Kyoto, Japan-6-day-itinerary

August 5, 2024

Day 1: Arrival and Exploring Gion District

Arrive at Kansai International Airport (KIX) or Osaka’s Itami Airport (ITM)
Take the train to Kyoto Station (~45 minutes from KIX, ~20 minutes from ITM)
Check-in at a hotel in the city center, such as Hotel Gion Nanba (from ¥20,000/night)

Visit the famous Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion), a UNESCO World Heritage Site (~10 minutes from Kyoto Station by bus or taxi)
Explore the nearby Ryoan-ji Temple, famous for its Zen garden and dry landscape design
Wander through the traditional Gion District, known for its geisha culture and traditional Japanese architecture

Enjoy dinner at Kyubey, a renowned restaurant serving Kyoto-style kaiseki cuisine (¥10,000-¥20,000 per person)
Take a stroll along the Kamo River and enjoy the evening atmosphere in Gion District

Day 2: Fushimi Inari Shrine and Nara Park

Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of vermillion torii gates (~20 minutes from Kyoto Station by train)
Take a hike through the shrine’s forested trails, offering stunning views of Kyoto
Stop at the nearby Inari Taisha temple and see its beautiful gardens

Visit Nara Park, home to over 1,000 wild deer (~1 hour from Fushimi Inari Shrine by train)
Explore the park’s temples, including the Todai-ji Temple (home to the largest bronze Buddha statue in the world)

Enjoy dinner at Tsuruya**, a Kyoto institution serving traditional kaiseki cuisine (¥10,000-¥20,000 per person)
Return to Kyoto and enjoy some shopping or relax at your hotel

Day 3: Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Sanjusangendo

Visit the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Japan’s most famous temples (~10 minutes from Kyoto Station by bus or taxi)
Take in the stunning views of Kyoto from the temple’s wooden stage
Explore the nearby Ninna-ji Temple and its beautiful gardens

Visit the Sanjusangendo Temple, famous for its 1,001 life-size statues of Kannon (the Buddhist goddess of mercy) (~10 minutes from Kiyomizu-dera by bus or taxi)
Take a stroll through the temple’s peaceful atmosphere and see the beautiful statue displays

Enjoy dinner at Gion Nanba, a restaurant located in your hotel (¥5,000-¥10,000 per person)
Take a leisurely walk around Kyoto’s city center and enjoy the evening atmosphere

Day 4: Arashiyama and Tenryu-ji Temple

Visit Arashiyama, a charming district on the western outskirts of Kyoto (~30 minutes from Kyoto Station by train)
Explore the famous Tenryu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Japan’s most beautiful temples
Take a stroll through the temple’s gardens and see its traditional Japanese architecture

Visit the nearby Kinchaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion) and take a leisurely walk around Arashiyama
Enjoy some shopping or relax at your hotel

Enjoy dinner at Yanagihara, a renowned restaurant serving Kyoto-style kaiseki cuisine (¥10,000-¥20,000 per person)
Return to your hotel and enjoy the evening atmosphere in Arashiyama

Day 5: Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace

Visit Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former residence of the shoguns (~15 minutes from Kyoto Station by bus or taxi)
Take a stroll through the castle’s beautiful gardens and see its traditional Japanese architecture
Stop at the nearby Kyoto Imperial Palace, the former imperial palace of Japan

Visit the nearby National Museum (Nijo Branch) to learn about Japan’s history and culture
Enjoy some shopping or relax at your hotel

Enjoy dinner at Gion Sasaki, a renowned restaurant serving Kyoto-style kaiseki cuisine (¥10,000-¥20,000 per person)
Return to your hotel and enjoy the evening atmosphere in Kyoto’s city center

Day 6: Last Day in Kyoto

Spend some time shopping for souvenirs or last-minute gifts
Visit any last-minute attractions you missed earlier in the trip (e.g. Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Sanjusangendo Temple, etc.)
Depart for Kansai International Airport (KIX) or Osaka’s Itami Airport (ITM) and head back home

Kyoto Station is a major transportation hub, with easy access to other parts of Kyoto by train, bus, or taxi.
JR Train Pass: Consider purchasing a JR Train Pass for unlimited travel on JR trains within Japan.
Subway: Kyoto has an extensive subway system with convenient connections to other parts of the city.

Respect local customs: Take off your shoes before entering temples or traditional homes, and avoid eating or drinking in public areas while walking.
Learn some Japanese phrases: Show respect for the culture by learning basic Japanese words like “konnichiwa” (hello), “arigatou” (thank you), and “sumimasen” (excuse me).
Try local cuisine: Kyoto is famous for its traditional kaiseki cuisine, which offers a unique culinary experience.
Explore on foot: Walk around the city to discover hidden gems and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Budget Breakdown:

Total estimated budget: ¥150,000-¥300,000 per person (approximately $1,500-$3,000 USD) for 6 days in Kyoto.