Day 1: Explore Arashiyama's nature, visit the Golden Pavilion, and walk through the Gion district.
not mentioned
not mentioned
morning
3-4 hours
1
Arashiyama District
Take JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station.
Famous bamboo grove, Zen temple, and scenic bridge.
not mentioned
Tips: Visit the bamboo grove very early in the morning to avoid large crowds.
afternoon
1 hour
2
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Take a bus from the Arashiyama area towards the Kinkakuji-michi stop.
Iconic Zen temple completely covered in gold leaf.
not mentioned
Tips: The golden exterior looks best in the afternoon sunlight.
evening
2-3 hours
3
Gion District
Take a bus from the Kinkaku-ji area to the Gion bus stop.
Traditional geisha district with teahouses and restaurants.
not mentioned
Tips: Explore Hanamikoji Street and Shirakawa Lane. Be respectful if you see a geisha.
Day 2: Hike Fushimi Inari's torii gates, eat at Nishiki Market, and explore Pontocho.
not mentioned
not mentioned
morning
2-3 hours
1
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Take JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Inari Station (2 stops).
Famous shrine with thousands of vibrant red torii gates.
not mentioned
Tips: Go very early (before 8 AM) to avoid crowds. The hike to the top is worth it.
afternoon
1.5-2 hours
2
Nishiki Market
Take a train from Inari to a station near the market, like Gion-Shijo.
Kyoto's kitchen, a lively market for street food.
not mentioned
Tips: Many shops close around 5 PM, so visit for lunch or an early afternoon snack.
evening
2-3 hours
3
Pontocho Alley
Walking distance from Nishiki Market and Gion area.
Atmospheric narrow alley packed with restaurants and bars.
not mentioned
Tips: Great place for dinner. Can be pricey, but many options are available.
Day 3: Explore historic Higashiyama, starting with Kiyomizu-dera and ending at Yasaka Shrine.
not mentioned
not mentioned
morning
1.5-2 hours
1
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Take a bus to Gojo-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi stop, then walk uphill.
Famous temple with a large wooden viewing stage.
not mentioned
Tips: Visit early to beat the crowds. The walk up through Sannenzaka is beautiful.
afternoon
3-4 hours
2
Higashiyama District Walk
Walk downhill from Kiyomizu-dera through Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka towards Yasaka Shrine.
Wander through preserved streets, pagodas, and shrines.
not mentioned
Tips: Take your time exploring the small shops and cafes in this area.
late afternoon
1 hour
3
Yasaka Shrine & Maruyama Park
Located at the end of the Higashiyama walking route.
Lively shrine at the edge of the Gion district.
not mentioned
Tips: The shrine is beautifully lit up at night.
Day 1: Explore Arashiyama's nature, visit the Golden Pavilion, and walk through the Gion district.
not mentioned
not mentioned
morning
3-4 hours
1
Arashiyama District
Take JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station.
Famous bamboo grove, Zen temple, and scenic bridge.
not mentioned
Tips: Visit the bamboo grove very early in the morning to avoid large crowds.
afternoon
1 hour
2
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Take a bus from the Arashiyama area towards the Kinkakuji-michi stop.
Iconic Zen temple completely covered in gold leaf.
not mentioned
Tips: The golden exterior looks best in the afternoon sunlight.
evening
2-3 hours
3
Gion District
Take a bus from the Kinkaku-ji area to the Gion bus stop.
Traditional geisha district with teahouses and restaurants.
not mentioned
Tips: Explore Hanamikoji Street and Shirakawa Lane. Be respectful if you see a geisha.
Day 2: Hike Fushimi Inari's torii gates, eat at Nishiki Market, and explore Pontocho.
not mentioned
not mentioned
morning
2-3 hours
1
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Take JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Inari Station (2 stops).
Famous shrine with thousands of vibrant red torii gates.
not mentioned
Tips: Go very early (before 8 AM) to avoid crowds. The hike to the top is worth it.
afternoon
1.5-2 hours
2
Nishiki Market
Take a train from Inari to a station near the market, like Gion-Shijo.
Kyoto's kitchen, a lively market for street food.
not mentioned
Tips: Many shops close around 5 PM, so visit for lunch or an early afternoon snack.
evening
2-3 hours
3
Pontocho Alley
Walking distance from Nishiki Market and Gion area.
Atmospheric narrow alley packed with restaurants and bars.
not mentioned
Tips: Great place for dinner. Can be pricey, but many options are available.
Day 3: Explore historic Higashiyama, starting with Kiyomizu-dera and ending at Yasaka Shrine.
not mentioned
not mentioned
morning
1.5-2 hours
1
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Take a bus to Gojo-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi stop, then walk uphill.
Famous temple with a large wooden viewing stage.
not mentioned
Tips: Visit early to beat the crowds. The walk up through Sannenzaka is beautiful.
afternoon
3-4 hours
2
Higashiyama District Walk
Walk downhill from Kiyomizu-dera through Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka towards Yasaka Shrine.
Wander through preserved streets, pagodas, and shrines.
not mentioned
Tips: Take your time exploring the small shops and cafes in this area.
late afternoon
1 hour
3
Yasaka Shrine & Maruyama Park
Located at the end of the Higashiyama walking route.
Lively shrine at the edge of the Gion district.
not mentioned
Tips: The shrine is beautifully lit up at night.
