Located in the Kansai region of Japan, Kyoto is a city that is bursting with Japanese heritage, picturesque landscapes, and traditional charm. For this reason, it’s one of the most-traveled cities in Japan! Roughly 81 million people visit each year.
While there’s a lot to see and do, this Kyoto itinerary is meant to be taken slowly. On one hand, you could overstuff each day in Kyoto with one attraction after the other. You can spend your days running from one place to another, followed by long queue lines for the hottest tourist attractions. Or, you can see a few of the popular spots and a lot of the lesser-known hidden gems of Kyoto.
Either way, you’re in for an unforgettable experience if you’re going to this city. This blog will guide you through a 5-day itinerary packed with a healthy dose of well-known and unknown attractions throughout the city of Kyoto. The goal is to help you see the best parts of the city without too many tourist traps!
Find the Best Things to Do in Kyoto with This 5-Day Itinerary!
If you’re looking for what to do in Kyoto, you’re in for a treat. Be ready to explore Japan’s ancient and captivating history. After all, Kyoto was originally the capital of Japan (before Tokyo)!
This city, while built up and modern, also has sections of untouched historical buildings. It’s also possible to see the traditional Japanese customs of samurai and geishas firsthand.
Continue reading for a complete breakdown of what you should do during your five days in Kyoto. Be sure to check out my other article on everything you need to know before going to Kyoto, including travel tips and what to know about the latest overtourism restrictions in the city.
Day 1 Kyoto Travel Itinerary: Explore the Outdoors
Start your Kyoto adventure with a leisurely bike tour through Arashiyama, an enchanting district most known for the bamboo forest. You can choose to rent your own bicycle, but I recommend going with a tour guide, especially on your first day. I bet you saw that coming!
This tour starts quite early in the morning and lasts around 3.5 hours, though I would count this as a good thing. The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kyoto. At certain points of the afternoon, crowds can get so thick that it’s difficult to stop and enjoy the scenery.
Check out a temple
While any good Kyoto itinerary will share a few examples of the temples in the city, it may leave out a crucial bit of information. There are over 1,600 temples in Kyoto alone. If you were to go to a new temple every single day of the year, it would take you a little over 4 years to see them all! Hopefully, that number doesn’t overwhelm you.
Having so many options can feel like a burden. Rather than enjoying your holiday, you’re wondering if you’re making the right choice and stressing over the sheer number of choices. Fear not, for the good news is that temples come in all shapes and sizes.
Some of them are incredibly small and sprinkled throughout the central parts of the city. If you were feeling inclined, you could just hop into a few while making your way to another attraction.
There are a few quintessential temples in Kyoto that seem to represent the city. For example, the Fushimi-Inari Shrine with a seemingly endless row of torii gates. I do recommend you visit Fushimi-Inari later in your trip and check out a few of these spots for now.
Ryōan-ji Temple Kyoto
Head to Ryōan-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its tranquil rock garden. Spend some time in contemplation as you admire the carefully arranged rocks and gravel, a masterpiece of minimalist design.
Ninna-ji Temple
Continue your temple exploration with a visit to Ninna-ji Temple. This sprawling temple complex boasts beautiful gardens, elegant architecture, and historic artifacts. Take a moment to admire the five-story pagoda and stroll through the serene Omuro cherry blossom garden.
Haradani Garden
Conclude your day by visiting Haradani Garden, a hidden gem renowned for its stunning seasonal displays. This garden stays meticulously manicured year-round, so it’s perfect for fall leaf peepers or visitors during cherry blossom season.
Day 2: Visit Gardens and Take Part in a Tea Ceremony
Who wouldn’t want to spend an afternoon with a geisha? Kyoto is known for being one of Japan’s cultural preservation cities and puts a strong emphasis on heritage. Immerse yourself in Japanese tea culture with a traditional tea ceremony at the tranquil Camellia Garden. Experience the art of tea preparation firsthand and savor the delicate flavors of matcha while enjoying the serene surroundings.
Kyutei Omuro
After the tea ceremony, head to Kyutei Omuro, a charming traditional Japanese house and garden. This house (yes, it was a private residence at one point!) was built during the Showa period between 1926 and 1989.
The residence is available primarily for whole-house rentals, though it’s open to the public typically during the early summer and fall.
Spend a little time admiring the elegant architecture and stroll through the peaceful garden. Outside, you’ll find a koi pond and delicate, lush greenery.
Taishogun Shopping Street
Next up is Taishogun Shopping Street, where you’ll find some unlikely characters. Yokai, or monsters, are heavily present in Japanese folklore.
Similar to the giants, ghouls, and gnomes of Western fairytales, these stories portrayed monsters as part of common, everyday life. You know, a casual stroll through the woods would lead you face-to-face with a yokai!
According to Japanese legend, the yokai were irritated by the humans and decided to storm the northern part of Kyoto, which is now known as Taishogun. In this neighborhood, you’ll come across Yokai Street, where there are monster sculptures and plenty of people dressed up in costumes!
Aside from rubbing shoulders with monsters, you can also indulge in some retail therapy at Taishogun Shopping Street. This arcade is lined with shops selling traditional crafts, souvenirs, and delectable street food.
Day 3: Kimono Rental Through the Historic Gion District
The Gion District is the crown jewel of the city. This neighborhood has a large concentration of machiya, a traditional style of Japanese architecture. Start your day early (before 8 am) and wander through some of these streets while they’re relatively uncrowded.
Although the Gion District is a must-visit in any Kyoto itinerary, you do need to be wary of which streets you can and can’t walk through. Because of the recent developments in overtourism, local legislation has set new trespassing measures in place. You’ll need to keep an eye out for posted signs throughout the Gion District and plan your walking route accordingly.
After indulging in a tea ceremony with a geisha on day two, now it’s time to dress up and experience a day in the life! Renting a kimono and exploring the historic Gion district is a great activity for anyone curious about Japanese clothing.
Keep an eye out for geisha gracefully moving through the streets, but be sure not to follow them or ask for photos. For even more immersion, participate in this guided tour of Gion and learn the ways of the Geisha.
Bonus Activity: Climb Shogunzuka Mound
Climb up Shogunzuka Mound for panoramic views of Kyoto. This vantage point offers breathtaking vistas of the city, especially during cherry blossom or autumn foliage seasons.
Day 4: Explore Temples and Learn About Samurai
When royalty ruled Japan in previous centuries, Kyoto was the original capital city. The samurai played a pivotal role in protecting Kyoto and the royals who resided there. The samurai were so influential in Japanese politics that they eventually became a special class of their own. Day four is all about exploring Kyoto’s past.
Start at Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, one of the largest wooden structures in Japan. This temple has some of the most beautiful and intricate carved details; a delight for lovers of architecture of this grand temple, and learn about its profound religious significance.
Samurai Museum in Kyoto
While Japan has a ton of interesting digital art, like the epic teamLab Tokyo exhibit, a Kyoto itinerary is perfect for historians. The Samurai Museum will give you a glimpse into the life of a samurai. The exhibits feature real weapons, armor, and clothing used to train.
The Samurai Museum shows an immersive exploration into the life of a samurai warrior, where you can admire their traditional armor and weaponry, and even participate in a samurai sword demonstration. If you prefer something a little more hands-on, check out this samurai training class!
Kyoto Imperial Palace
Conclude your day with a visit to the Kyoto Imperial Palace, the place where Japanese royalty once lived. It’s a short walk from the Samurai Museum, which makes it easy to head over right after you’re done.
If proximity speaks to anything, it’s the significance of the relationship between the samurai and the royal family. Explore the meticulously manicured gardens and learn about the imperial power that once ruled the country.
Visit the Kyoto Tower
Ending your stay in Kyoto with a bang, you’re ready to journey onward to Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of Kyoto’s most iconic and revered sites. Thanks to social media, this may now be the most famous temple in all of Japan, despite that there are literally thousands of other options.
Japan has a high volume of temples because of its deep spiritual background in Shintoism. The Shinto beliefs date back at least 1,000 years and remain the most prominent religion in Japan. Although you will undoubtedly see a ton of tourists at Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto, you will also see observers of the Shinto faith present as they say prayers and ask for blessings.
This Shinto shrine is most well-known for its thousands of vibrant orange torii gates that form a mesmerizing path through the forested Mount Inari. Depending on how quickly you move, the total time it takes to walk through the gates is approximately 20-30 minutes.
The shrine is set upon a small mountain. Depending on the time you arrive and the type of shoes you’re wearing, you can enjoy a peaceful hike to the summit. Most of the crowds stick to the walk within the torii gates, so you’ll be able to get some space in other areas of the shrine.
Relax at an Onsen
After days of exploration, treat yourself to a relaxing experience at one of Kyoto’s soothing onsens. An onsen is a traditional Japanese spa that usually involves several whirlpools and saunas. There is a process you can follow for moving through the onsen, but I’ve also just hung out in the hot tub.
The thing about onsens: Some onsens frown on tattoos. Some may actually kick you out if you have a visible tattoo. The traditional and somewhat conservative views in Japan are changing, albeit slowly.
To avoid any embarrassment, check ahead of time if you’re onsen is tattoo-friendly and bring a few temporary cover-up patches. Don’t worry, there are quite a few that won’t care about your tattoos, like Umeyu Onsen in Kyoto.
FAQs for Your Consideration
How many days should I spend in Kyoto?
To truly appreciate the essence of the city, I recommend spending at least 3 to 5 days in Kyoto. During my trip, I was there for four days, but found there were remaining neighborhoods I hadn’t yet discovered.
Kyoto isn’t a big city, but it does have little winding alleyways and undiscovered spots that can only be found by taking a leisurely stroll. I think exploring a city on foot is truly the best way to become familiar with it, and is also why I’m a huge fan of walking tours!
If you’re already acquainted with this culture and heritage travel blog, you probably already know that I go on walking tours on the first day of my trip. No matter where I am!
Five days seems like the perfect number of time spent in Kyoto. This duration allows you to explore the major attractions, explore the local culture, and experience the serene ambiance that Kyoto offers. It will also allow you some downtime. However, if you’re strapped for time and want to have a more condensed experience, I recommend checking out the places I saved on my map saves for Kyoto.
When is the best time to visit Kyoto?
The best time to visit Kyoto is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). In spring, cherry blossoms adorn the city with their delicate pink hues, creating a magical atmosphere. Autumn brings vibrant foliage, painting the landscapes in breathtaking shades of red, orange, and gold.
One of the best things to do in Kyoto includes doing a cherry blossom road trip, which you can easily do via a rented car or by train. Just keep in mind that cherry blossom season in Japan is hugely popular, and you may be competing with a lot of other tourists for the same experience!
How to get to Kyoto
To reach Kyoto from Tokyo, the most convenient option is taking the Shinkansen (bullet train). The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, offering a comfortable and efficient travel experience.
From Osaka, you can also take the Shinkansen, which covers the distance in around 50 minutes! I love this option because, even though there are plenty of things to do in Kyoto, you may only want to do a day trip here. So if you use Osaka as your base city, you can jump to a bunch of different places (including Nara). Kyoto is well-connected by train and can be easily accessed from various cities in Japan.
Is Kyoto worth visiting?
Overall, I had both good and bad experiences in Kyoto. I admit that there is no other city in Japan like it, so I think it’s worth at least a visit for first-timers. I thought the city was beautiful, but my biggest issue was the crowds. There were so many visitors that I had a hard time enjoying myself, especially in the Gion District and in temples.
