Wondering how to visit Kyoto in 1 day? It may seem like a mammoth task, and let’s be real it is. This is a huge city and basically a walking museum of Japanese culture. The secret is to get up early, I mean eye-watering, you’re gonna hate me early, but it’s in the interest of making the most of your day trip to Kyoto.
Kyoto consistently tops Japan bucket lists for good reason. This 1,200-year-old ancient capital houses 2,000 preserved shrines and temples, cobblestoned streets where spotting geishas is routine, and food so delicate it’s art, but too tasty to treat it as such.
Although Kyoto deserves more time, you can experience its essence in one packed day. I spent weeks here exploring temples, hidden gardens, and restaurants to create this realistic hour-by-hour one day in Kyoto itinerary that maximizes your time without the rush.
Table Of Contents
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Kyoto Tips
Insurance: I recommend True Traveller for EU/UK citizens and World Nomads for anyone else. Both are highly reputable and reliable travel insurers.
Mobile data: Airalo is a super convenient e-sim that you can just download to your phone and go!
Restaurant reservation: OpenTable is an easy way to book a table. There are many establishments on here.
Do not take photos of Geishas that you see walking around the Gion area. Additionally you should not stop them, touch them, or follow them
Where To Stay In Kyoto
With one day in Kyoto I strongly recommend staying in or very close to the Gion district. Not only will you be in Kyoto’s most charming area but you’ll also be within walking distance of many big temples, parks, and other historical sites.
Hotels In Kyoto
[$] Terrace Kiyomizu Kyoto: excellent location, just a 7 minute walk to Kiyomizu-dera temple. Rooms are cosy and clean. The hotel provides free tea/coffee in kitchenette in lobby, there is also a rooftop terrace with temple views.
[$$] Wanosato Kyoto Musee: located near the river and on the edge of Gion. Rooms are traditional Japanese style including an ofuro in the bathroom, some rooms have a large balcony. Another great feature of this hotel is that a continental breakfast is included in the rate.
[$$$] Hotel Chourakukan: 5 star hotel located in the beautiful Maruyama Park, a stone’s throw from Yasaka Shrine. Hotel has colonial style architecture with rooms that are romantic and cosy with park views and a fireplace. A highly rated breakfast is included in the price. There are also 2 restaurants onsite along with a unique madeira bar. The hotel is popular for their afternoon tea.
Capsule hotel Glansit is an excellent option for those on a budget that don’t mind a compact place to sleep. Capsules are private and clean, they come with a flat screen TV and are divided into male and female dorms. There are also female only and male only lounge rooms when you want to relax.
Getting To Kyoto
By Air
The closest airport to Kyoto is Osaka International Airport (KIX). From here, Kyoto is 98 km away. The best way is to take the Haruka Express to Kyoto Station. It costs 2,200 yen and takes 1 hour 20 minutes.
From another location in Japan
Whether you’re arriving from Osaka, Tokyo, or Hokkaido the quickest, most convenient and comfortable way to get to Kyoto is on the formidable bullet trains (Shinkansen).
Book in advance as many seats sell out, especially during peak seasons such as cherry blossoms in spring, Golden Week and Autumn.
- Official JR Rail website
- Klook
- In person at train stations either at a counter or machines
Getting Around Kyoto
Getting around Kyoto is pretty straightforward once you know the basics. The bus system is your best friend here, Kyoto City Bus goes practically everywhere you’d want to visit. There’s also a subway that mainly connects the big areas like Kyoto Station and downtown Kawaramachi.
How to purchase tickets: your ICOCA card is valid in Kyoto. Alternatively, you can buy a Kyoto City Bus Pass for 500 yen (unlimited daily rides) or the combined bus and subway pass (1,000 yen). This should save you money after just 2-3 trips. They can be purchased from 7-11s.
Walking and cycling are honestly some of the best ways to experience Kyoto. Many attractions are clustered together, so you can easily wander between temples and stumble upon those hidden spots that make the trip special. Bike rental shops are everywhere around the main stations, it’s such an authentic way to explore the quieter backstreets.
Taxis are ok but they’re expensive and get stuck in traffic, especially on those narrow traditional streets. I’d save them for getting back to your hotel late at night or when you’re lugging heavy bags around. Speaking of which…
Luggage Storage In Kyoto
If you require luggage storage you can find coin lockers in Kyoto Station. Additionally, Bounce is a luggage storage service in various locations in Kyoto that you can reserve in advance.
What To Expect In Kyoto
Kyoto is gorgeous, it’s a visual dream with ancient buildings, cute streets and temples at every corner. Of course somewhere this beautiful draws crowds, and Kyoto gets 50 MILLION tourists every year.
The sheer number of tourists can be overwhelming, you really need to be at your first attraction of the day by 6 AM to minimise the crowds. It’s not just “busy” there are people everywhere, similar to leaving a festival. Knowing this can adjust your expectations and improve your overall experience.
Here are some more important tips about Kyoto:
- Tour buses arrive between 8 & 9 AM so getting up early gives you an excellent head start.
- Many temples are more like complexes, you can easily spend hours wandering the vast grounds and exploring the structures. Don’t try and see them all.
- Sights in the north like the Golden Pavillion and Arashiyama are too far away to visit with just one day in Kyoto. This itinerary skips them for a more realistic experience.
Can You Do Kyoto In One Day?
No. Sorry, you will not see everything in 1 day in Kyoto. It’s a spread out city with amazing temples, gardens, palaces, food markets, not to mention the areas just outside of Kyoto like Arashiyama and Inari. It’s just not possible to cram it into one day.
The best tactic is to pick 1 – 2 temples, don’t overdo it. This one day itinerary has just 3 temples and shrines, this allows you to truly appreciate where you are rather than rushing to see it all.
1 Day Kyoto Itinerary
The total cost of this Kyoto Japan itinerary is 6,320 yen ($44 /€39/£33) including transport for the day. The price does not include any food mentioned throughout.
Morning: Best Kyoto Temples
5:30 AM: First Train To Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Mt. Inari is a must-do during your one day trip to Kyoto. It’s an iconic hike through a forest under 10,000 orange torii gates. It’s important to come here first thing in the morning. As one of the most famous hikes in Japan with an estimated 10 million visitors per year. As you can imagine, it gets excruciatingly crowded. However, the crowds typically pick up after 8 AM, so visiting early ensures you experience Mt. Inari as intended, a place of tranquility and reflection.
It’s an incredibly peaceful trail with religious significance dating back 1,300 years to Inari, the god of rice, sake and prosperity. I wrote about Fushimi Inari-Taisha in more detail here including its history and more tips.
There are approximately 5,000 steps to climb to the top, it’s not too challenging but the number of steps makes it gruelling, I certainly huffed and puffed my way to the top.
About half the way up is an observation deck where you have beautiful views of Kyoto, it’s the only view of the hike, most people tend to turn around here, which means the final ascent to the top is much more peaceful if you decide to keep going. Going all the way to the top is thought to bring you closer to the divine realm. Please be aware that there is not another viewpoint along the trail.
The train from Kyoto starts at 5:30 AM, it takes 10 minutes to reach the town of Fushimi Inari-Taisha, from there it’s a 7 minute walk. It should take 2.5 hours in total, including photos, less if you decide to stop at the observation deck.
Each one of the torii gates has been purchased by a Japanese person or business as a prayer. Their names are inscribed in black on the gate.
It will take approximately 35 minutes to get from Mt. Inari to the next stop on the itinerary, Gion. You can take the train to Shichijō Station (15 minutes) followed by the bus no.86 or 207 (20 minutes) to Kiyomizumichi Street.
8:30 AM: Explore The Streets
When you get off the bus you’ll be walking uphill on Kiyomizu-Zaka Street that leads straight to Kiyomizu-dera. Some of Kyoto’s most famous and well-loved streets are around here like Sannenzaka + Ninenzaka. I encourage you to explore here before it gets too busy.
The streets are lined with ancient wooden buildings (machiya) that house restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops and museums. Walking down these paths that were once filled with geishas and shoguns feels like you’ve been transported back to that era.
Time appears to stand still here, with government regulations protecting the architecture. Even the street cones fit the aesthetic. I recommend an hour of slow roaming, expect it to be busy, but the crowds will significantly pick up after mid-day.
I usually don’t recommend Starbucks for a coffee (I think this is called a coffee snob) but the Starbucks on Ninenzaka is in an ancient building. Far from a regular Starbucks, it seamlessly blends into its surroundings and is well worth a visit. I’m sure you need some kind of energy boost after climbing Mt. Inari.
After walking the ancient streets we’re on our way to my favourite temple on this one day Kyoto itinerary, Kiyomizu-dera.
10 AM: Kiyomizu-dera
Founded in 778, Kiyomizu-dera is an enormous temple complex, home to 30 buildings. Located at the foot of Mt. Otowa it also has sweeping views of Kyoto.
We’re lucky Kiyomizu-dera is still standing today, despite many fires over its lifespan, each time it has been rebuilt. The current buildings that we see today were last rebuilt in 1633.
The grounds are meticulously maintained, it’s like walking around a postcard. Kiyomizu-dera is one of those “pinch me, am I really here?” places. This was the highlight of all the temples I visited in Kyoto. Its sheer size and views along with a calm and spiritual atmosphere left a lasting impression.
I think 2 hours is enough time here, but if you are someone who likes to really take your time you can easily spend 3 – 4 hours here. For me, 2 hours was plenty.
Entrance costs 500 JPY (adult) / 200 JPY (child), you can only purchase them from the ticket office.
These are some of the must visit sights inside Kiyomizu-dera:
Hondo (Main Hall)
This is the most prominent structure in the Kiyomizu-dera complex. It is a wooden stage that is supported by 139 pillars of wood from zelkova trees at a height of 13 metres from its foundation, and from here you get stunning views across all of Kyoto.
Interestingly, the stage was built without a nail, instead wooden joints were used.
It’s especially beautiful in Autumn when all the leaves are orange. It is mostly used for performances to the Kannon during Buddhist services.
Nio-mon (Main Gate)
This is the first gate you’ll walk through at the entrance of Kiyomizu-dera. Flanked by Deva Kings for protection along with a pair of nios who are said to check the visitors as they enter.
Once you walk through, look out of the gate for a nicely framed photo of Kyoto.
Sanjunoto Pagoda
One of the tallest 3 storey pagodas in Japan, it’s painted in a vibrant vermillion that is said to symbolise wisdom, compassion, and strength. Surrounded by natural scenery it’s a standout structure of Kiyomizu-dera.
Otowanotaki Falls
Here you’ll find three streams where it is believed that drinking from one will bring either longevity, academic success, and love, depending on which one you choose.
Each stream represents one of the benefits, you should only pick one to drink from to receive the full reward. The water is purified with UV for safety which should kill anything undesirable.
12 PM: Lunch
Next up is a well deserved lunch, there are many great places close to Kiyomizu-dera, here are a few of my Kyoto lunch recommendations:
- Maruto: hearty ramen that’s rich in flavour!
- Futaba: intimate soba noodle shop run by a sweet elderly lady. Quick, delicious and filling.
- Kyoto Tsuburano: traditional restaurant with tatami mats. Set menu has a variety of Japanese foods such as grilled fish, sushi and tempura.
Midday: Tea + Food Market
1:30 PM: Tea Ceremony + Kimono
This morning was action-packed, hopefully you dodged some of the crowds. Now we’re taking it slower at traditional tea ceremony while dressing up in Japanese kimonos.
Although you’ll learn how to make an authentic cup of matcha, the ceremony also teaches you mindfulness such as the importance of deep breathing and how to really be in the present moment.
If you decide to wear a kimono you can choose the style you like yourself and someone will do your hair in a traditional Japanese up-style. You’re allowed to keep the kimonos on until the afternoon to wander the streets and take photos, then you must return to the rental shop. The staff also take a few photos of you, it’s not everyday you get to wear a kimono after all.
There are many tea ceremonies in Kyoto, I recommend this ceremony in a 100-year-old Kyo-Machiya Townhouse for their kindness and knowledge. You’ll leave with a deep appreciation for Japanese culture. If you decide to rent a kimono the meeting point will be here which is a 20 minute walk from Kiyomizu-dera where you’ll cross over the Kamo River.
The ceremony should last 1 hour but give yourself extra time for taking photos.
3 PM: Nishiki Market
After spending the day exploring ancient shrines and temples we are now crossing over to the modern side of Kyoto, along Shijo-dori. This is a built up street with tall buildings and modern shops.
For some reason I was surprised to discover this other side of Kyoto, I assumed it was all ancient buildings. It’s an interesting contrast after spending the day visiting all the historical sights.
Along Shijo-dori you’ll encounter the 400 year old Nishiki Market. Here you can taste a variety of Japanese street food and drinks, there’s a mix of sit down and standing restaurants along with street stalls. If you want to try fresh ramen, sushi, yakitori and quirky desserts you’ll find it all here and more.
The prices tend to be a bit higher than in other places in Kyoto, but given the location and fun experience it offers, it is worth it.
From Nishiki Market, we are going back to the old part of Kyoto to the last temple on this 1 day Kyoto itinerary, Yasaka Shrine which is a picturesque 17 minute walk away.
Evening: Lantern-lit Shrines + Gion District
5 PM: Yasaka Shrine
After exploring modern Kyoto, it’s time to return to its spiritual heart. Yasaka Shrine is located between the Gion district and Maruyama Park, making it an ideal transition spot as the evening rolls in.
When the sun sets, Yasaka Shrine lights up with hundreds of lanterns creating this incredible golden glow throughout the grounds. It’s honestly one of those “wow” moments that catches you off guard.
The whole vibe changes at night. You’ll see locals out for evening strolls and occasionally spot geishas heading to work in nearby Gion. The lighting makes everything look way more dramatic than during daylight hours.
What I love about visiting at night is how quiet it gets compared to the daytime temple crowds. You can actually take your time looking around without being pushed along by tour groups. It’s free to enter and stays open late, so it’s perfect timing after a full day of sightseeing. Plus, you’re right next to Gion where we’re going to revisit next.
6 PM: Gion
As evening sets in, the crowd significantly reduces and Gion transforms into something magical. It’s a different energy than the daytime temple crowds. People are strolling, taking photos, and ducking into restaurants.
The narrow alleyways such as Hanami-koji, Pontocho, and Shirakawa area become incredibly atmospheric after dark with paper lanterns lighting up traditional restaurant entrances. You might even spot the geishas heading to work. They move quickly and purposefully, so don’t follow or block their path.
I recommend spending at least an hour here just walking around. The lighting and architecture make it one of the most photogenic spots in Kyoto after dark.
7 PM: Dinner
You won’t have any difficulty finding a restaurant in Kyoto, some of Japan’s best ones are located here. During peak times you’ll need reservations for popular places and some of the higher end restaurants.
- Gion Soy Milk Ramen: so good that we went 4 times during our stay. It’s vegan and gluten free ramen that is an explosion of flavour and creativity. Not only tastes great but it’s beautifully presented.
- Maruman: delicious sushi, you won’t regret trying the Toro (fatty tuna)
- Kichi Kichi: the famous Omurice chef. Although difficult to get a table, it’s considered the best omurice in Japan. Chef Kichi Kichi is a joy to watch in the kitchen, you can read my full review here.
- enen: Yakiniku restaurant with high quality meats and a set menu.
Thanks for reading this 1 day in Kyoto itinerary. Let me know below if you’re planning to go to Kyoto or keep scrolling for some popular FAQ’s people have about Kyoto or related posts.
What to do in Kyoto after 6pm?
If you still have energy left (impressive) and want to experience more of Kyoto at night, these are some things to do.
- Explore Kyoto’s nightlife: Full Hooking, Stand Umineko, and Record Bar are all lively places to see out the night. There is also this fun Izakaya bar crawl with a local.
- Nighttime tour of the geisha districts: Gion and Higashiyama.
- Try 13 unique traditional Japanese dishes on this Gion & Pontocho Food Tour.
One Day In Kyoto FAQ
Here are common questions about planning your Kyoto travel itinerary
Not only is Kyoto walkable but it’s the best way to experience it. By walking you can stumble upon quiet streets and off the radar eateries and temples. However, with only a day trip to Kyoto it’s best to utilise public transport
Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka are Kyoto’s most touristic streets. The cobblestoned paths are lined with souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants. Prices are steeper here and of course it’s very busy.
3-4 days is sufficient to experience Kyoto to the fullest, including a day trip to Arashiyama. Kyoto has a mammoth amount of attractions to explore from temples and parks to its more modern side.
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