Things to Do in Kyoto: 11 Spots and 3–4 Day Itineraries
Eleven Kyoto spots with official hours, fees and access, plus 3-day and 4-day routes grouped by area: Higashiyama, Arashiyama, the northwest and south.
Itineraries
3 days
Day 1 · Higashiyama and Gion
Day 2 · Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji
Tenryu-ji TempleSagano Bamboo ForestKinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Day 3 · Nijo-jo and Fushimi Inari
4 days
Day 1 · Higashiyama and Gion
Day 2 · Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji
Tenryu-ji TempleSagano Bamboo ForestKinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Day 3 · Northeast Kyoto and the Imperial Palace
Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)Eikando (Zenrin-ji)Kyoto Imperial Palace
Day 4 · Nijo-jo and Fushimi Inari
Things to do 11
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
A temple on Mt. Otowa in eastern Kyoto. Its grounds hold 15 buildings, including National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.
- Hours
- 6:00–18:00 (until 18:30 in July and August); hours change for events such as night viewings
- Time needed
- about 1–1.5 hours
- Getting there
- From Kyoto Station, City Bus 206 or 100 to Gojozaka, then about 10 minutes on foot
Yasaka Shrine
A shrine at the east end of Shijo street in the Gion district.
- Time needed
- about 30 minutes
- Getting there
- About 5 minutes on foot from Keihan Gion-Shijo Station; about 8 minutes from Hankyu Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station
Nishiki Market
A 390-meter market street known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", with shops selling local food and ingredients.
- Time needed
- about 1 hour
- Getting there
- About 3 minutes on foot from Shijo Station (Karasuma Subway Line) or Hankyu Karasuma Station
Fushimi Inari Taisha
A shrine in southern Kyoto known for its Senbon Torii, rows of vermilion torii gates on the mountain path.
- Time needed
- about 1–2 hours (depends on how far you walk)
- Getting there
- Right next to JR Inari Station (2 stops, about 5 minutes from Kyoto Station); about 5 minutes on foot from Keihan Fushimi-Inari Station
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
A Zen temple of the Shokoku-ji school, known for its gold-leaf pavilion beside a pond.
- Hours
- 9:00–17:00, open all year
- Fee
- General ¥500; elementary and junior high students ¥300
- Time needed
- about 1 hour
- Getting there
- City Bus 12, 59, 205 or M1 to Kinkakuji-michi
Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
A Zen temple of the Shokoku-ji school in the eastern hills, with a sand garden and moss garden.
- Hours
- Mar 1–Nov 30: 8:30–17:00; Dec 1–end of Feb: 9:00–16:30
- Fee
- General ¥1,000; elementary and junior high students ¥500
- Time needed
- about 1 hour
- Getting there
- City Bus 5, 7, 32, 102, 203 or 204 to Ginkakuji-michi; EX100 or 105 to Ginkakuji-mae
Eikando (Zenrin-ji)
A Buddhist temple known for autumn leaves and a statue of Amida Buddha that looks back over its shoulder.
- Time needed
- about 1–2 hours
- Getting there
- About 15 minutes on foot from Keage Station (Tozai Subway Line)
Kyoto Imperial Palace
The former imperial residence inside Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, open to walk-in visitors.
- Hours
- Closed Mondays (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday) and Dec 28–Jan 4
- Fee
- Free
- Time needed
- about 1 hour
- Getting there
- About 5 minutes on foot from Imadegawa Station (Karasuma Subway Line)
Nijo-jo Castle
A castle site with the Ninomaru-goten Palace and the Honmaru area.
- Hours
- 8:45–16:00 last entry, closes 17:00. Ninomaru-goten Palace closed Dec 26–28, Jan 1–3 and every Tuesday in January, July, August and December
- Fee
- Adult ¥1,300 (castle + Ninomaru-goten Palace)
- Time needed
- about 1.5 hours
- Getting there
- About 15 minutes from Kyoto Station by Kyoto City Subway
Tenryu-ji Temple
A Zen temple in Arashiyama with a pond garden. Its north gate leads to the Sagano bamboo forest.
- Hours
- 8:30–17:00 (last entry 16:50)
- Fee
- Garden ¥500 (high school and older), ¥300 (elementary/junior high); buildings +¥300
- Time needed
- about 1 hour
- Getting there
- About 5 minutes on foot from Randen (Keifuku) Arashiyama Station
Sagano Bamboo Forest
A walking path through a bamboo forest, reached from Tenryu-ji's north gate.
- Time needed
- about 30 minutes
Good to know
- Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji are reached by Kyoto City Bus; the nearest stops are Kinkakuji-michi and Ginkakuji-michi.
- Holders of the Kyoto City Subway One-Day Pass get ¥100 off the individual adult ticket at Nijo-jo Castle.
- Nijo-jo's Ninomaru-goten Palace is closed every Tuesday in January, July, August and December. The Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed on Mondays.
- Kiyomizu-dera has no parking lot. The temple recommends public transport.
FAQ
How many days do I need in Kyoto?
Three days covers Higashiyama, Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, Nijo-jo and Fushimi Inari. A fourth day adds Ginkaku-ji, Eikando and the Imperial Palace.
Is Fushimi Inari easy to reach from Kyoto Station?
Yes. JR Inari Station is 2 stops, about 5 minutes, from Kyoto Station, and the shrine is right next to it.
Which Kyoto spots are free?
The Kyoto Imperial Palace is free and open to walk-in visitors, except on Mondays and over New Year.