Kyoto Itinerary: 3 Days of Temples, Palaces & Timeless Traditions

Kyoto is unlike anywhere else in Japan. A unique blend of old and new, Kyoto served as the imperial capital of Japan from 794 to 1868.

Explore the city today and you'll find 1,600 temples, 400 shrines, and 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites hidden amongst the city's modern buildings.

If you have 3 days in Kyoto, it's just enough time to see Kyoto's top attractions.

Follow this carefully curated Kyoto itinerary and you'll have the chance to walk through the red torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine, dine in one of Fushimi Sake District's traditional izakayas, stroll through the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, spot geishas walking the cobblestone streets in Gion, and so much more.

You'll want to kick off your 3-day Kyoto itinerary with an early start exploring the historic Higashiyama area. The earlier you arrive, the better chance you'll have to experience the charming cobblestone streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka sans the crowds. These sloped streets are lined with wooden buildings housing tea houses, cafes, and shops. But because you're here early in the morning, most businesses won't be open yet. But that's okay, you'll be back to explore more of the top Gion attractions in the evening.

After you're done meandering around Gion's most famous streets, take a 10-minute walk to the 17th-century Kiyomizu-dera Temple. This Buddhist temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most popular Kyoto attractions, so expect crowds. It's worth spending a couple of hours here to appreciate the temple's unique architecture and wooden terrace. Plus, the mountain and city views are spectacular. 

From Kiyomizu-dera Temple, it's an easy 20-minute walk to yet another must-see Kyoto attraction, Chion-in Temple. Dating back to 1234, the temple is famous for its 70-ton bell, which is the largest in Japan. You should spend at least an hour exploring the property's two beautiful gardens, historic buildings, and unique artefacts. 

If you're not already templed out, it's well worth tacking Philosopher's Path (Tetsugaku-no-Michi) onto your afternoon's itinerary. This lovely pathway is an easy 10-minute taxi ride from Chion-in Temple. The walk will take about 30 minutes and will lead you to a handful of beautiful temples, including the famous Nanzen-ji and Ginkaku-ji.

It's time to return to Gion to try to spot a geisha geiko or maiko (Kyoto’s term for geishas and their apprentices). Hanamikoji Street is a popular spot to see them. However, it pays to be respectful and avoid taking photos. Geiko aside, Gion is a lovely area to explore once night falls. Pontocho Alley is lined with excellent restaurants, perfect for grabbing dinner before heading back to your hotel.

Start day 2 of your Kyoto itinerary with a visit to Nishiki Market. Most stalls here open at around 9 am or 10 am. Wander around the market and you'll come across all sorts of weird and wonderful foods to try. There are loads of shops too, so it's well worth picking up a few souvenirs while you're at it.

After you've had your fill, walk for 30 minutes or take a short taxi ride to Nijo Castle. This castle was built in 1603 and was the residence of the first shogun of the Edo Period. The entire castle is surrounded by a moat. Head inside the compound and take about an hour or so to explore Nijo Castle's spectacular gates, palaces, gardens, wall paintings, and more.

It's time to hike to the top of one of Kyoto's most famous attractions, the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Dating back to the 8th century, the Fushimi Inari Shrine was built to worship Inari, the god of rice and sake. This site is easily recognisable by the thousands of red torii gates that lead to the top of the mountain. 

If you've got the energy, it's worth tackling the entire 4-kilometre hike, which will lead you uphill to the Kami-no-Yashiro shrine at the top of the mountain. The journey isn't easy, but it's well worth the effort to escape the crowds at the bottom of the shrine and to take in the beautiful views along the way. The entire route should take around 2 hours. 

Next up is the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum. The last entry is at 4pm, so make sure you allot enough time to take the 20-minute drive from the Fushimi Inari Shrine to the museum. Gekkeikan was established all the way back in 1637 and is now one of the top sake producers in Japan. Explore the museum, and you'll learn all about the local sake-making process. At the end, you'll have the chance to sample three types of Gekkeikan sake. 

By now, you've probably worked up quite an appetite. Take a short stroll over to Tsuki no Kurabito for dinner (reservations required). This izakaya is housed in a converted 1913 sake brewery. It's the perfect place to get a feel for the Fushimi Sake District's traditional culture while sampling more sake and dining on the restaurant's Japanese delicacies. 

You'll want to get another early start on day 3 of your Kyoto itinerary. Today, you'll start with a bus or taxi ride to see the famous Golden Pavilion. This iconic attraction opens at 9am. It's best to get there as early as possible to avoid the massive crowds that descend upon the temple as the day progresses. 

This 3-tiered temple is covered in 20 kilograms of gold leaf and it's a sight to behold. Perched above a lake, this glimmering pavilion appears to be floating on the water. It's beautiful seeing the gold building reflected in the water. While you can't actually go inside Golden Pavilion, you'll need about an hour to take photos and explore the grounds and gardens.

After that, you can take a lovely 20-minute walk to check out the massive rock garden at the 15th-century Ryoan-ji Temple before making your way to the Insta-famous Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. This is yet another very popular Kyoto attraction, so expect a lot of people stopping to take selfies. You'll need around 30 minutes to stroll along the bamboo-lined path. Be sure to take some time to look up at the towering plants and listen to the leaves rustle in the wind. It's a magical experience.

You'll find Tenryu-ji Temple near the bamboo forest. If you're feeling peckish, take a seat on a bamboo mat at Tenryuji Temple Shigetsu and enjoy a lovely Buddhist vegan set meal (reservations required). After lunch, take your time exploring the incredible gardens of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Tenryu-ji Temple.

If you've got the time, head across the Togetsu-kyo Bridge over the Katsura River to Monkey Park. You'll walk uphill for about 20 minutes to reach the park, which is home to hundreds of cheeky monkeys. The monkeys are adorable and the views from the top of the hill are lovely.

End the final night of your 3-day trip to Kyoto with a special dinner at Yutaka Steakhouse. Take a seat around the 10-seat bar and watch the chef in action. You can order à la carte. But better yet, indulge in one of the multi-course meals. There's also a sommelier on-site to arrange the perfect wine pairings for your meal. As with most Kyoto restaurants, be sure to make reservations in advance.

If you're looking for a hotel near Kyoto Station, Mercure Kyoto Station is your best bet. The hotel is an easy 10-minute walk from the station, making getting around to all of the attractions on this Kyoto itinerary a breeze. 

In the mornings, you can fuel up for the day with the hotel's buffet breakfast. There's a lovely Italian restaurant and bar at the hotel, too, if you don't feel like going out for dinner. 

The stylish rooms have everything you need for a relaxing and rejuvenating stay, from plush beds and large flat-screen TVs to rainfall showers and luxury toiletries. It makes the perfect home base during your big trip to Kyoto.