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Once Japan’s Imperial capital, Kyoto is now the country’s historic and cultural heart. This itinerary covers everything from iconic temples to hidden teahouses, bamboo groves and bustling markets to kaiseki restaurants and quiet riverside paths steeped in a millennia of history. All you need is curiosity and a good pair of walking shoes.
Day 1: Higashiyama & Gion (Eastern Kyoto)
Morning
Start your Kyoto journey with a walk through time. At the dramatic hilltop perch of the Buddhist temple Kiyomizu-dera, pause to take in sweeping views of cherry blossoms in spring or a fire-hued canopy in autumn. From here, wind your way down Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, two softly sloping stone lanes lined with the traditional machiya townhouses, fragrant tea shops and artisanal craft boutiques that typify old Kyoto. The photogenic Hōkan-ji Pagoda, often framed by kimono-clad locals, awaits at the end.
Afternoon
Venture further into Kyoto’s contemplative side with a visit to Kōdai-ji Temple, a lavish complex built in memory of Imperial dignitary – and samurai – Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Meander through its mossy rock gardens and reflective koi ponds before stepping into the leafy calm of Maruyama Park, the city’s oldest public green space. Come spring, the park’s weeping cherry trees form a canopy of blush-pink bloom. Round out your walk with a respectful visit to the glowing lanterns of Yasaka Shrine, whose gates have stood for over 1,300 years.
Evening
As dusk falls, Gion comes to life. Kyoto’s famed geisha district is a cinematic world of wooden facades, ochaya (teahouses where geisha entertain) and soft lantern light. Book a seat at an exclusive cultural performance and, if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a maiko (apprentice geisha) performing a traditional dance. For dinner, surrender to the meditative rhythm of kaiseki, a multi-course dining ritual built around the seasons. Restaurants like Gion Karyo or Gion Suetomo offer a sublime entry point into a culinary art form where no detail is left to chance.
Day 2: Arashiyama & Sagano (Western Kyoto)
Morning
Wake early this morning and head west to Arashiyama, where Kyoto’s most photographed site – Arashiyama’s Bamboo Grove – offers a hushed, almost surreal experience when visited before the crowds. Just next door lies Tenryu-ji, a UNESCO-listed Zen temple with a landscaped garden that mirrors the changing sky. Follow the path behind the temple to the banks of the Katsura River, where boats gently drift past tree-lined slopes and cormorants sweep low across the water.
Afternoon
Cross the century-old Togetsukyō Bridge and ascend into the hills for a scenic wildlife encounter at Iwatayama Monkey Park, where macaques roam freely with panoramic city views as their backdrop. Afterwards, slow the pace aboard the nostalgic Sagano Scenic Railway, a 25-minute journey through forested ravines and river valleys. End the afternoon with a peaceful stroll through the gardens of Ōkōchi Sansō Villa, the former estate of a famous samurai actor and a hidden gem even many locals miss.
Evening
Reserve a riverside table for handmade soba noodles at Arashiyama Yoshimura, where you can dine with an illuminated view of the Togetsukyō Bridge. In spring and autumn, the surrounding mountains come alive with colour, lending drama to every bite. Retreat to a local ryokan for the night, where futons, onsen baths and tatami-matted rooms create the kind of restorative stillness you didn’t know you needed.
Day 3: Northern Kyoto & Central Highlights
Morning
Begin with a vision of Kyoto at its most iconic. Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, gleams with gold leaf which is perfectly mirrored in its pond. Afterwards, a short drive brings you to Ryoan-ji, home to Japan’s most famous rock garden, where 15 stones are set in such a way that you can only ever see 14 from any angle – a quiet provocation for contemplation. Conclude the morning with a stroll through Daitoku-ji, a substantial walled complex of sub-temples steeped in Zen history and masterful architecture.
Afternoon
Return to central Kyoto and follow your appetite to Nishiki Market, a centuries-old food hall known as ‘Kyoto’s Kitchen’. Taste your way through local specialties: sesame mochi, yuba (tofu skin) and pickled vegetables in hues you won’t find back home. Then, pivot to pop culture at the Kyoto International Manga Museum or slip into the covered arcades of Teramachi and Shinkyogoku for indie fashion, vintage vinyl and stationery to rival even Tokyo’s finest.
Evening
Tonight, dive into the flickering charm of Pontocho Alley, a narrow lantern-lit lane known for atmospheric izakayas and elevated Kyoto cuisine. Sit down for a charcoal-grilled feast at Kushikura or sip sake overlooking the Kamo River as you reminisce on your time in Kyoto. If you’re transiting through Kyoto Station en route to another city, take a moment to climb The Great Staircase to the sky garden for one last view of the City of Ten Thousand Shrines.
