How many days do you need in Kyoto?

Kyoto moves at a different pace—slower, more rooted in tradition, and closely tied to the seasons. One morning you might be walking through the quiet torii gates at Fushimi Inari, and by evening, sitting down to a kaiseki meal in a restored wooden townhouse. But how long should you stay to really experience it? This guide breaks it down with daily itineraries, neighborhood tips, and practical advice to help you plan your trip and make the most of your time. 

How many days do you need in Kyoto?

If you’re heading to Kyoto, three days is the bare minimum to hit the highlights, but five to seven days lets you take it all in at a more relaxed pace. In three days, you can check out must-see temples like Kinkaku-ji and Kiyomizu-dera, wander through districts like Gion and Arashiyama, and maybe squeeze in a quick day trip to Nara. 

With more time, you can go beyond the big sights—take a cooking class, join a tea ceremony, visit quieter temples, or explore different areas at different times of day. A longer stay also means you can catch seasonal festivals or add extra day trips to Osaka, Nara, or even the mountain town of Kurama. Plus, you’ll have time to revisit your favorite spots without feeling rushed. 

A good starting point might be to take a look at a sample Japan itinerary to get a sense of how to break up your time.

2 days in Kyoto

Two days in Kyoto is just enough time to get a feel for the city—temples, quiet gardens, and meals that reflect its long food traditions. This itinerary keeps things simple and efficient, so you can see a lot without spending all day in transit. This is a good option if you want to fit as many places as possible into your trip to Japan.

Suggested itinerary

Day 1

Start your morning at Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion. The gold-covered building reflects off the pond and looks especially nice when it’s quiet in the early hours. The original structure burned down in 1950 and was rebuilt a few years later—something a lot of people don’t realize when they visit.

From there, it’s an easy walk to Ryoan-ji, home to a well-known rock garden. It’s a simple layout—15 stones in raked gravel—but it’s intentionally designed so that from any angle, at least one of the stones is hidden. It’s meant to be a reminder that we never fully see the whole picture, and it's one of the best places to visit in Japan.

For lunch, head to Mizuho, a small spot where the soba is made fresh from buckwheat that’s ground in-house. It’s straightforward and feels very local.

Spend your afternoon wandering Nishiki Market. It’s a shopping street packed with small shops and food stalls—expect things like pickled vegetables, skewered seafood, and sweets you might not have seen before. Later, head toward Gion, Kyoto’s historic geisha district. If you’re up for something a little more modern in the evening, Giro Giro Hitoshina does seasonal kaiseki in a relaxed setting. Sitting at the counter gives you a good view of the kitchen and makes the experience more casual.

Day 2

Start early in Arashiyama, before the tour groups show up. The bamboo grove is short but atmospheric, especially when the breeze moves through the tall stalks. Nearby, Tenryu-ji has a Zen garden that was laid out to align with the mountains in the background. It’s a quiet spot that doesn’t feel overly maintained or staged.

For lunch, walk over to Shoraian, a small tofu-focused restaurant above the Oi River. Their yudofu (hot tofu) is made using spring water from the surrounding hills, and the meal feels simple and seasonal.

In the afternoon, stop by Gio-ji, a tiny moss-covered temple with a bit of history. It was once home to a 12th-century dancer who became a Buddhist nun after a heartbreak. The moss garden changes depending on the weather—sometimes bright green, sometimes almost bronze.

Wrap up with dinner at Izuju, just across from Yasaka Shrine. This family-run spot makes pressed sushi, a Kyoto style that goes back to when refrigeration wasn’t an option and preserving fish was a necessity. It’s a good, low-key way to end your trip.

3 days in Kyoto

With a third day in Kyoto, you’ve got time to slow down and explore some of the city’s quieter corners—places where things feel a little more reflective and grounded. For a slower pace, you could break down this itinerary into two days; it just depends on how many days in Kyoto you have.

Suggested itinerary

Day 3

Start the morning with a walk along the Philosopher’s Path, a peaceful canal-side route named after Nishida Kitaro, a Kyoto University professor who used to walk it as part of his daily meditation. The path links several temples and shrines, and is especially nice first thing in the morning when it’s still quiet.

Begin at Nanzen-ji, a large Zen temple complex. Its wooden gate is massive, and from the top you get a wide view over the city. On the grounds, you’ll also see a red-brick aqueduct—built during the Meiji period and still in use today. It feels slightly out of place, but that’s part of what makes it interesting.

For lunch, stop at Okutan, a restaurant that specializes in shojin ryori, or Buddhist vegetarian cuisine. The place has been around for centuries, and the set meals are simple and grounding.

After lunch, walk to Honen-in, a quiet temple surrounded by moss and trees. The monks rake fresh patterns into the sand each morning, and the whole place has a calm, lived-in feel. Keep going north to Ginkaku-ji, also known as the Silver Pavilion. It was meant to be covered in silver foil like its golden counterpart, but that part of the plan was dropped during a time of conflict. The building’s plain wood exterior ended up influencing a whole movement in Japanese design—one that values restraint and natural beauty.

For dinner, check out Obanzai Sakana no Yamamoto, a casual spot known for obanzai, or Kyoto-style home cooking. Dishes come in small portions, so it’s easy to try a few things and share.

4 days in Kyoto

With a fourth day, you can go a bit deeper—moving beyond the major stops to explore more of what makes Kyoto feel so rooted in its traditions. This final day ties together a few of the city’s most iconic places, from hillside shrines to streets that still feel like the Edo period. If you're hoping to add more days to see more of the country, don't miss our guide to how to plan a trip to Japan.

Suggested itinerary

Day 4

Start your morning early—Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of the few places in Kyoto that’s open 24/7, and it’s worth getting there before sunrise. The trail winds uphill through thousands of vermilion torii gates, each one donated by a person or business. It’s quietest before the tour buses arrive, and the low morning light filtering through the gates makes the walk feel a bit surreal. Along the way, keep an eye out for fox statues holding keys in their mouths—they’re seen as messengers of Inari, the Shinto deity linked to rice and prosperity.

From there, it’s a short walk to Tofuku-ji, a large Zen temple known for its garden design. The south garden was laid out in 1939 and combines raked gravel with neatly spaced moss patches in a checkerboard layout. The covered walkways give you a view of the trees, which shift dramatically with the seasons—cherry blossoms in the spring, reds and oranges in the fall. Walking here is one of the best things to do in Japan. 

For lunch, stop at Vermillion, a café near the shrine that keeps things simple—udon noodles with seasonal mountain vegetables, often sourced from nearby farms.

In the afternoon, head toward Kiyomizu-dera, one of Kyoto’s most visited temples. The approach is half the experience—you’ll walk uphill through narrow streets lined with old wooden buildings, small shops, and traditional sweet stalls. The temple itself sits on a hill and has a wooden stage built entirely without nails. From up there, you get a wide view over the city and the surrounding hills.

Best areas to stay in Kyoto

Here’s a quick look at some of the best places to base yourself, depending on your travel style:

Higashiyama – best for first-time visitors

Higashiyama is the part of Kyoto that most people picture—narrow streets, traditional wooden houses, and a slower pace that feels tied to the past. It’s a great area if you want to be within walking distance of major sights like Kiyomizu-dera, Maruyama Park, and Yasaka Shrine. During the day it gets busy, but early mornings and evenings are much quieter and give you a chance to experience the neighborhood when it’s at its most peaceful.

Kyoto Station Area – best for families

Staying near Kyoto Station makes things easy—especially when you’re traveling to Japan with kids. You’ll have quick train and bus access to just about everywhere, which means less walking and fewer chances of anyone getting too tired too early. Hotels in this area are usually more spacious, and there are lots of casual spots to eat, plus things like Kyoto Aquarium nearby. It’s not the most scenic part of town, but the convenience really helps, especially if you’re planning day trips.

Arashiyama – best for nature lovers

Located in western Kyoto, Arashiyama moves at a slower pace. It’s known for the bamboo grove, but there’s more to explore—riverside walks, scenic temples like Tenryu-ji, and small boats on the water all give the area a calm, outdoorsy feel. Spring and fall are especially nice here, with cherry blossoms and autumn colors along the hills. Places to stay are often a bit roomier, so it’s a good pick if you’re looking for nature without straying too far from the rest of the city.

Things to know before going to Kyoto

If you're deciding between Kyoto or Tokyo, know that Kyoto moves at a slower pace, and there’s a stronger emphasis on tradition. You’ll notice it right away in how people speak, how they dress, and especially at temples and shrines, where being respectful goes a long way. It’s a good idea to dress modestly when visiting these sites—covering your shoulders and knees is generally expected, especially at more traditional or less touristy spots.

Seasons shape a lot of what happens in Kyoto. Cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall are big draws—and they’re beautiful—but they also mean higher prices, larger crowds, and hotels that book up fast. If you're hoping to visit during those times, it’s worth planning several months ahead. See more about the country's seasons in our guide to the best time to go to Japan.

One thing that catches some people off guard: a lot of places close early. Smaller shops and restaurants often shut by 5 or 6 PM, and many traditional places still only take cash, so it’s smart to carry some yen just in case.

If you’re visiting a lot of temples, look into cultural passes—some cover entry fees and can save you a bit. Also, keep in mind that Kyoto’s highlights are pretty spread out. Planning by neighborhood will save you time and energy.

Daily budget

Here’s a rough idea of what you might spend, depending on how you like to travel:

• Budget (¥8,000–¥12,000 / $55–$80 per day): Dorm-style hostels or simple budget ryokans, cheap eats from convenience stores, noodle shops, and public transportation. A one-day bus pass comes in handy, and a few temples are free or have occasional free entry days.
• Mid-range (¥15,000–¥25,000 / $100–$170 per day): Standard hotels or modest ryokans, meals at casual sit-down places (you can fit in a kaiseki lunch or two), and entrance to all the big sights. This is a typical tourist budget that gives you flexibility without going all-out.
• Luxury (¥35,000+ / $240+ per day): This covers boutique hotels or higher-end ryokans, multi-course kaiseki dinners, maybe a private tea ceremony, geisha performance, or a private guide. It’s more immersive and comfortable if you're looking for that kind of experience.

How to get around

Getting around Japan, including Kyoto, is pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. The city runs on buses, a couple of subway lines, and a network of JR trains. For most tourist sights, buses are your best bet—but they can be a little confusing at first. Routes 100 and 101 are geared toward visitors and hit a lot of the key stops. If you’re taking more than two rides in a day, it’s worth getting the one-day bus pass (¥600).

The subway only has two lines, but they’re useful for cutting across the city quickly—north to south and east to west. If you’re sticking to more central neighborhoods, renting a bike is another good option. It’s affordable (around ¥1,000 per day) and makes it easy to explore places like Gion, Higashiyama, or the Imperial Palace area at your own pace.

Taxis are pricey, but they come in handy if you're traveling late, carrying luggage, or just want to avoid transit altogether. In some areas like Southern Higashiyama or Arashiyama, walking is actually the easiest way to get around since most of the sights are close together.

How to get to Kyoto

If you're first getting to Japan through Kyoto, most people arrive through either Kansai International Airport (KIX) or Osaka Itami Airport (ITM). From KIX, the fastest way into Kyoto is the Haruka Limited Express (about 75 minutes, ¥3,570). If you're looking to save money, you can take the Airport Express and transfer to a local train—it takes longer (about 105 minutes) but costs less (around ¥1,510).

Coming from Tokyo, the Shinkansen bullet train gets you to Kyoto in about 2.5 hours. It’s covered by the JR Pass, or you can pay separately (around ¥13,320 one-way). If you’re planning to visit multiple cities, activating a JR Pass for this part of your trip can be a good deal.

Domestic flights to Osaka are an option, but once you factor in airport transfers and security, they don’t really save time. Once you're in the city, Kyoto Station connects easily to the subway and local buses, so it’s a good starting point no matter how you arrive. 

Planning your trip to Japan

Planning a trip to Japan? Our Japan itineraries are a great starting point, crafted by Rough Guides editors to help you make the most of your visit. 

• 7 days in Japan itinerary: Split your time between Tokyo and Kyoto—two cities that show you both sides of Japan. Think busy streets, quiet temples, and a mix of old traditions and new tech.
• 10 days in Japan itinerary: Start in Tokyo, then head to Kyoto and Osaka, with day trips to Nara for the deer park and Hakone for hot springs. A nice mix of city life and nature without rushing.
• 14 days in Japan itinerary: Take a deeper dive from Tokyo to Hiroshima, with stops in big cities, small mountain towns, and coastal spots. You’ll have more time to try regional food and travel at a slower pace.