5 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

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

   2. Late morning

      Kiyomizu-dera

      Go at opening time, then walk down Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka before the shops open and the crowds arrive. (1.5–2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Kaiseki

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

   4. Afternoon

      Kinkaku-ji

      Combine with Ryoan-ji and Ninna-ji, a 20–30 minute walk or short bus ride along the 'Kinukake-no-michi' road. (1 hour, low cost).

   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. (Half a day, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Iwatayama Monkey Park

      Wear good shoes for the climb and do not stare directly at the monkeys or show food outside the hut. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   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. (1 hour, low cost).

   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

      Walk north to south, from Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji, and detour to the moss-covered gate of Honen-in. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Nijo Castle

      Walk the Ninomaru Palace corridors slowly to hear the nightingale floors chirp underfoot. (1.5–2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Yuba

      Nishiki Market stalls and tofu restaurants in Higashiyama and Arashiyama.

   4. Afternoon

      Sanjusangen-do

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

   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. Best for families, first-timers and culture.

   3. Evening

      Back in Kyoto

      Dinner: try Shojin ryori.

5. Day 5: Ryoan-ji and Daitoku-ji

   Ryoan-ji, Daitoku-ji and Kyoto Imperial Palace and Gyoen, then Kiyamachi in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Ryoan-ji

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

   2. Late morning

      Daitoku-ji

      Have lunch at one of the shojin ryori vegetarian restaurants near the temple gates. (1.5–2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Shojin ryori

      Restaurants inside temples such as Tenryu-ji and around Daitoku-ji.

   4. Afternoon

      Kyoto Imperial Palace and Gyoen

      Bring a picnic and look for the early-flowering weeping cherry trees near the Konoe residence site in late March. (1–1.5 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Kiyamachi

      Bars and izakaya along the Takase canal, with a younger, livelier crowd at weekends.

Before you go

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 19–27 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 4 days in Kyoto
• 7 days in Kyoto

Questions travellers ask