Kyoto 5 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Central Kyoto Exploration

  • Stay at: Hotel Granvia Kyoto or similar (conveniently located near Kyoto Station)
  • Transportation: JR Pass or local trains for easy navigation

Morning:

  • Check-in and freshen up
  • Breakfast at: Café&More Kyoto Station or Dashimaki Tenman-gū (tempura soufflé pancake)
  • Visit: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine (iconic torii gate trail)

Afternoon:

  • Lunch at: Menya Kohaku (ramen) or Yuba Kaiseki Kyoto Matsubara (tofu cuisine)
  • Visit: Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Sannenzaka & Ninnenzaka streets, and Yasaka Pagoda

Evening:

  • Dinner at: Gion Karyo (traditional kaiseki dining) or Pontocho Kaburenjo (teahouse theater dinner)
  • Explore Gion district for potential sightings of Geishas

Day 2: Eastern Kyoto & Arashiyama

  • Breakfast at hotel or nearby café
  • Visit: Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Ryoan-ji Temple (rock garden)

Afternoon:

  • Lunch at: Nishikawa-tei (traditional Japanese cuisine) or Hozoku (soy sauce ramen)
  • Head to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji Temple, and Togetsukyo Bridge

Evening:

  • Dinner at: Izuju (Arashiyama restaurant serving Kyoto-style kaiseki) or Okonomiyaki Katsu Midori Matsuya (okonomiyaki in Arashiyama)
  • Optionally, take a romantic illuminated boat ride on the Hozu River (seasonal)

Day 3: Western Kyoto & Philosopher’s Path

  • Breakfast at hotel or nearby café
  • Visit: Heian Shrine, Kyoto Imperial Palace, and Chion-in Temple

Afternoon:

  • Lunch at: Kikufuji (buckwheat noodles) or Café Katsukura (traditional sweets)
  • Walk the Philosopher’s Path to Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) and Nanzen-ji Temple

Evening:

  • Dinner at: Kyoto Arashiyama Omiyage Mura (variety of food options in a souvenir shopping area) or Yakiniku Hanare (grilled skewers)

Day 4: Northern Kyoto & Traditional Crafts

  • Breakfast at hotel or nearby café
  • Visit: Kiyomizu-dera Otowa Waterfall, Saiho-ji (Koke-dera, Moss Temple - requires reservation in advance)

Afternoon:

  • Lunch at: Yudofuso Kiyomizu (hot pot cuisine) or Arashiyama Ishidouro Kaikoba (curry rice)
  • Explore traditional craft districts like Kohaku-cho for pottery, and Nishijin-oko for textiles

Evening:

  • Dinner at: Aka Manto (traditional Kyoto cuisine) or Saba-no-Shizuku (salt-grilled mackerel and sake tasting)

Day 5: Southern Kyoto & Departure

  • Breakfast at hotel or nearby café
  • Visit: Byodoin Temple (Omiwa Hachiman Shrine) in Uji, Ujigami-dera Temple

Afternoon:

  • Lunch at: Ujiko Gyokudo Soba Omijyu (buckwheat noodles) or Uji Matcha Honten (matcha desserts)
  • Departure from JR Kyoto Station or Osaka Kansai International Airport

Things to know:

  • Kyoto is famous for its traditional arts, such as geisha culture, kaiseki cuisine, and crafts like pottery and textiles.
  • Reservations are recommended for popular restaurants and attractions.
  • Taxis can be expensive; using the local transportation system is more cost-effective.
  • Kyoto has four seasons with distinct characteristics - cherry blossoms in spring, green maple leaves in autumn, etc.
  • Consider visiting a maikoya (maiko experience) for an unforgettable evening filled with traditional Japanese entertainment and food.