A 5-day travel itinerary for Kyoto, Japan, planned by [email protected].
A 5-day immersion in Japan's old imperial capital, based in Gion for easy walks to the Higashiyama temples and Pontocho dining. The route moves district by district — Kiyomizu-dera and the southern Higashiyama lanes, the Arashiyama bamboo grove paired with the Golden Pavilion, the torii tunnels of Fushimi Inari and the Fushimi sake quarter, a day trip to Nara's deer and Great Buddha, and a final loop through central Kyoto along the Philosopher's Path. Each day pairs the sights with a specific lunch and dinner, from Nishiki Market grazing to multi-course kaiseki.
Arrival & Southern Higashiyama
The Celestine Kyoto Gion
Elegant hotel offering dining, a minimalist bar & a bathhouse, plus a free train station shuttle.
Nishiki Market
400-year-old iconic market studded with stalls offering all manner of Japanese edibles.
Kiyomizu-dera
Iconic Buddhist temple on Mount Otowa known for the scenic views afforded from its sizable veranda.
Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka
Charming pedestrian thoroughfare known for its classic architecture, teahouses & cherry blossoms.
Yasaka Shrine
This Shinto shrine was erected in 656 A.D. & is home to one of the most famous festivals in Japan.
Gion Karyo
Dinner: approachable multi-course kaiseki in the heart of Gion. Reserve ahead.
Arashiyama & the Golden Pavilion
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
A popular sightseeing path runs uphill through this forest of towering bamboo stalks.
Tenryu-ji Temple
This venerable Zen temple at the foot of mountains features teahouses & serene, expansive gardens.
Iwatayama Monkey Park
Popular area atop Mt. Arashiyama for viewing wild macaque monkeys & sweeping city views.
Arashiyama Yoshimura
Hand-cut soba noodles made with domestically sourced buckwheat in a leafy riverside locale.
Kinkaku-ji
Historic, tranquil temple with a gold-leaf facade set amid landscaped gardens & a reflecting pond.
Ryoan-ji
On the scenic grounds of this 15th-century temple is a famous Zen rock garden & a yudofu restaurant.
Pontocho Alley
Dinner: atmospheric lantern-lit dining lane by the Kamogawa River — yakitori or kaiseki.
Fushimi Inari & Sake District
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Mountainside Shinto shrine dating from 711 A.D. featuring a path with hundreds of traditional gates.
Vermillion Cafe
Artisan coffee & light meals with vegan options at a tree-ringed cafe overlooking a pond.
Tofuku-ji
Large Buddhist temple established in 1236 on scenic grounds with gardens known for fall foliage.
Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
Fushimi sake district — learn the brewing process and do a tasting flight.
Kyoto Ramen Koji
Long-established station diner serving bowls of traditional ramen made with a pork fatback broth.
Day Trip to Nara
Nara Park
Landscaped, public park with ancient temples & the Nara National Museum of art, plus tame deer.
Todai-ji
Buddhist temple originally built in the mid-700s, with one of Japan's largest bronze Buddha statues.
Hiraso
Lunch: Nara specialty kakinoha-zushi (persimmon-leaf wrapped sushi).
Kasuga Taisha
Bright vermillion columns support the roof of this Shinto shrine originally established in 768 A.D..
Isuien Garden
Sizable collection of ancient Chinese bronze wares, mirrors & seals, along with Korean pottery.
Kikunoi Honten
Dinner back in Kyoto: celebrated 3-Michelin-star kaiseki in Higashiyama. Reserve well ahead.
Central Kyoto & Departure
Nijo Castle
Built in 1603, this cypress-wood castle with extensive gardens was a home for the shogun Ieyasu.
Kyoto Imperial Palace
Former imperial residence in a vast gravel-and-pine park; free entry.
Honke Owariya
Lunch: 550-year-old soba house — order the signature hourai soba tower.
Philosopher's Path
Scenic pedestrian path along a cherry tree–lined canal that passes by various temples & shrines.
Ginkaku-ji
This 15th-century Zen temple features picturesque gardens & a sand mound shaped like Mount Fuji.
The Celestine Kyoto Gion
Elegant hotel offering dining, a minimalist bar & a bathhouse, plus a free train station shuttle.
Things to do in Kyoto, Japan
- The Celestine Kyoto Gion
- Nishiki Market
- Kiyomizu-dera
- Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka
- Yasaka Shrine
- Gion Karyo
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- Tenryu-ji Temple
- Iwatayama Monkey Park
- Arashiyama Yoshimura
- Kinkaku-ji
- Ryoan-ji
- Pontocho Alley
- Fushimi Inari Taisha
- Vermillion Cafe
- Tofuku-ji
- Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
- Kyoto Ramen Koji
- Nara Park
- Todai-ji
- Hiraso
- Kasuga Taisha
- Isuien Garden
- Kikunoi Honten
- Nijo Castle
- Kyoto Imperial Palace
- Honke Owariya
- Philosopher's Path
- Ginkaku-ji