Kyoto is a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. You’re sure to relax as you walk in its street, visit its temples, and meditate in its zen gardens.
And with an amazing Kyoto itinerary for 3 days, you’re guaranteed to enjoy a pleasant trip in the cultural and historical heart of Japan. 🇯🇵
Day 1
Morning
Cross the Togetsukyo Bridge to get to Arashiyama.
Rise and shine! For the first day of your Kyoto itinerary for 3 days, get up early and travel to Arashiyama, Kyoto.
Begin your trip at Togetsukyo Bridge, the bridge that spans the Katsura River. It’s best to arrive around early morning to avoid crowds. You can even stop and take photos of the forest views.
Have the place all to yourself when you visit early in the morning.
Cross the bridge to get to the entrance of Arashiyama Bamboo Forest near Tenryu-ji Temple. Once you enter, you’ll be met with Arashiyama Park Kameyama Area. It’s a beautiful lookout point that offers equally beautiful panoramic views of Hozu River Gorge and Mount Arashiyama.
Finally, walk over to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, the most famous attraction on this side of Kyoto. Marvel at the towering green bamboo stalks, which are better viewed early in the morning (that’s why we have to get up early!). 🎍
With lesser crowds, you’ll feel like you have all the place to yourself. Strike a pose, take a photo, and walk in silence as you admire the famous tourist spot. For a guided trip in the area, we recommend this Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Walking Tour.
If you do want an easier way to get to Arashiyama and explore more places in Kyoto, we suggest checking out this Arashiyama and Sanzen-in Garden Tour.
Don’t forget to rub the Turtle Stone when you visit Nonomiya Shrine!
After a calming walk at Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, head to Nonomiya Shrine, a spiritual spot for matchmaking and safe childbirth.
At Nonomiya, look for the Turtle Stone, or the Kame-ishi. There’ll probably be lots of people around it,and for good reason. They say that when you rub this stone and pray over it, your wish will be granted within a year!
So, before visiting Nonomiya, make sure your wishes are ready. 🤭
Hungry? It is lunchtime, after all! Have lunch somewhere in the area, as our next stop will be near. We recommend Arashiyama Yoshimura for soba, and Yudofu Sagano for traditional-style boiled tofu.
Afternoon
Relax your body when you ride the Sagano Romantic Train.
Now, for the next stop!
Walk to the Torokko Saga Station, and line up to ride the Sagano Romantic Train to Torokko Kameoka Station. 🚂
Riding the Sagano Romantic Train is the perfect activity for someone who’s walked the entire morning. The train travels along the Hozugawa River, offering beautiful views of the river and the rural countryside. And if feeling the breeze can make you more relaxed, sit at Car No. 5, the open-air carriage with no windows.
Klook Tip: Views are generally better on the right side when traveling from Saga to Kameoka.
Rest your mind at Ryoan-ji Temple. | Tetsuhiro Terada on Flickr
After a roundtrip ride from Saga to Kameoka then back to Saga, take a taxi to Ryoan-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Rinzai Zen temple.
Ryoan-ji doesn’t feel like a tourist spot. Rather, it seems more like a good spot to relax and contemplate. Take a seat anywhere facing its raked white gravel and stone garden, and just breathe. 🧘
We’re now heading back to Central Kyoto, but if you do get hungry, stop by WIFE & HUSBAND for a quick snack. Trust us when we say their honey cheese toast is the perfect snack no matter the time of day!
Evening
Spend your evening looking for a good dinner spot in Pontocho Alley. | Michael Vito on Flickr
To end the first day of your Kyoto travel, head down to Pontocho Alley, an iconic place for photos and food.
Walk along the alley, looking for anything that might interest you. Pontocho is quite known for its izakayas and cocktail bars, so grab dinner along the way!
Day 2
Morning
Walk through a thousand torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha.
Your second day is all about Southern Higashiyama!
If the first day’s tired you out, you might want to book this Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, and Fushimi Inari Tour instead. This tour combines 3 of Kyoto’s major attractions for an affordable stress-free second day.
But, if you do want to still explore on your own, then start your day at Fushimi Inari Taisha.
Fushimi Inari is famous for the thousands of vermilion torii gates trailing up Mount Inari. But did you know that Fushimi Inari is also the place to go if you’re seeking wealth and career success? Looks like it’s time to make that climb! ⛩️
We’re sure the climb up Mount Inari’s exhausted you, so eat lunch as soon as you get down. A good place is Itsukichaya Fushimiinari, which is literally in the perfect spot as it’s at the base of the mountain!
Afternoon
Be transported to old Kyoto in Sannenzaka. | Photo from Andrea Schaffer on Wikimedia
After a good lunch and a good rest, head to Sannenzaka.
Sannenzaka has both modernity and tradition in their perfectly preserved traditional wooden buildings that double as shops, cafes, or restaurants. It’s a good spot for getting into that old-Kyoto vibe!
Sannenzaka is a good place to stroll around, maybe grab a bite or buy a souvenir. If you’re after some matcha drinks and desserts, we recommend dropping by Kyoto Chano-yu Akebonotei. If you want a cool souvenir, stop by SNOOPY Chocolat.
Catch the sunset from the iconic wooden stage.
Just before 4PM, walk over to Kiyomizu-dera.
You’re probably wondering why we arrived just 2 hours before its closing. Here’s a little insider tip: Kiyomizu-dera has lesser crowds when it’s near closing time. 🤫
Climb up the iconic wooden stage, where you’ll see panoramic views of the city. And with the time we’ve arrived, you might just catch the sunset!
Make sure to also stop by the Otowa Waterfall, and drink from 3 streams, representing longevity, love, and academic success. Although if you’re wishing for more love, head to the Jisu Shrine, which is dedicated to love and matchmaking.
Evening
Grab dinner at one of the coolest streets in Kyoto. | Trevor Dobson on Flickr
End your day with a visit to Ninenzaka, a pedestrian-only street that’s just like Sannenzaka. Look for its famous places, like the first Starbucks built on tatami mats, the Hello Kitty Tea House, and Donguri Kyowakoku.
Ninenzaka is also a good place for dinner! Check out Traditional Ramen OKUTAN for ramen, MASAEMON for handmade soba, and Masaichi for Hokkaido steak.
Day 3
Morning
Discover Kyoto’s specialties at Nishiki Market!
The last day of your Kyoto itinerary for 3 days is all about taking it slow.
So, start with breakfast at Kyoto’s Kitchen, better known as Nishiki Market! This bustling five-block market is home to over 100 stalls of restaurants and shops. 🥢
To discover the best food that Kyoto has to offer, go on this Nishiki Market Food Walking Tour with a local guide.
Of course, you can still explore the place by yourself! Be on the lookout for popular food items like grilled seafood, soy milk donuts, wagyu skewers, and matcha sweets. Why not also try looking for the 9 best foods in Kyoto?
Afternoon
Take a relaxing stroll along Philosopher’s Path. | Balazs Simon on Pexels
For your afternoon, take a taxi to the Philosopher’s Path. It’s a scenic tree-lined pedestrian path running along a canal. It’s another perfect spot for an autumn trip, but also for a spring trip, as cherry blossom trees line your path. 🌸
Now is also a good time for lunch! There are lots of restaurants in Philosopher’s Path, although we do recommend Echigo Soba for soba and Omen Ginkaku-ji for udon.
Catch the sunset at a beautiful spot at the Keage Incline. | Kimon Berlin on Flickr
After lunch, head over to the Keage Incline, a former inclined railway that’s now a preserved National Historic Site. If you’re visiting in spring, definitely make this stop after Philosopher’s Path, as you can walk under the cherry blossoms this time around.
Still, even if you’re not visiting in spring, Keage Incline is a great spot for a beautiful sunset photo. 🌄
Evening
Discover the beauty of Gion at night.
When evening comes, head to Gion, Kyoto’s geisha district. More than the geishas, however, Gion is also known for its preserved 17th-century machiya houses.
To explore Gion, you might consider a Gion Night Walking Tour with a local guide to make exploring easier.
But if you want to continue exploring on your own, begin your Gion trip by trying to chance upon geishas and maikos at Hanamikoji-dori. This street is a primary center for geisha entertainment, hence you might just spot one in the evening.
Klook Tip: Be sure to be respectful and follow the strict photography rules when seeing a geisha or maiko.
Have a romantic evening beneath the trees that line Gion Tatsumi Bridge.
Head over to the Gion Tatsumi Bridge above the Shirakawa Canal. Again, if you’re visiting in spring, this will be lined with cherry blossoms, and is a perfect spot for an evening photo.
This is a generally quiet spot, best known for the romantic vibe in the evening when the lanterns are lit.
You can also find good restaurants in Gion within this area, although, since it is the last day of your Kyoto three-day itinerary, why not treat yourself to a Michelin-starred restaurant?
Our favorite is Mokube in Gion, a Michelin-starred traditional kaiseki, that will surely make your evening perfect. ⭐
FAQs about your Kyoto itinerary for 3 days
1. Is 3 days too much for Kyoto?
Nope! On the contrary, 3 days in Kyoto is a good amount of days for a first-time visit.
2. Are 3 days enough for Kyoto?
Yes, exploring Kyoto in three days is enough to visit the must-see spots. However, if you want to explore more of Kyoto at a relaxed pace, consider spending 4 to 5 days.
3. What to do in Kyoto for 3 days?
A good Kyoto itinerary for 3 days consists of an Arashiyama tour on the first day, and a Southern Higashiyama tour on the second day. For the third day, you can tour Central Kyoto or go on a day trip outside the prefecture.
4. What are the must-see sites in Kyoto for a first-timer?
Some of the must-see in Kyoto in 3 days include Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and Gion District. For food, there’s Nishiki Market, Pontocho Alley, and Philosopher’s Path.
5. What are good day trips from Kyoto?
A Kyoto trip itinerary isn’t complete without a day trip! Some popular day trips from Kyoto include Nara, Osaka, and Uji. Nara is known for Todai-ji Temple and Nara Park; Osaka for Osaka Castle and Dotonbori; and Uji for Byodo-in Temple and Japanese green tea.
6. Is it better to spend more time in Tokyo or Kyoto?
It depends on your travel style. If you prefer a fast-paced modern trip filled with city lights and nightlife, spend more time in Tokyo. If you’re looking for a more relaxing traditional vibe, where there’s more temples and gardens than there are sky-rise buildings, definitely spend more time in Kyoto.
Escape to the quiet side of Japan 🇯🇵
Is a vacation really a vacation if you’re not relaxed? Luckily, this Kyoto itinerary for 3 days is a sure guarantee that you will visit all that Kyoto has to offer, from quiet, serene spots, to those bustling with tourists.
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