Kyoto in 3 days: our day-by-day itinerary

In short: day 1, Fushimi Inari at dawn, Kiyomizu-dera and the Higashiyama district, then Gion in the evening; day 2, Arashiyama and its bamboo grove, then the Golden Pavilion; day 3, the Philosopher’s Path, the Silver Pavilion, Nijō Castle and Nishiki Market. The secret: start very early.

Before you go: what to book

• Most temples and shrines cannot be booked: arrive early.
• Experiences (tea ceremony, kimono rental, cooking class) should be booked ahead.
• Some imperial gardens are visited by reservation.

Always check opening days and times on the official websites: they can change.

Day 1: Fushimi Inari, Higashiyama and Gion

Morning: Fushimi Inari. Arrive at dawn at Fushimi Inari and climb among the thousands of vermilion torii, above the crowds.

Midday: Kiyomizu-dera. Head to Kiyomizu-dera and its great wooden terrace on the hillside.

Afternoon: Higashiyama. Walk down the cobbled lanes of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, lined with traditional houses and tea rooms.

Evening: Gion. Stroll through Gion, the geisha district, following the rules: no photos in private lanes.

Day 2: Arashiyama and the Golden Pavilion

Morning: the Arashiyama bamboo grove. Arrive early at the Arashiyama bamboo grove, before the tour groups.

Midday: Tenryū-ji. Visit Tenryū-ji temple and its garden, then the Togetsukyō Bridge.

Afternoon: the Golden Pavilion. Discover Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, reflected in its pond.

Evening: Pontochō. Have dinner in Pontochō alley, along the Kamo River.

Day 3: the Philosopher’s Path, Nijō and Nishiki

Morning: the Silver Pavilion. Start with Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion, and its sand garden.

Midday: the Philosopher’s Path. Follow the Philosopher’s Path, along a canal lined with cherry trees.

Afternoon: Nijō Castle. Visit Nijō Castle and its “nightingale floors” that sing underfoot.

Evening: Nishiki Market. Taste Kyoto specialities at Nishiki Market before dinner.

A fourth day? Day trips

• Nara and its free-roaming deer, with the Great Buddha of Tōdai-ji.
• Uji, for green tea and Byōdō-in temple.
• Osaka, a short train ride away, for street food.
• Himeji Castle, by bullet train.

Our tips to make the most of 3 days

1. Start very early: the main sights are packed from mid-morning.
2. Combine train, subway and walking: buses are often full.
3. Get a rechargeable transport card (IC) for all journeys.
4. Respect the rules in Gion and temples: quiet, no photos where forbidden.
5. Avoid weekends for the most famous sites if you can.

Where to stay for these 3 days

The area around Kyoto Station is handy for day trips, Gion and Higashiyama for atmosphere, the centre (Kawaramachi) for restaurants. Every area is detailed in our guide Where to stay in Kyoto. To go further, see Things to do in Kyoto.