The Ultimate 2-Day Highlights Itinerary To Traditional Kyoto

This is the ultimate 2-day highlights itinerary to Kyoto! Kyoto is one of the many cities you have to visit when planning a trip to Japan. It is the opposite of Tokyo, and you will love the traditional vibe of Kyoto.

From traditional Japanese temples and shrines to geisha to amazing food. Kyoto is fantastic! Be prepared to wake up early, and expect Kyoto to be busy!

Check out the crowd congestion forecast from Kyoto City before planning your trip!

The authentic vibe in Kyoto is amazing, but it’s also very crowded and touristy! Especially during summer, fall and cherry blossom season.

I’ve crafted the perfect 2-day highlights itinerary to Kyoto for you with all the best things to see for your first-time visit.

How many days in Kyoto is enough?

Kyoto is not as big as Tokyo or Osaka, but there is a lot to see and, of course, to eat. If you’re pressed for time, I recommend spending at least two full days in Kyoto. This means staying two nights so you can get the most out of both days and start your days early.

The best option is to stay for at least three full days for a more relaxed pace.

Can you visit Kyoto on a day trip from Osaka?

Yes, definitely! Kyoto is only a 20-minute train ride from Osaka. Many tour buses also travel from Osaka to Kyoto, arriving around 10 a.m. You can easily take the earliest train and get back to Osaka in the evening.

But I recommend staying in Kyoto over Osaka. Kyoto has a more authentic vibe, and you can get to most sights around sunrise if you stay in Kyoto to avoid the crowds.

How to get to Kyoto

You’ll probably visit Kyoto from Osaka or Tokyo. I recommend taking the bullet train, which is a great and comfortable experience. Train tickets are not cheap, but I find it easy and hassle-free.

The Shinkansen bullet train is the fastest way from Tokyo to Kyoto, in just 2,5 hours. You can buy a train ticket at every train station through the ticket machines (purchase a few days before departure to make sure you have a good seat) or buy Kyoto train tickets online via Klook.

The website is in English, so it may be a little easier to understand. I have a great blog post on public transport in Japan that also covers the train.

Cherry blossom or fall foliage season

If you can, I highly recommend planning your trip to Japan during cherry blossom season or in the fall. These are two of the most magical times to visit, and for good reason. In spring, the country transforms with soft pink and white sakura flowers in full bloom, while fall brings vibrant foliage in stunning shades of red, orange, and gold.

Both seasons are breathtaking, but keep in mind they’re also popular—so expect higher prices and bigger crowds. Still, trust me, it’s 100% worth it for the unforgettable views and atmosphere.

When I visited at the end of March 2024, I was just a little too early for cherry blossom season (there were only a few in bloom), as colder-than-usual weather had delayed the blooms. Timing is everything in Japan!

Where to stay in Kyoto?

Kyoto is a city where you’ll be walking a lot! Even though the city has great public transport, it’s not as extensive as Tokyo’s. Some areas, especially the areas with traditional tourist sites, are still at least a 15-minute walk from the nearest subway station.

The best area to stay in would be near the Gion-Shijo station area or Kyoto station. If you’re staying near Gion-Shijo station, you’re smack in the middle of it all! You can easily do a lot on foot, like Kiyomizu-dera, Nishiki Market and Gion.

Check out Ryokan Seikoro, which is within walking distance from Kiyomizu-dera.

Kyoto Station is another great spot since you’re close to every line that connects everywhere in Kyoto and connects Kyoto to the rest of Japan. This is where I stayed both times when visiting Japan.

Check out Henn Na Premier Hotel in Kyoto, which is not far from Kyoto Station and close to a subway station.

I loved the easy access to Kyoto Station! It’s especially convenient if you’re going to use Kyoto as a base for visits to Nara and Osaka.

Are you more a design boutique hotel traveller? Check out these fantastic boutique hotels in Kyoto for an even better and unique stay!

2-day itinerary to Kyoto

Day 1: Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Start your day early and make your way to Fushimi Inari. Fushimi Inari is a famous temple with many red torii gates. It’s an iconic sight! Fushimi Inari can get extremely crowded, so the best is to wake up early and be there right after sunrise.

You could hike up to the summit or walk as far up into the red tori gates until it gets less crowded. Be prepared, it will get crowded, especially after 10 AM when the tour buses start rolling in.

After Fushimi Inari, make your way to Tōfuku-ji Temple. After Tofuku Temple, grab lunch at Wagyu Sushi Roll, a great place famous for its wagyu beef sushi.

Visit Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in the afternoon. It will be crowded, but you can find some quieter spots to take photos. The area itself is a nice stroll, and there are a few temples.

From Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, make your way to Kinkaku-ji temple. This temple is famous for its golden exterior. It is at its best with the sun shining on it, so try to get there when the sun is out.

Make your way to Kyoto Shinkyogoku Shopping Street, start north, and walk your way down to the Kyoto Kawaramachi area. You’ll find many stores and restaurants. Get your souvenirs here for the people home.

For dinner, I highly recommend Kyoto Engine Ramen! This place has the best ramen in Kyoto, and they have gluten-free and vegan options, too!

Day 2 Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Gion

Start your day early again and go to Hokan-ji Temple. This famous temple is also iconic for a few good shots from the street angle with the Hokan-ji temple in the background.

From Hokan-ji, walk to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. This area is quite big and can still get crowded. There are plenty of places to take great photos, and you don’t have to walk all the way up. The area is free to visit, but to enter the temple, you’ll have to pay an entrance fee.

Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka are both beautiful areas near Kiyomizu-dera where you can walk around, even though the streets can get extremely crowded. There’s a Starbucks with a traditional interior where you can stop for an iced chai latte if you want to wait in a long line.

Since you’re in the area, check out a traditional tea ceremony, a fantastic experience to take home with you!

After Sannenzaka, make your way to Nishiki Market! Nishiki Market and the streets around Nishiki Market are fantastic for lunch! You can get anything from sushi to wagyu skewers to roasted chestnuts. It has this street food vibe, which I love!

Save some room for dessert and visit the 3D BAW Tearoom for a chocolate croffle with ice cream. It’s delicious!

The best time to visit the Gion District is at the end of the afternoon or the beginning of the evening. You can walk around Gion and maybe even spot a geisha. Be respectful of the neighbourhood and the geisha, and don’t walk into the private streets!

If you can use some fortune and want to get rid of negative energy, don’t forget to visit Yasui Kompiragū Shrine. This shrine, located near Gion, is said to release negative energy and make your wishes come true.

For dinner, go to Pontocho or Restaurant Alley! You’ll find many restaurants and bars for a drink and dinner here or anywhere along the riverside. If you love gyoza, check out Chao Chao Sanjo Kiyamachi.

Things you need to know about Kyoto

While I love Kyoto and feel it’s a must-visit in your Japan itinerary, there’s also a downside. Kyoto can get so crowded that it’s almost unbearable to visit tourist spots.

Waking up early is the only way to avoid massive crowds. Pick which sights are the most important to you and visit them early in the morning. I also don’t linger when it’s too busy!

Other things to pay attention to:

• Be prepared to walk a lot in Kyoto, so wear the most comfortable walking shoes
• Don’t let others tell you not to visit the tourist sights just because they’re touristy. You do you!
• Kyoto is a no-smoking city! Smoking on the streets is prohibited, and there are dedicated smoking areas in the city.

How to get around in Kyoto

The best way to get around Kyoto is by foot or by bike. Kyoto and Japan, in general, are very bikeable cities! Yes, there is public transport, and you can take buses and the subway. But the network is not that extensive, and I’ve noticed you still need to walk a fair bit from any subway station.

Especially near most tourist sights like Kiyomizu-dera or Gion, you might still need to walk at least fifteen minutes. A bike is a great, fast way to explore the city at a more relaxed pace than on foot.

What is the best time to visit Kyoto?

If anything, I would avoid the summer; it’s just too hot and too crowded. I visited Kyoto in mid-September, which was great! The weather was just perfect. It’s warm enough for summer attire and no jacket in the evenings.

The most popular times to visit are in the fall for the fall foliage and from mid-March to April for cherry blossom season. Cherry blossom season falls in early spring but depends on the weather. I loved visiting Kyoto at the end of March because it was less crowded.

With the weather chillier, sightseeing and walking were much more doable than walking around in 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit).

Kyoto is amazing if you look past the crowds! Or, do what I do and follow my tips to avoid the crowds. If you’re a foodie, do research beforehand on where to eat. There are so many great places, and being prepared will save you so much time.

This 2-day itinerary to Kyoto will be a great base plan when you have limited time in the city. Oh, and did you know you can have your luggage delivered from hotel to hotel? Check out travelling hands-free in Kyoto!

Please reach out if you have any questions! The fastest way is to leave a comment on my latest Instagram post!