Anyone visiting Japan for the first time should go to Kyoto, home to a whopping 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites and one of my favorite cities in Japan! This article offers a complete 3-day Kyoto itinerary for first-time visitors, taking in all the best sights and experiences, from exploring ancient temple grounds and Japanese gardens to visiting tea houses and experiencing cultural activities like a traditional tea ceremony, along with insider tips and tricks to get the most out of your visit.
So, what are you waiting for? Check out my list of things to do in Kyoto – the cultural capital of Japan for beginners!
Heading to Kyoto? Be sure to check out my list of the best Kyoto ryokan with private onsen and the 15 best Kyoto food tours!
3-Day Kyoto Itinerary Overview
Click the links below to jump straight to a specific day:
Day 1: Kinkaku-Ji Golden Temple, Nishiki Market, Tea Ceremony
Day 2: Higashiyama, Philosopher’s Path, Heian Shrine, Gion
Day 3: Fushimi Inari, Nijo Castle, Imperial Palace
Bonus Day: Arashiyama & the Bamboo Forest
3-Day Kyoto Itinerary: Day 1. Kinkaku-Ji, Nishiki Market & Tea Ceremony
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Getting Started: Where to Stay in Kyoto
Due to a massive increase in visitor numbers in recent years and a shortage of hotel accommodations, Kyoto is one of the most expensive cities in Japan to stay overnight. I would strongly suggest booking your accommodation as far in advance as possible.
There doesn’t ever seem to be a quiet time to visit Kyoto these days, however, you will find it to be incredibly busy (and expensive) during cherry blossom season. In addition to hotels, Airbnb properties are always an option for somewhere to stay, as are traditional Japanese Ryokans.
On my last visit to Kyoto, I stayed at the Naganoya Hotel, a modern hotel meets apartment complex situated close to Nijo Castle.
I stayed in a studio apartment with my husband which was the perfect size for the two of us. The apartment came furnished with two semi-double beds, a sofa for lounging, a kitchen, and a bathroom.
It was a little home away from home, equipped with everything we needed for our stay. The hotel also has rental bicycles available for 500 yen.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Kyoto check out my recommendations for the best Kyoto ryokan with private onsen.
Getting Around Kyoto
Most guides will tell you that the easiest way to get around Kyoto is by bus. I agree that the bus network is generally more extensive than the subway allowing access to more areas and sights. However, the buses can be very slow and crowded due to the vast number of visitors to the city and heavy traffic.
I would recommend taking the subway and combining it with walking where possible to minimize travel time. There’s a whole bunch of different transport passes you can buy for discounted travel. A one-day bus and subway pass costs 1,100 yen for adults, and 550 yen for children. Note that the ticket doesn’t last for 24 hours, it can only be used on the day it is activated. They can be purchased on any Kyoto city bus or subway station. More information is available on the Kyoto city transport website here.
AM: Kinkaku-Ji Golden Temple and Golden Pavilion
No visit to Kyoto would be complete without stopping by Kinkakuji temple, and I highly recommend it for your first stop.
On a clear day, Kyoto’s striking golden temple is a joy to behold, and shouldn’t take too long out of your day to visit. For minimal crowds, I recommend arriving right at 9 am when it opens so you can get in and out before the crowds arrive later in the morning. When I visited at 10 am it was already pretty busy so the earlier you go the better as it is probably one of the top three most popular attractions in the city.
After you have all your temple photos wrapped up at Kinkaku-Ji, stop by the cute tea garden for a rest and a cup of green tea before heading to your next destination.
Don’t miss: If it’s a warm day, after visiting the temple you could pick up a real gold leaf ice cream as featured on Japanese TV from nearby Kinkaku Soft!
Access: Best accessed by Kyoto city bus, numbers 101 and 205 both stop at Kinkaku-Ji, and will take around 45 minutes from Kyoto Station.
Nishiki Market & Lunch
Whilst Tokyo has Toyosu Fish Market, Kyoto is home to Nishiki Market, an area with over 100 shops and restaurants selling Kyoto’s local culinary specialties. The market is over 400 years old, and it’s a great place to spend an hour or so strolling around the area taking in all the sights and smells of the food. If you want to get to really know the market and all the special dishes, you can also do a Nishiki Market food tour where you get to try 10 dishes and have lunch!
If you don’t eat lunch at the market, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby, including this cute Snoopy-themed restaurant, vintage-themed Francois, and the traditional Kinmata, a Japanese restaurant with tatami rooms and a garden.
Don’t miss: be sure to try some local specialties, such as the fresh seafood or yuba (tofu skin) croquette.
Access: 5-minute walk from Shijo Station on the Karasuma Subway Line or bus number 12 from the Kinkakujimichi bus stop.
PM – Tea Ceremony or Cultural Experience
There are many places in Kyoto where you can participate in a traditional tea ceremony. It’s a fun traditional cultural experience to try out and relatively inexpensive. I learned that green tea was originally imported to Japan from China and was consumed by Japanese Buddhist monks to help them stay awake during long periods of meditation, before becoming the popular beverage it is today.
Known as chado – the way of tea, is one of three classic Japanese art forms, along with kodo, the way of incense, and kado, the way of flowers. Much of Japan’s matcha tea comes from Kyoto’s Uji region, which is considered among the highest quality green tea and is often used in the tea ceremony.
When you participate in a tea ceremony nowadays, it will usually take place in a chashitsu (tearoom), a traditional tatami mat room with sliding paper ‘shoji’ doors and hanging scrolls on the walls. It’s a very ritualistic and meditative process that will leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed.
You can book a tea ceremony experience online here.
Don’t miss: If you have time, be sure to stop by the Ippodo Tea shop in Kyoto, one of Japan’s best teahouses, with its traditional wooden shop front and noren curtains.
5 Cultural Experiences to Try in Kyoto!
If matcha is not your um, cup of tea, then here are a few other cultural experiences you can try in Kyoto:
- Kimono rental – nothing will make you feel like you’re in Japan more than walking the streets and temple grounds in a Japanese kimono. You can find rental places all over the city or you can book online in advance. Check prices.
- Japanese sweets-making class – this experience sees participants try their hand at making wagashi – traditional Japanese confectionary. Check prices.
- Japanese calligraphy – you could also try participating in a Japanese calligraphy class – learn how to write beautiful kanji characters with traditional brushes and ink. Check prices.
- Ikebana flower arrangement – learn the classic Japanese art of flower arrangement with this ikebana class that takes place within a 200-year-old ryokan. Check prices.
- Japanese archery – learn the Japanese martial art of kyudo in this private lesson with an experienced teacher who will show you how to shoot with the bow and arrow. Check prices.
PM Kyoto Tower
When I travel to a new city I always like to spend my first evening somewhere with a great view to take it all in. Kyoto Tower is located conveniently close to Kyoto station and is a great spot to stop at for pre-dinner drinks. The tower is the tallest building in the city and has an observation deck 100 meters above the ground. The Sky Lounge is situated on the third floor of the observation deck and is a great pre-dinner cocktail spot.
For dinner, there are hundreds of restaurants around Kyoto station featuring every kind of cuisine. I recommend just having a walk around until you find something you like the look of!
Access: Opposite Kyoto station
3-Day Kyoto Itinerary Day 2 – Higashiyama, Philosopher’s Path, Heian Jingu, Gion
AM Walk along the Philosopher’s Path
Start your second day in Kyoto with some gentle exercise and walk along the scenic Philosopher’s Path canalside walk.
Before you begin by walking south toward Nanzen-Ji Temple, you could also visit the Ginkaku-Ji (silver pavilion) Temple and Gardens.
The Philosopher’s Path is a scenic footpath that follows a canal and passes by several shrines. The route is 2km long and takes only 30 minutes to complete. It is named after a famous Japanese philosopher, Nishida Kitaro, who is said to have walked the route daily as part of his meditation. The path is particularly lovely during the cherry blossoms season and is one of the most popular viewing spots in the city.
After you have finished walking the route, visit Nanzenji Temple. This temple dates to the 13th century and you can also see a traditional Japanese rock garden here. The temple complex is also very popular during the fall season for its vibrant autumn colors.
Access: The path begins near Ginkaku-Ji Temple, which can be accessed by the following buses from Kyoto Station: 5, 17, and 32.
AM Heian Shrine Gardens
Close to Nanzen-Ji Temple is one of my favorite places in Kyoto, the beautiful gardens at Heian Shrine. Heian Shrine is one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines and features a huge Torii gate and extensive gardens. One reason I like this shrine so much is that is relatively quiet. The first time I visited the gardens, it was a Saturday afternoon on the emperor’s birthday, one of the busiest public holidays in Japan. Yet I was able to walk around and photograph the gardens at times without another person in sight.
Another reason I wanted to visit the shrine’s gardens is that it was one of the filming locations for the movie Lost in Translation, one of my favorite films. It is featured during a scene in which Scarlet Johansson’s character visits Kyoto for the day. During her trip, she is seen crossing a pond using stepping stones which are the ones located at Heian Shrine. I had a lot of fun recreating this famous movie moment and walking around and enjoying the tranquil gardens.
Access: 10-minutes on foot from Higashiyama subway station, or 15-20 minutes on foot from Nanzen-Ji Temple
PM: LUNCH
The Higashiyama area has a huge selection of restaurants and cafes to choose from, here are a few recommendations for different budgets:
$ – Cheap Eats
Asuka – a Japanese restaurant close to Nanzen-ji temple serving very affordable rice and noodle dishes
$$ – Mid-priced
Oagari – a reasonably priced restaurant popular that’s tourist friendly and specializes in Japanese okonomiyaki (savory pancakes)
$$$ – Fine dining
The Sodoh is an upscale Italian dining experience with a Japanese twist. The restaurant is set within a gorgeous traditional Japanese house and gardens that date back to the 1920s. The house belonged to Japanese painter Seiho Takeuchi and the lunch menu starts from 4,000 yen per person.
PM Yasaka Shrine
After lunch, head over to Yasaka Shrine which is around a 15-minute walk from Heian Shrine. Yasaka Shrine dates back more than 1,200 years and is famous for being the site of the Gion Matsuri. Gion Matsuri is one of Japan’s most famous festivals which sees residents dress in elaborate costumes and transport portable shrines across the river. The shrine is recognizable by its colorful Vermilion Gate, flanked by large lion-dog statues.
Inside the grounds of Yasaka Shrine, there is a smaller shrine, popular with maiko and geiko as the water there is said to make you more beautiful, and you can also write your beauty wishes on the ema wooden plaques.
Don’t miss: if you’re visiting Yasaka Shrine during cherry blossom season, be sure to stop by nearby Maruyama Park. It’s Kyoto’s oldest park and one of the city’s main cherry blossom viewing spots, a perfect place for your hanami party!
PM Kiyomizu-Dera
There’s just time to squeeze in one more temple for the day so might as well make it a good one! Kiyomizu-dera is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with more than 1,200 years of history. Situated halfway up Mt. Otowa and part of Kyoto’s Higashiyama mountain range, it offers stunning views of the Kyoto cityscape.
You may have seen images of the famous main hall (Hondo), a famous traditional wooden structure that stands on a steep mountain cliff and has a large stage area strong enough to support the high numbers of daily visitors. Kiyomizu-dera is also a beautiful spot for viewing cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, you can check the dates each year via their website here.
Be aware that due to the temple’s mountainside location, it is an uphill walk but there are plenty of shops along the way to distract you! If you’re traveling with small children and have a stroller there is also step-free access available.
Don’t miss: throughout the year the temple holds special night-time viewings so be sure to check the dates in advance of your visit!
Access: 25 minutes walk from Gojo Station on Keihan Line or 15 minutes walk to Kiyomizu-michi and Gojo-zaka Bus Stop. From Yasaka Shrine it’s about 20 minutes on foot.
Evening: Discover Geisha in Gion
The Gion district of Kyoto is a treasure trove of hidden delights waiting to be discovered. From traditional Japanese townhouses called machiya, to restaurants, bars, and boutiques. You are most likely to catch a glimpse of a geiko or maiko (geisha in training) here during the evening on her way to an appointment, however, if you do manage to spot one of these ladies, please be respectful and refrain from taking their photos without permission. If you want a guaranteed maiko experience, there are plenty of options you can arrange in advance.
Geisha Experiences to Try in Gion, Kyoto
There are plenty of ways to have a fun geisha experience or interaction including:
- Watching a traditional Maiko dance
- Getting your own Maiko makeover
- Have dinner with a Maiko
- Go to Gion Corner to see a Maiko performance
The show at Gion Corner is one of my personal favorite Kyoto experiences. I saw this show the very first time I went to Kyoto back in 2014. As a big fan of the novel Memoirs of a Geisha, I remember feeling overcome with emotion when I saw the maiko step onto the stage. You are allowed to take photos of the performances too. For 5,500 yen you can purchase tickets to a 50-minute show that includes traditional cultural performances such as music performed on the koto, puppet theatre (Bunraku), and a dance performed by a maiko or geiko.
You don’t need to buy tickets in advance, just turn up on the day and purchase them at the counter. Be sure to check the website in advance for show times and dates.
Don’t Miss: Starbucks Machiya
Another of my favorite spots close to Gion is the Starbucks which is housed inside a 100-year-old traditional Kyoto wooden townhouse. This branch of the global coffee chain comes complete with a Japanese garden and tatami floor rooms. It’s a lovely spot to rest your legs and recharge, although it does get busy depending on the time of day you visit.
I would recommend visiting this store either before or after going to the Kiyomizu-Dera temple, one of Kyoto’s most famous temples, constructed in 1633, which is only ten minutes away on foot.
Dinner in Gion
You can find many different kinds of restaurants in the Gion area, offering all your favorite Japanese dishes from okonomiyaki to sushi and wagyu steak. However, if you want to experience the best of everything, why not take part in an evening walking tour of Gion followed by a delicious 10-course kaiseki dinner? Yes, please!
3-Day Kyoto Itinerary Day 3 – Fushimi Inari, Nijo Castle, Imperial Palace
AM: Fushimi Inari Taisha
On the last day of this 3-day Kyoto itinerary, I recommend a trip to one of Kyoto’s most iconic spots, Fushimi Inari. If you’ve ever seen a photo of Japan, chances are you’ve probably seen one of the famous red torii gates at Fushimi Inari shrine.
As one of Japan’s most popular tourist attractions, the earlier you can arrive at Fushimi Inari, the better. As admission is free and it’s technically open at all times, you can get there as early as you like to avoid the crowds and take some photos.
In addition to hiking up the mountain through the thousands of torii gates and exploring the grounds of the Shinto shrine, there are also several festivals that take place there throughout the year. You can check out a list of events here
Access: Fushimi Inari shrine is best accessed by train. It’s right outside JR Inari station, a 5-minute journey from Kyoto station on the JR Nara line.
After your visit, stop for a coffee or bite to eat at the Vermillion Cafe nearby, whose coffee beans come from a local roastery in Kyoto called Weekenders Coffee. The staff speaks Japanese and English, and the cafe serves lunches daily until 2 pm along with a selection of sweet treats!
PM: Nijo Castle
After lunch head over to the World Heritage Site of Nijo Castle and explore the old buildings and grounds. The castle was originally built for defense purposes to protect against enemy attacks, and construction began in 1601 and was completed in 1603. However, like many of Japan’s castles, it was destroyed by fire and subsequently rebuilt. The castle became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
Admission to Nijo Castle costs 800 yen and English audio guides are available to hire for an additional charge. There are also daily English language tours every day at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. for an additional cost.
Access: Close to Nijojo-mae Station on the Tozai Subway Line.
PM: Kyoto Imperial Palace
After exploring Nijo Castle, you could pay a visit to the nearby Kyoto Imperial Palace, which is around a 15-minute walk from the castle. The grounds of the Kyoto Imperial Palace are open to walk-in visitors all year round with final admission between 3.20pm and 4.20 pm depending on the time of year. If you’d like to do a guided tour – there are free daily tours available in English and Chinese languages at 10 am and 2 pm.
There is also a self-guided audio tour available via an app in multiple languages including Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, French, and Spanish. You can check more information about tours and opening times on the website.
Kyoto used to be the capital city of Japan and the Imperial Palace was home to the emperor’s family until 1868 when Tokyo became the capital. During the tour, you are not able to enter any of the buildings, but you can walk around the immaculate grounds and gardens and view the building’s exteriors.
I first visited here in 2014 and at that time you had to make a reservation in advance so it’s nice to see that it has now opened up so that you can access the palace much more easily.
Attractions Close to the Imperial Palace
Before dinner why not try visiting one or more of the following attractions close to the Imperial Palace:
Kyoto International Manga Museum
Any Japanese manga fans will want to pay a visit to the Kyoto International Manga Museum, home to a whopping 300,000 manga-related materials, from 18th-century Edo-period woodblock prints to modern-day classic books and magazines.
Museum highlights include a permanent ‘What is Manga?’ exhibition which traces the history of manga with shelves filled with influential manga from 1912-2005, a manga wall filled with 50,000 books, and a manga studio where you can see artists live at work. There is also a selection of foreign-language manga to read on the first floor.
Kunjyukan (Incense Exhibition and Tour)
Japan’s deep appreciation for incense can be traced back to the early days of Buddhism in Japan more than 1,000 years ago. The incense appreciation ceremony is considered a classical Japanese art form and during an incense or kōdō ceremony, participants pass around different fragranced incense and must guess what they are. This traditional practice is called monko, or incense listening, and takes many years of practice.
At the Kunjyukan you can view exhibitions on incense production & culture, including a scented walk & artworks, and there is a shop where you can buy Japanese incense. You can also make reservations here to do a guided tour of the incense workshop.
The Museum of Kyoto
This museum has a wide range of exhibitions and information relating to Kyoto’s history, festivals, art, and traditional culture. The museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 am until 7.30 pm. There is also a range of interesting shops and restaurants housed within the museum including a traditional Japanese restaurant, a sake shop, a cafe, and a Japanese paper store.
PM: Dinner
It’s your last night in Kyoto – celebrate with a special dinner! Did you know that there are more than 100 Michelin-starred restaurants in Kyoto? Or if want a fun experience, why not go for flaming ramen?
Fire Ramen for dinner!
For ramen with a difference, head on over to Menbakaichidai for dinner. This restaurant is a huge hit among non-Japanese visitors to Kyoto because they set fire to the ramen right in front of you! Just be careful that the ramen is the only thing that catches fire!
Access: From Nijo Castle 10-minutes on foot
That concludes the 3-day Kyoto itinerary – if you have an extra day to spare or feel like swapping out one of the above days then I highly recommend taking a day trip to the Arashiyama region in Kyoto. Here’s my suggested itinerary:
Bonus Day: Arashiyama One Day Itinerary
AM: Iwatayama Monkey Park & Boat Ride
The Arashiyama area is one of my favorite parts of Kyoto, but you need to spend at least one full day there to really make the most of it as there is so much to see and do. The monkey park, a boat ride on the river, and a stroll through the Bamboo Grove are just a few activities that are not-to-be-missed, making it ideal for day trips!
Getting to Arashiyama is easy from Kyoto station. The fastest way is to take the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama station, and the journey time is around 15 minutes.
Once you arrive at Saga-Arashiyama I would recommend heading over to Iwatayama Monkey Park first as it’s an uphill walk so it’s best to tackle it at the start of the day whilst you have full energy!
The 20-minute uphill hike is well worth the effort and once you reach the summit, you are rewarded with a vista of the Kyoto region from the observation deck whilst the monkeys roam freely.
There’s also a feeding cage where you can purchase snacks such as peanuts and bananas to feed to the monkeys, but here’s the catch, it’s the humans are placed inside the cage, not the animals.
Spend an hour or so enjoying the area, which is home to around 120 Japanese Macaque monkeys before heading back towards the town. The park is open from 9:00 am-4:00 pm daily.
On your walk back into Arashiyama town, you’ll come to a wooden bridge that crosses the river where you can rent rowboats by the hour. This is a great activity if the weather is nice, and a chance to escape the crowds and enjoy the scenery.
Lunch in Arashiyama
After your boat ride, stop for lunch at one of the local restaurants for a bite to eat. Less than one minute from Saga-Arashiyama station is one of my favorite lunch spots in the area, Saganoyu Cafe, an old 1920s Japanese bathhouse that has been converted into a lovely cafe and restaurant.
You can still see some of the original bathhouse features inside the cafe, including the sinks and tiles. The menu offers a variety of sweet and savory dishes, from fluffy pancakes to pasta dishes with creamy tofu. There are also plenty of souvenirs available to purchase including bath bombs and Japanese tea, making great gifts for friends and family.
Alternatively, if you have kids or are just a fan of Japanese characters, you could try eating at the Rilakkuma Tea House, which has plenty of lunch sets all featuring Japan’s cutest bear.
PM: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
In the afternoon burn off some of those lunchtime calories with a walk through the famous Arashiyama bamboo forest, one of Kyoto’s most popular sightseeing spots. Unless you arrive at around 6 am, the odds are that there will be crowds whatever time of day you go, but I would still strongly recommend visiting. The whole forest feels really magical as you walk under the bamboo canopy, the towering trees creating a sense of tranquillity and calmness among the throes of tourists.
Tenryu-ji
The most important temple in the Arashiyama district is Tenryu-ji temple which was first established in 1339. Throughout the centuries it has been destroyed by fire eight times and the buildings which stand today are mostly from the early 1900s.
Tenryu-ji is quite a large temple complex and there are plenty of buildings and gardens to explore including the pond garden, an impressive dragon painted on the ceiling of the Hatto building, and a zen vegetarian restaurant housed inside one of the temple buildings, described by the Kyoto Michelin guide as having ‘exceptionally good food at moderate prices.’
Gio-ji
One of Kyoto’s lesser-visited temples, Gio-Ji, is also one of its loveliest. A serene space featuring beautiful moss gardens, this temple is at its most scenic during the autumn months when the vibrant red maple tree leaves contrast with the green moss.
Have you been to Kyoto before? What do you think of this 3-day Kyoto itinerary? What are your top tips for first-time visitors? Leave them in the comments below!
Heading to Japan soon? You can also check out my itinerary ideas and suggestions on what to do in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kobe!
I love the itinerary!
How long did you have to wait in line for the fire ramen? It sounds like so much fun.
Also how much did it cost?