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Trip library · Japan · 35.01° N, 135.77° E

Kyoto

Temples at opening time, quiet gardens, and long dinners in Gion.

Language
Japanese
Currency
Japanese yen (¥)
Fly into
Kansai International (KIX)
Good months
March to May or October and November
Feels like
Old, quiet, seasonal

Explore itineraries

3 days · Planned by Trippy Days

Kyoto in three days

Day 1Higashiyama and Gion
7:30 AMKiyomizu-dera at opening · Kiyomizu-deraThe gates open at 6. By 9 the lanes below are packed.
9:00 AMWalk Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka · Sannenzaka
11:00 AMKodai-ji · Kōdaiji Temple
12:30 PMLunch: yudofu, simmered tofu · Higashiyama
2:00 PMYasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park · Yasaka Shrine
5:30 PMEvening walk along Hanamikoji in Gion · Hanamikoji Street
7:00 PMDinner in Pontocho alley · Pontocho
Day 2Fushimi Inari, Nishiki, and Nijo Castle
7:30 AMFushimi Inari's gates before the crowds · Fushimi Inari TaishaMost people turn back at Yotsutsuji, about halfway. The view is best there anyway.
11:00 AMGraze Nishiki Market · Nishiki MarketEat at the stall you bought from; walking while eating is frowned on.
2:00 PMNijo Castle · Nijō Castle
4:00 PMKyoto Imperial Palace gardens · Kyoto National Garden
7:00 PMDinner around Kawaramachi · Kawaramachi
Day 3Arashiyama and the Golden Pavilion
8:00 AMArashiyama Bamboo Grove · Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
9:00 AMTenryu-ji's garden · Tenryu-ji
11:00 AMTogetsukyo Bridge and the river · Togetsukyō Bridge
12:30 PMLunch in Arashiyama · Arashiyama
2:30 PMKinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion · Kinkaku-ji
4:00 PMRyoan-ji's rock garden · Ryōan-jiSit and count the stones. From any spot on the veranda, one of the fifteen stays hidden.
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Field notes

The lay of the land

What a friend who lives there would tell you. Tick what sounds good and it goes on your trip’s Ideas board.

  1. 1KyotoTemples, gardens, wooden streetsBase
  2. 2KuramaMountain temple, and a hike to Kibune≈ 30 min
  3. 3UjiGreen tea and the Byōdō-in≈ 20 min
  4. 4NaraTemples and bowing deer≈ 45 min
  5. 5OsakaStreet food and nightlife≈ 30 min
  6. 6HimejiJapan's finest original castle≈ 45 min
  7. 7AmanohashidateA pine-covered sandbar≈ 2 hr

By train from Kyoto

Known for
Eat and drink

Where to stay

Near Kyoto Station

Easy for day trips and the airport train.

Downtown, by Kawaramachi

Restaurants, Nishiki, and Gion on foot.

Higashiyama

Old streets at your door, quiet once the crowds leave.

Day trips

3 ideas ticked

Start a Kyoto trip

Your ideas land on its Ideas board. Slot them into days whenever you like.