Make the most of your trip to Kyoto with my comprehensive Kyoto travel guide, loaded with tips and advice on things to do, costs, ways to save, transportation, and more!
Kyoto is like stepping inside a time capsule of old Japan: 1,600 Buddhist temples, peaceful gardens, traditional wooden teahouses, and geisha scurrying to secret liaisons. If I can make just one recommendation, it would be to stay for at least 3 days, as there is so much to discover in Kyoto. The Nishiki Market, Hōkanji Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha, and a palace covered with 24-carat gold are only a few of the countless world-famous landmarks hosted by the city.
I was 15 when my obsession with Japan first began. Something about the architecture, food, and samurai lore seemed so fascinating to me. I’ve carefully curated my travel bucket list for Kyoto throughout the years, so not only what I did, I also included alternative options so there’s the perfect Kyoto itinerary for every type of traveler. You should be able to see most things you want to see in Kyoto in 3 days, but it really depends on your travel style.
Although I wish I could have lingered a bit longer (which you could easily spend a week here), packing some of the most iconic Kyoto attractions in 3 days is just enough time to make the most of the city. With as much history and culture as Kyoto, it is little wonder there is always more to discover!
Ready? Let’s dive in!
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When is the best time to visit Kyoto?
Without a doubt, the best time to visit Kyoto (and many other parts of Japan) has to be around the Sakura or Momiji seasons. Sakura season (occurring between late March and early April) is another name for spring, the time to expect the ecstatic cherry blossom season. Momiji is the Japanese word for Autumn, which ranges from as early as September, but mostly peaks around late October to early December. Much like the Sakura season, the autumn leaves’ peak time varies depending on where in Japan you are going, so they can be quite elusive.
Where to stay in Kyoto, Japan
If you don’t plan early enough, accommodation in Kyoto (and elsewhere in Japan) can get very expensive and hard to find! So plan accordingly and make sure to book a couple of months in advance. You can find all kinds of accommodation in Kyoto, including high-end chain hotels, luxurious ryokans, hostels, and everything in between.
If you truly want to experience authentic Japanese culture, you must stay in a ryokan. A ryokan is a type of traditional Japanese inn/hotel featuring tatami floors, and futon beds and you get to indulge in local cuisine while sitting atop mats placed on the floor that surround a low table.
Kyomachiya Ryokan
A ryokan hotel conjures up the purest Kyoto experience. Imagine rooms floored with tatami mats, kind kimono-clad hosts, and steaming onsen baths. Not only is Kyomachiya Ryokan centrally located, but it also boasts exceptional Japanese features and design. Some rooms even offer a queen-sized bed instead of a futon, so you don’t have to sleep on the floor if that’s not your thing. The hotel offers a hot bath (onsen) on the premises. A junior suite for 1 night is 140 € per night (at the time of writing), which is quite a deal as far as Kyoto accommodations are concerned.
APA Kyoto Ekikita Hotel
Unfortunately, I booked everything last minute, leaving me very few hotel rooms to choose from. Luckily, I found the rooms at APA Kyoto-Ekikita Hotel, which offers fairly decent rooms for the price. It’s a 3-star hotel in an EXCELLENT location, right next to the central Kyoto station. Rooms are clean and the futuristic bathrooms offer all the tech and toiletries you’d expect from a Japanese bathroom. Room rates range from $60 to $100 per night depending on the season.
💡 Traveler’s Tip: rooms can be a bit small in Japan. Consider bringing a front-opening suitcase like this one from Amazon.
How To Get There
Getting to Kyoto is easy, just hop on the train from either Osaka or Tokyo! I flew into Osaka (Kansai International Airport) and then took the bullet train (named the Shinkansen) up to Kyoto for 20 minutes. The trains cost upwards of $10 USD. Some of the Shinkansens have different themes including a Hello-Kitty one that I took.
When planning for Japan you’ll hear a lot about a pass for the train system called the “JR Pass,” which used to be super affordable for tourists. The Unlimited JR pass is currently 307 € and has increased by 70% since 1 Oct 2023! 307 € is a lot of money to spend on a pass that won’t even cover the costs of the metro in Tokyo, so consider that if you’re traveling to Tokyo afterward. Look at other IC Cards, such as the Pasmo and Suica, because they cover more metro lines than the JR pass.
You won’t need to have a car in Kyoto because everything is easily reached by foot, train, or bus. The bus network is incredibly reliable, so don’t be afraid to take a local bus.
Day 1: Nishiki Market & Ninja Training
After dropping off your suitcase, I recommend going straight to Nishiki Market to taste food from the local vendors and partake in some one-of-a-kind activities.
💡 Traveler’s Tip: Though incredibly modern, Japan is still a primarily cash-only country. Carry Yen on you at all times to cover meals, shopping, and transportation. The best place to withdraw cash is at Seven-Eleven.
Nishiki Market
Nishiki Market (Nishiki-kōji Ichiba) is one of Kyoto’s main attractions, especially if you appreciate cooking and dining. Take a stroll down its length and you’ll wander past stalls selling everything from barrels of tsukemono (pickled vegetables) and cute Japanese sweets to wasabi salt and fresh sashimi skewers.
Once you’ve pigged out on some food, try visiting an animal cafe or taking a ninja course like this Ninja Hands-on 2-hour Lesson in English! There were people of all ages in the class and I had no problems making a few friends when I went alone. I had an unforgettable afternoon swinging ninja swords around, throwing ninja spikes, and taking hilarious pictures in an authentic ninja outfit. This class was a highlight of my trip to Kyoto! If Ninja training is not your cup of tea, consider the following activities:
3 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience
Traditional Tea Ceremony wearing a Kimono in Kyoto
Ramen Cooking Class at Ramen Factory in Kyoto
Once dinner rolls around, I have the perfect dinner recommendation guaranteed to ruin ramen for the rest of your life: Menya Inochi. If you are a ramen enthusiast, anything with a Michelin’s list recommendation will pique your interest. I went right before closing and still had to wait 20 minutes for a table. My patience was well awarded: white soy sauce ramen with roasted pork and A5 Waygu beef was hands down the best ramen in my life. And the kicker was that the bill came out to be a little over $10 USD.
Next, I suggest walking around the Gion district at night. I recommend this 100% personalized Kyoto Private Night Tour: From Gion District To Old Pontocho
Day 2: Temples, Shrines, & More!
The day starts off at Higashiyama Ward. Higashiyama means “eastern mountain” and that’s exactly where the district is located – along the slope of the eastern mountain of Kyoto.
Keep an eye out for Hōkanji Temple, a 5-story pagoda with sweeping views of the city from the top (you can climb it). You’ve most likely seen this iconic temple before on social media!
Some would argue that the best view can be found looking down on the temple from the streets above but beware: it can get really busy so arrive early to beat the crowds! In order to beat the cross and get “the shot” I arrived at 8 am and people were already shoring up. Another great time to visit the temple is at golden hour for the best light and a magical end to your day in Kyoto.
💡 Traveler’s Tip: As a general rule, if you’re looking for those “no crowd” photos, be sure to arrive to a location no later than 7:30/8 am. The top attractions will get incredibly busy and it is worth it to get up a bit earlier.
After you snap some pics, take a stroll around the neighborhood to see quaint traditional buildings, unique souvenir shops (this is a great place to pick up something to bring back home), small ryokan (Japanese-style inn), and street food vendors.
Keep an eye out for the iconic Starbucks down the street from Hōkanji, it’s the world’s first Starbucks store in a traditional Japanese house with tatami seating.
Fushimi Inari Taisha (“thousands of gates”)
When you think of Kyoto, I’m willing to bet the first thing that comes to mind is the rows upon rows of vermilion-colored torii. Well, these rows of torii can be found at Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto! I arrived at Fushimi Inari pretty early, around 9:30 am. I recommend a comfortable pair of walking sneakers because it is a hike. The further you go up the mountain the less tourist to contend with. You’ll be unable to resist trying to take a few photos, but you might be disappointed with the results: photos just can’t capture the magic of the place!
Next, I would suggest either of the following: Kiyomizu-Dera or Chion-in Temple. Kiyomizu-Dera is one of the most celebrated temples in Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 1200 years of history. Kiyomizu-Dera is a better option if you want to enjoy sweeping views of the city. I opted for a visit to Chion-in to soak in views of the temple and beautiful park grounds without dealing with the crowds of tourists.
After you’ve reached your quota for historical temples and museums I would head back down to Nishiki Market and grab some food. A great lunch option is Kichi Kichi Omurice! Have you seen the viral video of a guy serving the perfect Omurice a few years back? I would highly recommend making a reservation if you intend to go, as the restaurant does not do walk-ins due to its popularity. For dessert, I’d head over to the Maccha house for an unforgettable Maccha tiramisou I’m still dreaming about today.
If you’re looking for a tour guide to meet up with you early in the morning to get the low-down on the temples/history that you want to check out, make sure consider this 100% private and customizable tour: Kyoto Early Morning Tour with English-Speaking Guide
Day 3: More temples, A hidden bamboo forest, & the best sushi you’ve ever eaten
Spend the third morning exploring the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Getting to the grove is fairly easy and can be accessed directly from the streets of Arashiyama. It’s a 10-minute walk from Saga Arashiyama Station using the JR Sagano line or a 15-minute walk from Arashiyama Station, using the Henkyu railway.
Arashiyama has quickly become one of the most visited sites of Kyoto thanks in part to Instagram and photo-driven tourism, as well as the forest of bamboo allowing visitors to feel as if they have stepped into another world. The thick green bamboo stalks seem to continue endlessly in every direction and there’s a strange quality to the light at this famous bamboo grove. It’s most atmospheric on the approach to Ōkōchi Sansō villa. To capture some great pictures before the crowd, I recommend going at 6 am.
Afterward, find the entrance to the Tenryu-ji Temple right next to the grove. Tenryu-ji Temple is a serene Zen temple surrounded by immaculately-kept gardens and wonderful mountain views.
If you get hungry, I recommend lunch (or breakfast) at Arashiyama Itsukichaya. You’ll get to experience a delicious traditional Japanese lunch for $26 per person.
An optional day trip: Sagano Romantic Train, Hozugawa River Boat Ride, and Arashiyama Bus Tour
Next, take the train to Kita Ward, to see Kinkaku-ji, the famed “Golden Pavilion.” Kyoto’s most iconic site gets its name from its two floors being completely covered in gold leaf. The temple is breathtaking, more like a dream- or fairytale-scape.
Gion District
Near Higashiyama is the Gion district, which has a reputation as the center of Geisha culture in Japan, where you can find many local restaurants, merchants, artisans, and, of course, teahouses where you will find geiko (the local word for Geisha) and maiko (Geisha in training). The most popular destination in Gion is Hanami-koji Street from Shijo Avenue to Kenninji Temple.
Amasake
Some of the world’s best sushi restaurants are located in Gion, so definitely take the opportunity to eat sushi the right way before you leave. Lunchtime Amasakes are generally more affordable than dinner courses.
Sushi Matsumoto is a Micheline-star sushi restaurant that I just had to try, and I’m so glad I did! I opted for a 16-course Amasake lunch for $120. Book at least a week in advance on My Concierge.If you’re in the mood for wagyu steak, I suggest Wagyu Ryotei Bungo Gion
Lastly, check out Pontocho Street, renowned for its traditional wooden architecture, intimate restaurants, lively nightlife, and the intriguing presence of geishas and maikos (apprentice geishas).
I hope my guide offered some fun ways to explore Kyoto! There are countless places to visit in Kyoto that are impossible to list in one post or cover in a single visit. But it may also be a good idea to set aside a day or two when visiting the city without any plans to aimlessly enjoy its narrow streets that often lead to beautiful but lesser-known temples, shrines, and gardens. I am a hopeless Kyoto fan and I really hope you enjoy this exquisite city as much as I enjoy it.
PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Here’s my travel checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support my travel journalism at no extra cost to you.
Book Your Flights
Use Skyscanner to find the best flights. It searches 100s of airlines and websites across the globe to ensure you’re not missing out on any route options or deals.
Book Your Accommodations
Use Booking.com for hotels and guest houses. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
If you prefer backpacking, Hostelworld is your one-stop shop for affordable accommodations and hostel reviews.
Book Your Tours & Experiences
Use Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check both as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
Transfer Money
With Wise, you can transfer money to most international bank accounts. They offer some of the best conversion rates and can be used to fund Gojek and Grab accounts.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. My favorite company that offers the best all-around coverage is World Nomads. They offer a good travel insurance plan that covers things like lost luggage, theft, illnesses before your trip, emergency medical care, and shady travel agencies. Don’t travel without it!
