20 MUST-Visit Spots in Kyoto – 3 Days Perfect Itinerary
KONICHIWA today I’m going to share a 3-day itinary
to fully enjoy the beauty of Kyoto I actually squeezed this itinary into just two days but I
hope you will take your time and enjoy Kyoto at a relaxed pace so let’s get started on this amazing
trip so let’s kick off our trip in the Arashashiyama area which is in the western part of Kyoto from
Kyoto station take the JR Sagano line for about 20 minutes to the last stop Saga Arashimama Station
when you step off the train you will feel the fresh air and see the mountains covered in green
it’s a perfect way to start your coat adventure surrounded by nature just a short walk from the
station you will find a famous bamboo grove the path is lined with tall green bamboo on both
sides making it feel like a green tunnel the morning sunlight shines through the bamboo leaves
creating a peaceful and magical atmosphere if you visit in the morning there are fewer people around
and all you can hear is the sound of the wind and birds it’s a really calming and refreshing
experience after walking through the Bamboo Grove you will come across Tenryuji Temple a UNESCO
world heritage site this sand temple was built in the 14th century and its garden blends perfectly
with the backdrop of Arashiyama’s mountains the moss covered garden the peaceful pond and the mountains
rising behind it creating a stunning view you will want to take your time to enjoy walk slowly
through the temple grounds and soak in the beauty of the historical buildings and refined garden
after visiting Tenryuji head to Toegetsukyo Bridge a symbol of Arashyama this wooden bridge cross the
Katsura River and its elegant look has been captured in paintings and photos for centuries from the
bridge you can take in the sound of the flowing river and surrounding mountains you’ll see boats
slowly drifting down the river and people taking picture near the bridge as you feel the gentle
breeze you can truly enjoy Kyoto’s nature and the slow pace of life here if you have some extra time
I recommend taking the Sagono romantic train that departs from Arashiyama this retro sightseeing train
runs slowly through the gorge along the Hoy River offering close-up views of the beautiful scenery
in every season the autumn leaves are especially breathtaking and sight of the crimson mountains
from the train windows is something you will never forget i’ve made a detailed video about the Sagano
train so check it out if you’re interested after soaking in the nature and history of Arashiyama it’s
time for an early lunch in this area you will find many traditional cafes and Japanese restaurants
how about try Kyoto’s famous dish Nishin Soba Nishin Soba is a special type of soba noodles served
with a sweet and savory simmered herring and a rich fragrant broth the flavor of the fish and the
gentle taste of the broth blend together perfectly warming you up and giving you a nice boost of
energy in Arashiyama you can enjoy Nishin Soba at cozy old style houses or at long established
restaurant with garden views it’s a perfect way to relax during your trip if you want to try more
local flavors I also recommend Yuba which is known for its delicate sweetness and soft texture
another Kyoto specialy after lunch let’s head to one of Kyoto’s most iconic spots Kinkakuji also
known as the Golden Pavilion from Saga Arashiyama station take the JR line back toward Kyoto station
for about 15 minutes and get off at Enmachi Station then transfer a city bus for about 10 minutes
and get off the Kinkakuji bus stop as you ride the bus you’ll see the cityscape gradually give
way to the greenery of the Kitayama area before long you’ll arrive at the stunning Kinkakuji Kinkakuji’s official name is Rokuonji and it was originally built as a villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu
in the late 14th century later it was turned into a temple after several fires and other disasters
the current building was rebuilt in 1955 as soon as you step into the temple grounds you will be
amazed by the sight of shining golden pavilion the reflection of Kinkakuji on the pond called Kyokochi is stunning and the perfect spot for photos one of the best things about Kinkakuji is how
it changes with the seasons in spring the gold shines next to the cherry blossom and fresh
greenery in summer the blue sky and lush green make the gold stands out even more in autumn
the contrast with red leaves is breathtaking in winter the snowy golden pavilion creates a
magical scene follow the walking path around the temple and enjoy Kinkakuji from different angles
you will also notice the most covered garden and traditional stone lanterns which give a true to
feel you might want to buy a Kinkakuji’s charm from the temple grounds as a special souvenir after taking
in the beauty there are tea house near the exit where you can relax with some matcha and sweets
while enjoying the view of the garden by the time you finish exploring Kinkakuji it will probably
be late afternoon or early evening take a bus or taxi back to the city center and check into my
hotel staying near Kyoto station or the Shijou Kawaramachi area is convenient but if you choose a
traditional Ryokan you can enjoy a more authentic Kyoto’s atmosphere so it’s time for dinner for
the first night why not enjoy some local casual food without feeling too formal when people think
of Kyoto they might picture fancy kaiseki meals but actually Kyoto is also famous for its ramen
scene there are so many options to choose from places known for their rich chicken based broth
and others that serve creative ramen with Kyoto vegetables as I strolled around Kawaramachi Kyoto’s
downtown area I couldn’t resist the mouthwatering smell of delicious food i stepped into a ramen
shop and slapped up a hot bowl of noodles it was the perfect way to warm up and satisfy my hunger
after a day of exploring i still had some energy after dinner so I took a walk through Ponto-cho a
narrow alley lined with traditional lanterns as I strolled along the Kamogawa River I heard the
gentle sound over the water and enjoying the charming night view it was the perfect way to
end my first day in Kyoto once I got back to my hotel I took a good rest and recharged for the
next day i had wrapped up on amazing first day full of history and nature and I was ready to
dive even deeper in Kyoto’s culture and sites on the first morning of day two we will start
our day exploring the Higashiyama area in eastern Kyoto our first destination is Kiomizudera Temple
from my hotel take a city bus for 15 minutes and get off the Kiyomizu-Michi bus stop from there walk up a
gentle slop along the way you’ll pass shops and tea houses and even in the early morning you’ll
see other visitors and school groups making their way to the temple after about 10 minutes walk
you will arrive at the bright red Niomon gate Kiyomizudera was founded in 778 and is one of Kyoto’s most
famous temples even registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site as you enter the temple grounds
and approach the main hall you’ll come face to face with the famous Kiyomizu stage this terrace is
built right over a 13m cliff using a traditional method where not a single nail was used to hold it
together standing at the edge of the stage you’ll have the breathtaking view of Kyoto cityscape
below with the crisp morning air and the view that stretches all the way to Kyoto to Tower and
beyond you’ll definitely feel like you’ve truly arrived in Kyoto before we leave there’s one more
thing we shouldn’t miss making a wish at the Emma bars these wooden plaques are lined up across the
temple grounds i picked one up and thought what should I write a safe trip good health happiness
for my family but no I had to go big i hope to reach 100,000 subscribers i wrote it with all my
heart trying my plaque to the board i felt excited thinking my wish was now part of so many others
after that I went down to the Otowa waterfall located below the main stage the water flows from
three separate steams each said to bring different blessings success in studies love and long life
i picked up a ladle and splashed some water on my hand the cold clear water was so refreshing and
I thought “All right I’m sure I got my blessing.” After enjoying my visit to Kiyomizudera I stroll down
the slope soaking in the old town atmosphere right outside the temple grounds I found the
Sanenzaka and Ninenzaka two stone paved streets lined with traditional Kyoto style buildings
the shops and tea houses along these streets made me feel like I had stepped back in time i
walked slowly and popped into a few shops that caught my eye at one Yatsuhashi specialty store I
sampled some freshlymade soft yatsuhashi sweets and I couldn’t resist treating myself to a matcha
soft serve ice cream this matcha soft serve is made with rich high quality uzji matcha and has a
deep creamy flavor with just one bite you’ll taste the delicate aroma of matcha a slight bitterness
and a smooth sweetness with the traditional sweets as a backdrop holding a matcha ice cream in one
hand and snapping a few photo will make a lovely memory of kyoto trip once I reach the bottom of
the slope walk a little further toward Shinkyogoku Street and I’ll arrive at Yasaka Shrine the
guardian shrine of the Gion area step through the bright Vermillion gate and into the grounds
known as the stage for Kyoto famous Gion festival yasaka shrine is also believed to protect against
sickness and bring beauty if you’re lucky you might see a bride and groom taking wedding
photos here in the fresh morning air purify yourself at the Temizuya say a prayer and wish for
a safe and happy day after exploring the famous spots in Higashiyama it’s time for a welldeserved
lunch around the Gion area you’ll find plenty of restaurants serving traditional Kyoto dishes
how about trying a set meal of Kyoto’s obanzai obanzai refers to a variety of small homestyle side dishes
featuring seasonal vegetables you’ll enjoy lightly seasoned simmered dishes vegetable salads
yuba tofu dishes and other healthy and colorful Kyoto-style home cooking eating lunch in a calm
machiya style restaurant will be the perfect way to relax and recharge after all the sightseeing
now after lunch let’s visit one more highlight we are heading to Ginkakuji also known as the silver
pavilion tucked away in the northeastern part of Higashiyama from the Kiyomizudera area it’s about a 13-minute
taxi ride ginkakuji was originally built as a villa by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa the eighth shogun of
the Muromachi Shogunate and later became a Zen temple it’s considered a counterpart to Kinkakuji and
is a symbol of Wabi Sabi the beauty of simplicity and imperfection in contrast to the shiny gold of Kinkakuji Ginkakuji’s quiet appearance and understated elegance are truly calming when you enter the
temple grounds the first thing you’ll notice is the impressive conshaped white sand mound called
Kogetsudai and the Ginsadan a white bed of raked white sand these are said to reflect moonlight and create a
magical atmosphere for the entire garden beyond that lies a pond and a strolling garden with mossy
stones a peaceful pond and the tea house that blends perfectly with the natural surroundings
as you walk through the garden the view of the silver pavilion peeking out from between the
trees is truly striking like a scene from an ink painting but Ginkakuji’s charm isn’t just in its
architecture you can also climb a path along the hill behind the temple for a panoramic view of
the entire grounds from up there you can enjoy the seasonal scenery fresh green leaves in spring
and beautiful autumn colors that bring the quiet of Ginkakuji to life as the sun start to set evening
coming to the streets of Higashiyama from dusk to night let’s take a stroll through the charming Gion
area the western side of Yasaka Shrine where we visited earlier is known as Hanamikoji Street this
area is lined with traditional tea houses and restaurants along stone paved streets lanterns and
lamps light up along the eaves of the buildings creating a calm and romantic atmosphere if you’re
lucky you might spot a Maiko or Geiko on her way to an evening appointment their white painted
faces and beautiful kimonos moving gracefully through the streets are a true symbol of Kyoto if
you do see one make sure to keep your distance and quietly enjoy the moment for dinner on the second
night we’ll enjoy something uniquely Kyoto Gyukatsu at Kyoto Katsugyu i decide to treat myself a bit and
order the 5,000 premium Kuroge Wagyu sirloin cutlet set this dish uses carefully selected Kuroge Wagyu sirloin
with a thin crispy coating and a perfectly rare center one of the best part here is the small
iron grill on the table where you can cook your own gyukatsu just the way you like it also I was so
tired from working all day that I remember the restaurant’s LINE coupon and use it to get free
refills of rice and miso soup the freshly cooked rice and miso soup were the perfect comfort for
my tired body little thing like this feel like a nice reward at the end of a long day the set
comes with soy sauce Sansyo salt and the special sauce so you can change up the flavors as you eat and
never get bored the generous portions the rich flavors and the seasoning sound of the meat make
this meal a truly satisfying end to the day on the last morning of the trip let’s wake up a bit early
and head to one of Kyoto’s most powerful spiritual spots Fushimi Inari Taisha it’s just a 5 minutes ride
on the JR Nara line from Kyoto station and right outside Inari Station arriving while it’s still a
bit dark you’ll see the stone lanterns along the path softly glowing creating magical atmosphere
walking through the bright red Torii gate into the shrine grounds you’ll notice local worshippers
already making their prayers even this early now it’s time to head toward the most famous
part of Fushimi Inari the Senbon Torii or thousand to gates this tunnel of contra stretching up
into the mountains feel like the entrance to another world as you walk step by step through the
gates along the stone paved path the only sounds are your footsteps and the chopping of birds
it’s truly peaceful and cleansing experience unlike the busy daytime hours this early morning
visit offers a real chance to enjoy the shrine’s mystical atmosphere in quiet solitude Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine of around 30,000 inari shrines across Japan and it has been worshipped for a long time as a
place for blessings of good harvests and business success around the shrine grounds you’ll see
countless fox statues this is because fox are said to be the messengers of the Inari deity each torii gate
here was donated by a company or individual and there are said to be over 10,000 of them seeing
so many gates lined up like this is rare even worldwide which is one reason why Fushimi Inari is
so popular with visitors from abroad let’s climb the mountain trail a bit from some gaps in the Torii
gates you can see a view of Kyoto city as the morning sun peaks through the trees and lights up
the city below with a golden glow you’ll feel like you’ve been rewarded for getting up early enjoy
the walk as far as you’re comfortable but keep in mind it takes over two hours round trip to reach
the top so go at your own pace and don’t overdo it after coming back down to the main grounds it’s
probably around 8:00 a.m the shops along the path are starting to open and the area is coming back
to life leaving Fushimi Inari we’ll hop on the train back to the city and make a quick stop at Nishki
Market this 390 meter long arcade is packed with stalls selling killed vegetables pickles seafood
Japanese sweets and more just walking through the market is exciting the shopkeepers call out
energetically and the delicious smells from the stores make your mouth water but this time I decide not
to snack and to save that fun for my next visit still I did feel a little regret thinking “Oh I
should have at least sampled some pickles.” When I started feeling a bit hungry I headed to Gion
Tokuya a sweet shop in Gion i tried Honwarabimochi sweets and wow it was shockingly delicious
the mochi was so soft and melted in my mouth that I couldn’t help but think this is like a jewel
of the dessert world to top it off there was a layer of shaved ice underneath the dish so each
bite was a delightful mix of the cold ice and the soft mochi it felt like a duet of sweetness
and ice every time I took a bite I found myself saying “Wow what is this?” and smiling non-stop
it was the perfect moment to shake off all the fatigue of the trip to wrap up the trip visit the
one last spot to connect with Kyoto’s history Nijo Castle a UNESCO world heritage site from Nishki
Market is just a 5-minute ride on the Tozai subway line to Nijomae station Nijo castle was built by
Tokugawa Ieyasu the first shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate in the early 17th century during the Edo period
it served as the guardian of the Kyoto imperial palace and as the accommodation for the Shogun’s
visit to Kyoto it’s also famous as the place where in 1867 the Tokugawa Shogunate officially returned
power to the emperor making a major turning point in Japanese history as I stepped into
the vast grounds of Nijo Castle surrounded by double moats the first thing I noticed was
the beautifully carved Karamon gate beyond it lay the Niomaru palace an impressive wooden building
that represents the finest style of the Momoyama period parts of the palace were open to the public i
was able to see the stunning wall paintings and the Shogun’s private rooms preserved just
as they were as I walked through the halls I heard the famous nightingale floors wooden boards
that chirp like birds when stepping on designed as an early security system to alert intruders
walking through the pine corridors and standing in the grand hall I felt a deep sense of awe
knowing that major historical decisions were made right here after exploring the palace take a
stroll through the beautifully maintained garden the Nijamaru garden is a pond-style strolling garden
with carefully shaped pine trees and arranged stones the reflection of the bridge on the calum
water surface makes you forget the hustle and bustle of the city once you’ve circled the castle
grounds climb up the base of the old castle key where the original tower once stood and enjoy a
panoramic view of the castle town below it’s a perfect moment to reflect on Kyoto’s rich history
as you wrap up your visit to this final spot and just like that we’ve come to the end of our
3-day journey we are back at Kyoto station and although it’s hard to say goodbye it’s almost
time to leave but with a bit of time left before my bullet train departs I decide to head up Kyoto
Tower which stands right in front of the station at 131m tall it’s not the highest tower but
since there are not many tall buildings in Kyoto the view is amazing from the observation
deck you get a full 360 degree view of Kyoto you can spot Kiomizudera Higashihonganji and the roofs of
the temples and shrines scattered throughout the city it’s fun to point out places you’ve visited
saying things like “Oh we were there yesterday it’s the perfect way to reflect on the memories
of a trip.” And the binoculars at the observation decks are free to use it’s so convenient zooming
in you can clearly spot places like “Hey that’s Kinkakuji over there.” Looking out over the city
from above it feels like tracing the steps of your journey from the sky before I knew it I found
myself thinking “Kyoto I’m definitely coming back here again.” Finally I grabbed a bento from
the station’s Ekiben shop watching the scenery go by from the train window I enjoyed one last
moment of Kyoto as the trip came to a close that wraps up this Kyoto 3-day itinary for visit
to Japan i hope this journey helps inspire your own Kyoto adventure thank you for watching
until the end safe travels and enjoy your trip
Explore the beauty of Kyoto with this 3-day itinerary, featuring famous spots like the stunning kiyomizudera and the iconic fushimi inari taisha. Discover serene spots and enjoy the kyoto travel experience at a relaxed pace, including a visit to nijo castle, and experience the magic of arashiyama bamboo forest. Don’t miss these kyoto attractions!
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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpqdBdcYPICO8NnuiFX2xVg
～CHAPTERS~
0:00 Intro
Day1
0:39 Bamboo Grove
1:06 Tenryuji Temple
1:33 Togetsukyo Bridge
2:03 Sagano Romantic Train
2:32 Lunch – Nishin Soba
3:19 Kinkakuji Temple
5:19 Dinner – Ramen
6:00 Pontocho
Day2
6:32 Kiyomizudera Temple
8:44 Sannen Zaka & Ninen Zaka
9:35 Yasaka Shrine
10:06 Lunch – Obanzai
10:38 Ginkakuji
12:11 Hanamikoji Street
12:42 Dinner – Kyoto Katsugyu
Day 3
13:39 Fushimi Inari Shrine
15:48 Nishiki Market
16:20 Gion Tokuya
17:00 Nijo Castle
19:03 Kyoto Tower
19:59 Good Bye Kyoto
#kyototrip #japantravel #kyotosightseeing