Kyoto Itinerary: 1, 2 and 3 Day Plans
A Kyoto itinerary for 1, 2 or 3 days: Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera and Gion, then Arashiyama, then Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji, with stored opening hours.
One day is Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera and Gion. Two days adds Arashiyama with Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji. Three days adds the Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji stretch and Nishiki Market. Each day below stands alone, so you can pick the ones that suit you. Not sure how long to stay? Read how many days in Kyoto first.
Opening hours come from each place’s own page and they change by season, so check the linked place page before you go. They’re not guaranteed for the day you travel. Mondays and Wednesdays matter in Kyoto. The Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed on Mondays, and many Nishiki Market shops close on Wednesdays.
Day 1: Fushimi, Higashiyama and Gion
Early morning, Fushimi Inari Taisha. The grounds never close, and the visit takes about two hours with the mountain path. Get there at Inari Station on the JR Nara Line or Fushimi-Inari on the Keihan line. Go first, so you’re walking the torii before the day’s crowds arrive.
Mid-morning, Kiyomizu-dera. It opens at 6:00 and closes at 18:00 (18:30 in July and August), with longer night openings in spring, mid-August and late November. Buses stop at Gojozaka (City Bus 100, 206) or Kiyomizu-michi (207). Allow one to two hours, and you can walk down the slope towards Gion.
Afternoon, Kodai-ji, Yasaka Shrine and Hanamikoji-dori. Kodai-ji is open 9:00 to 17:30, with last entry at 17:00. Yasaka Shrine is open around the clock, and Hanamikoji-dori is best at dusk. Don’t stop or photograph geiko and maiko, as the travel tips explain.
Evening, Pontocho. A lane of restaurants between the Kamo River and the Takase canal. See where to eat in Kyoto for what to book.
If this is your only day, it’s the one. If you’re based in Gion or Kawaramachi you’ll have a short walk back in the evening.
Day 2: Arashiyama and the north-west
Morning, Tenryu-ji and the bamboo grove. Tenryu-ji is open 8:30 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:50. The bamboo grove is on the path next to it and takes about 30 minutes. Arashiyama station on the Randen is the stop for both, and the Arashiyama guide goes into the area. Okochi Sanso is open 9:00 to 17:00 if you want a garden as well.
Afternoon, Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji. Kinkaku-ji is open 9:00 to 17:00 every day of the year, and Ryoan-ji 8:00 to 17:00 (8:30 to 16:30 from December to February). City Bus 59 stops at both Kinkakuji-michi and Ryoanji-mae. Allow 45 minutes at each. Kyoto travel tips covers the bus and train routes to the Kinkaku-ji area.
If it’s cherry blossom or leaf season and the east side looks full, swap this day in first, because the tourism association says outlying areas have fewer visitors than the centre.
Day 3: Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji, and Nishiki
Morning, Ginkaku-ji. It opens at 8:30 (9:00 from December to February) and closes at 17:00 (16:30 in winter). Be there when it opens, and you’ll take the bus to Ginkakuji-michi (City Bus 5, 7, 32, 102, 203 or 204).
Late morning, the Philosopher’s Path to Nanzen-ji. The path runs south from Ginkaku-ji along a canal and takes about 30 minutes at an easy pace. Nanzen-ji opens at 8:40 and closes at 17:00 (16:30 from December to February). Keage station on the Tozai Line is the nearest stop. Eikan-do is close.
Early afternoon, Heian Shrine. The grounds open at 6:00 and close at 18:00 from March to September, 17:30 in October and 17:00 the rest of the year.
Late afternoon, Nishiki Market. Each shop keeps its own hours, and many close on Wednesdays, so you won’t want to schedule it for a Wednesday. It’s polite to eat in front of the shop you bought from.
Add-ons for a fourth day
- Nijo Castle is open 8:45 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:00, and the visit takes about two hours. The Ninomaru Palace is closed on Tuesdays in January, July, August and December.
- The Kyoto Imperial Palace is free and closed on Mondays. Kyoto Gyoen, the park around it, never closes.
- Sanjusangendo is open daily, 8:30 to 17:00 (9:00 to 16:00 from 16 November to 31 March).
- Kyoto Railway Museum is open 10:00 to 17:00 and closed on Wednesdays.
- The sites that need booking ahead, such as Saiho-ji and the imperial villas, are in the booking section of the travel tips.
- Best day trips from Kyoto covers Nara, Uji and the rest.
Mix and match
If you’ve only got two days and want Okazaki instead of the north-west, swap Day 2 for Day 3. For evenings, check live music for gigs in Kawaramachi. Look at what’s on for your dates, this weekend for the next few days, and the map to see how the stops sit together. Where to sleep is in where to stay in Kyoto, and Kyoto passes shows whether a day pass suits the days you’ve picked.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do in Kyoto in 1 day?
Fushimi Inari first thing, Kiyomizu-dera, then Kodai-ji, Yasaka Shrine and Hanamikoji-dori in Gion, and dinner in Pontocho.
What’s a good 3 day Kyoto itinerary?
Day 1 east side and Gion, Day 2 Arashiyama with Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji, Day 3 Ginkaku-ji, the Philosopher’s Path, Nanzen-ji, Heian Shrine and Nishiki Market. The days above have the hours.
Which Kyoto sights need booking?
Saiho-ji, Katsura Imperial Villa, Shugakuin Imperial Villa and the Sento Imperial Palace. The travel tips have the table.
Which day should I avoid for what?
Avoid Monday for the Imperial Palace and Wednesday for Nishiki Market and the Kyoto Railway Museum.
Places in this guide
Photos show the actual places, licensed under Creative Commons and credited to their photographers.
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