3 DAYS IN KYOTO – THE PERFECT ITINERARY

Welcome to Kyoto, Japan’s former imperial capital! For over a thousand years, this magnificent city served as the heart of Japan, a sprawling canvas where history, culture, and nature intertwined. Unlike the bustling modernity of Tokyo, Kyoto offers a serene journey back in time. Imagine strolling through ancient temples, admiring meticulously manicured zen gardens, or catching a glimpse of a geisha. If you’re planning a trip to Japan, spending 3 days in Kyoto is an absolute must. This comprehensive Kyoto travel guide will help you craft the perfect Kyoto itinerary, ensuring you immerse yourself in its timeless beauty. 

3 DAYS IN KYOTO – THE COMPLETE ITINERARY

Day 1 – Gion, Hōkan-ji Temple , Kiyomizu-Dera & Kodaiji Temples

On your first day in Kyoto, I suggest you plunge straight into the city’s beautiful historical districts, exploring cute shopping streets and iconic temples.

• Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka: Wake up bright and early and head to the incredibly charming, sloping stone streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka. These pedestrian lanes are beautifully preserved, lined with traditional wooden buildings housing souvenir shops, artisan craft stores, cute cafes, and traditional teahouses. As you ascend, you’ll find everything from ceramics and lacquerware to textiles and green tea treats. The architectural style here is quintessential old Kyoto, making it feel like you’ve stepped directly into a historical film.
  
  Don’t miss the quirky little Yasaka Koshin Do temple with its colorful garlands of offerings, and grab a coffee at %Arabica Yasaka Street, the very first branch of this international chain. 
  
  As you can see in the photos below, we visited in the middle of the day and it was so incredibly packed, so I recommend visiting early morning or after sunset.  

• Hōkan-ji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda): On one end of Sannenzaka, you will find the famous Yasaka Pagoda of Hōkan-ji Temple. Standing five stories tall, this pagoda is one of Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks, its elegant silhouette dominating the traditional cityscape. While the temple itself is often closed to the public, its standing in the middle of the surrounding narrow streets is really beautiful, and a great photo opportunity. Straight out of a postcard! 

• Kiyomizu-Dera Temple:  Continue your exploration with a visit to the magnificent Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Japan’s most celebrated temples. Famous for its iconic wooden stage that extends out from the main hall, perched precariously on 139 pillars without the use of a single nail, it offers breathtaking panoramic views of Kyoto city below. The temple complex is extensive, featuring several other halls, pagodas, and shrines. This temple also gets incredibly busy, so visiting early morning would be a good idea. Alternatively visiting at the end of the afternoon, offers some stunning golden hours lights on the temple. 
  Open every day, from 6 am to 6 pm. You can find more details, incl. extended hours during specific periods here.
  Entrance fees 500 ¥ (4 USD)

• Kodaiji Temple: Tucked away just off Sannenzaka, offering a serene contrast to the bustling lanes, is Kodaiji Temple. This beautiful Zen temple, founded in 1606, is known for its meticulously designed gardens. It also has a small but beautiful bamboo grove, quite the iconic Kyoto view!

• Gion: Finally, explore the Gion district, Kyoto’s most renowned geisha district. This area epitomizes traditional Japan with its charming, preserved machiya (traditional wooden merchant houses), many of which are now teahouses, restaurants, and exclusive establishments where geiko (Kyoto’s term for geisha) and maiko (apprentice geisha) entertain. Take a stroll down Hanamikoji Street, then explore the smaller, atmospheric side alleys. The best time to potentially spot a Geisha is late afternoon or early evening.  Sadly we didn’t see any, but if you do, remember to be respectful: observe from a distance, do not chase for photos, and appreciate their beauty from afar.

Day 2: Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market, Sanjo Neighbourhood

• Nijo Castle: Start your morning exploring the Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site that transports you to the era of the Tokugawa shoguns. Built in 1603, Nijo Castle served as the Kyoto residence of the first shogun of the Edo Period. As you walk through its ornate rooms, pay attention to the “nightingale floors”. These specially designed wooden floors squeak when stepped upon, acting as an alarm system against intruders. The palace walls are adorned with stunning sliding doors and beautiful paintings depicting tigers, pine trees, and other natural scenes. Beyond the palace, take some time to explore the castle’s beautifully landscaped gardens. Sadly we visited on a very rainy day, so the pictures won’t do justice to the place, but I still 100% recommend visiting.
  Open from 8.45 am to 5 pm, last entrance 4 pm
  Entrance fee: 1,300 ¥ (9 USD) / 800 ¥ (6 USD) for the gardens only

• Nishiki Market: Are you hungry yet? Then it is time to eat your way through Nishiki Market, aka “Kyoto’s Kitchen.” This bustling, narrow covered street is a sensory heaven, stretching for five blocks and housing over one hundred shops and restaurants. It’s been a vital part of Kyoto’s food scene for centuries. As you wander through, you’ll encounter an astonishing array of local delicacies. Think freshly made mochi, pickled vegetables (tsukemono), skewers of grilled seafood, traditional Japanese sweets, etc.  From breakfast to lunch or just drinks, Nishiki Market is the perfect place to sample Kyoto’s unique flavors.  It’s also great to pick up some food souvenirs to bring back home. 

• Sanjo: In the afternoon, explore the quiet district of Sanjo. This residential neighborhood is full of traditional wooden houses, vintage shops, and cute little cafes. Head to Ishibashichō, a long and covered shopping arcade, ideal for picking up some souvenirs, then continue walking to the Kamo River, a popular spot to walk, run, or picnic.

Day 3: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Tofukuji Temple

• Fushimi Inari Taisha: Start your last day with a truly iconic Kyoto experience: Fushimi Inari Taisha. This popular Shinto shrine is world-renowned for its mesmerizing tunnels of vibrant vermilion torii gates that seemingly stretch endlessly up the sacred Mount Inari. To truly appreciate its magic and capture those iconic, crowd-free photographs, you must arrive early. We arrived there at 7.30 am and it was already relatively busy. The initial part of the walk through the torii gates can be quite packed with everyone trying to get the perfect shot, but as you ascend further up the mountain, the crowds thin out allowing for beautiful quiet moments. The entire loop to the summit and back took us 2 hours and I absolutely loved it, especially higher up, where the gates become more spaced out and the forest grows thicker. Did you know that each torii gate is donated by an individual or a company, with their names and the dates inscribed on the back, and the larger the tori, the larger the donation?
  Opens every day, 24/7. No entrance fee. 

• Tofukuji Temple: After an invigorating hike at Fushimi Inari, walk 20 min through a tranquil neighborhood and head to Tofukuji Temple, a prominent Zen Buddhist temple founded in 1236. While it’s especially famous for its spectacular autumn foliage (making it one of Kyoto’s prime spots for fall colors), Tofukuji is beautiful year-round. The temple grounds are expansive and feature several sub-temples, beautiful Zen gardens, and impressive traditional architecture. Don’t miss the Tsutenkyo Bridge, a covered wooden bridge that spans over a valley filled with maple trees. Explore the Hojo Garden, a stunning example of modern Zen landscape design with its distinct patterns of raked gravel and moss. Don’t miss the massive Sanmon Gate, which is one of the oldest and largest Zen gates in Japan, designated as a National Treasure.
  Open every day 9 am to 4.39 pm. Last ticket sold at 3.30 pm
  Entrance Fee: Garden only 500 ¥ / Garden + Bridge 1000 ¥

Why we didn’t visit Arashiyama Bamboo Forest – For many, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is a bucket-list item. If you choose to visit, be prepared for significant crowds, especially during peak season and mid-morning. It’s undeniably beautiful, with towering bamboo stalks creating a stunning green canopy. However, we opted to skip it on this trip due to the sheer volume of visitors that completely detracts from the tranquility. If you go, aim for a very early morning to maximize your peaceful experience! 

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PLANNING THE PERFECT 3 DAYS IN KYOTO

To ensure this Kyoto travel guide is as helpful as possible, here’s some essential information for your trip.

Where to eat in Kyoto

• Pontocho: For a beautiful dinner experience, head to Pontocho. This atmospheric, narrow alley runs parallel to the Kamo River, and is particularly enchanting in the evening when the lanterns glow, casting a warm light on the wooden facades of the restaurants. It reminded me of Omoide Yokocho in Tokyo. Pontocho is a gastronomic paradise, with an impressive array of dining options, from traditional yakitori (grilled skewers) and sushi bars to lively izakayas. Many places offer views of the Kamo River, especially during warmer months when terraces are set up. We had a delicious barbecue dinner at Pontocho Yakiniku Yamakawa and grabbed sushis for lunch at Pontocho Kappa Sushi.
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• Katsukura Tonkatsu Sanjo: A popular katsu restaurant tucked at the end of a tiny alley. The setting is atmospheric (just make sure to not be seated in the weird makeshift room all the way at the back), and the food is delicious, but do prepare to queue to get in! 

• Matcha House: Grab anything matcha at Matcha House. I think it was my favorite Matcha Latte of our whole Japan trip. 

• Kosa, at Ace Hotel: A classic Australian brunch in a trendy hotel, serving delicious food! On your way in or out, grab a matcha or coffee at Stumptown. They serve their drinks in weird little paper buckets, but my ice matcha was delicious!   

Where to Stay in Kyoto

For your 3 days in Kyoto, I recommend staying in the Sanjo area. It’s a beautiful and central location that offers an excellent balance of convenience and local charm. Sanjo is full of cute cafes, and trendy shops, and is within easy walking distance or a short ride from many of Kyoto’s major attractions. We had a wonderful stay at NOL KYOTO. A modern boutique hotel with a traditional feel. The rooms are spacious and very comfortable, the bathroom with the wooden bathtub is beautiful and the staff is very friendly. They don’t have a restaurant (so no breakfast) but they do have free sake in the afternoon! 

How to Reach Kyoto from Tokyo

The most efficient, comfortable, and popular way to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto is by taking the Shinkansen (Japan’s famous bullet train). The journey is incredibly smooth and scenic, typically taking 2.5 to 3 hours. You can catch the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station in Tokyo, arriving directly at Kyoto Station. It’s a quintessential Japanese experience and an enjoyable part of your overall journey. Keep an eye out and you might see the mighty Mount Fuji (on the right side on the way from Tokyo to Kyoto).

When is the Best Time to Visit Kyoto?

Kyoto reveals different facets of its beauty throughout the year, but certain seasons are exceptionally popular:

• Spring (March to May): This is arguably the most famous time to visit, as Kyoto’s cherry blossoms (sakura) burst into spectacular bloom. The weather is generally mild and pleasant. However, this is also peak tourist season, so expect larger crowds and higher accommodation prices.
• Summer (June to August): Kyoto summers can be hot and very humid but frequent rain occurs in June/early July and the temperature can drop. Crowds are generally fewer than in spring/autumn. We visited in early June and had a fair amount of rain and the weather was quite mild.

• Autumn (October to November): Another incredibly popular period, when the maple leaves turn into all shades of red, orange, and gold, transforming temples and gardens into stunning landscapes. The weather is crisp and comfortable. Like spring, be prepared to face significant crowds in autumn.
• Winter (December to February): Winter is the quietest time to visit Kyoto. While it can be chilly, the city takes on a serene beauty, especially if it snows. Accommodation prices are usually lower, and attractions are less crowded.

The Best Way to Go Around Kyoto

Kyoto has an excellent public transportation system, making it easy to navigate for your 3 days in Kyoto:

• Subway: The subway system is ideal for reaching major attractions located near its lines, particularly useful for covering longer distances quickly.
• Buses: Kyoto’s bus network is extensive and reaches virtually every corner of the city, often taking you closer to specific temple entrances or attractions than the subway. Buses can get crowded, especially during peak hours.
• One-Day Pass: If you plan on using buses frequently, consider purchasing a one-day bus pass. It’s a cost-effective way to get around and offers unlimited rides. You can buy these from bus drivers or at major stations.
• Walking: For exploring specific, concentrated areas like Gion, Ninenzaka, and Sannenzaka walking is the best way to experience the charm and discover hidden gems. Wear comfortable shoes!
• Taxis: Taxis are readily available, though more expensive. They can be a good option for short distances or when traveling with luggage.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON 3 BEAUTIFUL DAYS IN KYOTO

Kyoto is a true testament to Japan’s rich cultural heritage. Its ancient temples, beautiful gardens, historic districts, and serene atmosphere combine to create an amazing experience. In my opinion, Kyoto feels also much trendier than Tokyo, perfectly mixing old and new, with lots of cool shops, cafes, second-hand shopping, etc. Although we only spent a couple of days, I would absolutely love to go back and explore further. I can’t believe we almost didn’t include it in your Japan itinerary! I am so grateful for the friends who convinced us to do so.

So when you come to Japan, make sure to include this extraordinary city in your travel plans – it’s a truly lovely destination and an absolute must-see that will definitely leave you with lasting memories. 

I hope this article will help you plan a beautiful 3 days in Kyoto, but as always, should you have any questions please leave a comment below or reach out to me on Instagram!

Love, Emma

USEFUL LINK TO ORGANISE THE PERFECT 3 DAYS IN KYOTO

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