Showing a 3-day Kyoto plan. Days 4+ appear when you extend.
Day 1Southern Higashiyama
- Morning
- Kiyomizu-dera at opening, then Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka
- Afternoon
- Gion's lanes and the Yasaka Pagoda
- Evening
- Dinner along Pontocho alley
Tip: Start before 8am — this district is shoulder-to-shoulder by mid-morning.
Day 2Arashiyama
- Morning
- The bamboo grove at dawn and Tenryu-ji
- Afternoon
- The monkey park or Okochi-Sanso villa
- Evening
- Nishiki Market before it closes
Tip: Arashiyama only works crowd-free at first light.
Day 3Fushimi & south
- Morning
- Fushimi Inari's torii gates at sunrise
- Afternoon
- The maple-framed bridges of Tofuku-ji
- Evening
- Kyoto Station's rooftop and ramen street
Day 4Golden temples
- Morning
- Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, at opening
- Afternoon
- Ryoan-ji's rock garden and Ninna-ji
- Evening
- A quiet kaiseki dinner
Tip: Still water at opening gives the best pavilion reflection.
Day 5Day trip: Nara
- Morning
- Train to Nara, Todai-ji and its Great Buddha
- Afternoon
- The deer of Nara Park and Kasuga Taisha
- Evening
- Back to Kyoto for dinner
Day 6Philosopher's Path
- Morning
- Ginkaku-ji and the Philosopher's Path
- Afternoon
- Nanzen-ji's aqueduct and Heian Shrine
- Evening
- Kaiseki or a machiya restaurant
Day 7Day trip: Uji
- Morning
- Byodo-in temple and matcha tasting in Uji
- Afternoon
- Return via a tea house
- Evening
- Farewell dinner in Gion
Tip: Uji is the home of Japanese green tea — do a proper tasting.
Make it yours
This is a starting route, not a rulebook — shift days to match your arrival, the weather and what's open. Museums often close one weekday, and the big sights are calmest at opening.