Two days in Kyoto is enough for the city's most famous sights if you start early and group them by area. The best 2-day Kyoto itinerary spends day one in the east — Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera and Gion — and day two in the west, with Arashiyama in the morning and the Golden Pavilion in the afternoon.
Day 1: Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera and Gion
Go to Fushimi Inari Taisha first, ideally soon after sunrise, when the tunnels of red torii gates are almost empty. Walk as far up the mountain as you like; the crowds thin quickly after the first section. Then head to Kiyomizu-dera, the hillside temple with its wooden terrace, and walk down through the old lanes of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka. Spend the evening in Gion, Kyoto's geisha district, where the wooden teahouses are at their most atmospheric at dusk.
Day 2: Arashiyama and the Golden Pavilion
Take an early train to Arashiyama for the bamboo grove before it fills up, then visit Tenryu-ji and its garden. Walk along the river or take a boat. In the afternoon, go to Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, and if time allows Ryoan-ji, with its famous rock garden. Finish at Nishiki Market, the covered food street in the centre of the city.
Getting around Kyoto
Kyoto's buses are crowded at peak times, so combine trains and the subway with short taxi rides between nearby sights. Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama are both on train lines. A rechargeable IC card pays for trains, subways and most buses.
Kyoto in the seasons
Cherry blossom in late March and early April and autumn colour in November are Kyoto's most beautiful seasons and its busiest. In those weeks, start even earlier and book hotels months ahead. Summer is hot and humid; winter is quiet and often clear, and a light snowfall on the temples is a rare sight worth hoping for.
Adding a third day
With a third day, take the train to Nara, around 45 minutes away, for Todai-ji and the park's deer, or explore northern Kyoto at Kurama and Kibune. Our Kyoto destination guide has more detail, and the 7-day itinerary shows how Kyoto fits into a longer trip.
FAQ
Is 2 days enough for Kyoto? Two days covers the highlights — Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, Arashiyama and the Golden Pavilion — if you start early. Three days allows a calmer pace or a day trip to Nara.
What time should I visit Fushimi Inari? As early as possible, ideally soon after sunrise. The shrine is open around the clock, and the gates are far quieter before the day's tour groups arrive.
How do I get around Kyoto? Use trains and the subway for longer distances and short taxi rides between nearby sights. Buses reach everywhere but are often crowded at peak times.
How far is Kyoto from Tokyo and Osaka? A little over two hours from Tokyo by shinkansen, and about 15 minutes to Osaka by shinkansen or around 30 minutes by regular train.
Planning a Kyoto stay for yourself, your family or your clients? Write to b2b@explera.jp or message us on WhatsApp at +66 93 656 8090 with your dates and group size, and we will reply within 24 hours. Explera is a destination management company for Japan — IATA TIDS 96215733, ASTA member 900408341.
