Kyoto Japan 6 Day Itinerary

Title: 6-Day Itinerary for Exploring Kyoto, Japan 🌺🐉

Day 1 - Arrival & Central Kyoto (Kamiyacho, Gion, Higashiyama)

• Morning: Check-in at your hotel in the Kamiyacho area, which is a convenient location for public transportation. Hotel Granvia Kyoto or Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Higashiyama Sanjusangendo-mae are good options.

• Afternoon: Visit the Kiyomizu-dera Temple and the nearby Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka Streets, which are traditional wooden streets lined with shops selling local goods.

• Evening: Explore Gion district, known for its traditional machiya houses and the chance to spot Geisha. Have dinner at a local Izakaya like Yubatake.

Day 2 - Eastern Kyoto (Fushimi Inari, Katsura Rikyu)

• Morning: Visit the famous Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine and hike the Inari Mountain trails with its thousands of torii gates.

• Afternoon: Head to the Katsura Rikyu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and enjoy its beautiful gardens. Visit the Tofukuji Temple for its stunning autumn colors (if you visit in November).

• Evening: Dine at Gion Namba, a Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant.

Day 3 - Northern Kyoto (Kinkakuji, Ryoanji)

• Morning: Visit the iconic Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji) and the nearby Ryoanji Temple.

• Afternoon: Explore the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (Sagano Scenic Railway is a fun way to reach this area), and visit the Tenryuji Temple.

• Evening: Dine at Izuju, a traditional Japanese restaurant in Arashiyama.

Day 4 - Southern Kyoto (Nijo Castle, Fushimi Inari Taisha)

• Morning: Visit the Nijo Castle and its beautiful gardens. Then, head to the Kyoto Imperial Palace Park.

• Afternoon: Revisit Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine (if you didn’t finish the trail in Day 2) or explore the Tofukuji Temple Bell Garden.

• Evening: Dine at Kikunoi, a renowned kaiseki restaurant in the Gion district.

Day 5 - Western Kyoto (Arashiyama, Saga Toriimoto)

• Morning: Visit the Nisonin Temple and the Okochi Sanso Villa, both in Arashiyama.

• Afternoon: Head to the Saga Toriimoto Preservation District for Traditional Buildings and explore its traditional houses and shops.

• Evening: Dine at Pontocho Yuba Soba Omiyage Matsumoto, famous for their yuba (tofu skin) soba noodles.

Day 6 - Last Day in Kyoto & Departure

• Morning: Spend your last hours in Kyoto shopping for souvenirs or visiting any sights you may have missed. The Nishiki Market is a great place to find traditional Japanese goods.

• Afternoon: Depart from Kyoto, taking with you unforgettable memories of this enchanting city!