Realistic 3 Day Kyoto Itinerary: How to See Everything Efficiently

Traveled in October 2017

If Tokyo is the flashy, modern side of Japan, then Kyoto is its calm, cultural heart. Kyoto is full of peaceful temples, beautiful gardens, and charming historic neighborhoods. But one thing first-time visitors often don’t realize is how spread out the city’s top sights actually are. When I was planning our trip, many guides made it seem easy to fit everything into a few days. But once I started mapping things out, I realized we needed to be strategic to avoid wasting time criss-crossing the city. So I planned our Kyoto days on our Japan trip by neighborhood to minimize backtracking and make the most of our time. If you want to see the highlights of Kyoto without spending half your trip on transportation, just copy this realistic 3 day Kyoto itinerary!

3 Day Kyoto Itinerary

When to Go

I love traveling during shoulder season. And visiting Japan during shoulder season is no exception. Summer in Japan is hot and humid – it is not the most comfortable weather for sightseeing. Winter can be cold and rainy, and even snowing in some areas. Great winter holiday vibes, but again, not the most comfortable for sightseeing (unless you are used to the snow). We traveled this 3 day Kyoto itinerary in the fall and the weather was perfect. Spring is another beautiful time to visit weather-wise, and as long as you avoid Golden Week you may encounter fewer crowds.

Late spring and early fall are beautiful. The weather is mild, and the nature is at its peak. The Japanese have a talent for celebrating their seasonal local flora. Spring and fall are some of the best times for enjoying these seasonal blooms. You can catch different flower festivals in the spring (the cherry blossom festival being the most famous). And in the fall they celebrate the brilliant red fall foliage.

How to Get There

The international airport near Kyoto is the Kansai International Airport (airport code KIX). The Kansai International Airport serves both the Osaka and Kyoto areas. It is easily connected by public transportation to both cities. The smaller airport in Osaka is Itami International Airport (airport code ITM). Though it’s smaller, you may be able to find some flight deals there if you book a connecting flight. There are fewer direct flights to Kansai International Airport from the United States. As of this writing, only United airlines has direct flights from the United States to Kansai International Airport. If you want to fly Japan airlines (JAL) or ANA, you will have to fly into Tokyo (either Haneda (HND) or Narita (NRT) airports) and transfer to Kansai International airport or Itami International Airport.

Booking tip: certain flight searches like Kayak, Skyscanner, or Google flights allow you to set price trackers that will alert you when the price of your flight changes. I never book a flight without tracking prices first because there is no better feeling than snagging a good deal! And if you book your flights with a travel credit card like the Chase Sapphire card, the card usually includes some travel insurance protections (like lost luggage reimbursements, trip delay reimbursements, or trip cancellation insurance) to save you the cost of buying extra travel insurance. Use my contact form if you’re looking for a credit card referral with bonus sign up points!

Bonus Booking tip: sign your kiddo up for frequent flyer accounts with airlines to start earning airline miles for them! Most airline miles do not expire for minors so your kiddo will thank you later.

Where to Stay

For this 3 day Kyoto itinerary, I personally think it is most convenient to stay near Kyoto Station. That’s because there is a fair amount of transportation in and around the city to reach all the sights, and Kyoto Station offers the most direct trains to each place so you can save on travel time.

These are great options for places to stay near Kyoto Station:

• Hotel Imagine Kyoto ($$) – a cross between a traditional ryokan and a modern hotel since the rooms have both a western bed and also a tatami mat area, with a communal kitchen next to the lobby.
• Kyoto Century Hotel ($) – located right next to Kyoto Station for ultimate convenience. Old world vibes.
• Mimaru Kyoto Station ($$$) – apartment hotel perfect for families, just 1 minute walk from Kyoto Station. Even has Pokemon themed rooms!
• 22 Pieces ($$) – slightly cheaper apartment hotel option, but is a slightly further 5 minute walk from Kyoto Station.
• MONday Apart Premium Kyoto Station ($) – more affordable apartment hotel option about 10 minutes walk from Kyoto Station. Rooms are a bit more basic.

How to Get Around

For traveling within and around Kyoto for this Kyoto 3 day itinerary, all you need is a Suica card for the local trains and subways.

If you’re visiting Kyoto as part of a larger Japan trip, the countrywide Japan Rail Pass is likely not going to be the best deal unless you’re doing a lot of train travel throughout the country. See our full Japan itinerary for a breakdown on how to calculate your fares for individual train rides to check if the Japan Rail Pass is worth it.

That said, there are some JR West regional passes that might be a fantastic deal if you plan on traveling further afield outside Kyoto and Osaka. If you’re just staying on the Kyoto, Osaka, Nara route then buying point-to-point tickets is more cost-effective. But if traveling further out, definitely explore the Kansai area pass or the Kansai WIDE area pass to see if it’s a better deal.

Show Me the Money

The currency in Japan is the Japanese Yen. Unlike many other countries, cash is still very widely used (and preferred) in Japan. While we usually rely mostly on our credit cards when traveling and only withdraw a small amount of cash, that was not the case in Japan. Many of the restaurants and smaller stores prefer cash and may not even accept credit cards.

The easiest way to withdraw cash in Japan is to look for a local 7-Eleven. The ATMs in the 7-Elevens accept international debit cards and are open all the time. (7-Elevens in Japan are magical and deserve a tribute post of their own. We went into one at least once a day – for breakfast, a snack, or cash, and it never disappoints.) Always choose to withdraw cash in Yen for the best exchange rate!

Saving tip: to avoid ATM fees (from the foreign bank and your bank), look for a checking account that offers ATM fee reimbursements. I can personally recommend the Schwab investors checking account and the Betterment checking account for this purpose.

How to Stay Connected

There are three main options for staying connected in Japan. You can use a pocket wifi, an e-sim, or a physical sim card.

Pocket Wifi

• Good For: groups that are traveling together who will not be splitting up.
• Pros:
  • Good for phones that are still locked because you can’t change sim cards.
  • If you’re planning on going to Tokyo Disney, then having a pocket wifi might come in handy to ensure you have fast internet to book the fastpasses since cell service might be slow.
• Cons:
  • It is an extra device to keep charged and carry around during the day.
  • Must arrange for delivery to receive it and send it back at the end of the trip.

E-Sim

• Good For: people with unlocked phones who only need internet data
• Pros:
  • Easiest and cheapest option to have internet data available on the phone right after landing. You can install the e-sim while back at home, and just toggle it on once you get to Japan.
  • The data packages are surprisingly cheap, and it’s easy to top up more data as you go. Airalo is our favorite e-sim company and we have used it in Canada and Europe without problems. You can buy a Japan only e-sim or a regional Asia e-sim if traveling to multiple Asian countries.
    • Use my referral code ATEASP4988 for $3 off your first Airalo e-sim!
• Cons:
  • Must have an unlocked phone to install an e-sim.
  • The e-sim only provides data and has no cellular service for making or receiving calls.

Physical Sim Card

• Good For: Those who want data and the capability to make local phone calls while in Japan.
• Pros:
  • Will have calling capabilities.
• Cons:
  • Probably the most expensive.
  • Have to make an extra stop to pick one up. You can find physical sim cards at stores in the airport or order it online for pick up at the airport to start using it right away.

Kyoto 3 Day Itinerary at a Glance

Day	Activity	Sleep in
1	Arrive in Kyoto Nishiki Market and explore traditional streets	Kyoto
2	Explore Kyoto temples	Kyoto
3	Explore Kyoto outskirts	Kyoto

Day 1: Explore Kyoto Markets & Streets

Nishiki Market

While Nishiki Market is pretty touristy, it is still fun to wander and have a snack (or many snacks). You can find stalls selling all kinds of snacks in the market, from fluffy tamagoyaki and fresh sushi to crunchy senbei rice crackers and chewy mochi.

• Book a Nishiki market tour with a guide here and don’t miss out on any of the iconic snacks!

Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka

The cobblestoned streets of Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka are prime examples of Kyoto’s preserved historic streets. The streets are lined with traditional buildings housing souvenir shops, sweets shops, and restaurants. Even though it was raining, I liked wandering around all the little stores looking for unique souvenirs.

• Book a tea ceremony at the Flower Teahouse in Ninen-zaka for a traditional tea ceremony experience.

Pontocho Alley

In a city of beautiful streets, Pontocho Alley is considered to be one of the most beautiful. This old-fashioned street is lined with traditional shops and restaurants. Visiting in the evenings is when this street really shines and transports you back in time – you might even catch a glimpse of a geisha. We visited during the daytime and it wasn’t quite as magical.

• Figuring out where to eat in this alley can be a bit intimidating. Go on a Gion food tour with a local guide to get the most from the experience.

Kaiseki Dinner

Kyoto is famous for kaiseki cuisine, which is a traditional multi-course meal. Each dish and each course uses seasonal ingredients, and is beautifully plated. The meals are not cheap, but if it’s in your budget, there is no better place than Kyoto to experience a kaiseki dinner. Popular options with bookable online reservations are Seiwasou, Gion Kurashita, and Kikunoi Roan. We went to Kikunoi Roan and were blown away by the presentation and taste of the food.

Day 2: Explore Kyoto Temples

Many of Japan’s most famous temples and shrines are in Kyoto. It would take days to visit them all, but these are the highlights. While these temples are places of worship for the Japanese, most tourists visit the temples and shrines to enjoy the tranquil gardens. Visiting them in this order minimizes your backtracking around the city.

Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)

Despite the name, Ginkaku-ji is not actually covered in silver. However, it IS a lovely pavilion nestled in a unique Japanese garden. There is a walking path that brings visitors around the garden to enjoy the views.

Philosopher’s Path

The Philosopher’s Path is known for its cherry blossoms, but is a pleasant stroll at any time of the year. This stone path runs next to a canal so you have the soothing sounds of trickling water following you as you walk. The path connects Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji temple, and takes about 30 minutes to walk between the two.

Eikando Zenrinji Temple

If you are visiting in the fall, then the Eikando Zenrinji Temple is worth a stop along the Philosopher’s Path. The Eikando Temple is famous for its fall colors, when the trees in the temple garden turn a brilliant red. They also illuminate the fall foliage at night for a different perspective. I wouldn’t make a separate visit here, but since we walked right by it, we stopped in to enjoy the red foliage.

Nanzen-ji Temple

Nanzen-ji Temple is also famous for the fall foliage in its gardens. It is a large complex with many smaller sub-temples. The complex grounds are free to enter, but there is a fee to enter each temple. There is also a tranquil tea room where you can enjoy a nice cup of tea with a small Japanese sweet while admiring the views of the garden and waterfall. If you had to pick one place to pay an entrance fee in this complex, my vote is the tea room.

Kiyomizudera Temple

Kiyomizudera Temple is one of the most famous and popular temples in Kyoto. If you only visit one temple in Kyoto, this one should be it. The dramatic terrace jutting out on the hillside is a popular photo spot, and also gives sweeping views of Kyoto and the foliage below. If visiting during cherry blossom season or fall foliage season, check if the temple is holding special events where they illuminate the trees at night. The temple is also famous for its shrine dedicated to the deity of love and matchmaking, which makes it a popular site for young people to visit to pray for love. The streets approaching Kiyomizudera Temple are lined with stores and restaurants catering to tourists and temple pilgrims looking for a souvenir or a snack.

This is the most popular temple in Kyoto, so mentally prepare for a crush of people here. Early evenings around 4-5pm may be less crowded. Or, if you have jetlag on your side, arrive at 6am when the temple opens.

Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine

The Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine is one of those places that became a tourist attraction because of social media. While it is an important Shinto shrine, the main reason most foreign tourists visit is to get a photo with the thousands of vermilion torii gates that stretch up the mountain behind the shrine.

Fushimi Inari is another super popular sight in Kyoto. Crowds tend to be lower early in the morning (before 7am) or late in the afternoon/evening (after 5pm). We arrived around 4:30pm and while it was super crowded near the beginning of the torii gates, we were pretty much alone after walking up 20-30 minutes.

Day 3: Explore Kyoto Outskirts

We spent this day covering some of Kyoto’s top sites that are slightly further away from the center of town.

Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle is a former imperial palace and a World Heritage Site. Besides the ornately decorated palace rooms, the castle also has beautiful gardens. Visit if you have time, but it’s not a must see castle in my opinion.

Kinkaku-ji Temple (Gold Pavilion)

Unlike the Silver Pavilion, the Gold Pavilion actually is covered in gold. This striking golden pavilion sits at the edge of a small pond and is a popular photo spot. This pavilion is unique and one of those places you must go in Kyoto. We visited just before a typhoon arrived and it was still beautiful in the pouring rain.

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is another social media star. Just know that the photos of people standing alone in the bamboo groves are probably highly edited, because the groves are extremely popular and it is difficult to get a photo without people in the background.

• Book a visit with a local guide to maximize your chances of getting the best pictures because they know all the best spots.

For ideas on how to explore more of Japan, check out our 2 week Japan itinerary which explores hidden gems outside of just Tokyo and Kyoto!