5-Day Kyoto Itinerary

Arrive and check in near Kawaramachi

Arrive via shinkansen or Kansai Airport train and check into a hotel near central Kawaramachi or Gion.

Matcha and wagashi welcome

Settle in with a bowl of whisked matcha and seasonal wagashi sweets at a quiet teahouse.

Kamo River and Pontocho Alley preview

Stroll the Kamo River banks and peek down narrow Pontocho Alley, lined with wooden-fronted restaurants.

Evening walk through Gion District

Wander Hanamikoji Street's preserved wooden machiya houses at dusk, then eat yudofu tofu hot pot nearby.

Fushimi Inari Taisha torii gates

Hike up through thousands of vermillion torii gates winding up Mount Inari, ideally before the midday crowds.

Inari-zushi lunch near the shrine

Try fox-themed inari sushi, sweet tofu pouches stuffed with vinegared rice, near the shrine's stall row.

Kiyomizu-dera and Higashiyama lanes

Climb to Kiyomizu-dera's wooden stage, then wander the sloped Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka streets below it.

Yasaka Shrine and dinner in the lanes

Pass under Yasaka Shrine's lanterns at dusk and find a small grilled-skewer izakaya nearby for dinner.

Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion

Photograph the gold-leaf-covered pavilion reflecting in its still pond, one of Japan's most iconic sights.

Ryoan-ji rock garden

Sit quietly before the famous Zen rock garden of fifteen stones at Ryoan-ji, arranged so one is always hidden.

Kitchen town Nishiki Market

Graze grilled unagi skewers, pickles, and fresh soy milk doughnuts down Nishiki Market's narrow covered aisles.

Ramen and gyoza in Kawaramachi

Warm up with a rich miso ramen bowl and pan-fried gyoza at a lively downtown counter spot.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove at dawn

Walk the towering, swaying bamboo corridor early, before tour groups fill the narrow path.

Tenryu-ji temple garden

Wander the pond garden of this UNESCO-listed Zen temple, designed to frame the surrounding mountains.

Togetsukyo Bridge and river views

Cross the wooden Togetsukyo Bridge over the Katsura River, with views of forested hills beyond.

Kaiseki-style dinner

Experience a multi-course kaiseki dinner of seasonal, artfully presented dishes at a traditional ryotei restaurant.

Train to Nara

Ride the JR or Kintetsu line about 45 minutes south to Nara, Japan's first permanent capital.

Feed the bowing deer of Nara Park

Buy shika senbei crackers to feed the hundreds of tame, freely roaming deer that wander Nara Park.

Todai-ji's Great Buddha Hall

Stand beneath the enormous bronze Buddha statue inside Todai-ji, one of the world's largest wooden buildings.

Return to Kyoto for udon dinner

Head back to Kyoto and unwind with thick, chewy udon noodles in a savory dashi broth.