Kyoto's 1-Day Itinerary
Kyoto, with its rich history, stunning temples, and vibrant culture, offers a plethora of experiences to enjoy within a single day. If you're travelling on a tight budget, square away a day in this beautiful city with daytime explorations and night food tours galore to help you make the most of your 24 hours!
Here's our recommended Kyoto 1-day itinerary:
Morning: Exploring Historic Temples and Traditional Culture
8:30am: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji Temple
Begin your day in Kyoto on a positive note by heading to the Tenryu-ji Temple. This quiet Buddhist temple lets you immerse yourself in its beautiful pond garden and iconic views of Arashiyama. After your walk, head to one of Kyoto’s most famous spots: Sagano Bamboo Grove. Listen to the rustling bamboo leaves as sunlight filters through the dense forest - you’ll feel as if you are on another planet altogether.
Want a glimpse of landmarks where cars and buses can’t go? Take a rickshaw tour through Arashiyama! It's a perfect start to your Kyoto 1-day itinerary.
10am: Kinkakujii (Golden Pavilion)
After a refreshing walk at Arashiyama, head to the famous Kinkakuji, a zen Buddhist temple. The top two floors are covered in gold leaf and you can marvel at the shimmering light that reflects on the peaceful pond near the structure. You'll find it hard to believe the temple was burned down a few times. It gets crowded during the day, so it is best explored in the morning.
11am: Nishiki Market
Early morning excursions are tiring, and we're sure you need refuelling by this hour. If you’re wondering what to visit in Kyoto regarding food, there is no better answer than Nishiki Market. This small market has hundreds of stalls that let you sample Japanese street food like yuba (tofu skin), tsukemono (pickled vegetables), and matcha-flavoured snacks. If you're heading to Kyoto in the winter, delight your taste buds and learn about the city’s culinary heritage through a guided market tour.
Afternoon: Cultural Immersion
1pm: Kyoto Tower
A short distance from Nishiki Market is the Kyoto Tower, the city's tallest structure. With an observation deck that sits 100 metres above the ground, this tower lets you take in panoramic views of well-known locations, including the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Toji Temple, and Chion-in Temple, and even Osaka on a clear day.
2pm: Fushimi Inari Taisha
After catching stunning city views, spend some time in peace at Fushimi Inari, one of the most important Shinto shrines in southern Kyoto. Famous for its vermilion torii gates that form a tunnel-like path, a short hike will also take you to Mount Inari, from where you can catch panoramic views of Kyoto city below. But since we have one day, you can stop at the Yotsu-Tsuji intersection for a quick picture break instead of completing the 2-hour hike to the top.
4:30pm: Higashiyama District
Renowned for its preserved historic streets, traditional wooden machiya houses, and picturesque temples, Higashiyama gives you a glimpse of the yesteryears of Japan. Spend your early evening wandering through the cobblestone paths of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, lined with quaint shops, teahouses, and local artisans, offering an authentic immersion into Kyoto's past. It is from here that you can catch a glimpse of Yasaka Pagoda.
You can also rent a kimono here for beautiful pictures.
5:30pm: Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Kiyomizu-dera or the ‘Pure Water Temple,’ is one of the biggest highlights of any Kyoto trip. And it is the most beautiful when it's illuminated at night. This revered UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its iconic wooden veranda. Don't miss the Otowa Waterfall, where you can partake in a centuries-old tradition of drinking pure water from three streams, each believed to bestow a unique blessing – longevity, success in studies, or a fortunate love life. But beware, none of your wishes will be granted if you drink from all three. So don’t be greedy!
Evening: Culinary Delights
7pm: Gion District
We've saved the best for last. All this walking will make you tired and hungry once more. This brings us to the best part of Kyoto’s nightlife: the Gion District. While you can see wooden houses in many places in Kyoto, this is the best. Gion is also synonymous with Japan’s age-old Geisha culture.
Geisha, often referred to as ‘geiko’ in Kyoto dialect, are highly trained professional entertainers. They are typically women who have undergone years of training to master various traditional arts, such as dance, music and singing. Maiko are apprentice geishas in the early stages of their training. While few geishas or maiko are in Kyoto, your best chance of seeing one is at Hanamikoji Street. If you have an open budget, you can eat at a traditional restaurant where a geisha works.
If you have more time and are wondering what to do when in Gion, spend some time discovering traditional tea houses and artisan shops. If you arrive early, participate in the team ceremony at En, a serene teahouse.
9pm: Pontocho Alley
Nestled on the banks of the Kamogawa River, Pontocho Alley is a charming, narrow pedestrian lane that comes alive in the evening, with restaurants on both sides. Here, you can wrap up your day with many dining options.
In your one-day Kyoto itinerary, add a Kaiseki dinner at a local restaurant here. Kaiseki is a culinary tradition with a multi-course meal that showcases the Japanese's seasonal ingredients and meticulous preparation. Or, if you're more into sake, head to a contemporary izakaya (Japanese pub) in this part of town for a nightcap before you call it a day.
There's More to Kyoto…
There are many places that didn't make the cut in our list for a 1-day itinerary to Kyoto but are equally worth going to if you have more time on hand, such as the unique Kyoto Railway Museum and Kyoto Imperial Palace. Besides, you can always tweak your itinerary to replace any destination in this suggested itinerary. Here are a few other ideas to make the most of your Kyoto day out:
Rent a Kimono
A fun thing to do as a traveller when out in Kyoto is to rent a kimono, and dress the part. Transform into how locals lived in the past and capture stunning photos in traditional attire. You can rent one at Yumekan, where there are hundreds of options to choose from, in addition to over 200 different belts, so you can create your whole look.
Watch Japanese period dramas
Toei Kyoto Studio Park is the only theme park in Japan where you can catch the making of period dramas, also called jidaigeki films. Enjoy captivating performances, gain insights into the samurai and ninja culture, and even dress up as one! If you're travelling with kids, this is a great place to go.
Kyoto City Tour
Don’t want the hassle of chalking out an itinerary? You can book a Kyoto City Tour, which covers all prominent shrines and districts to make the best of your day. Another option lets you explore the city’s famous castles, temples, and shrines. Start your day at Nijo Castle, before heading to Kinkaku-ji Temple, followed by seeing the Emperor’s residence, Kyoto Imperial Palace.
Bonus: Travelling Essentials for a Memorable Trip
Hankyu Tourist Pass
If you're on a budget trip, this is a must-have. Seamlessly explore Kyoto's attractions, shopping districts and cultural sites with unlimited train rides with a tourist pass for Hankyu Railway lines. You can also head to Osaka and Kobe with this pass if you’d like to explore more of Japan after your Kyoto 1-day itinerary.
Kintetsu Rail Pass
Done with your one-day Kyoto tour? The Kintetsu Rail Pass is your key to effortless exploration beyond the city’s boundaries, bringing Osaka and Nara into your itinerary. You can take advantage of unlimited travel around Kansai for five days, uncovering this region's beautiful sites.
Kyoto Skybus Hop-On Hop-Off Pass
In a different country, trains can be a hassle and leave you wondering what to do at a station in Kyoto. So hop on a bus instead. Skybus HO-HO pass lets you go on a sightseeing adventure with a flexible bus pass, offering a comprehensive city tour with the freedom to explore major sites.
Kyoto Express
With this comprehensive Kyoto 1-day itinerary, you'll capture the essence of this gorgeous in just 24-hours, immersing yourself in its history, culture, and beauty.
Of course, if you have more time, we'd highly recommend spending more than one day here (like in this 3-day Kyoto itinerary, for example).
But if one day is all you have, then this itinerary will have you sorted.