Do you want to be transported back to a bygone era of Japan? Visit several of the UNESCO World Heritage sites? See some of the famous Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines? Experience the traditional arts like tea ceremony, geisha culture and more!
No wonder that the historic city of Kyoto is on everyone’s first-time visit to Japan. This 3-day Kyoto itinerary is good to experience most of the historical and cultural highlights on offer in a leisurely way. It is possible to crunch this sightseeing into a 2-day Kyoto itinerary, but that would be at a much faster pace.
Besides numerous Buddhist temples, gardens, imperial palaces, and Shinto shrines, Kyoto is also known for formal traditions such as kaiseki dining, and geisha, female entertainers often found in the Gion district.
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Best Time to visit Kyoto, Japan
Late March to mid-April is Cherry Blossom or Sakura season in Japan. This early springtime offers the best weather to visit Kyoto, with an average high temperature of 19˚C (66˚F) and average low of 8˚C (46˚F). The historical and cultural sites of Kyoto are lovely to view in spring, against a backdrop of pink and white blooms. But do note that this is also high season which brings massive crowds to the city. The wait time at popular sites is quite high and you need to be prepared for queueing.
Autumn (October and November) is another popular season to visit Kyoto, it offers pleasant and comfortable weather for sightseeing and vibrant fall foliage. November is usually the best time to see the vibrant autumn colours, especially the maple trees. Autumn crowds are usually smaller than the cherry blossom crowds, so I would think this is the best time to visit Kyoto.
We visited the ancient capital of Japan on our 2-week trip in early June. With the arrival of rainy season in June, vegetation begins to thrive. We lucked out with no rain during our 3 days in Kyoto. Sure, it was warm and a bit humid but not super hot. We got to admire hydrangeas bloom all over in purple and blue hues. And deal with much fewer tourists than springtime.
The peak summer season (July to September) is hot and humid in Kyoto, with average high temperatures above 32 C (89F). If you do visit in July, don’t miss out no Gion Matsuri, one of the oldest festivals in Japan. Low season is winter (from mid-December until February) that offers lower hotel prices and fewer crowds.
How many days to spend in Kyoto
For a Kyoto travel itinerary for a first-time visit, I would recommend a minimum of 3 days to see the highlights and experience the city’s unique atmosphere. A 3 day Kyoto itinerary would allow time for not just sightseeing for 5-6 hours daily but also for enjoying the local cuisine and trying some traditional experiences. Kyoto in Japan is one of the popular family holiday destinations in Asia, and as such 3-4 days will allow you to experience all that it offers.
Even if you have 2 days in Kyoto, you can still explore iconic landmarks like Fushimi Inari Shrine, Golden Pavillion, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and enjoy some of the cultural experiences like traditional tea ceremony. But this would be fast paced. And do note the high crowds and queueing time at popular spots especially in springtime.
Many folks stay in Osaka and do a day trip to Kyoto from Osaka, but that is not ideal in my opinion. While you can visit the historical and cultural sites of Kyoto from Osaka easily, you will miss out on Kyoto’s vibe when the day trippers leave. My fondest memories of the city are wandering around in Gion and Higashiyama districts in late evening when all the shops have closed. It is so peaceful to view the traditional wooden houses and the stories they whisper. Kyoto is also a doable day trip from Tokyo, but that again is a rushed day, only for those who have limited time.
Kyoto Travel Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Focus on east side of Kyoto
- Morning Shinkansen from Tokyo to reach Kyoto and drop our luggage at the hotel
- Sightseeing around Nanzen-ji, Philosopher’s Path and the Silver Pavilion (Ginkakuji)
- Late evening stroll around Gion and Higashiyama districts
Day 2: Kyoto all over
- Early morning sightseeing at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Sannenzaka, Yasaka Pagoda, Yasaka Shrine
- Afternoon at Nijo castle
- Evening hike to Fushimi Inari Taisha
Day 3: West side of Kyoto
- Start with Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple
- Visit Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Tenryuji Temple
- End with Golden Pavillion (Kinkakuji)
- Evening train to Osaka
If you are looking for a Kyoto 2-day itinerary, it is easy to combine the first 2 days, visiting everything in the east part of Kyoto. Fushimi Inari shrine can be visited on either evening depending on your energy level (remember that the shrine is open 24/7). The second day can be used for exploring the west side of Kyoto, the Arashiyama area. A great way to have a varied day is this half-day Kyoto E-Bike Tour, with a mix of famous spots and hidden gems.
If you are visiting Kyoto just for a day and your time is limited, this private tour to 10 must-see spots in Kyoto is recommended.
Day 1 in Kyoto: Revel in the serene atmosphere of Nanzen-ji
Shinkansen is a delight!
It was the first time that I had boarded a bullet train / shinkansen, from Tokyo to Kyoto. It is all that it’s touted to be! Clean seats, great legroom, easy access to toilet, we had some snacks that we enjoyed on the train. And scenery to look at from the large windows. I had pre-booked the tickets and seats on the right side. Sure enough, we passed Mt. Fuji but the few seconds I got to see this majestic mountain covered in clouds was not enough.
It was already early afternoon by the time we reached our hotel, having taken a taxi from Kyoto station. We used taxi / uber several times to move around Kyoto besides walking. The only instance of using public transport was to go to Arashiyama area.
Afternoon at Nanzen-ji and Ginkaku-ji
We decided to start our 3-day Kyoto sightseeing with a peaceful area, Nanzen-ji. This large Zen Temple Complex located at the base of Kyoto’s forested Higashiyama mountains is a delight. And surprisingly without crowds. You will find plenty of crowds at Kyoto hot-spots so savour your time here.
The temple originated in the 13th century, initially as an imperial villa donated by Emperor Kameyama. It later became a Zen temple, contributing to the spread of Zen Buddhism in Japan. The Buddhist temples are very different from the ‘Cultural Triangle’ experience we had in Sri Lanka.
Nanzenji’s central temple grounds are open to the public free of charge, but separate fees apply for entering other temple buildings. You can choose to visit the rock garden, Nanzenin (one of Nanzenji’s subtemples), Konchi-in Temple, and Tenjuan Temple. Also there is a large brick aqueduct that passes through the temple grounds. Built during the Meiji Period, the aqueduct is part of a canal system that was constructed to carry water between Kyoto and Lake Biwa.
Philosopher’s Path
The lunch options are limited in this area. So you can also have lunch earlier at Kyoto station or in the Higashiyama district. We had an early lunch at Asana Café near Tenjuan Temple, a tiny place where we got seats only because we reached before 1230 pm.
Nanzen-ji is located at the southern end of Philosopher’s Path. After viewing the temple and its surroundings, we decided to look up this path using google maps. This 2-km path alongside a canal is named after the philosopher Nishida Kitaro who used it for daily meditative walks. Frankly, it is scenic only during the cherry blossom and the autumn season. We failed to appreciate the scenic beauty in June, but the path does provide shade on a hot day walking to the Ginkaku-ji temple complex. While packing for summer trip to Japan, I had packed mostly linen and cotton clothes and these were useful during the warm afternoons in Kyoto.
Ginkaku-ji / Silver Pavillion
Make sure that you do visit Ginkaku-ji or the Silver Pavillion at the north end of the Philosopher’s Path. This initial-villa-later-turned-into Zen Temple is modelled after the famous Kinkakuji or the Golden Pavillion.
I really enjoyed walking around the circular route within the complex, and view the Silver Pavilion, other temple buildings, a beautiful moss garden and a unique dry sand garden. Despite its name, the Silver Pavilion was never covered in silver. Though the sunlight reflecting on the building’s dark exterior convinced me otherwise!
The path climbs a small hill behind the buildings from where there are nice views of the entire temple grounds and the city beyond.
Dinner and late evening stroll
Our first day of Kyoto itinerary ended in Higashiyama ward. Dinner was at a hole-in-the-wall popular place (do reach before 730 pm to get a table) named Ebisugawa Gyoza. But I will say this again and again in Japan, don’t go to a specific restaurant unless you happen to be in the area. There are loads of restaurants in Kyoto all over.
We decided to stroll the largely empty streets in Gion, Kyoto’s famed Geisha district, post dinner. And this compact city, especially the old areas look so different without the massive day crowds. The serene atmosphere and the dark wooden buildings transport you to a bygone era. You can consider this walking tour of Gion district with a local that leads you through the elegant streets after dark.
Yasaka Shrine at this time of the night was brightly lit. A spectacle in the middle of Gion! Soon enough, we passed by Yasaka Pagoda. This 5-story tall pagoda is the last remaining structure of a 6th-century temple complex known as Hōkan-ji. I will be back at these places the next morning but it was a magical atmosphere in the night.
Day 2: Start with a famous temple and end at the most famous shrine of Japan
One day into our Kyoto travel itinerary and my husband and daughter had given up on viewing more temples. Beware that this may happen to you as well, especially when travelling to Kyoto with kids. My family was interested in exploring Nijo Castle and hiking up the Fushimi Inari shrine later in the day, but I was on my own to visit one of the most celebrated temple of Japan.
Kiyomizu-dera
Fame brings crowds. So reach Kiyomizu-dera before 8 am if you don’t want crushing crowds. Not just the temple complex, but the 2 popular streets leading to the temple – Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka – are awash with crowds once the tour buses arrive after 9 am. These streets are full are souvenir shops with traditional Japanese crafts on display and cafes.
Situated atop a small mountain on the east side of Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera temple offers a commanding view of the city. I was pleasantly surprised by the lush greenery in and around the complex. The main hall of the temple has an extended wooden stage, perched 13 m above the hillside. The stage affords nice views of the numerous cherry and maples trees below, as well as of the city in the distance. What a sight it must be in spring and fall! Even in summer, the vibrant greenery gladdens my heart.
The complex has other structures to visit – Jishu shrine, Otowa waterfall, Okunion Hall, and the Koyasu Pagoda. It took me more than an hour to take the circular route within the temple complex at an easy pace. It may take some more time later in the day.
I then walked through sannenzaka to first reach Yasaka Pagoda and finally to visit Yasaka shrine. The night earlier, I had seen the shrine lit up from the main road. Now I went inside to one of the most revered religious spots in Japan. And then it was time to head back to the hotel.
Nijo castle
Kyoto served as capital of Japan for over a thousand years, and offers both Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace. Both are worth visiting. Nijo Castle is a better destination to visit if you are interested in Samurai architecture. It was built by the first shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate, as his Kyoto residence. Kyoto Imperial Palace served as the Emperor’s residence for over a thousand years. It offers a look into the history and culture of the Imperial family.
It was a hot afternoon when we landed at Nijo Castle. The entire complex comprises a castle, palace, and vast landscape gardens. After a brief walk around the outdoor area, we were glad to go inside the Ninomaru Palace to get away from the heat. It was a great experience seeing the richly decorated palace rooms where the Shogun met the general public, his daimyos (feudal lords), and his private chambers. This was first castle experience in Japan, completely different from the Himeji castle that we visited later in the trip.
Guided tours are on offer. But we were largely ok with reading the extensive information on large boards in front of all the rooms. Photos are not allowed. The chambers are decorated with remarkable screen paintings by famed artists. Although double moats, a high wall, and various watchtowers were added for protection, the castle was never attacked.
There is a second palace complex, Honmaru, which you can enter upon paying an additional fee. You can also walk around the Honmaru gardens and climb up the stone foundation of the former castle keep, which offers views over the castle grounds. We exited after viewing the picturesque garden with a large pond, ornamental stones and manicured pine trees.
We had eaten gyojas the night before and wanted a comfort meal. What else but Hard Rock Café in Kyoto for lunch!
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. This shrine has ancient origins, predating the capital’s move to Kyoto in 794.
Thousands of vermillion torii gates have made Fushimi Inari an Instagram sensation, so expect crowds during the day, especially at the base. For a peaceful environment, it is best to visit the shrine during early morning hours, say around 6 am. Visiting popular attractions early morning to beat the crowds is amongst important Japan travel tips. No one was getting up that early on a holiday in my family! So the other choice is to go in the evening post 5 PM when both the crowds and the heat start to dissipate.
At the very back of the shrine’s main grounds is the entrance to the hiking trail. The hike to the mountain summit takes about 2-3 hours for a round trip, but you can turn back whenever you want. By the time we reached Yotsutsuji intersection roughly half way up the mountain, the crowds had completely gone. There are some nice views over Kyoto to be enjoyed from here. Further up the mountain, the gate density decreases even further. Very few make it to the top.
To walk back, you can take the same path. We took a completely different route, from the intersection, towards the forest. I would not recommend this path down in the dark because it has no markings and there is a dense forest on one side. Else it is serene and lovely. It was still early evening by the time we walked down. We ended up in a posh neighbourhood near Tofuku-ji Temple.
Dinner at a local Izakaya
For dinner, we had plans to go to a famous ramen shop. But no luck in getting space there! If you want to go to a hole-in-the-wall famous eating spot in Kyoto, you must take the token earlier in the day. But missing this was no big deal, we ended up at an Izakaya, tried local beer and many small plates of delicious food.with a large pond, ornamental stones and manicured pine trees.
Day 3: Explore Arashiyama area for famous sites and a hidden gem
The last day in our Kyoto Japan itinerary was focused on exploring the west part of the city. I had booked a local guide via Kyoto Samaritan Club (listed on the JNTO website). There are several elderly folks who provide free walking tours to foreigners, all you have to do is pay their transport and lunch cost. But do note that while this does get you a genuine interaction with a local volunteer from the area, their historical knowledge may not be as much as a professional guide for a tour to Arashiyama area.
Start with a hidden gem
Keiko, our local guide met us at a pre-decided train station and with her help, we ventured to Arashiyama area vis the underground system. I had decided to start the day with a hidden gem – Otagi Nenbutsuji temple. We had taken a uber to reach the temple from Arashiyama train station. This temple on the outskirts of Arashiyama with a collection of 1200 unique and whimsical statues is really interesting. It is also peaceful sans crowds.
We then decided to walk the route all the way to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. En route, you will come upon Adashino Nenbutsuji, another remarkable Buddhist Temple which no one visits. The temple grounds have a dedicated space where approximately 8,000 stone grave markers of people who were buried in the area are preserved. It also has a serene bamboo grove if you want to miss the crowds of Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.
What’s the fuss about Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
This long lane of bamboo trees on both sides is pretty but we had passed an equally pretty grove of bamboo tress while climbing down Fushimi Inari the earlier evening. So we took some photos and moved on quickly.
The pristine Zen garden inside Tenryu-ji temple nearby was much more beautiful. Tenryu-ji or the Temple of the Heavenly Dragon is the most prominent temple in Kyoto’s Arashiyama district and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As you move out of Tenryu-ji Temple, the main road offers plenty of food options. Keiko, our guide wanted to take us away to a calmer local spot. We decided to have a quick lunch at a local ramen restaurant, a bit away from the main road.
Iwatayama Monkey Park
It took us half a day to explore the western side of Kyoto. We had to train to reach Osaka and did not want the day to extend longer. But if you are staying in Kyoto itself for the 3rd day as well, you can explore the Iwatayama Monkey Park before you move onto Kinkakuji. It can even replace Tenryu-ji temple visit if time is short.
The park boasts about 120 snow monkeys, which are also called Japanese Macaque. The monkeys, though used to human interaction, are wild, so do keep a check on young kids. You get a chance to feed monkeys in an enclosed area.
Kinkaku-ji / Golden Pavillion
Our last stop for the day was the popular Golden Pavillion. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is now a Zen temple, a two-storeyed building covered in gold leaf. It was originally built as a retirement villa of the Shogun Yoshimitsu. The original building has burned down numerous times throughout its history, and the present structure was rebuilt in 1955.
Expect to find crowds as you first come upon Kinkakuji. The reflection in the serene large pond of the golden building is worth the hype. The crowds do disperse as you walk along the side of the pond, allowing more opportunities to take photos. After viewing Kinkakuji from across the pond, you will pass by the head priest’s former living quarters (hojo), the extensive gardens and a lovely teahouse.
What to do in Kyoto with kids
As beautiful as I found Kyoto to be, my daughter did not. Both my husband and she were indifferent to temple visits after having been to the first one. The lifestyle depicted of the Shogun at Nijo Castle and hiking up the summit at Fushimi Inari did hold her interest. So you may need to add different activities on a family trip to Kyoto, especially with young kids. We had given the Monkey Park a miss, but that is an activity that may delight most kids.
Railway Museum
You can give one of the temple complexes in the above Kyoto itinerary a miss, and take your kids instead to the Railway Museum for a couple of hours. The Kyoto Railway Museum has over 30,000 square feet with 53 trains to marvel at, 3 floors with permanent and changing exhibits, 3 Shinkansen bullet trains and many other iconic trains. It is a fun place for a rail enthusiast and for a family trip. It is a bout a 20 minute walk west of Kyoto station.
Samurai Museum
We visited the Samurai & Ninja Museum in Tokyo, and they have a branch in Kyoto as well. I highly recommend this as a fun activity for both kids and adults. You can try out authentic samurai armour and get cool photos wielding a a historical replica sword. The talk on Samurai history is quite engaging. So is the interactive workshop on ninjas, the tools and techniques they used.
teamLab Biovertax
A new teamLab art museum has opened in Kyoto in October 2025. This is across a massive area of more than 10,000 sq. metres. Consider a visit to Kyoto’s Biovertax as it’s larger, (currently) less crowded, and combines elements from both teamLab Borderless and teamLab Planets in Tokyo.
Kimono rental
If you want to rent a kimono and get family photos done by a professional, no better place than the ancient capital of Japan. Usually, visitors combine this with a traditional tea ceremony. So you can perform a traditional Japanese tea ceremony dressed in a ceremonial kimono during this cultural experience in Kyoto.
Cooking class
If your family enjoys a cooking class, then a sushi making class or a ramen (from scratch) making class is a great experience.
Where to stay in Kyoto
Kyoto is a good spot if you want a ryokan experience. Though you may think that with so much sightseeing, there is hardly any time to enjoy and relax at a ryokan. There are several ryokan and other hotels in the Gion district. But do note that Gion district can be expensive and crowded inn peak season. Another popular choice is the southern Higashiyama district. Both Gion and Higashiyama make sightseeing easy on the east side of Kyoto, this area also has a heavy concentration of restaurants and cafes.
An excellent choice for who those who want a more contemporary neighbourhood but close to Giion / Higashiyama districts is Downtown Kyoto. The Kyoto downtown area is across the river from Southern Higashiyama. We stayed at The Chapter Kyoto, a Marriott property in this area. I liked the central location of this hotel. It is a good choice if you are looking for a hotel in downtown Kyoto with an onsen. We were an easy uber ride away from all sites. Plus the location was quiet in the night.
Many first-timers prefer the Kyoto station area as well because of wide range of hotels, dining and shopping options, and of course easy access to other parts of Japan. But I did not find it appealing.
Planning a trip to Japan? Check out –
Start with Essential Travel Tips For Japan and 2 Weeks in Japan
City Itineraries: Tokyo 5 day Itinerary, Osaka 3 Day Itinerary
Day Trips: Day trips from Osaka, Day trips around Tokyo, Day Trip To Hiroshima, Himeji Castle day trip, Ultimate Guide to Tokyo DisneySea, Overnight Trip to Koyasan Japan
And finally, the Best Hotels in Japan and Japan packing list
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What an incredible way to spend three days in Kyoto – I haven’t been and had not realized there was so much to see and do! All the pavillions look amazing, and so photogenic!
Photogenic captures Kyoto perfectly.
I cant wait to go back to Japan! this Kyoto 3 day itinerary is absolutely perfect!
Thanks for sharing. Would recommend staying in Kyoto over Tokyo for a first time visitor?
Tokyo would be a separate stay. very different vibe from Kyoto. So I would recommend both for a first time visit.
A visit to Kyoto is on my bucketlist! Saving this for my visit (hopefully soon)!
Loved my trip in Kyoto! The late evening strolls through Gion and Higashiyama when the day crowds leave sound absolutely perfect for soaking in the atmosphere.