Kyoto Itineraries for 1 - 5 Days
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Facts & Figures
Why is it good to have an itinerary list for Kyoto and it doesn’t matter if you stay for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 days in the city? Kyoto has approximately 1600 Buddhist temples, more than 400 Shinto shrines, and 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This sheer amount of sightseeing highlights requires a bit of planning for first-time visitors. The following handpicked lists should give you some inspiration to make the best out of your time. I cover amazing temples, shrines, parks, gardens, cultural experiences, and much more. My tip: You should book some nights in a traditional Japanese Ryokan or Machiya House. It is the perfect way to discover old Japanese culture and traditions.
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- Overview of the Kyoto Itineraries for 1 - 5 Days:
- Kyoto Itinerary for 1 Day
- Kyoto Itinerary for 2 Days
- Kyoto Itinerary for 3 Days
- Kyoto Itinerary for 4 Days
- Kyoto Itinerary for 5 Days
Kyoto Itinerary for 1 Day
If you have only one day to spend in Kyoto, you should make sure to include the absolute highlights in your travel plan. Enjoy my handpicked list of the best temples, shrines, gardens, cultural experiences, and it all starts with the amazing Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine.
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Kyoto Itinerary for 2 Days
I gave each of these days a special theme: Outstanding Temples and Shrines on day 1 and Gardens, Zen, River, and Bamboo Forest on day 2. The focus of the second day is the beautiful Arashiamya district on the western outskirts of Kyoto. I am sure the visit to the Bamboo Grove there will be your absolute highlight.
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Kyoto Itinerary for 3 Days
The first day focuses on the eastern part of Kyoto and the Gion district, the second day on northern Kyoto and the Arashiamya district, and on day three you will enjoy some cultural exploration and Nishiki Market. It is a great mixture of outstanding temples, shrines, Japanese Gardens, parks, walks under cherry trees, and much more.
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Kyoto Itinerary for 4 Days
The four-day itinerary list includes everything from above with one additional theme called Historic Temples, Pagodas, and a Canal. I had for example an unforgettable time walking along the Shirakawa Canal in the evening hours or visiting with 120 meters the longest wooden hall (Sanjusangen-do Temple) in Japan. Explore these places at a relaxed pace and enjoy the beauty of the city.
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Kyoto Itinerary for 5 Days
I would say a timeframe of five days is perfect for a Kyoto visit. It would give you additional time to dive deeper into the history of the city. I included here a visit to the amazing Kyoto National Museum, Kamo Shrines (UNESCO World Heritage Sites), a stroll along the beautiful Kamogawa River, and much more.
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My tips for local activities
How about exploring the best parts of my favourite city Kyoto with a local guide? The personalized tour by our partner GetYourGuide can take between 2 - 8 hours. For more details check out this page >
Where to stay in Kyoto?
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Day trips from Kyoto:
My 100 Best Moments in Japan
I have visited Japan nearly every year since 2004. This is my collection of the 100 best moments in my favorite country. Enjoy the pictures and I hope you will start your own journey soon.
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Books about Japan
Reading books is a great source of inspiration for me. Check out my recommended list of books about the fascinating country Japan.
My Book recommendations >
