Once the capital of Japan, Kyoto is known for its preserved historic sites, its natural beauty, and its tranquil atmosphere. It is home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites that are open to visitors in addition to many other scenic and interesting places to explore. Spending 4 days in Kyoto will allow you to experience many of the spectacular offerings of the city and its surrounding areas. Here is one itinerary for 4 days in Kyoto that encompasses temples, shrines, bamboo forests, nightlife, Kyoto cuisine, and a mix of the ancient and the modern.
Please note that most of the temples included in this list close around 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. every day, so plan your visits accordingly.
Table of Contents
Day 1: Arrival, Sakyō Ward, & Kyoto Cuisine
If you are coming to Kyoto from Tokyo, you will most likely be arriving on a shinkansen, or bullet train, to Kyoto Station. Once you get there, you can check into one of the many accommodations Kyoto offers. For a more traditional experience, I suggest staying at a ryokan, or Japanese inn. These accommodations typically have tatami mat rooms where you sleep on a futon mattress on the floor, communal or private dining spaces for breakfast and/or dinner, and some have communal bathing facilities with hot spring-like baths.
Related: What It’s Like to Stay at a Ryokan in Japan
Once you check in and drop your bags off, you are ready to spend a nice 4 days in Kyoto!
A great start is to visit some of the temples in the Sakyō Ward, including the Ginkakuji Silver Pavilion and Nanzenji Temple, connected by the picturesque Philosopher’s Path. Since it is difficult the visit all of the amazing sites of the Higashiyama Ward in one day, you can pair some of them with the Sakyō Ward sites on Day 1.
Ginkakuji
Ginkakuji, also known as the Silver Pavilion, is a World Heritage Site and Zen temple that features a raked sand garden, pond, mosses, and manicured pine trees. It once served as a retirement villa for shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa, but at his request was turned into a temple after his death. The grounds are absolutely beautiful to walk through, and it is a wonderful place to see Japanese architecture integrated into the nature that surrounds it. Admission is about 500 yen.
One of Ginkakuji’s most noticeable elements is Kogetsudai, a tall mound made out of sand designed to reflect the moon.
After a nice walk through the grounds and the buildings, you can buy a Kyoto-famous green tea ice cream from one of the nearby vendors.
Note: Despite having similar names, Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) and Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) are two different places. Ginkakuji is in eastern Kyoto while Kinkakuji is to the west.
Philosopher’s Path
The Philosopher’s Path, or Tetsugaku-no-michi, is a very scenic walkway about 2 kilometers long between the Ginkakuji and Nanzenji temples. The tree-lined path runs along a canal that borders houses, restaurants, and shops. It is a truly tranquil walk, one that I love to do on every trip to Kyoto. It is the perfect place for walking meditation.
Related: The Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto, Japan
Nanzenji
Nanzenji is an important Zen temple that was damaged several times in fires and wars, yet was rebuilt and remains a beautiful and spiritual place open to visitors. The impressively tall wooden Sanmon Gate stands strong and looks particularly magnificent in the late afternoon sun, as does the Dharma Hall. Roaming the grounds of Nanzenji is free, though entrance into some buildings requires an additional fee.
One of Nanzenji’s most striking features setting it apart from other temples is the brick aqueduct running through it. Built in the Meiji Period, the aqueduct is still active and carries water through Kyoto.
Chion-in
Chion-in is a temple just south of the Sakyō Ward in the Higashiyama area that represents the Jōdo, or Pure Land, sect of Buddhism. While I have not yet been inside the temple grounds, I was in awe of the massive wooden entrance gate the first time I saw it. According to Chon-in’s website, the Sanmon Gate was built in the 1600s by the second Tokugawa shogun (Hidetada) and is 24 meters tall, 50 meters wide, and has 70,000 roof tiles, making it one of the largest wooden gates in Japan. I look forward to a proper visit on a future trip.
Kyoto Cuisine
Though tofu is prevalent throughout Japan, Kyoto-produced tofu is considered some of the best in the country. It has been perfected in Kyoto over many centuries due to its good source of nutrition, the many ways it can be cooked, and its importance in the vegetarian diets of Buddhist monks. There are many tofu restaurants throughout Kyoto, including Rengetsuchaya, a restaurant near Chion-in that serves an 11-course tofu meal. In their fixed menu, tofu is presented 11 different ways, from boiled to fried to gratin style. Despite featuring the same main ingredient, all of the dishes taste distinct from one another, and each are delicious in their own way.
If you are staying at a ryokan that serves meals, the owners will usually designate a set time for dinner. Dishes served in ryokan often reflect local ingredients and the seasons, so dining at one can be a great introduction to Kyoto flavors and washoku, or traditional Japanese cuisine.
Day 2: Higashiyama Ward, Nishiki Market, & Gion District
The Higashiyama Ward in the eastern part of Kyoto is full of historic properties and unique places to see. These include Kiyomizudera, Kōdaiji temple, and Yasaka shrine. Not far from Maruyama Park is Nishiki Market, a bustling arcade of local goods. For some Kyoto nightlife, the best place to be is the Gion District.
Kiyomizudera
Kiyomizudera is one of Kyoto’s most popular temples as evidenced by the perpetual crowd of visitors it attracts. Built amidst hilly terrain, the balcony of the main hall rises above the trees below to give sweeping views of Kyoto’s mountains and forests. The main hall contains a statue of Kannon, the deity of mercy and compassion with 11 faces and 42 arms, to whom visitors can offer their prayers. Admission is about 400 yen.
Peeking out of the trees below is a tall red pagoda, which you can get a closer look at as you explore the expansive grounds.
Another prominent feature of the temple is the Otowa Waterfall, which is separated into three streams where visitors can purify themselves by ladling the water into their hands and drinking it. After all, “Kiyomizu” means “pure water.”
Leading up to the temple is a sloping shopping street with vendors selling everything from pottery to local food to “I Love Japan” T-shirts. It’s fun to peruse the different wares. On this street, you may see people walking around in traditional Japanese kimono, yukata, or hakama.
Donguri Studio Ghibli Shop
If you are a big fan of Studio Ghibli movies like I am, the Donguri Shop is a great place to find knick-knacks based on your favorite films. They sell stuffed animals, paper fans, coffee mugs, hand towels, purses, and more based on everything from My Neighbor Totoro to Spirited Away. They have adorable vignettes of movie scenes throughout the store that you can take pictures next to, such as a flying broom and a little Jiji cat from Kiki’s Delivery Service and a life-size Totoro waiting at a bus stop.
Kōdaiji Temple
Buddhist nun Nene founded Kōdaiji Temple as a Rinzai Zen temple in the 1600s to honor her late husband, samurai and politician Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Both are buried in a memorial hall on the temple grounds. The temple grounds are breathtaking with lush greenery, hills, bamboo forest paths, Zen rock gardens, and a landscape garden that has been designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government. Some of the teahouses on the property were said to have been designed by Sen no Rikyu, Japan’s most well-known tea ceremony master. Several buildings on the grounds honor Nene and Hideyoshi, and many of them exhibit lacquer techniques popular in the late 16th century in which gold or silver powder was sprinkled onto wet lacquer.
A short walk away is the Kōdaiji Sho Museum with collections of lacquer works and info about Nene’s influence in Japanese history. Entrance to the museum is included in the 600 yen temple admission.
Maruyama Park
One of my favorite parks in Japan, Maruyama Park is a designated Place of Scenic Beauty. It is located right among many of the historic temples and shrines in eastern Kyoto, making it a nice place to relax in between site visits. It is free to enter and has beautiful greenery, ponds, bridges, and food and beverages concessions.
Yasaka Shrine
Right next to Maruyama Park is Yasaka Shrine (Yasaka Jinja in Japanese), a Shinto shrine founded in the 600s that is free to visit. In July, it hosts the Gion Matsuri, one of Japan’s most famous festivals. A vividly bright vermillion gate leads to a main hall and a stage with dozens of paper lanterns hanging from it.
At night, all of these lanterns are illuminated, bathing Yasaka Shrine in a beautiful pale glow.
Nishiki Market
A 15-minute walk west of Yasaka Shrine, Nishiki Market is reminiscent of Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market. The covered walkways are full of vendors selling fish, meats, fresh food, cooking products, cosmetics, and souvenirs. It has been in operation for multiple centuries and is a great place to buy local Kyoto specialties. Stalls are usually open until about 5:00 p.m.
Gion District
The Gion district, sometimes referred to as the “geisha district,” is one of Kyoto’s most popular nightlife areas. This is the area you are most likely to spot geisha or maiko (geisha in training) as they make their way to various appointments. You’ll also see many people along the Kamo River hanging out or enjoying street performances when the weather is nice. The Shirakawa Canal area is also very picturesque with large willow trees dipping into the water illuminated by the light seeping through the large windows of the waterfront dining establishments.
Pontocho Alley is a very narrow alley in the Gion district dimly lit by red and white paper lanterns. Flanking the alley are many small bars, izakaya, and restaurants with traditional Japanese storefronts. It feels wonderfully ethereal to walk through here at night.
Conveyor belt sushi 
Conveyor belt sushi
Meals can be pricey around this area, so if you are looking for something more affordable, a conveyor belt sushi restaurant like Chojiro could be a fun option. You can order off of a computer screen with menus available in a few different languages, and the plates will either be delivered to you or served on a conveyor belt. Chojiro has some vegetarian-friendly sushi options, too.
Day 3: Arashiyama Area & Kyoto Station
The western area of Kyoto City is home to the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and important Zen temples. Further north of this area is the Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion and Ryōanji rock garden. At nighttime, you can check out the many shops, restaurants, and activities in Kyoto Station, an architectural and engineering feat in its own right.
Tenryūji Temple
Located in the western part of Kyoto in the Ukyō Ward is Tenryūji, a Rinzai Zen temple and World Heritage Site. It was originally built in the 1300s and contains several structures illustrating Zen design principles. Its most striking element is the Sogenchi Teien landscape garden, which features a large koi pond with stone arrangements, trees that change colors with the seasons, and borrowed scenery from the mountains. It is 500 yen to enter the gardens and an additional 300 yen to enter the buildings.
On the grounds of Tenryūji is Shigetsu, a restaurant serving shōjin-ryōri Buddhist cuisine. The all-vegetarian meal is made up of small, individual plates designed so that no one flavor overpowers the other. Kyoto is one of the best places to try shōjin-ryōri cuisine, and a meal at Shigetsu is a real treat.
Related: Tenryūji: Temple & Gardens in Kyoto, Japan
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Ethereal beauty is what will greet you as you walk through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. One of the most photographed places in Japan, the towering bamboo is a sight to behold. Even with the voices of other travelers in the background, you can still hear the lovely sound of bamboo rustling in the wind. This is a popular tourist destination and is free to walk through.
I like walking down the side streets and lesser-traveled paths that branch out from the forest. There are so many quaint artisan shops selling pottery and bamboo goods that make for great Kyoto gifts and souvenirs.
Jōjakkōji Temple
Jōjakkōji Temple is a much quieter temple away from the crowds in the Arashiyama area (though it becomes more popular in autumn when the maple trees change color). Founded in the late 1500s, the tranquil grounds have a gate shrouded in greenery, a tall pagoda, and other structures reflecting Buddhist design. This is a beautiful place to enjoy nature and Kyoto’s history. Admission is about 400 yen.
And, because it is on a mountain slope, Jōjakkōji offers amazing views of Kyoto’s cityscape.
Kinkakuji
To the northeast of the Arashiyama area in the Kita Ward is Kinkakuji, also referred to as the Golden Pavilion. Surrounded by a large, scenic pond, the Rinzai Zen temple is covered in gold leaf and once served as a villa for the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Now, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is open to the public and draws in large crowds every year. Admission is about 400 yen. Twenty minutes in walking distance from Kinkakuji is Ryōanji, home to the famous Zen rock garden. Admission there is about 500 yen.
I must admit, I actually have not been to Kinkakuji or Ryōanji yet, but it felt wrong not to include them since they are such popular draws for first-time and returning visitors to Kyoto. I hope to add more info and photos to this list once I visit them!
Kyoto Station
It might seem strange to list a train station as a sightseeing destination, but Kyoto Station is such a great example of modern Japanese architecture and engineering and is full of so many interesting things that it is worth including on the list. Since it is a main transportation hub, you will probably go through it when you arrive to Kyoto, depart from it, or do side trips.
If you want great views of Kyoto Tower, Kyoto Station has many vantage points to see it.
An entire department store, Isetan, is connected to the station for shopping and dining. It has a multitude of restaurants covering all different types of cuisine. Some have nice views of Kyoto Tower and the neighboring area.
Inside Kyoto Station, there’s a wide staircase that lights up and plays brightly colored animated videos right on the steps. Out front, they have Aqua Fantasy, a water and light show set to music at night. While it’s not necessary to go out of your way to see these, they are unique shows that illustrate Japan’s creativity in engineering.
Day 4: Fushimi Inari & Side Trips
Kyoto is close to cities that make for great side trips. Three of these are Uji, Nara, and Osaka. Since Fushimi Inari is located in the south end of Kyoto City, it is easy to pair it with side trips. While it would be difficult to visit Fushimi Inari and all three of the other cities, it is not impossible to pair Fushimi Inari with two side trip locations (or all three if you start very early in the morning and are feeling very ambitious).
Fushimi Inari
Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of Japan’s most famous Shinto shrines, and the image of its thousands of vermillion torii gates is one that is prevalent in brochures and websites about Japan travel. The words printed on the torii gates are the names of businesses and individuals who have donated them, so more have been added over time. You can either walk all four meters through the torii gates up the mountain they sit on or take one of the shorter routes. The shrine welcomes many tourists, locals, and school groups each day, so prepare for crowds. The grounds are free to visit.
You will notice several fox statues around the temple. Inari is the god of rice, and foxes are supposedly the god’s messengers. You can see keys in the mouths of some of the fox statues, which represent keys to rice granaries.
Fushimi Inari is located at the south end of Kyoto City, so if you start your day there, it is easy to take side trips to other cities further south.
Uji
One of my favorite places off the beaten path in Japan is Uji, a scenic city just south of Kyoto City. If you are a tea lover, Uji will welcome you with dozens of tea stores lining every street. In fact, tea from Uji is considered some of the best in all of Japan, and because of its high quality, it is used in the manufacturing of green tea items sold throughout the country.
Uji is home to Tsuen, considered the world’s oldest tea shop, which has been in operation more than 800 years. The shop is connected to a restaurant that serves all green tea-themed items, from soba noodles to soup to ice cream.
Byōdō-in, a Buddhist temple of the Pure Land sect, is located in Uji and is such an important cultural property that it is depicted on the back of Japan’s 10 yen coin. Its stunning Phoenix Hall with gold phoenix statues on the roof houses a towering cypress and gold leaf statue of Amida Buddha. Admission is 600 yen, which includes entrance into its underground museum displaying many national treasures. It is an additional 300 yen to see the interior of Phoenix Hall.
Uji is also very proud of being featured in Tale of Genji, which is considered by some scholars to be the world’s first written novel. A statue honoring the author, Lady Murasaki Shikibu, is next to the Uji River and Uji Bridge, two locations mentioned in her story.
Related: Exploring Tea and History in Uji, Japan
Nara
Further south of Uji is Nara, once the capital of Japan that is now famous for its many free roaming deer. Most of Nara’s most popular activities are concentrated within Nara Park, making it an easy day trip. That being said, Nara Park itself is 1,600 acres/660 hectares, so there is quite a lot to see.
According to Nara Park’s website, about 1,200 deer make their home there, and there are vendors in the park selling rice crackers you can feed them. A word of caution: the deer tend to be docile, but if they see you with a rice cracker in your hand, they will not be shy about getting into your personal space and following you until you feed them.
Nestled within Nara Park are many historical sites. Tōdaiji was one of the most influential Buddhist temples in Japan and has one of the largest bronze statues of Buddha. To the west of Nara Park is Kōfukuji Temple, which was founded by the powerful Fujiwara clan and features a 50-meter pagoda. Kasuga Taisha, an important Shinto shrine, was also connected to the Fujiwara family. Hōryūji Temple was one of the first places in Japan to be designated as a World Heritage Site. To see Buddhist art, visit the Nara National Museum, which houses permanent and rotating collections of Buddhist paintings, sculptures, writings, and national treasures.
Osaka
Southwest of Kyoto and west of Nara, Osaka has a vibrant nightlife and endless options of delicious local food specialties, making it a great place to visit for an afternoon/night trip. The Dotonbori area is famous for its collection of neon signs and billboards. There, you can walk through the Ebisubashi-Suji and Shinsaibashi-Suji shopping arcades and the Ebisubashi bridge, which are usually packed with people.
If you arrive earlier in the afternoon, you can go to the Osaka Bay area and visit the impressive Osaka Aquarium or get a bird’s eye view of Osaka from the Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel. For food, check out restaurants and street-side vendors serving up okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and Japanese-style cheesecake.
Related: What to do on a Side Trip to Osaka, Japan
Additional Places
If you have time to spare on your Kyoto visit, I recommend booking a visit to the Shugakuin Imperial Villa. The tour is free, but you must reserve a spot through the Imperial Household Agency either online or in-person at their Kyoto office, which I recommend doing far in advance since reservations fill up quickly. The buildings and gardens of the villa, built by Emperor Gomizuno-o, are spectacular and are divided into three levels, so the top level offers amazing views of the gardens below. The guided tour is in Japanese, but there are audio guides available in a few other languages.
In addition to the Shugakuin Imperial Villa, the Imperial Household Agency offers tours of other cultural properties in Kyoto, including the Katsura Imperial Villa and Kyoto Imperial Palace.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Kyoto is an experience you are likely to remember forever. Being in a place with so much preserved history, traditional Japanese architecture, and natural beauty is special. There is something about Kyoto’s atmosphere that is hard to describe in words, but is one you can feel deep down. It is bittersweet to leave it – the minute the train rolls away, I long to return there. So enjoy your 4 days in Kyoto, and I hope your experience there is special and wonderful in its own way.
(All photos taken by Clara Juliette)
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Clara hopes to share her love of exploring cultures and inspire others through the power of storytelling. In addition to writing and travel, she loves psychology, nature, green tea, and cats.