entrance gate (Sanmon Gate) is the largest wooden gate in Japan and dates back to the early 1600s. For cinephiles out there, the gate’s staircase was used in the 2003 Tom Cruise film The Last Samurai.
Chion-in is also home to the largest bell in Japan, so immense that 17 monks are needed to ring it at New Year.
The temple’s expansive grounds spread onto the surrounding forested hills and are interlaced with a series of stone paths that connect Chion-in’s main buildings and gardens.
Exiting Chion-in, continue walking south across Maruyama Park and you will reach the Yasaka Shrine in five minutes.
Yaskaka Shrine (Yasaka-jinja) | 11 – 11.30 AM
Straddling Higashiyama and the Gion district, Yasaka Shrine, also known as Gion Shrine, was the liveliest and most colourful shrine I visited during my last visit to Kyoto. It explodes with character.
The shrine’s striking Vermilion Gate, a local landmark, is flanked by imposing statues of Zuishin to guard the grounds. Hundreds of lanterns, each bearing the name of a local business, hang in front of Yaskaka Shrine’s 17th-century main hall.
Visitors flock to Yasaka’s famous sub-shrines, seeking beauty – inside and out – or love. Yasaka Shrine sponsors the famous Gion Matsuri festival every July.
LUNCH | 11:30 AM- 1 PM
Break for lunch in the Higashiyama area.
To reach Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine, take the private Keihan Line from Gion-Shijo station to Fushimi-Inari. From here it’s a 5-minute walk to Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine.
Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine | 1.30 – 4 PM
Gracing many Japan tourist brochures, the iconic Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine is Kyoto’s show-stopper. This shrine is tourist nectar — it gets busy. Very busy.
To avoid the worst crowds, visit later in the day or early morning. Light is best in the afternoon. The shrine is open 24/7.
Dedicated to the Shinto God of Rice, Inari, the complex comprises five shrines scattered across the thickly wooded slopes of Mount Inari. Hundreds of vermillion torii (Shinto shrine gates) line the 4km pathway winding to the summit from the main shrine.
Allow enough time at Fushimi-Inari-Taisha to relax and explore its natural beauty. Despite its popularity, finding a quiet spot to sit, reflect and relax wasn’t difficult in my experience.
Walk for as long as you wish, then circle back. The full pilgrimage route to the top and back takes 2-3 hours, depending on pace. Bring water and snacks.
To reach Gion, the final stop of your second day in Kyoto, jump back on the Keihan Line and travel four stops to Gion-Shijo Station.
EVENING: Gion
Kyoto‘s Gion district is synonymous with the city itself.
The origins of this famous geisha district were in teahouses catering to visitors to the Yasaka Shrine. But by the mid-18th century, Gion was Kyoto’s prime entertainment district and capital of the geisha world.
With its understated townhouses, wooden-fronted teahouses, temples and shrines, Gion exudes the charm of old-world Japan.
Explore after the sun goes down. Not only do Gion’s streets take on ethereal, dimly illuminated beauty, but it’s also the best time to spot a geisha hurrying along narrow streets to her next engagement.
Gion is located in and around Shijo Avenue with Yasaka Shrine to the east and the Kamo River to the west. The most scenic sections are the Shimbashi district (starting at Tatsumi-bashi Bridge) and Hanami-koji Street.
As Gion has some of the finest restaurants in town, it’s the perfect end to your second day. Learn more about geisha in Gion on a nighttime walking tour
>>> Learn more about geisha in Gion on a nighttime walking tour. FIND OUT MORE here.
DAY 3: Golden Pavilion & Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama Area
Day three begins at the sublime Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, moves to Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) and the delightful Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, and ends in Imperial Palace Park.
Start time: 8 am (get to the bamboo grove early to avoid crowds)
The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove | 8 – 9 AM
One of my favourite places in Japan, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is one of Kyoto’s most photographed spots. This can be selfie stick hell.
However, even the most fervent Instagrammers can’t detract from this place’s beauty and serenity. Walking amidst soaring bamboo stalks casting shadows from morning light is a magical, almost eerie experience.
Looking for that special someone? Don’t miss Nonomiya Shrine within the bamboo forest. People flock to this small shrine seeking luck in love and marriage.
Follow the main path through the grove, which leads slowly uphill to Okochi-Sanso villa, formerly the home of famed film actor Okochi Denjiro (1898-1962).
I baulked at the ticket price and haven’t yet seen inside the villa. However, this steep admission fee also buys you a Japanese sweet and a cup of hot matcha tea at the tour’s end.
Getting there: JR San-In Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station, then a ten-minute walk. Aim to get there as early as possible to avoid both crowds at the bamboo grove and the JR San-In Line at busier times. The grove is open 24/7.
>>> Click here to book a rickshaw ride through Arashiyama & the Bamboo Forest
Tenryu-ji | 9 – 9.30 AM
If you love gardens and landscaping, don’t head away from the bamboo forest before stopping by Tenryu-ji, a temple with an attractive stroll garden set against the backdrop of the Arashiyama mountains.
To get to Kinkaku-ji from the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, your easiest option is to take a taxi. If traffic is not too heavy, the journey should take you 10 – 15 minutes.
If you are making the journey on public transport, take the JR Sagano line to Nijo and, from there, bus 101 to Kinkaku Temple. But as Kinkaku-ji is one of the most popular things to see in Kyoto, expect the bus to be crowded.
Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion) | 10 – 11.30 AM
The shimmering reflection of Kinkaku-ji in a large pond, fringed by pine and cherry blossom trees, with a lush bamboo forest as a backdrop, is an unforgettable sight.
Formally known as Rokuonji, the temple was the retirement villa of shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, becoming a Zen temple upon his death in 1408. Rebuilt many times, the present building dates from 1955.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site owes its sheen to gold leaf covering the top two floors. Each floor has a distinct architectural style, and it’s topped with a Golden Phoenix on the roof.
A path takes you around the temple and its grounds. On my last visit, I spent around 30 minutes at Kinkaku-ji, but you can easily spend more time if you want to relax and take photos. Near the exit, stop for matcha tea and Japanese sweets at Sekkatei Teahouse, added to Kinkaku-ji during the Edo Period. Outside the exit, Fudo Hall houses a statue of Fudo Myoo, one of the Five Wisdom Kings and protector of Buddhism.
LUNCH | 11.30 AM – 12.30 PM
Grab lunch near Kinkaku-ji.
The lesser-known Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is a 15-minute walk southeast of Kinkaku-ji.
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine | 12.45 – 1.15 PM
This delightful Shinto shrine, dedicated to the scholar and politician Sugawara Michizane, is popular with students praying for success with their exams. Home to nearly 2,000 plum trees, it is also one of Kyoto’s most popular fall foliage spots.
From the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, it’s a 30-minute walk to Kyoto Imperial Palace Park. Alternatively, catch Raku Bus 102 to Karasuma Imadegawa.
LATE AFTERNOON: Kyoto Imperial Palace Park: 1.30 ONWARDS
The last stop on your 3-day Kyoto itinerary is optional most times of the year, but essential if you are visiting during the blossom season.
Interlaced with wide boulevards and narrower pathways, Kyoto Imperial Palace Park is one of the best spots in the city for viewing spring blossoms. Not only cherry blossoms – there’s a spectacular grove of these – but also plum trees.
I have the staff at Kyoto’s super-friendly tourist information office to thank for this top tip. They even marked out the location of the grove of weeping cherry trees – these bloom earlier than most cherry blossom trees – and the plum arbour to help me on my way.
As it happened, I barely needed a map. The Japanese take their sakura VERY seriously. All I had to do was follow the guys with the hefty DSLRs armed with pro lenses.
My favourite was the photographer who came prepared with a ten-inch-tall doll, complete with a face mask, to add foreground interest to his images. But any other object was fair game; small children, pets, ice cream, teddy bears …
What If I Only Have 2 Days?
If you only have two days in Kyoto, I recommend:
- Day 1: Combine Northern + Southern Higashiyama (skip Honen-in and Otoyo Shrine if you want to save time)
- Day 2: Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari (skip Kitano Tenmangu and Imperial Palace Park)
I’ve put together this fast-paced 2-day Kyoto itinerary that covers the essential sights.
Plan Your Visit: Practical Information
Getting around
As Kyoto’s tourist attractions cluster in different areas, you’ll need to use public transport. Compared with other Japanese cities, navigating Kyoto can be challenging for first-time visitors.
Whilst there are two subway lines, these aren’t always useful for accessing tourist sights. I used a combination of buses, subway, trains and taxis.
There’s also a hop-on-hop-off bus serving many main tourist destinations with one or two-day passes available.
Buses – Kyoto has an extensive and efficient large bus network. However, queues can be long, especially at Kyoto train station.
Board from the rear, exit from the front. There’s often an indicator at the front displaying the next bus stop. When approaching your stop, press the button to let the driver know you want to disembark.
Pay as you get off with cash, a travel pass or a rechargeable IC card. Kyoto has both flat-fare routes (within the city) and non-flat-fare routes.
Travel passes are a convenient alternative to cash fares. However, check that they’ll represent good value based on the number of journeys you plan to make. Much of the time, it’s quicker to walk between Kyoto’s tourist sights, and you may not use public transport as much as you think.
Three Raku sightseeing buses charge the same flat fare as standard city buses. These brightly coloured buses are very user-friendly for tourists. They stop only at key sightseeing locations, and unlike city buses, announcements are made in English and other languages as well as Japanese.
Subway – The city’s subway lines run from north to south (Karasuma Subway Line) and from east to west (Tozai Subway Line). The fare is based on the distance travelled.
Buy your ticket from a ticket machine. If the machine doesn’t have English instructions, check the route map above the machine to determine your fare and press the button corresponding to that fare.
The Kyoto Subway & Bus Pass gives unlimited travel on the subway and city bus routes. There’s also a Kyoto City Subway One-Day Pass.
Trains – Kyoto has six train lines, useful for getting around the city and for journeys further afield. The JR Sagano Line, connecting Nijo, Uzumasa and Saga-Arashiyama with Kyoto Station, is particularly useful.
Taxis – Taking a taxi in Kyoto can often be speedier, and is cost-effective over short distances if there are two or more passengers sharing the bill. As taxi drivers in Kyoto are generally honest and turn the meter on, you shouldn’t worry about being ripped off.
No need to tip — simply pay the fare shown on the meter.
It helps to have a map available or your destination address written in Japanese.
Where to Stay
I recommend staying either near Kyoto Station or in the downtown area.
On my first visit to Kyoto, I stayed close to the main train station. As I was using Kyoto as a base for day trips further afield, this made perfect sense. Kyoto Station is one of the city’s main transport hubs, making getting around easier.
The downside of staying near the train station is that this area isn’t overflowing with good restaurants.
Second time around, I stayed in the downtown area, two blocks from Pontocho Alley restaurants and on many main bus routes. Although I’d choose to stay in this area again on a return visit, I wouldn’t baulk at staying near Kyoto Station again.
I can recommend all these hotels where I’ve stayed. They suit travellers on mid to high-end budgets (Kyoto is not cheap).
Hotel Granvia Kyoto (Kyoto Station Area) – I stayed in this 5-star hotel on my first trip to Kyoto. Located within the railway station, Hotel Granvia allows you to travel with ease within the city and to take the train on day trips out of town. It has spacious rooms, great service and an indoor swimming pool.
>>> CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES & BOOK
Cross Hotel Kyoto (Downtown) – I used this superb hotel as my Kyoto base on my second visit.
Its location is perfect. Hankyu Kawaramachi Station, Sanjo Station, Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station and Sanjo Keihan Station are all less than six minutes on foot, frequent buses pass nearby, and the restaurants of Pontocho Alley and Gion are within easy walking distance.
In terms of luxury, the Cross Hotel Kyoto punches well above its 4-star rating with stylish and comfortable interiors and stellar service.
>>> CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES & BOOK
Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo (Downtown) – As the Cross Hotel wasn’t available for my final night in Kyoto, I moved to this 4-star hotel in the same area.
Whilst not as luxurious as the Cross Hotel, this is a great choice of comfortable accommodation in the same convenient area at a lower price. Free coffee is available in the guest lounge.
>>> CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES & BOOK
Is Kyoto Safe for Solo Travellers?
Japan is one of the best countries for first-time single travellers to visit.
This is one of the safest solo travel destinations in Asia, if not the world. This is a country that takes pride in its safety, uniformity and order, and has a very low crime rate.
Whilst you shouldn’t be complacent, you don’t have to be concerned about pickpocketing or walking alone at night as much as you would in other countries. If you use your common sense, watch your belongings, drink alcohol in moderation and share your itinerary with someone back home, your trip to Kyoto should be trouble-free.
Safety as a solo traveller is a particular concern for women travelling alone.
Whilst you are in Japan, it is highly unlikely that you will be subjected to the catcalling experienced in other countries. However, women have been the recipients of unwelcome male attention when riding the subways.
Chikan, or public groping, has been a dark cloud hovering over Japan for many years. This has led to railway companies introducing designated women-only cars. In Kyoto, there are cars reserved for women on commuter trains.
Beyond 3 Days: What to Add
Here are a few suggestions if you have more than three days in Kyoto:
4th day: Visit Nara — an easy 45-minute train ride for bowing deer and Todai-ji Temple. This is the most popular add-on and is well worth it if you’ve covered Kyoto’s main sights.
5th day: Explore Central Kyoto thoroughly — spend a full day at Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market and the Imperial Palace, or take the Sagano Romantic Train through Arashiyama’s stunning ravine (book ahead).
6th day+: You’re now a Kyoto veteran. Revisit favourite temples at different times of day, explore residential neighbourhoods like Kuramae, or use Kyoto as a base for a day trip to Osaka or Uji.
Ready to Explore Kyoto?
It’s a phenomenal city that will easily be one of the highlights of your Japan itinerary.
Planning more of your Japan trip? Check out my 2-week Japan itinerary for first-time visitors, or find out whether the JR Pass is worth it.
Happy travels!
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.