Japan · 3 days · 16 stops
3 days in Kyoto – a ready-made itinerary
Kyoto was Japan's capital for over a thousand years and has hundreds of temples and shrines. The best-known ones are spread out, so the plan takes one part of the city each day: the east with Gion, the west with Arashiyama and the south with Fushimi Inari. The stops are in walking order, with trains and buses noted.
In short
- Length
- 3 days, 16 stops
- Highlights
- Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Fushimi Inari-taisha, Sannenzaka und Ninenzaka, Yasaka Shrine
- Where to stay
- Around Kyoto Station, Gion and Higashiyama
- Getting around
- Kyoto has only two subway lines but lots of buses – which are often packed.
- Best time to go
- The best times are late March to early April for cherry blossom and mid to late November for red maples – but that is also when it is busiest.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Day 1
Higashiyama and Gion
Kiyomizu-dera
A temple with a large wooden terrace over the hillside. Come early – it gets very crowded from mid-morning.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Kiyomizu-deraabout 5 min on foot
Sannenzaka und Ninenzaka
Steep lanes with old wooden houses, tea shops and ceramics. Take the steps slowly, they are slippery.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Sannenzaka und Ninenzakaabout 10 min on foot
Yasaka Shrine
The shrine at the end of Gion's main street, with a red gate hall. The lanterns are lit in the evening.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Yasaka Shrineabout 20 min on foot
Nishiki Market
A covered market lane with pickles, tofu, fish and sweets. Eating while walking is frowned upon here.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Nishiki Marketabout 15 min on foot
Hanamikōji
Gion's main street with teahouses. Photography is banned in some side lanes – don't crowd geiko and maiko.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Hanamikōjiabout 10 min on foot
Pontochō
A narrow lane by the Kamo River full of restaurants. In summer there are terraces over the water.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Pontochō
Day 2
Arashiyama and the Golden Pavilion
The JR Sagano Line runs from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama, about 15–20 minutes.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
The path between tall bamboo stems. Only early in the morning is it fairly empty.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Arashiyama Bamboo Groveabout 5 min on foot
Tenryū-ji
A Zen temple with a pond garden in front of the hills, UNESCO World Heritage. The garden has an exit straight to the bamboo grove.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Tenryū-jiabout 10 min on foot
Togetsukyō Bridge
A wooden bridge over the river with hills all around. There are places for lunch along the bank.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Togetsukyō BridgeBus or taxi to Kinkaku-ji, about 30–40 min.
Kinkaku-ji
The Golden Pavilion reflected in its pond. The loop path is short – allow about 45 minutes.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Kinkaku-jiabout 15 min on foot
Ryōan-ji
A Zen temple with the famous rock garden of 15 stones. Sit on the wooden steps and take your time.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Ryōan-ji
Day 3
Fushimi Inari and the Philosopher's Path
The JR Nara Line runs from Kyoto Station to Inari, about 5 minutes.
Fushimi Inari-taisha
Thousands of red gates climb the mountain. The higher you go, the quieter it gets – about 2 hours.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Fushimi Inari-taishaabout 15 min on foot
Tōfuku-ji
A large Zen temple with a wooden bridge over a ravine full of maples. Very busy in November.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Tōfuku-jiTrain and bus to Ginkaku-ji, about 45 min.
Ginkaku-ji
The Silver Pavilion – not actually silver, but with a sand garden and moss on the hillside.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Ginkaku-jiabout 5 min on foot
Philosopher's Path
A canal-side footpath lined with cherry trees, about 2 kilometres. Small temples and cafés along the way.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Philosopher's Pathabout 25 min on foot
Nanzen-ji
A temple with a huge wooden gate and an old brick aqueduct in its grounds.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Nanzen-ji
Good to know
Best time to go
The best times are late March to early April for cherry blossom and mid to late November for red maples – but that is also when it is busiest. Summer is hot and humid, winter cold but quiet.
Getting around
Kyoto has only two subway lines but lots of buses – which are often packed. For longer distances, train or taxi is usually quicker. A rechargeable IC card works on trains and buses. An express train runs from Kansai Airport to Kyoto Station.
Where to stay
Around Kyoto Station
Handy for day trips and moving on by shinkansen. Less atmosphere in the evening.
Gion and Higashiyama
Old lanes and temples on the doorstep, so you are there early. Quieter in the evening once the day visitors have left.
Your plan
Start with this plan.
Copy it into YesTrip, pick your dates and make it yours: move stops, drop them or let the AI add more. On the road the app shows you the next stop and how to get there.
Kyoto: frequently asked questions
Are 3 days enough for Kyoto?
For the best-known temples, yes – but it is short for a long-haul trip. A fourth and fifth day leave room for a trip to Nara and its deer, and an evening in Osaka.
How do I get from Tokyo to Kyoto?
By shinkansen from Tokyo Station or Shinagawa, about 2 to 2.5 hours. Reserved seats make sense in peak season.
What should I sort out before the trip?
Check entry requirements with your government's travel advice before you go. Bring some cash – small temples and shops don't always take cards.
How do I avoid the crowds?
Start early: Fushimi Inari, the bamboo grove and Kiyomizu-dera are much quieter in the morning. Temples empty out again in the late afternoon.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: Jordy Meow, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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