Day Itineraries in Kyoto

Sample Kyoto Itineraries

Day 1: Arashiyama & Western Kyoto

• 7:00 AM: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove at dawn
• 8:30 AM: Tenryu-ji Garden opens
• 10:00 AM: Jojakko-ji and hillside temples
• 12:00 PM: Tofu lunch at a riverside restaurant
• 2:00 PM: Sagano Romantic Train to Kameoka
• 5:00 PM: Sunset over Togetsu-kyo Bridge

Day 2: Eastern Kyoto (Higashiyama)

• 7:30 AM: Fushimi Inari Taisha — summit hike
• 11:00 AM: Kiyomizu-dera Temple
• 12:30 PM: Lunch in Ninenzaka
• 2:00 PM: Chion-in and Shoren-in temples
• 4:00 PM: Gion / Hanamikoji Street exploration
• 6:00 PM: Dinner in Pontocho alley

Day 3: Northern Kyoto (Temple Circuit)

• 8:30 AM: Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
• 10:00 AM: Ryoan-ji Rock Garden
• 11:30 AM: Ninna-ji Temple and pagoda
• 1:00 PM: Lunch in Kitayama area
• 2:30 PM: Daitoku-ji sub-temples
• 4:30 PM: Philosopher's Path north end
• 6:00 PM: Ginkaku-ji and surrounding district

Day 4: Central Kyoto & Cultural Experiences

• 9:00 AM: Nijo Castle
• 11:00 AM: Nishiki Market tasting walk
• 12:30 PM: Lunch near Kawaramachi
• 2:00 PM: Tea ceremony experience (book in advance)
• 4:00 PM: Kyoto Imperial Palace Park
• 6:30 PM: Kimono evening walk in Gion

Day 5: Day Trip to Nara

• 8:30 AM: JR Nara Line to Nara (45 min)
• 9:30 AM: Nara Park and Todai-ji
• 11:00 AM: Kasuga Taisha Shrine
• 12:30 PM: Lunch in Naramachi
• 2:00 PM: Kofuku-ji and national museum
• 4:30 PM: Return to Kyoto
• 7:00 PM: Farewell kaiseki dinner