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If you’re planning your first trip to Kyoto, Japan, I’ve put together a 4 day Kyoto Itinerary, just for you!
If you think of Tokyo as a modern city, Kyoto is like it’s older, more traditional sibling. If you’re after cultural experiences – temples, old architecture, beautiful Japanese gardens and Shrines, well Kyoto is for you.
Kyoto is one of my favorite cities in Japan, so if you were to ask me how many days you should spend here, I’d reply by asking “how long is a piece of string?”
Most people find that 4 days in Kyoto is enough. It IS possible to spend fewer days in Kyoto (though I wouldn’t recommend it, unless you have a really tight itinerary!)
So read on for my 4 day Kyoto Itinerary, filled with ideas of places to visit in Kyoto!
Kyoto Itinerary Day 1 – Downtown Kyoto
First days always have the potential to be time wasters if you don’t plan. If you’re anything like me, the first day is always filled with “oh no, what do I do now???” after I’ve dropped off my luggage at my hotel or hostel. If this is you too, I’ve put together a half day itinerary to make settling in easier!
Downtown Kyoto is your first stop. Filled with arcades, museums, and laneways for you to explore, downtown Kyoto is also a great spot to explore on a rainy day.
My top suggestions are:
Nishiki Market
Markets are always a great way to experience the culture of a country you’re visiting, and Nishiki Market is no different. I loved browsing the different foods and fresh ingredients.
The market is undercover, so if it’s raining, this is a great place to spend a bit of time!
Opening hours: 9:30 am – 6 pm daily
Location: Japan, 〒604-8054 Kyōto-fu, Kyōto-shi, Nakagyō-ku, Higashiuoyachō, 富小路通四条上る西大文字町609番地
Cost: free entry
Teramachi shopping arcade
I stayed just down the street from this area, so it was my go-to area for stocking up for souvenirs. The Teramachi Shopping Arcade is a little touristy (think tourist stores and places you can stock up on cheap knick-knacks). It’s a great place to spend some time if you like shopping, but you don’t want to step foot into a large department store.
Opening hours: 10 am – 12 am daily
Location: Japan, 〒604-8091 Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Eirakucho, 232 ダイシンビル
Cost: free entry
Higashiyama District
This area is one of the best places in Kyoto to experience the traditional architecture of Kyoto. Think narrow streets and small wooden shop fronts. The most popular (and photographic spot!) is between the Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine. The busiest time to visit the Higashiyama district is during sunset when the area is filled with keen photographers (professional and amateur alike!)
Psst: during busy tourist periods and public holidays this area can get really busy! If you’re keen in photographing in this area during sunset, be prepared for crowds and other photography enthusiasts!
And if you’re allergic to large crowds (aren’t we all?!) make sure you check out my guide to avoiding crowds in Kyoto!
Opening hours: 24 hrs, but the lighting is most magical when the sun begins to set
Location: most popular spot is between Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine
Cost: free entry
Kyoto Itinerary Day 2 – Fushimi-Inari Shrine & Kinkaku-ji temple
Fushimi-Inari Taisha
The Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine is one of the most well-known spots in Kyoto for tourists. This Shinto Shrine is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. It’s famous for the thousands of torii gates, donated by individuals and local businesses.
It costs 400,000 yen (approximately $3,500 USD) for a small sized gate, and the cost increases to over one million yen (roughly $8,800 USD) for a large gate!
When visiting you may spot fox statues on the shrine grounds – this is because foxes are said to be Inari’s messengers. This shrine is one of my most favorite places in Kyoto to visit – the rows of torii gates are a sight to behold, and the hike up Inari mountain is peaceful (during non-peak periods!) and has sweeping views of Kyoto.
You can spend a couple of hours climbing Inari Mountain, so it is worth visiting as early as possible to avoid the crowds of tourists.
Psst: for more tips on how to avoid crowds of tourists in Kyoto, make sure you check out my guide to avoiding the crowds in Kyoto here!
Opening hours: 24 hrs – some people even come at night!
Location: 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchichō, Fushimi-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 612-0882, Japan
Cost: free entry
Kinkaku-ji Temple
No visit to Kyoto is complete with visiting the Kinkakuji Temple or the “Golden Pavilion.” This Zen temple is famous for being covered in gold leaf and overlooks a large pond. The temple has been burned down a couple of times during his history, twice during a civil war and again in 1950 when it was set on fire by a fanatic monk. It was rebuilt to its current structure in 1955.
I’ve visited the Kinkakuji Temple twice, and am always surprised at how beautiful and grand the temple is. The gold covered temple is a sight to behold, and I’d recommend first-time visitors to Kyoto to visit! It’s hard to avoid crowds at the Kinkakuji Temple, as this is a ticketed location. Your best bet is to visit as soon as they open, or a bit before they close. Off-peak tourist seasons are best, and avoid weekends if possible!
Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily
Location: 1 Kinkakujichō, Kita-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 603-8361, Japan
Cost: 400 JPY (approximately $4 USD) for adults / 300 JPY (approximately $3 USD) for students
Kyoto Itinerary Day 3 – Arashiyama District
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is arguably one of the most photographed spots in Kyoto. The general area of Arashiyama is very popular, as the surrounding area has many beautiful shrines and temples.
If you’re keen on photographing the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, make sure you visit early in the morning and pack insect repellant if you’re visiting in the summer. The crowds start to pick up at 9-10 am!
Also, make sure to avoid visiting during public holidays or weekends. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is incredibly popular, amongst local Japanese and tourists alike!
Opening hours: 24 hrs (it’s always open!)
Location: Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyō-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 616-8385, Japan
Cost: free entry
Tenryuji Temple
A short walk from the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is the Tenryuji Temple – one of the most famous temples in the Arashiyama district. This temple is registered as a world heritage site and is also the head temple of its school within the Rinzai Zen sect of Japanese Buddhism. The reason why most tourists visit, however, is its beautiful gardens which are still in their original form. Make sure you check out the pond with the backdrop of the Arashiyama Mountains!
Opening hours: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm (spring – summer), 8:30 am – 5 pm (autumn – winter)
Location: ６８ Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyō-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 616-8385, Japan
Cost: Garden entry is 500 JPY (approximately $5 USD) for adults / 300 JPY (approximately $3 USD) for students, if you’d also like to visit the Tenryu-ji Garden and Buildings too, it’s an additional 300 JPY ($3 USD).
Rent a rowboat
If you’re visiting during the warmer months, make sure you rent a rowboat to escape the crowds. This is especially a must if you’re visiting during the Cherry Blossom season or during Fall – the colors are spectacular from the Hozu-gawa River! Make sure you take plenty of photos (but be careful with your electronics!)
Location: You can find a couple of boat rental spots if you walk from the Togetsu-kyo Bridge on the north side of the Hozu-gawa River.
Cost: the last time I visited, rental costs were approximately 1400 JPY (approximately $14 USD) per boat per hour
Other things to do
You can definitely spend an entire day in the Arashiyama district. My recommendation would be to pick another temple you’d like to visit (there are SO MANY to choose from!) or visit the Monkey Park Iwatayama. There are also some great food options in Arashiyama too – our favorite was Arashiyama Yoshimura (located along the river) the lines can be long, but the soba is 100% worth the wait!
Kyoto Itinerary Day 4 – Kiyomizu-dera temple & traditional Kyoto
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Most people who visit the Kiyomizu-dera remember it as the beautiful temple with a grand wooden stage looking out across the hillside. This temple is not only beautiful but also attracts many visitors seeking views of fall leaves and cherry blossoms. This temple is one of the most visited temples in Japan and is also a UNESCO world heritage listed site.
My favorite part of visiting Kiyomizu-dera was visiting the Tainai-meguri. This underground area is dark and symbolic of entering the womb of a female bodhisattva. Make sure to follow the handle in the darkness, and make a wish by spinning the rock.
Note: Kiyomizu-dera is undergoing construction at the moment, and part of the main hall is covered up. You will still be able to visit (construction started in Feb 2017 and will finish March 2020), however, if you have plans to photograph the main hall, you may not find what you expect when visiting. Similar to Kinkakuji temple, this is a ticketed tourist site, so it will be hard to avoid the crowds. If this is a priority, make sure you visit as soon as they open or a bit before they close.
Opening hours: 6 am – 6 pm (During certain dates in the spring and winter, there are extended opening hours, and you can even visit during sunset!)
Location: 294 Kiyomizu 1-chōme, Higashiyama-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 605-0862, Japan
Cost: 400 JPY (approximately $4 USD) for adults / 300 JPY (approximately $3 USD) for students
Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts Fureaikan
This was one of my unexpected highlights in Kyoto! I visited on my third trip to this city and was so glad I did. The museum has free entry (bonus for budget travelers!) and is filled with bucket loads of information about Japanese arts and crafts. You’ll learn how the material of kimonos are made, there are even live demonstrations, and they have a great gift shop filled with traditional Japanese crafts! This museum was one of my highlights of Kyoto.
Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily
Location: Japan, 〒606-8343 Kyōto-fu, Kyōto-shi, Sakyō-ku, Okazaki Seishōjichō, ９−1−みやこめっせB1F 左京区
Cost: free entry
Gion corner
Gion is famous for being Kyoto’s geisha district. A short walk from the Higashiyama District; the area is perfect to visit in the evenings. Filled with shops, restaurants, and teahouses, this is where Geisha and Maiko (Geisha apprentices) entertain.
Architecturally, the streets are filled with narrow wooden houses and lit by paper lanterns in the evenings. Gion comes alive in the evenings, which is when other tourists and visitors to Kyoto also flock to the area.
If you spot Geisha or Maiko on the street, please be respectful! Don’t touch the Geisha, be respectful when taking photos and try not to bother them when they leave/enter their place of work. They are people too, and deserve respect!
Update October 2019: Gion has recently implemented a photography ban on the private streets of Gion. Taking photos on private residential streets will result in a fine of 10,000 JPY (approximately $100 USD). You can find out more about the ban here.
Cost: free entry
If you’d like tips and advice for seeing Geisha during your time in Kyoto, make sure you check out this guide from My Ticklefeet blog about seeing Geisha in Kyoto!
Got some extra time in Kyoto?
If you have an extra day (or two!) in Kyoto, or you’re after more ideas of places to visit, I’d recommend spending some time in nearby Nara.
Nara was the capital of Japan in the 8th century, and this makes it an incredible place to see more of the traditional side of Japan. You can visit Nara easily as a day trip from Kyoto.
With the endless shrines, temples and historic locations in Nara, it deserves its own dedicated post, so I’ve put together an itinerary for visiting Nara for first-time visitors.
Where to stay in Kyoto
If you’re visiting Kyoto during the busy season of Spring, I’d highly recommend you book your trip ASAP! To help you, I’ve put together a list of suggested accommodation options, based on location and categorized by travel style.
Check ’em out below:
For Backpackers: 9 Hours Kyoto
This capsule hotel is just a 4-minute walk from Kawaramachi Train Station or an 8-minute walk to Nishiki Market, making it super convenient to travel in Kyoto.
Not for the claustrophobic, the capsules here almost look like spaceships! Each capsule also comes with power outlets for your phone/electronics and free wifi.
There are separate floors for men and women, making it great for solo-female travelers. There’s even a convenience store right next store so you can stock up on snacks 😉 Read more on Tripadvisor here
Book at Booking.com | Book at Expedia
For budget-travelers: Kotoha Kiyomizu
This guesthouse is just a 14-minute walk from the famous Kiyomizudera Temple and is super budget friendly. If you’re traveling on a budget with a partner or friend, I’d highly recommend this option. The nightly rate shared between 2 people is equivalent to a night in a hostel or capsule hotel.
And for that budget-friendly price, you get your own private room, private bathroom and kitchenette (with has a stove top and microwave)! Read more on Tripadvisor here
Book at Booking.com | Book at Expedia
For Mid-range travelers: Kyoto Granbell Hotel
If you want to treat yo’ self (without going broke), the Kyoto Granbell Hotel is a great option.
The hotel is a mix of traditional Japanese design and modern architecture, making it a beautiful place to stay while you’re in Kyoto. They’ve even got a public bath which is only available for guests (it even looks out onto a private garden!)
This hotel is only a 3-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Subway Station or an 8-minute walk to Yasaka Shrine, making it a super convenient base when you’re in Kyoto. If you want to see more of the iconic Higashiyama District, this is a great place to base yourself.
Want to stay at the Kyoto Granbell Hotel? Read more on Tripadvisor here
Book at Booking.com | Book at Expedia
For Luxury travelers: Tomoya Residence Hotel Kyoto
If you’re celebrating something special (like a birthday or anniversary), the Tomoya Residence Hotel is a great option in Kyoto. The architecture here is incredible – it’s a mix of modern and Japanese influences.
Each of the rooms are decorated with modern Japanese influences (with western comforts) like shōji (the traditional Japanese paper screen sliding doors), a coffee machine and a big comfortable bed (sometimes hard to find in Japan!)
When picking your room, you even have the option to pick a room with a terrace and garden view! Want to stay at the Tomoya Residence Hotel? Read more on Tripadvisor here
Book at Booking.com | Book at Expedia
I’d love to hear from you – are you planning a trip to Japan? Or have you been to Kyoto previously? Leave me a comment and let me know if you have any questions!
Psst – are you planning your Kyoto trip? Here are some helpful links:
Heading to Kyoto? Book your hotel room now!
Don’t forget to pick up a guidebook: This is a great Kyoto guidebook and this is my favorite Japan guidebook! Want more Kyoto planning advice? I’ve got a guide to avoiding crowds in Kyoto and a Nara itinerary for first timers!
Want more Japan tips? Check out my posts here, or if you want some help packing I’ve got the ultimate packing guide here
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9 magical photos that will make you fall in love with Japan
We are planning to head to Japan later this year so your post is perfectly timed for us! Thanks for all of the tips.
I’m so glad to hear you found this useful Lisa, and hope you have an amazing trip to Japan!
I did a 2-weeks travel to Japan including Osaka and Kyoto and everything that you mentioned are I think some of the must-sees. If you’re a person who gets overwhelm over big cities, Kyoto is a nice option 🙂
Sounds like you had an amazing trip, Janice! Kyoto is definitely one of my favorite cities in Japan (and not as crazy as Tokyo, which I 100% agree can be overwhelming!)
Your photos took me back to the time I visited Kyoto a few months ago but was only there for 3 days. I wish I had more time. But that desire to see more of Kyoto and Japan will definitely bring us back there! 🙂
I hope you get to visit Kyoto again, Richa! I’ve been a couple of times and I still want to visit again – it’s just one of those cities where you can never run out of things to do/see 🙂
Hi Mae Gene! So glad we landed upon your blog through Two Drifter’s blog for two reasons: We live in Boston too, and will be visiting Japan in April. Your blogs are so resourceful and well put together 🙂
Quick questions:
Did you have to rent the rowboats in advance near the Tenryuji Temple or did you get them on the spot?
Also, how far was Uji by train from Kyoto? We’re only in Kyoto for 4 days but knowing about a day trip option won’t do no harm.
Look forward to hearing from you – Bharat & Supriya
Hi Bharat & Supriya! I’m so glad to hear you’re finding the blog posts useful! And it’s also lovely to hear from a fellow Boston resident 🙂
To answer your questions:
You can definitely rent the row boats on the spot in Arashiyama. From memory, they take cash only so make sure you have some on hand!
Uji is only about a 20-30min train ride from Kyoto. It’s so close you could even just visit for the afternoon if you are tight on time!
Hope this helps and feel free to reach out if you have more questions 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful trip to Japan!
This is great! We are taking my three kids to Japan in April and hadn’t done any planning for our three days in Kyoto. I’ve only been to Tokyo, so I am very excited to see something more old-world. This will be so helpful!
Hi Nicole, if you want to see the more traditional side of Japan, you will LOVE Kyoto! I’m glad this was helpful – feel free to reach out if you have any questions 🙂