7 days in Kyoto

Day by day

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

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

   1. Morning

      Fushimi Inari Taisha

      Fushimi · 2–3 hours · free.

   2. Late morning

      Kiyomizu-dera

      Higashiyama · 1.5–2 hours · low cost.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Kaiseki

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

   4. 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: Sanjusangen-do and Tofuku-ji

   Sanjusangen-do and Tofuku-ji, then Kamo River and Pontocho in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Sanjusangen-do

      Higashiyama · 45 minutes · low cost.

   2. Late morning

      Tofuku-ji

      Higashiyama · 1 hour · low cost.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Yudofu

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

   4. 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: Kyoto National Museum and Kinkaku-ji

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

   1. Morning

      Kyoto National Museum

      Higashiyama · 2 hours · mid-priced.

   2. Late morning

      Kinkaku-ji

      Kita · 1 hour · low cost.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Yuba

      Nishiki Market stalls and tofu restaurants in Higashiyama and Arashiyama.

   4. 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.

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

   Ryoan-ji and Daitoku-ji, then Kiyamachi in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Ryoan-ji

      Kita · 1 hour · low cost.

   2. Late morning

      Daitoku-ji

      Kita · 1.5–2 hours · low cost.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Shojin ryori

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

   4. Evening

      Kiyamachi

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

6. Day 6: Day trip to Uji

   About 20–30 minutes by train each way. Getting there: JR Nara line or Keihan Uji line.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Uji

      About 20–30 minutes by train (JR Nara line or Keihan Uji line); about 15 km.

   2. Day

      Uji

      Try matcha sweets along Byodo-in Omotesando.

   3. Evening

      Back in Kyoto

      Dinner: try Matcha and Uji tea.

7. Day 7: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji and Iwatayama Monkey Park

   Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji and Iwatayama Monkey Park, then Gion in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji

      Arashiyama · Half a day · low cost.

   2. Late morning

      Iwatayama Monkey Park

      Arashiyama · 1–1.5 hours · low cost.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Matcha and Uji tea

      Tea houses in Gion, Higashiyama and Uji; long-established tea merchants on Shijo and in Uji.

   4. Evening

      Gion

      Upmarket cocktail and whisky bars, plus exclusive teahouses that require introductions.

Before you go

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 7 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 17–22 hours of visiting over 7 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
• 5 days in Kyoto

Questions travellers ask