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Kyoto, Japan’s former capital, is a city brimming with history, culture, and natural beauty. Once home to the Imperial family, Kyoto is now one of Japan’s most popular destinations. If you’re planning a visit, this ultimate 4-day Kyoto itinerary will help you make the most of your time in this incredible city.
Where to stay in Kyoto
For an easy base to explore Kyoto, I recommend staying in Nakagyo. It’s only a 6-minute train ride from Kyoto Station to Nijo Station on the San-in Line, making it a great central location.
The Royal Park Canvas Kyoto Nijo is my recommended hotel. It’s right across the road from Nijo Station and within walking distance of Nijo Castle. It’s also reasonably priced, at £80 per night for 2 adults.
Where to eat in Kyoto
Start your mornings with breakfast at Lion Bakery, just around the corner from The Royal Park Canvas Hotel. They offer delicious pastries, sandwiches, and hot drinks for a quick bite before heading out for the day. Further down the same road are Tyrol, a cosy cafe that serves sandwiches, super-thick slice toast with honey, and curries.
For lunch, convenience stores around Kyoto are great for Onigiri (rice balls) and other quick bites. But for dinner, here are some of our favourites:
- Yamashita Shozo (Yamasho-Ramen): This place is right next to the hotel and is a hit for its tasty ramen bowls. Choose what you want at the vending machine, pay, and hand your tickets to the staff. We ate here several times because it was so tasty and convenient!
- Ai: A small but welcoming restaurant where you can enjoy fresh, authentic dishes at the counter. It’s just across the other side of Nijo Station.
- Ramen Katamuki: Located by the Kamo River, this cosy spot offers outstanding ramen and a great atmosphere. Seating is on two floors, but be ready for steep stairs!
Kyoto Itinerary
Day 1: Castles, Markets, and Temples
Nijo Castle
Start your adventure with Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Once the residence of a famous shogun, the castle is full of historical significance and beautiful gardens. General admission is ¥800, and it’s well worth the visit.
Nishiki Market & Samurai Museum
Afterwards, take a 30-minute walk to Nishiki Market, a lively, covered shopping street known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen.” Here, you can sample fresh street food, pick up unique cookware, and browse various local products.
The Kyoto Samurai Ninja Museum is at the eastern end of Nishiki Market. It is worth heading here first and booking your time slot, as you may need to wait to get in. The tour, which costs ¥3,000, offers interactive exhibits on samurai and ninja culture, plus a chance to try ninja star throwing and dress up like a samurai.
Kiyomizu-dera
End your day with a visit to Kiyomizu-dera, one of Kyoto’s most iconic temples. It’s about a 35-minute walk from Nishiki Market. Or you can take the 207 City Bus from Shijo Kawaramachi bus stop and get off at Kiyomizumichi bus stop, cutting the walking time to 10 minutes and the total time to 20 minutes. The bus price is ¥230.
It’s a steep climb up to Kiyomizu-dera along busy lanes of shops and restaurants. Entry to the main temple is ¥500, and the scenic views and wooded surroundings make it a peaceful retreat from the busy city.
The easiest way to get back to Nijo from Kiyomizu-dera is the 206 City Bus from Kiyomizumichi bus stop to Nijo Station bus stop. It takes around 45 minutes and costs ¥230.
Day 2: Torii Gates, Waterfalls, and Osaka
Fushimi Inari
Fushimi Inari Taisha is a Shinto shrine famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates. These gates form trails up Mt. Inari, with the most direct trail leading to the Yotsutsuji intersection in about 30-45 minutes. But it gets super busy with tourists on this trail.
For a quieter experience, we took a different trail up to Mt Inari peak and circled around to Yotsutsuji intersection. There were a maximum of 10 people on the hike up, compared to being stuck in a herd of people on the main trail. And although the torii gates were sparser on our ascent, when we did find a run of them, we had them all to ourselves. This route will also take you through towering bamboo forests and past Kobogataki Falls.
To do this route, you need to take a right off the main trail. I’ve added a “turn right here” marker to my Google Map to show where to turn off. Completing the entire loop will take 2-3 hours.
To get to Fushimi Inari, take the San-in Line from Nijo Station to Kyoto Station (7 minutes). Then, change to the Nara Line to Inari Station (7 minutes).
Osaka
In the evening, travel to Osaka for dinner and nightlife in Dotonbori, one of the city’s most vibrant districts. To get here, take the Kyoto Line from Kyoto Station to Osaka Station, then change to the Metro Umeda Station to Namba Station. Walk north for about 10 minutes, and you’ll soon see the bright neon lights and bustle of Dotonbori.
Day 3: Coastal Beauty
Amanohashidate
Amanohashidate is a must-visit for those who love coastal scenery. Ranked as one of Japan’s 3 most scenic views, the 3.6km sandbar stretches across Miyazu Bay. Stroll across the pine-covered sandbar and enjoy the sandy beaches, or rent bicycles for ¥400. There are also sightseeing cruises across the bay.
For the best views, take the chairlift up to Amanohashidate Viewland. Both from the top and the chairlift on the way down, you’ll get breathtaking panoramic views of Amanohashidate. The round-trip costs ¥850 and takes 10 minutes.
How to get to Amanohashidate
To get to Amanohashidate, take the Hashidate limited express train from Nijo Station to Amanohashidate Station (~2 hours). You could also take the Kinosaki limited express train from Nijo Station to Fukuchiyama Station (1 hour 10 minutes), then change to the Kyoto Tango Railway to Amanohashidate (40-60 minutes). The journey is covered by the Japan West All Area Pass.
Day 4: River Cruise, Bamboo Forest, and Golden Pavilion
Hozugawa River boat ride
Start your final day with the Hozugawa River Boat Ride. This 2-hour cruise from Kameoka Arashiyama offers a scenic journey through lush greenery and tranquil waters. You’ll ride on traditional-style, flat-bottomed boats captained by boatmen with oars and bamboo poles. It is the most beautiful river ride I’ve ever been on!
The cruise cost is ¥6,000 per person. You can pay for a ticket at the departure office or book online. To get here, take the train on the San-in Line from Nijo Station to Kameoka Station (20 minutes). It’s a 10-minute walk from the station to the cruise departure point.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
From the end of the cruise, take a 20-minute walk to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. I wasn’t that impressed by the bamboo forest. It’s only a short (5-minute walk) through the grove along a concrete walkway. It also gets very crowded, but it’s worth the quick stroll if you are in the area.
The Golden Pavilion
Finish your trip with a visit to Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion), one of Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks. This Zen Buddhist temple is covered in gold leaf and overlooks a serene pond, reflecting its golden beauty in the water. The surrounding gardens have maintained their original design and are particularly beautiful in autumn colours. The temple and grounds have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. Admission is ¥500, and it’s a perfect and peaceful way to end your Kyoto adventure.
To get to Kinkaku-ji from Arashiyama, take the San-in Line from Saga-Arashiyama Station to Emmachi Station. Then, walk 4 minutes to Nishinokyo Enmachi (JR Enmachi Station) bus stop. Next, take the 205 City Bus to Kinkakuji-michi (Kinkakuji Temple) bus stop. It’s a 2-minute walk from here to the temple. The total journey time is around 45 minutes.
Additional tips
You can view all the spots in this itinerary on my Google Map. If you have extra time in Kyoto, consider visiting Nara, famous for its free-roaming deer and Todai-ji Temple. Or spend a day exploring Lake Biwa, Japan’s biggest lake. The Kyoto National Museum and Kyoto Gyoen National Garden are also worth checking out.
Onward Travel
For tips and ideas for other areas of Japan check out these posts:
Tokyo 7 Day Itinerary: The best things to do in Tokyo
Epic Fuji Hakone Pass 3 Day Itinerary
The Best Japan West All Area Pass 7 Day Itinerary