4 days in Kyoto

Day by day

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

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

   1. Morning

      Fushimi Inari Taisha

      Allow 2–3 hours (free). Arrive before 8am or after dark for empty gates; the crowds thin dramatically above Yotsutsuji.

   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

      Sanjusangen-do

      Allow 45 minutes (low cost). Look for a face that resembles someone you know; tradition says you can find one among the statues.

   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: Tofuku-ji and Kyoto National Museum

   Tofuku-ji, Kyoto National Museum and Kinkaku-ji, then Kamo River and Pontocho in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Tofuku-ji

      The Hojo has modern checkerboard and gravel gardens by Shigemori Mirei.

   2. Late morning

      Kyoto National Museum

      Allow 2 hours (mid-priced). Major special exhibitions draw long queues; the permanent collection is calmer and well labelled in English.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Yudofu

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

   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. 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: Ryoan-ji and Daitoku-ji

   Ryoan-ji, Daitoku-ji and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji, then Pontocho in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Ryoan-ji

      Allow 1 hour (low cost). Visit early or late in the day when the veranda is quieter and you can sit for a while.

   2. Late morning

      Daitoku-ji

      A handful of sub-temples open to visitors, including Daisen-in, whose small dry landscape garden depicts a river flowing from mountains, and Koto-in with its maple-lined approach.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Yuba

      Nishiki Market stalls and tofu restaurants in Higashiyama and Arashiyama.

   4. Afternoon

      Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji

      Allow Half a day (low cost). Walk the bamboo grove soon after sunrise, then visit Tenryu-ji's garden when it opens.

   5. Evening

      Pontocho

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

4. Day 4: Day trip to Nara

   About 45 minutes by train each way. Getting there: Kintetsu limited express or JR Nara line from Kyoto Station.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Nara

      About 45 minutes by train (Kintetsu limited express or JR Nara line from Kyoto Station); about 42 km.

   2. Day

      Nara

      Japan's first permanent capital has Todai-ji with its giant bronze Buddha in one of the world's largest wooden buildings, Kasuga Taisha's lantern-lined paths and Nara Park, where more than a thousand deer roam.

   3. Evening

      Back in Kyoto

      Dinner: try Shojin ryori.

Before you go

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 4 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 16–21 hours of visiting over 4 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
• 3 days in Kyoto
• 5 days in Kyoto
• 7 days in Kyoto

Questions travellers ask