Approximate reading time: 20 minutes

Kiyomizu-dera temple with autumn maple tree in Kyoto, Japan

Introduction

When you hear of Kyoto, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Shrines, temples, and matcha are probably some of the first few that people think of. With good reason – Kyoto is home to many of Japan’s famous temples like Kiyomizu-dera and Kinkaku-ji, and one of the most well-known places for matcha and tea ceremonies is in Uji, part of the southern area of Kyoto.

It comes as no surprise that Kyoto remains full of tourists day in and out, all year round. It is one of the places in Japan that have kept many old structures still standing to this day, so it’s common to see old Buddhist shrines along the streets of modern buildings!

Despite being highly urbanized for tourists, there is still a hint of the quiet countryside that resides in Kyoto. It becomes a pleasant break from the concrete jungle while still keeping everything within reach. (You can thank the 7-Eleven and Lawson stores at every corner, too.)

Boasting rich culture and preserved tradition, it’s a wonder how one can explore all of this area in a week! But don’t get overwhelmed just yet – we’ve got you covered with this 5-day itinerary taking you to the must-see sights in Kyoto, some even off the beaten path. Come explore the more traditional side of Japan with us in this itinerary we prepared for you.

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Day 0

Since Kyoto is extremely popular, it’s better to visit main attractions in the early morning to avoid the crowd of tourists. But don’t be worried if your flight lands in the afternoon – we allotted a Day 0 to make the days count!

Here are things you can do right after your check-in:

Get your transport cards

Get Suica Card here

This is a must-have for making your travel easier. Understanding the Japanese railway systems can feel like reading hieroglyphs, so having transportation cards like the local ICOCA or Suica can help ease your transit. For a full run-down of the transportation cards and passes in Japan, you can read more about it in our article here.

Food / Supermarket run

Checked in at a place with a kitchen? You might want to give the nearby supermarket or convenience store a try! You can cook your own food with the ingredients there, or heat up a nice pre-cooked meal from Lawson. If you’re leaving early the next day, you’ll also want to pack an onigiri or two for the trip.

Toji Temple

Situated a few kilometers away from Kyoto Station is one of the less crowded but no less stunning places that is Toji Temple. It rarely ever gets too busy with tourists, so it’s a nice laid back area to explore if you’re in the area.

Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Toji temple’s pagoda within the grounds stands at nearly 55 meters tall, making it the tallest in all of Japan. Entering the ground level of the pagoda and other sites requires an admission fee of Y500 to Y800, but general admission is free for most areas.

It’s one bus or train ride away from Kyoto Station, so it will be pretty easy to reach – and find, since the tall pagoda is pretty hard to miss!

Gion

Interested in Japan’s nightlife? the best place to explore this is in Gion, located in the Eastern part of Kyoto. Also known as the geisha district, Gion is popular for its traditional tea houses lining the streets with wooden exteriors. Most of these have already been converted to restaurants and bars, but the place maintains its traditional feel of the old Japan setting.

The Shirakawa area of Gion offers a picturesque view of the tea houses overlooking the Shirakawa canal, especially at night. This makes it a perfect time to catch this scene after exploring temples in the nearby area – or in this case, a flight landing in the afternoon!

More than that, given that it’s the geisha district, you may encounter one to a few geisha on your way around. If that happens, please be respectful of their space – even if Japanese people are known to be polite, remember that this is still a foreign country!

Day 1

To start your trip right, we’ve allotted Day 1 for exploring the best of Kyoto: shrines and temples. Conveniently, most of the well-known ones are located pretty close to each other, so they’re accessible by only a short bus or train ride away.

Fushimi-Inari Taisha

Most likely, you’ve already seen pictures of friends and tourists online posing in a walkway of red arches stretching for what seems like forever. You can have your own photo like that now at the Fushimi-Inari shrine!

Situated in Southern Kyoto, Fushimi-Inari Taisha is a Shinto shrine that is famous for the thousands of red “torii” gates along its path. The trail starts at the foot of Mount Inari going up, with the torii getting gradually smaller and narrower the farther you go. Usually, tourists opt to exit the trail after the first row of smaller gates (and the first round of Instagram posts), but you can hike the entire 2-3 hour trail if you’re up to the challenge.

We’ve placed this first on the list of things to do for Day 1, so that you can avoid the crowds in the late mornings until the afternoon. From here, you can also work your way up to the temples and shrines in eastern Kyoto.

From Kyoto Station, you can take either of the two railways:

JR Nara line - alight at JR Inari Station

Keihan Main line - alight at Fushimi Station

The entrance to Fushimi Inari will be a short walk away. Admission to the grounds is also free of charge.

Eastern Kyoto’s Temples

The most popular place to explore Kyoto’s temples is in the eastern part. This is because the well visited attractions are just near each other, making it easier to go to many temples and shrines with just a short walk or bus ride.

Tofuku-ji

The first stop in this trail is one of Kyoto’s most popular sightseeing spots in autumn, boasting a vibrant array of reds and oranges especially in November. People flock to Tsutenkyo Bridge for the best view of the maple trees on the temple grounds, so it’s best to come early to avoid the crowd. But don’t worry! The bridge spans over 100 meters, so there will be plenty space to appreciate the sights.

If the wait gets too long, you might want to just explore the other parts of the temple which house buildings as old as the 1300’s. The well-kept gardens of Kaisando Hall are also a sight to behold, showcasing the combination of lush green and stone on either side of the walkway leading to the hall.

From Inari Station, you can take the JR Nara Line and alight at Tofukuji Station. You can also take the Kyoto City Bus, which stops at popular destinations

Kiyomizudera

Ranked as the 3rd most visited spot in Kyoto, the Kiyomizudera temple is popular among tourists all year-round. The most notable part of this temple is the large wooden stage of its main hall overlooking the cherry blossom and maple trees, making it a perfect site for spring and autumn views.

Built alongside the Otowa waterfall, Kiyomizudera houses an area at the base of the main hall where the stream splits into three. Guests can use designated cups to drink from any one of these streams, depending on their wish: for health and longevity, academic success, or a good love life. Which one would you drink from?

You can also visit the Koyasu pagoda nearby, which is said to bless a safe childbirth for those expecting.

Entrance to Kiyomizudera costs Y500, which includes admission to all areas within the temple grounds.

Higashiyama Street

Walking down from Kiyomizudera to the next stop, Sannenzaka, brings you down a road lined with different kinds of shops – from little trinkets to matcha, to kimono rentals – the streets of Higashiyama offer a wide variety of things to do and buy for your trip!

Kimono rental

Since you’re in the heart of the geisha district, why not experience and appreciate the culture for yourself by renting out a kimono? There are many such shops around this area, so you can choose the ones which are nearby your chosen destinations from here: affiliate links

With over a hundred designs to choose from, you can complete the get-up with even a simple hairstyle, starting from just 20 USD.

Matcha

Known for their matcha, Kyoto will surely have a lot of stores and teahouses offering matcha served in different ways! So for you matcha lovers, you’ll definitely have the time of your life browsing all of Higashiyama’s selections.

(insert pics here from different stores)

Ghibli store

Nestled in the back of a corner shop, this Ghibli store is perfect for fans of the animation studio’s films! At the entrance, a smaller version of Totoro greets you warmly with his signature smile and umbrella*!

Going further inside brings you to the nature you often see in the famous movies by Miyazaki, bringing life to the trinkets and goodies found in the shelves.

All aboard the Totoro bus!

Yasaka Pagoda

Following the path of the Higashiyama streets will lead you down Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka and eventually, Hokan-ji temple, which is more known as the Yasaka pagoda. This is the iconic pagoda you often see in photos taken along the streets of Higashiyama, standing at 46 meters tall in the midst of an old neighborhood in Kyoto.

In our opinion, a picture in the streets with the pagoda in the background would suffice since it’s a little out of the way, but if you’re interested, you can enter the pagoda for a price of Y400.

Kodaiji

A little walk away from the Yasaka pagoda would take you to Kodai-ji Temple, which boasts a handful of beautiful, scenic zen gardens. The exit is just as beautiful as it takes you through a bamboo grove to return to the Higashiyama streets.

Admission to the grounds costs Y600. If you want to access Entokuin Temple, a sub temple of Kodai-ji with more zen gardens, you should purchase the Y900 ticket.

Nanzenji

A ways farther from the previous shrines is Nanzen-ji, known as one of the most important Zen temples across Japan. The large gate at the entrance is hard to miss, and its size is so impressive that it even has a balcony. Nanzen-ji’s main hall houses its famous rock garden and paintings, both of which are said to depict tigers.

The temple grounds are spacious enough to house many different sub-temples such as the Nanzenin Temple, Konchi-in Temple and Tenjuan temple, which all have serene gardens decorated to perfection.

Entering the general area is free of charge, while its sub-temples cost anywhere from Y400 to Y600 to enter each one.

Philosopher’s Path

On the way to Ginkaku-ji from Nanzen-ji is a stone path famous for its view of the cherry blossom trees in the spring. The canal running parallel to this path reflects stunning, soft shades of pink during cherry blossom season.

This is a good route to take to and from Ginkaku-ji especially in the spring, if you aren’t in a hurry. Alternatively, you can also take the Kyoto City Bus which stops near the temple.

Along the path are many other temples, shrines, restaurants and shops that will make the 2km walk less noticeable.

Ginkakuji

Adding to the list of Zen temples visited is Ginkaku-ji, the other end of the Philosopher’s path. The temple grounds are where the Silver Pavilion, other temples and many gardens can be found.

Despite the name, Ginkaku-ji’s silver pavilion is not covered in silver; it’s surprising, considering every corner of Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) is decked in gold!

Past the silver pavilion are many other scenic views like the sand garden, the Togudo temple, and moss garden. It’s a serene way to end (or start!) your first day in Kyoto.

Day 2

After a full day of temples and shrines, we thought it would be nice to have a more laid back trip for day 2. This is also a good “lull” after and before another busy day, without staying stagnant!

Kibune

Located in the northern part of Kyoto, Kibune is home to Kifune Shrine and the famous nagashi-somen. You’ve probably heard of it or seen it in a reel — the literal translation being “flowing noodles,” nagashi-somen are noodles caught in a stream of flowing water from the mountains. You then dip these in your dipping sauce consisting of a light broth, and enjoy the refreshing noodles in front of the Kibune river. How exciting!

Kifune Shrine

Despite being so close to Central Kyoto, the area of Kibune settles comfortably in nature. Even the restaurants and shops are right next to and sometimes right over the majestic Kibune River.

With the abundance of streams you’ll catch sight of in the area, it makes sense that the Kifune Shrine is dedicated to the gods of water and rain. The three areas of the shrine are the main shrine, Okunomiya and Yui no Yashiro, often visited in that order.

This place is no doubt popular in the summer due to the refreshing breeze from the river’s stream. It’s also because of the “Kawadoko” or riverside dining experience only offered from May to September.

Nagashi Somen

The most popular of these kawadoko is the nagashi-somen noodles offered at Hirobun. Here, you get a dipping sauce, matcha warabimochi for dessert, and a steady supply of noodles to catch for 30 minutes. It’s actually plenty of time to eat, but be quick to catch the noodles!

The wait can go from 30 minutes to 2 hours, so if you’re reeeeally hungry, we suggest getting a light snack first! The staff gives you a number and time to come back; that way, you can explore Kibune while you wait. The whole experience at Hirobun costs Y2000 for 30 minutes.

If you prefer to eat something else, there are plenty of other dining options in the area — both by the river and inside the restaurants.

Getting to the Kibune area from Kyoto Station requires two transfers. To save money and time, you can purchase the Kyoto-Kibune Sightseeing Pass! This pass allows you to explore more of the covered areas with unlimited rides at a lower price.

Whether you use the pass or an ICOCA, from Kyoto Station, take the Keihan railway to Demachiyanagi. Then, take the Eizan line until the Kibune station. Ride a bus that stops at Kibune, then walk uphill to the shrine. We recommend taking a taxi if you or your companions have difficulty walking long, uphill distances.

Day 3

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

There are scenes that seem to transport you to another world, and this is surely one of them. The famed bamboo forest in Arashiyama is carefully protected to conserve the beauty of nature while also maximizing its intended use. Besides the rows of tall bamboo groves that look like a scene from a Ghibli film, Arashiyama bamboo forest is home to nearby shops that sell goods made from the very same bamboo.

The scenery is paired with the calming sounds of the breeze and careful sway of the bamboo, as well as the insects and birds in the background. It’s precisely why we’ve put it as the first agenda – what better way to start the day than being connected to nature?

Sagano Romantic Train

After arriving at the Saga-Arashiyama station, you can go to the station directly beside it, the Saga Torokka Station. Here, the Sagano Romantic Train awaits your presence!

Covering 7km from Saga to Kameoka, the Sagano Romantic Train is an old-fashioned type of train with 4 closed cars and one with completely open windows regardless of the weather. The latter type is called the “rich car,” as it allows you to immerse in the richness of nature throughout the journey overlooking the river.

You can take this journey back from Kameoka for the same price, or you can opt to take one of the boat rides along the Hozugawa River for another romantic experience. We’ll cover that after this next part!

Kameoka

After alighting at Kameoka station, you’re taken to another charming, quaint place known for being a former castle town. The shrines and temples nearby like the Izumo Shrine make for a quick yet pleasant side quest as you explore this side of Kyoto.

The town of Kameoka is also known for their pottery, so you can check those out at the little shops you come across during your walk.

Hozugawa Boat Ride

On your way back to Kyoto City, you can take a trip down the Hozugawa River, the one best seen from the Sagano Romantic Train, using one of the tour services. Skilled boatmen take you through the crystal waters and short rapids, all while enjoying the view of the cherry blossom trees varying in color throughout the seasons. It goes without saying that the scenery is quite beautiful in fall and spring, but even in the summer, it boasts its greens while winter blankets the sky in a stunning display of white.

All in all, this is the perfect end to a busy day after getting your steps in – all in one morning!

The boat from Kameoka alights at Saga-Arashiyama, where you can take the JR line to Kyoto Station.

Kinkaku-ji

If you arrived and left Kibune early, you might want to stop at this nearby shrine. Listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, Kinkaku-ji (literally translating to the Golden Pavilion) sits brightly in the middle of a large pond, covered in gold.

It is fairly easy to get around since the pavilion is closed off to visitors. Instead, you can discover other areas within the pavilion grounds such as the Anmintaku pond and Sekkatei teahouse, which have a magnificent display of the maple leaves around November and the cherry blossoms in April. There are also various shops offering matcha dishes outside the area, so you’ll still have plenty to explore during this less busy day.

Day 4

Day 4 marks a “busy” day in terms of the journey, but the activities at the destination are pretty chill. The main attraction for day 4 is Amanohashidate – translating to “bridge to heaven” – regarded as one of Japan’s three most scenic views. Seems like a big deal! In this day 4 itinerary, enjoy the picturesque views of the Kyoto countryside and see this underrated gem for yourself.

Kyo-Tango Train

There are two trains that take you from Kyoto Station to Amanohashidate: the JR Hashidate Express that goes directly to Amanohashidate station, and the JR Kinosaki Line that makes a stop at Fukuchiyama Station. The upside of the second train is the option to board the Kyoto Tango train, which is characterized by its wooden interior and dining experience overlooking the sea.

Be sure to reserve your seats before boarding, since two out of three Kyoto Tango trains are available through reservation only.

A roundtrip from Kyoto Station to Amanohashidate normally costs around YPRICE, which is completely covered by the JR Kansai-Wide Pass.

Boat Ride with Seagulls

Once you alight at Amanohashidate station, you can go to the dock for the boat ride to Ichinomiya. That will be the bus stop going to Ine no Funaya later on.

The Amanohashidate Sightseeing Boat takes you around the shores of Amanohashidate close to Ine no Funaya, where you can catch glimpses of the boathouses lined up at the foot of the mountains.

What makes this fun is also the chance to feed the seagulls right from your hands. Yup, from your hands! Just buy a pack of shrimp crackers at the dock then hold them out piece by piece – the seagulls will politely swoop down to eat the crackers while avoiding your fingers!

A boat ride to the Ichinomiya dock costs Y800 one way and Y1300 roundtrip. Alternatively, you can purchase the 2-Day Amanohashidate-Ine Free Pass for Y4500 if you’re staying around Amanohashidate and Ine. This grants you unlimited rides on the Amanohashidate sightseeing boat and bus to and from Ine. You can also buy this pass as an add-on to the JR Kansai Wide Pass for just YPRICE more.

Viewdeck

To really get the full experience of the “bridge to heaven,” go to Amanohashidate View Land once you reach Ichinomiya dock. The entrance is a short walk away, after which you’ll see the way up via a cable car or a chair lift. The cable car runs every 20 minutes, but if you’re in a hurry and don’t mind the thrill, the chair lift runs continuously! We recommend the cable car going up and the chair lift going down to see Amanohashidate in full view.

At the top, there are panels with railings to hang on to while you view Amanohshidate upside down. You do this by bending down to see the view between your legs. Apparently, it’s supposed to look the same this way!

Even without that though, the scene that unfolds before you going up to the viewing deck is already a sight to behold. It’s no wonder this stays as one of Japan’s most scenic spots.

Entrance to the park costs Y800 for adults and Y450 for children. This includes a roundtrip on the chair lift or cable car. If you get the Amanohashidate-Ine Free Pass, the entrance fee is already covered!

Ine no Funaya

Near Amanohashidate lies a very small town of boathouses called funaya, hence the name Ine no Funaya (translates to Ine’s boathouses). While most of these are privately owned, many are still rented out for guests who are interested in staying overnight. Others are also used as cafes or restaurants for tourists to enjoy some matcha, snacks or sushi.

It’s a small area, so it’s fairly easy to explore the entire town in an afternoon. Here, you can be sure that the seafood is freshly caught, so expect that the menu will vary according to the catch of the day. A lot of these restaurants require reservations beforehand, so make sure to plan your trip accordingly. Thankfully, the cafes that offer tea by the bay can just be walk-in! Here are some cafes and restaurants to try at Ine:

Ine Cafe
Miyabi
CAFE & BB Guri
Wadatsumi
Ine Handmade Soba “Kochi”

You can reach Ine by bus from the Ichinomiya dock. Just alight at the Ine bus stop, or make a brief stop at Inewan-megumi-hide to experience the Ine Sightseeing Boat tour. The bus ride costs Y200, while the sightseeing boat tour costs Y1200.

Day 5

We’ve come to the last day in Kyoto – cue the sad music! This one is fairly short and simple so that those with flights in the same evening can adjust this itinerary accordingly. With that, let’s make the last full day count!

Kyoto Station

Found to be the deepest station in all of Japan, it’s easy to get lost in Kyoto with all the different railways it houses. It has Japan Rail, Keihan, Kintetsu and Hankyu, to name a few. It’s also built alongside the Isetan mall, Kyoto Granvia Hotel and above a food court, giving you many places to explore in this station alone. Here are a few of our recommendations:

Mister Donut

You might be thinking: of all the places to visit in Japan, why a Mister Donut? Well, besides the offerings exclusive to Japan, there are seats at the Mister Donut in Kyoto Station that provide the perfect spot for people-watching. Watching the world go by as you munch on your Pon de Ring donut – there’s a simple joy in that.

Grand Stairway

On your way up, you’ll see the grand stairway on the 4th floor leading up to the 10th floor. Installed with LED lights for shows, this stairway can be a unique backdrop with the open ceiling overlooking your picture. You can also take a picture from the top, showing the depth of the Kyoto Station with just one photo.

Don’t worry about the climb – Kyoto Station is completely accessible by escalators and elevators from bottom to top and vice versa!

Sky Garden and Sky Tunnel

The 15th floor is the topmost area of Kyoto Station. Surely, there must be something special here, right? Right! While overlooking Kyoto City and its temples, enjoy the Sky Garden after passing the Grand Stairway. From here, you can cross the Sky Tunnel to access restaurants and shops at the Isetan Shopping Center.

At the north side of the station, you can also see the proximity of Kyoto Tower across – it feels closer when you’re at almost the same height!

Nishiki Market

After exploring the depth of Kyoto Station, you can conveniently move to the next destination from there: Nishiki Market! Much like other major cities in Japan, Nishiki Market is a long line of specialty shops and restaurants under a roofed area. Since Kyoto is home to authentic matcha, you can expect lots of matcha-infused dishes among other concoctions here.

Nishiki Market is always well-populated, but one of the more visited shops here is the Snoopy Cha-Ya or Snoopy tea store where you can find – you guessed it – all things Snoopy! From merchandise, food and decor, this is a must-visit for Snoopy lovers.

Some of their most popular items are the “Snoopyaki” which comes in three flavors (custard, red bean, and the third depends on the season), and the matcha latte that comes with a floating Snoopy marshmallow seemingly taking a dip.

Going further down the street, you’ll be able to hear loud voices of the sake stall owners, offering good, warm traditional Japanese sake (rice wine) for a cheap price of Y100 for the first shot! They also often sell snacks you can munch on alongside their sake.

Along the length of Nishiki Market is also a selection of freshly caught seafood from near and far; sometimes they’re caught locally in Osaka or Kyoto, or they can come from as far as the cold northern area of Hokkaido.

You can discover more of this area yourself, or you can also book a guided tour with the help of a local that might recommend lesser known places of interest.

Kawaramuchi shopping

Still itching to shop more? At the other end of Nishiki Market, you can walk a little to reach Kawaramachi-dori Street to access a bunch of other stores!

Shop for last-minute pasalubong at the stores along Kawaramachi Shopping street, whether it be locally made trinkets, vintage clothing pieces from 2nd Street, or tax-free KitKat at the nearest drugstore. We’ll let you in on a poorly kept secret: it’s cheaper to shop at tax-free drug stores or pharmacies than Don Quijote! So if you’re planning to do a KitKat or &honey haul, Matsumoto Pharmacy might be just the place… but you didn’t hear that from us.

Once you’ve finished shopping, you can go back to Kyoto Station using the station nearby. If you’re lucky and your day 5 falls on a weekend or Japanese holiday, see if you can catch the themed Kyo-Garaku on the Hankyu Line going to Osaka! This train is themed according to the seasons, but the wooden interior is lovely all year round. With tatami mats for seats and small zen gardens on board, this local train is bound to charm you.

Quick Tips

Money

While cashless options are available in most stores in Japan, always have cash on hand since some stores (especially locally run, small businesses) do not accept card payments. We’ve found that convenience store ATMs are the next best thing for withdrawing cash if there’s no money exchange nearby.

There’s also good news for all Filipinos using GCash! You can use the app abroad to pay in Japan at a good conversion rate. Just have them scan the QR code generated using AliPay+. If you use WePay or ApplePay, you can also look for the sign first before you ask.

Stay connected while traveling!

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Transportation cards

If you haven’t gotten yourself an ICOCA, Suica, or PasMo yet, it might be the best time to get one. Makes traveling that much easier!

Special tickets

Got the JR Pass? Make sure to keep it with you ALWAYS since it’s nonrefundable! If you want to know more about the Japan Rail Pass.

Etiquette / Cultural customs

Remember to be respectful and mindful of Japanese culture while visiting - they often do not like loud, rowdy people that cause a ruckus in public places and accommodations.

Ending Notes

If you’re planning to stick to local travels for now, we’ve also got just the thing for you – let Dream Tours Philippines handle the planning so you can enjoy El Nido, Siargao and Boracay without the stress! No matter where you choose to go, come share your travel with us by using #MarveTravel

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5 Day Travel Guide to Kyoto

Table of contents

Introduction

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Day 0

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Quick Tips

Stay connected while traveling!

Ending Notes

5 Day Travel Guide to Kyoto

Table of contents

Introduction

Want a simple way to stay covered while traveling?

Day 0

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Quick Tips

Stay connected while traveling!

Ending Notes

Quick Transportation Tips in Japan