Kyoto is the first stop for many tourists visiting Japan. Today, Japanrar explores recommended travel routes for famous Kyoto attractions such as Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Togetsukyo Bridge, Bamboo Forest Path, Ginkaku-ji, Nijo Castle, Yasaka Shrine, and Byodoin!
These 12 classic routes cover all of Kyoto’s popular attractions, making them unmissable travel plans.
【1】First Trip to Kyoto! 2 Days 1 Night Ultra-Classic Attractions Route
This 2-day, 1-night travel route covers Kyoto’s most iconic attractions, including Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Togetsukyo Bridge, Bamboo Forest Path, Ginkaku-ji, Nijo Castle, Yasaka Shrine, and Byodoin. The main itinerary is as follows:
- Day 1 Morning: Visit the famous “Kiyomizu Stage” at Kiyomizu-dera
- Day 1 Lunch: Enjoy matcha delicacies and desserts at Saryo Tsujiri Gion Main Store
- Day 1 Afternoon: Explore popular Kyoto city attractions: Yasaka Shrine, Ginkaku-ji, Kinkaku-ji, and Nijo Castle
- Day 1 Evening: Recommended to stay in the Shijo Kawaramachi area
- Day 2 Morning: Have breakfast at Inoda Coffee, then head to Arashiyama’s Bamboo Forest Path and Togetsukyo Bridge
- Day 2 Lunch: Savor sea bream chazuke at Taiho HANANA, a sea bream chazuke specialty restaurant
- Day 2 Afternoon: Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha and Byodoin, followed by matcha desserts at Nakamura Tokichi
【2】Kiyomizu-dera, Yasaka Shrine, and Jinushi Shrine All in One! Higashiyama-Gion One-Day Tour Recommended Route
In the morning, stroll along Hanamikoji, visit Yasaka Shrine, Maruyama Park, and Kodai-ji. Enjoy lunch at a long-established tofu restaurant. In the afternoon, explore classic Higashiyama-Gion attractions such as Yasaka Pagoda, Yasaka Koshin-do, Kiyomizu-dera, Kennin-ji, and Jinushi Shrine. The main itinerary is as follows:
- Morning: Walk along Hanamikoji to Yasaka Shrine, Maruyama Park, and Kodai-ji
- Lunch: Pass through Ninenzaka and dine at Okutan Kiyomizu, a tofu cuisine specialty restaurant
- Afternoon: Visit iconic Kyoto attractions: Yasaka Pagoda, Kiyomizu-dera, and Jinushi Shrine
【3】Kyoto One-Day Tour! Kinkaku-ji and Arashiyama Classic Route
This one-day tour covers Kyoto’s ultra-popular attractions, Kinkaku-ji and Arashiyama, ideal for travelers with limited time. The main itinerary is as follows:
- 9:00: Arrive at Kyoto Station, head to Kinkaku-ji
- 10:00: Admire the shimmering Kinkaku-ji
- 11:00: Travel from Kinkaku-ji to Arashiyama
- 12:00: Enjoy soba noodle lunch at Arashiyama Yoshimura while viewing Togetsukyo Bridge
- 13:00: Stroll through Arashiyama’s famous Togetsukyo Bridge and Bamboo Forest Path
- 15:00: Travel from Arashiyama to Suzumushi Temple
- 15:30: Make a wish to Jizo Bodhisattva at Suzumushi Temple
- 17:00: Travel from Suzumushi Temple to Shijo Karasuma
- 18:30: Enjoy Kyoto home-style cuisine at Kyoajinomura
- 20:00: Return to Kyoto Station from Shijo Station, shop for souvenirs
- 21:00: Depart from Kyoto Station
【4】Togetsukyo Bridge, Bamboo Forest Path, Tenryu-ji! Arashiyama One-Day Tour Recommended Route
In the morning, ride the Sagano Scenic Railway, stroll the Bamboo Forest Path, and visit Nonomiya Shrine. Enjoy lunch with sea bream chazuke at Taiho HANANA. In the afternoon, visit Tenryu-ji, walk along Togetsukyo Bridge, and explore Suzumushi Temple and Kimono Forest. The main itinerary is as follows:
- Morning: Ride the Sagano Scenic Railway, visit Nonomiya Shrine along the Bamboo Forest Path
- Lunch: Enjoy sea bream chazuke at Taiho HANANA, a sea bream chazuke specialty restaurant
- Afternoon: Visit Tenryu-ji, stroll along Togetsukyo Bridge, and head to Suzumushi Temple
【5】Byodoin, Uji Bridge, Nakamura Tokichi Full Experience! Kyoto-Uji One-Day Tour Recommended Route
In the morning, visit Byodoin Phoenix Hall. Enjoy lunch with matcha cuisine and desserts at Nakamura Tokichi. In the afternoon, stroll along Uji Bridge, visit Ujigami Shrine and Uji Shrine, and explore the Uji City Genji Monogatari Museum. The main itinerary is as follows:
- Morning: Visit Byodoin Phoenix Hall, featured on the 10-yen coin and 10,000-yen note
- Lunch: Savor matcha cuisine and desserts at Nakamura Tokichi
- Afternoon: Stroll along Uji Bridge, visit Ujigami Shrine, Uji Shrine, and the Uji City Genji Monogatari Museum
- Extra Recommendation: During the hydrangea season, visit Mimuroto-ji
【6】Sanjusangendo, Kiyomizu-dera, Jinushi Shrine Full Tour! Sanjusangendo and Surrounding One-Day Tour Recommended Route
This one-day tour covers Sanjusangendo and nearby popular attractions: Kiyomizu-dera, Jinushi Shrine, Rokuharamitsu-ji, Toyokuni Shrine, and Rokudo Chinno-ji. The main itinerary is as follows:
- Morning: Visit Toyokuni Shrine for fame and victory, and Sanjusangendo with its 1,000 Kannon statues
- Lunch: Enjoy chazuke and foamy shaved ice at Chasho Kiyomizu Ichiyo-en
- Afternoon: Walk from Sanjusangendo to Rokuharamitsu-ji, Rokudo Chinno-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, and Jinushi Shrine
【7】Ryoan-ji, Kinkaku-ji, Kitano Tenmangu Full Tour! Ryoan-ji and Surrounding One-Day Tour Recommended Route
This one-day tour covers Ryoan-ji and nearby popular attractions: Kinkaku-ji, Kitano Tenmangu, Ninna-ji, and Myoshin-ji. The main itinerary is as follows:
- Morning: Visit Myoshin-ji, famous for its dragon painting, and Ninna-ji, a World Heritage Site
- Lunch: Savor yudofu and shojin ryori at Saigen-in within Ryoan-ji
- Afternoon: Explore Ryoan-ji’s karesansui rock garden, the shimmering Kinkaku-ji, and Kitano Tenmangu, dedicated to the god of learning
【8】To-ji, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Nijo Castle All in One! To-ji and Surrounding One-Day Tour Recommended Route
This route includes To-ji and nearby popular attractions: Fushimi Inari Taisha, Nijo Castle, Kyoto Tower, Nishi Hongan-ji, and Higashi Hongan-ji. The main itinerary is as follows:
- Morning: Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, famous for its thousand torii gates, and To-ji with its iconic five-story pagoda
- Lunch: Enjoy matcha cuisine and desserts at Isetan connected to Kyoto Station
- Afternoon: Explore attractions east of Kyoto Station: Kyoto Tower, Higashi Hongan-ji, Nishi Hongan-ji, and Nijo Castle
【9】Half-Day Tour of Kamigamo Shrine and Shimogamo Shrine Recommended Route
This route includes Kamigamo Shrine and Shimogamo Shrine, as well as Kawai Shrine, dedicated to the goddess of feminine beauty, and the popular mitarashi dango shop Kamo Mitarashi Chaya. The main itinerary is as follows:
- First Stop: Kyoto’s oldest shrine, Kamigamo Shrine (Visit time: 1 hour)
- Second Stop: Savor popular mitarashi dango at Kamo Mitarashi Chaya (Stop time: 20 minutes)
- Third Stop: Shimogamo Shrine, dedicated to the gods of guidance and victory (Visit time: 30 minutes)
- Fourth Stop: Pass through Tadasu no Mori to Kawai Shrine, dedicated to feminine beauty (Stop time: 30 minutes)
- Extra Recommendation: Visit the popular mochi daifuku shop Demachi Futaba
【10】Kurama-dera and Kifune Shrine One-Day Tour Recommended Route
This one-day tour covers Kurama-dera, known as the training ground of Ushiwakamaru (later Minamoto no Yoshitsune), and Kifune Shrine, popular for prayers for good relationships. The main itinerary is as follows:
- Morning: Ride the 89-meter elevation Kurama Cable Car to Kurama-dera
- Travel from Kurama-dera to Kifune Shrine: Choose to hike or take a bus
- Lunch: In summer, experience riverside dining! Enjoy Kyoto cuisine near Kifune Shrine
- Afternoon: Visit Kifune Shrine’s Main Shrine, Middle Shrine (Yui no Yashiro), and Inner Shrine
【11】Amanohashidate, Ine Funaya, Maizuru Red Brick Park Full Tour! Amanohashidate and Surrounding One-Day Tour Recommended Route
This one-day tour covers Amanohashidate and nearby popular attractions: Amanohashidate View Land, Kasamatsu Park, Ine Funaya, Chion-ji, Maizuru Red Brick Park, and Motoise Kono Shrine. The main itinerary is as follows:
- Morning: Visit Maizuru’s popular attractions: Maizuru Red Brick Park and Hokisui Pier
- Lunch: Savor fresh local seafood at Michi-no-Eki Maizuru Port Toretore Center
- Afternoon: Enjoy the scenic beauty of Amanohashidate and Ine Funaya
【12】Sanzen-in and Hosen-in Half-Day Tour! Kyoto-Ohara Recommended Route
This half-day tour starts with Kyoto Ohara’s famous attraction Sanzen-in, followed by visits to nearby Jikkoin, Shorin-in, Hosen-in, and concludes at Jakkoin. The main itinerary is as follows:
- First Stop: Admire the moss garden at Sanzen-in (Visit time: 1 hour)
- Second Stop: Jikkoin, famous for its ever-blooming cherry blossoms from autumn to spring (Visit time: 20 minutes)
- Third Stop: Shorin-in with its magnificent main hall (Visit time: 20 minutes)
- Fourth Stop: Savor matcha and enjoy the garden at Hosen-in (Visit time: 30 minutes)
- Fifth Stop: Jakkoin, a nunnery founded by Prince Shotoku (Visit time: 40 minutes)
