3 days in Kyoto

Day by day

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

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

   1. Morning

      Fushimi Inari Taisha

      The head shrine of Inari, god of rice and commerce, is famous for the thousands of vermilion torii gates donated by businesses that tunnel up Mount Inari.

   2. Late morning

      Kiyomizu-dera

      Go at opening time, then walk down Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka before the shops open and the crowds arrive.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Kaiseki

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

   4. Afternoon

      Kinkaku-ji

      The Golden Pavilion is a Zen temple whose upper two floors are covered in gold leaf, reflected in the Mirror Pond.

   5. 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: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji and Iwatayama Monkey Park

   Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji, Iwatayama Monkey Park and Nishiki Market, then Kamo River and Pontocho in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji

      Walk the bamboo grove soon after sunrise, then visit Tenryu-ji's garden when it opens.

   2. Late morning

      Iwatayama Monkey Park

      A steep 20-minute climb from the south bank of the Oi River leads to a hilltop clearing where more than a hundred wild Japanese macaques roam freely.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Yudofu

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

   4. Afternoon

      Nishiki Market

      Eat at or beside the stall where you buy; the market asks visitors not to eat while walking.

   5. Evening

      Kamo River and Pontocho

      Cross the stepping stones at Demachiyanagi, where the Kamo and Takano rivers meet, for a local favourite spot.

3. Day 3: Philosopher's Path and Ginkaku-ji and Nijo Castle

   Philosopher's Path and Ginkaku-ji, Nijo Castle and Sanjusangen-do, then Pontocho in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Philosopher's Path and Ginkaku-ji

      This 2 km canal-side stone path runs between Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavilion, never actually silvered) and the Nanzen-ji area, passing small temples such as Honen-in.

   2. Late morning

      Nijo Castle

      Walk the Ninomaru Palace corridors slowly to hear the nightingale floors chirp underfoot.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Yuba

      Nishiki Market stalls and tofu restaurants in Higashiyama and Arashiyama.

   4. Afternoon

      Sanjusangen-do

      A 120-metre wooden hall, Japan's longest, holds 1,001 gilded statues of Kannon, the bodhisattva of mercy, standing in ranks around a large seated figure and guarded by 28 deities.

   5. Evening

      Pontocho

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

Before you go

If it rains

• 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.
• Swap in Kyoto National Museum (Higashiyama): Major special exhibitions draw long queues; the permanent collection is calmer and well labelled in English.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Kyoto Station area keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Gion and Higashiyama ($$$$) suits couples, culture and luxury. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 16–22 hours of visiting over 3 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.

More or fewer days

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

Questions travellers ask