If you are thinking about spending three and a half days in Kyoto, you are most likely pressed for time and you should plan your visit so as to minimise losses of time and inconveniences.
In this page we present an itinerary that we believe can satisfy your needs.
The programme minimises transfers and difficulties in planning all aspects of your stay without sacrificing the enjoyment of the experience.
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Three and a half days in Kyoto (how to allocate the available time; suggested places to visit)
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Evening arrival (suggested itinerary)
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Morning arrival (suggested itinerary)
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Where to stay (recommended areas)
Kyoto 3,5-day itinerary
A three-day itinerary in Kyoto usually revolves around Higashiyama, the southern part of Sakyo, Kita and Ukyo. As time is very limited, you will most likely visit the centre only during the evenings.
The core of the cultural city, Higashiyama, deserves at least one full day. The same applies to Arashiyama, a historical scenic site where natural and cultural landscapes create a dimension of perfect harmony. Another full day can be spent to visit historic temples and shrines in the north-western part of the city (i.e. Kita, Ukyo and Kamigyo). The remaining half-day can be spent to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of Japan’s most impressive shinto shrines. The site is always open and particularly atmospheric at dawn or sunset, which makes it an ideal choice for early morning and late afternoon visits. The shrine is very close to Kyoto Station, which makes it a perfect destination if you are planning to leave Kyoto around noon.
If you are to reach Kyoto around noon, while organising your schedule you should take into account that most temples, shrines, museums close around 17:00 (often at 16:30 in winter).
Evening arrival itineraries
If you reach Kyoto in the evening, you can get to your hotel, check in and spend some hours taking a walk around Gion or Ponto-cho, some of Kyoto’s most atmospheric areas at night.
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Kyoto 3,5-day itinerary Evening arrival Higashiyama, Ukyo, Fushimi |
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Where to stay |
Kyoto Station area |
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Day 1 |
Destinations: Sakyo and Higashiyama (Ginkaku-Ji, Philosopher’s Path, Chion-In, Maruyama Park, Ninen-zaka, Yasaka-no-To, Sannen-zaka, Kiyomizu-dera)
How to get around:
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Day 2 |
Destinations: Arashiyama (Togetsu-Kyo Bridge, Tenryu-Ji, Sagano Bamboo Grove, Jojakko-Ji, Rakushisha, Gio-Ji, Daikaku-Ji)
How to get around:
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Optional visit to Kyoto Railway Museum: you can add a visit to Kyoto Railway Museum. The museum is very close to Umekoji-Kyotonishi Station (Sagano Line) |
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Day 3 |
Destinations: Kinkaku-Ji, Ryoan-Ji, Nijo Castle, centre of Kyoto (Ponto-cho, Gion)
Optional visit to Haradani-En garden: magnificent cherry and peach blossom private garden, to be visited around mid-April
How to get around:
In spring (mid-April): visit to Haradani-En garden. It can be reached from Kinkaku-Ji on foot, by bus (M1 shuttle) or taxi. |
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Day 4 (morning) |
Destination: Fushimi Inari Taisha
How to get around:
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Morning arrival itineraries
If you reach Kyoto by noon, we suggest you leave your baggage at the station and begin your journey right away.
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Kyoto 3,5-day itinerary Morning arrival Higashiyama, Ukyo, Fushimi |
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Where to stay |
Kyoto Station area or Gion (Higashiyama) |
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Day 1 Afternoon |
Destinations: Fushimi Inari Taisha and another destination
Additional destination:
How to get around:
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Day 2 |
Destinations: Ginkaku-Ji, Philosopher’s Path, Shoren-In, Chion-In, Maruyama Park, Kodai-Ji, Kiyomizu-dera
How to get around:
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Day 3 |
Destinations: Kinkaku-Ji, Ryoan-Ji, Nijo Castle, centre of Kyoto, Ponto-cho, Nishiki market
How to get around:
Between Kyoto station and the centre: by subway, Karasuma Line |
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Day 4 |
Destination: Arashiyama (Togetsu-Kyo Bridge, Tenryu-Ji, Sagano Bamboo Grove, Jojakko-Ji, Rakushisha, Gio-Ji, Daikaku-Ji)
How to get around:
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Where to stay
An aspect you should consider carefully when you accept the idea of such a short stay in Kyoto is to find a convenient location from which you can easily the parts of the city that you wish to visit.
For the programme we have described above we suggested considering three options:
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Kyoto Station area (Shimogyo and Minami);
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Gion (including nearby Nakagyo);
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Kamigyo (north-west of the city centre).
Kyoto Station: a pragmatic solution
Staying near Kyoto Station is the most practical choice, very suitable for such a short stay. In the immediate vicinity of the station you can find hotels and hostels of any kind. Drawbacks are the relatively dull atmosphere.
Gion Station: the most fascinating neighbourhood
Staying in Gion is the best choice possible if you want to find yourself amid the beauty and harmony of ancient architecture. The area offers plenty of chances for pleasant walks, something that you will definitely enjoy during the cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons where crowds become an issue.
Kamigyo: the atmosphere of the ordinary city
If you don’t manage to find a suitable accommodation in Gion or you have to stick to a tighter budget we suggest that you consider finding a place to stay in Kamigyo.
In Kamigyo are numerous guest-houses, most of which are family-run and offer basic accommodation in a pleasant traditional setting. Though you will not find the most fascinating ryokan here, Kamigyo is a perfect balance between convenience of the location and value of the cultural experience. Kamigyo is situated along the itineraries between Kita (where Kinkaku-Ji is located) and the city centre.
The area is very tranquil and pleasant and most guest-houses rent bicycles. Getting around by bicycle is one of the best ways to enjoy and explore the city of Kyoto.
Related articles:
Main article: Kyoto 3 day itinerary
Itineraries along the Keihan Main Line: Southern Higashiyama | Northern Higashiyama and Sakyo
Western Kyoto: Itineraries along the JR Sagano Line
Japan 10-day itinerary (recommended programme and seasonal variants)
