The Ultimate 3 Day Itinerary For Kyoto: Temples, Food & Culture

My September 2025 trip to Kyoto started with a bit of a twist: There was a typhoon moving painfully slow off the coast, which caused all trains from Tokyo to be cancelled for two full days! Suddenly, my carefully planned 5 day Kyoto adventure had to be cramped into 3 days. So I ended up having two extra days to explore more of Tokyo, which turned out to be absolutely glorious.

I'll admit it was a pretty stressful couple of hours initially, as I was literally sat on the Shinkansen expecting a short delay, which then turned into over an hour delay, which then turned into all trains being cancelled! So I had to quickly find a hotel for the night on my phone and then navigate my way out of the manic central Tokyo Station. Turns out, Tokyo is very good at entertaining stranded travellers. I used the extra days to explore the upmarket district of Ginza and the electric town of Akihabara.

I eventually got the notification that trains were back in action and I was off to start my Kyoto adventure! Kyoto is Japan’s ancient capital, and is a stark contrast to Tokyo, with the abundance of neon lights and skyscrapers. A lot of Kyoto's history remains largely intact, unlike a lot of Japan, which was heavily bombed during World War II. The city is full of ancient buildings, shrines and temples, offering a fantastic cultural experience and is home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. So if you love exploring history, going on nature walks and indulging in tasty food, this 3 day Kyoto itinerary is for you. I'll cover the best sights, eats, and stays (from low range to luxury), and the best way to plan each day.

Day 1

Exploring Kyoto’s Temples & Historic Districts

Start your day at the glittering golden Kinkaku-ji Buddhist temple. The pavilion is beautifully covered in golden leaf and situated on a reflecting picturesque pond, with a wonderful forest backdrop. It was built in the 14th century for shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and later became a zen temple for a place of peace and tranquillity. I would recommend getting there when it opens at 9am to avoid the crowds and would allow yourself an hour to leisurely stroll around the grounds.

The place to visit next is the towering bamboo forest in Arashiyama district, which is about a 25 minute taxi ride from Kinkaku-ji. This is one of Kyoto’s most photographed spots, and it is like being in another world whilst you wander through. There is no entrance fee here and the trail is just a short 0.3 of a mile, so would allow 30-45 mins when visiting.

Next on the list is the temple Tenryu-ji, which is in close proximity to the bamboo forest. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is set in beautiful grounds, with stunning gardens, tranquil ponds and amazing views of the surrounding mountains, providing a peaceful experience. You can get some lunch here as well, and would suggest trying Shigetsu, a shojin-ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) restaurant, which is inside Tenryu-ji.

To finish off the day, head to Kyoto's famous geisha district, Gion, for an afternoon stroll. This area is filled with wooden machiya houses, with plenty of restaurants, shops and tea rooms. There are a number of wonderful sights to see in Gion, including the Yasaka Shrine (beautifully lit at night), Yasaka Pagoda and Kenninji Temple.

Dinner Recommendations:

• Sushi at Izuju – Great spot for Sushi and not too pricey.

• Ramen at Mushoshin – One of the best ramen spots in Kyoto. Affordable and quick.

Day 2

Fushimi Inari Shrine & Traditional Kyoto Experiences

Spend your morning exploring the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for the endless row of red torii gates. Best to start the day early to avoid the crowds and get there for 7am. The Inari Station is close by if you are arriving by train. Ensure to wear comfortable shoes, as there will be a lot of up hill walking! Here you will walk through thousands of the vibrant red torii gates leading up Mount Inari. When I was there I noticed not everyone goes all the way up, so the crowds died down the further you went. There is a lot to take in and see when there, with many shrines to look out for off the beaten path.

You'll likely of built up an appetite after doing all that walking, so the next place I would recommend heading to is Nishiki Market, known as Kyoto’s "Kitchen," to indulge in some mouth watering street food. Here you will find tasty treats like, Tako tamago (candied octopus with quail egg), Matcha desserts and Freshly grilled seafood

If you were wanting to grab some souvenirs after lunch, then you can explore Teramachi & Shinkyogoku Shopping Arcades which are nearby.

In the afternoon visit Kiyomizu-dera, a wonderful wooden temple with panoramic city views (This is near Gion, so you could combine with the previous day if you had time). You can stroll through Sannen-zaka & Ninnen-zaka, picturesque streets which are lined with traditional Japanese teahouses. You can experience a traditional tea ceremony at Camellia Flower Tea House. There is also the most unique Starbucks I have ever seen there!

Dinner Recommendation:

• Premium Pound Gion – Exquisite Japanese steakhouse.

• Kichi Kichi Omurice – Very entertaining chef & delicious egg rice (be sure to reserve ahead).

Day 3

Day Trip to Nara & Relaxing in Kyoto

Take a 45 minute train in the morning and head south to the historical city of Nara, which is famous for the giant Buddha statue, Todai-ji Temple, and Nara Park, where you can feed friendly wild deer. Nara has great cultural significance in Japan, as it was once the capital, and is full of some of the largest and oldest temples in the country.

In the afternoon, return to Kyoto and take a scenic stroll down the Philosopher’s Path, a canal side trail lined with cherry blossoms in the spring or maple trees in the autumn. You can take a small detour off the path and visit the beautiful Ginkaku-ji temple (Silver Pavilion).

For your final evening, enjoy a night view from the observation deck at Kyoto Tower, and take in the scenery from 100 meters up. At the time of visiting admission was 900 Yen.

Dinner Recommendation:

• Head to Pontocho Alley, a narrow street packed with izakayas and riverside restaurants.

Where to Stay in Kyoto

Best Hotels for Every Budget

Kyoto has a wide range of hotels to choose from, from traditional Japanese themed, to modern contemporary offerings. Hotels in general in Japan are slightly more expensive then a lot of Asian countries, and the standard room sizes are usually on the tight side, however Kyoto rooms appeared a bit more generous then the likes of hotels in Tokyo. Below are 3 hotels that will suit every budget;

Anteroom Hotel - 3 Star

• Location - Quiet central location in Minami Ward. Kujo Subway is close by and about a 15 minute walk to Kyoto train station.

• Rooms - Single rooms are tight at 15 sqm, but twin rooms are double the size at 30 sqm. Design is fairly modern, with some artsy touches.

• Facilities - Free Wi-Fi, laundry, on site restaurant and bar.

• Price Range - Rooms start at approximately $50 - $80 USD per night (rates vary depending on room type & season)

The Gate Hotel - 4 Star

• Location - Great central location by the Takase River. Close to a lot of attractions, restaurants, shops etc. Short walk to the Kawaramachi train station.

• Rooms - Modern elegance, with a traditional design. Rooms are well appointed and a generous size, by Japanese standards. Standard rooms are 23 sq m, and deluxe are 38 sq m.

• Facilities - Free Wi-Fi, fitness centre, restaurant and bar.

• Price Range - Rooms start at approximately $145 - $215 USD per night (rates vary depending on room type & season)

Four Seasons Hotel - 5 Star

• Location - Peaceful setting in Higashiyama Ward, less than a 10 minute walk to Kyoto station.

• Rooms - Luxury and modern design, with high end amenities.

• Facilities - Free Wi-Fi, fitness centre, swimming pool, spa & Michelin starred dining.

• Price Range - Rooms start at approximately $800 - $2,600 USD per night (rates vary depending on room type & season)

Final Tips for Visiting Kyoto

• Get an IC Card (Suica/Pasmo) for easy train/bus travel. You can normally pick these up from the airport when you land. Look out for the machines.

• Be sure to make advance bookings for popular restaurants.

• Rent a kimono for a day to make the most of your holiday photos.

• Visit in spring (cherry blossoms) or fall (autumn foliage).

Kyoto is a city where ancient traditions meet modern charm. With this 3 day itinerary, you’ll experience the best temples, food, and culture Japan has to offer.