2 days in Kyoto

Day by day

1. Day 1: Fushimi Inari Taisha and Kiyomizu-dera

   Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji, then Gion and Hanamikoji Street in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Fushimi Inari Taisha

      The full loop to the 233-metre summit takes two to three hours, but most visitors turn back at the Yotsutsuji intersection, which has a view over the city. The grounds are free and open around the clock.

   2. Late morning

      Kiyomizu-dera

      Below, visitors drink from the three streams of Otowa waterfall. The stone lanes of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka lead down to Gion.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Kaiseki

      Ryokan and traditional restaurants in Gion, Higashiyama and Arashiyama; reserve ahead.

   4. Afternoon

      Kinkaku-ji

      The original 14th-century building burned in 1950 and was rebuilt in 1955. The route through the grounds is one-way and takes about 45 minutes.

   5. Late afternoon

      Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji

      Nearby, the Okochi Sanso villa garden and the Togetsukyo bridge over the Hozu River complete a day in Kyoto's western hills.

   6. Evening

      Gion and Hanamikoji Street

      Photography is banned on some private lanes off Hanamikoji; never block or follow geiko or maiko for photos.

2. Day 2: Nishiki Market and Kamo River and Pontocho

   Nishiki Market, Kamo River and Pontocho, Philosopher's Path and Ginkaku-ji and Nijo Castle, then Pontocho in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Nishiki Market

      Many stalls sell small tasting portions.

   2. Late morning

      Kamo River and Pontocho

      Along its west bank, the narrow alley of Pontocho is lined with restaurants and bars; from May to September many put up wooden kawayuka terraces over the water for summer dining.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Yudofu

      Restaurants around Nanzen-ji and in Arashiyama near Tenryu-ji.

   4. Afternoon

      Philosopher's Path and Ginkaku-ji

      It is lined with cherry trees that make it one of Kyoto's most popular blossom walks.

   5. Late afternoon

      Nijo Castle

      Moats, stone walls and gardens surround it, and it is where the shogunate returned power to the emperor in 1867.

   6. Evening

      Pontocho

      A lantern-lit alley of restaurants and tiny bars beside the Kamo River.

Before you go

If it rains

• Swap in Sanjusangen-do (Higashiyama): Look for a face that resembles someone you know; tradition says you can find one among the statues.
• Swap in Kennin-ji (Gion): Photography is allowed in most areas, and it is usually calmer than the temples up the hill.
• Swap in Kyoto Railway Museum (Kyoto Station area): Check the steam-train ride schedule on arrival, and book simulators early on school holidays.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 14–20 hours of visiting over 2 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.8 hours in December to 14.5 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

Getting between stops: Bus. City buses cover the main temples with a flat fare within the central zone; board at the back and pay at the front when you leave.

More or fewer days

• One day in Kyoto
• 3 days in Kyoto
• 4 days in Kyoto
• 5 days in Kyoto
• 7 days in Kyoto

Questions travellers ask