Kyoto, for many the cultural capital of Japan, is a must-visit for anyone visiting the land of the rising sun. So we thought we share with you how to spend the perfect day in Kyoto!
From what to see to where to eat, we let you know how to spend the ideal day in Kyoto, without missing out on anything. So you can enjoy this beautiful city in Japan to the max!
Preparation is key
First, to get the most out of it, we recommend getting a Kyoto pass. The day pass costs 600yen for Adults and 300yen for children. You can buy it at the following places:
- Commuter Pass Sales Booth
- Kyoto City Bus Office
- On Any Kyoto City Bus
- Subway Station Ticket Window (Adults Only)
It is totally worth it, as some of the sights are a bit spread out and you will start saving money after just taking two bus trips. Especially if you have limited time you really want to get this!
Well and what else is important to make the most out of your day? You better get up early, as many of the sites get crazy busy!
1day Kyoto itinerary
So you got up early, great! Let’s guide you place by place through Kyoto. And by no means, you have to follow this Kyoto itinerary exactly. It is a good guideline for what is possible to do within a day. Nevertheless, we hope you explore, get lost and make friends!
1.Fushimi Inari Shrine
We recommend starting your day visiting Fushimi Inari Shrine. Try to be here before 10 am, especially if you want to get that perfect photograph. Explore, but best to stay max 1h.
Tip: The great thing about this Shrine, it is open 24h so if you cannot make it early, we recommend going to check it out at night!
2.The Golden Temple
Take the bus to the golden temple. We know it’s on the opposite side of Kyoto, but you will get there still early enough. And we think even if it is a little crowded, this one is still enjoyable. Nevertheless, if you arrive after lunch there will be way too many people. Even in low-season…
There is a lovely tea house inside. We recommend you have a little stop there. Again, you will spend 1-2h here. Which brings you to lunch.
3.Nishiki Market
Head back to Kyoto’s Nishiki market also known as “Kyoto’s pantry”, where you can get great traditional street food! You also get to try the famous Kyoto pickles! It is open every day from 9 am and closes already at 5 pm.
If you are still hungry there is plenty of small restaurants surrounding the market too!
4.Gion
After lunch we recommend you to walk through the Gion district. If you come here at night, you may even see a Geisha or Maiko…
Grab a coffee at “% Arabica Kyoto Higashiyama”, a very trendy place and great to have another quick stop! Continue your walk towards our next stop a lovely wooden Pagoda.
5.Hōkan-ji Temple – Yasaka-no-Tou
Just before you reach Hōkan-ji Temple, a beautiful 5-story Buddhist pagoda temple make sure you pay attention to your right-hand side. Here you will find Kongoji (Yasaka Kōshindō) Temple with its colourful charms!
It is one of these hidden spots and great to get a picture!
6.Kimono anyone?
Now if you fancy trying on a Kimono and experiencing Kyoto, then we would recommend doing this here! As only a 3min walk away is “Kimono Rental Kyoetsu” and they always have great deals, especially if you reserve in advance!
Their Discount plan starts at 2000Yen, and is really hard to beat!
Walk through the small narrow streets of Kyoto and discover its many shops, some touristy some 200 years old!
7.Kiyomizu-dera
We are now approaching early evening, perfect to enjoy the sunset at Kiyomizu-dera, an iconic Buddhist temple located on Mount Otowa. It is famous for its scenic views, especially from the huge veranda overlooking Kyoto.
8.Sake
Walk down at the far end and taste some local sake at “Local SAKE and BEER Stand 336“. The sake taster set is 1000¥ and consists of 3 cups of delicious premium Sake. You can also get some local nibbles to go with it.
9.Dinner in Kyoto
As you are getting back to the center you will pass through an area famous for its ceramics, so if you have still energy, this could be a great place to pick up the perfect souvenir on the way.
And for Dinner, the world is really your Oyster! With Kyoto serving some great food, no matter what you fancy, have a look at this amazing Kyoto restaurant!
- Tarokichi Yakitori Restaurant, delicious meat and vegetable grilled in front of you. Great as a light meal with a beer or dinner.
- Tare Katsu Restaurant, known for their tempura served over a bowl of rice, hearty and filling
- Chao Chao Gyoza, our favorite Gyoza place in the world! (Review coming soon)
- Enoteca Irodori, we love this Izakaya, they guys are super friendly and you can try deep-fried cheesecake (Review coming soon…)
- UTUBO, if you like quirky you will love this smoke house! (Review coming soon)
- Sot-l’y-laisse, Japanese charcoal chicken BBQ, great if you like to try some more unusual parts of a chicken… (Review coming soon)
How to spend the perfect day in Kyoto – the End
Yes, this is how our perfect day in Kyoto would play out! And if you are lucky, your accommodation features a small onsen. The perfect ending to a busy day!
And sure, there is always more things to see and do, but for your first time in Kyoto, this is really a great mix!
We will share more info on how to extend on this soon, so stay tuned… in the meantime, have a look at our Tokyo 1 day itinerary here!
