Hi there!

 

So you want to go to Kyoto!

If your time in Japan is short, and that’s the time you’re giving yourself to spend in Kyoto, this plan will include some of the BEST spots around to give you a taste of Kyoto!

 

2 days in Kyoto itinerary. Best places to visit in 48 hours. Best things to do in one day, 24 hours. Backpacking Kyoto Japan travel blog

 

 

Is 2 days enough in Kyoto?

If you plan your days well, then 2 days in Kyoto can be enough to get you a taste of Ancient Japan! You can see a historic castle, several world heritage sites, drink classic green tea from a teahouse, see Japanese gardens, walk through classic Japanese streets, walk through red torii gates as seen in pictures, and more! Plus, you can get a glimpse of local life in Kyoto by getting around Kyoto by bus!

 

Kyoto itinerary: How to spend 2 days in Kyoto

 

First, the quick list of places included in these 2 days… with pictures!

Then, a few more details on how you can make it happen, including public transportation tips.

 

 

Now…

Best places to visit in Kyoto in 48 hours

 

1. Nijo Castle (world heritage site)

2 days in Kyoto itinerary. Best places to visit in one day, 24 hours - nijo castle palace, unesco world heritage site. Backpacking Kyoto Japan travel blog

 

 

2. Nijo Castle teahouse

2 days in Kyoto itinerary. Best places to visit in one day, 24 hours - nijo-jo castle teahouse with matcha green tea. Backpacking Kyoto Japan travel blog

 

 

3. Kinkakuji Temple (world heritage site)

2 days in Kyoto itinerary. Best places to visit in one day, 24 hours - kinkakuji temple, golden pavilion, unesco world heritage site. Backpacking Kyoto Japan travel blog

 

 

4. Kinkakuji tea garden

2 days in Kyoto itinerary. Best places to visit in one day, 24 hours - kinkakuji temple tea room with match green tea. Backpacking Kyoto Japan travel blog

 

 

5. Ryoanji Temple (world heritage site)

2 days in Kyoto itinerary. Best places to visit in one day, 24 hours - ryoanji zen temple rock garden, unesco world heritage site. Backpacking Kyoto Japan travel blog

 

 

6. Yasaka Shrine

2 days in Kyoto itinerary. Best places to visit in one day, 24 hours - yasaka jinja shrine, gion. Backpacking Kyoto Japan travel blog

 

 

7. Chion-in Temple

2 days in Kyoto itinerary. Best places to visit in one day, 24 hours - chion-in temple. Backpacking Kyoto Japan travel blog

 

 

8. Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka streets

2 days in Kyoto itinerary. Best places to visit in one day, 24 hours - ninenzaka and sannenzaka slope streets. Backpacking Kyoto Japan travel blog

 

 

9. Kiyomizu-dera Temple (world heritage site)

2 days in Kyoto itinerary. Best places to visit in one day, 24 hours - kiyomizu-dera temple, unesco world heritage site. Backpacking Kyoto Japan travel blog

 

 

10. Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

2 days in Kyoto itinerary. Best things to do in Kyoto in 48 hours - fushimi inari taisha shrine hiking trail walk through torii gates. Backpacking Kyoto Japan travel blog

 

 

11. Sagano scenic railway

2 days in Kyoto itinerary. Best things to do in Kyoto in 48 hours - sagano scenic train to arashiyama. Backpacking Kyoto Japan travel blog

 

 

12. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

2 days in Kyoto itinerary. Best things to do in Kyoto in 48 hours - arashiyama bamboo forest. Backpacking Kyoto Japan travel blog

 

 

13. Tenryuji Temple (world heritage site)

2 days in Kyoto itinerary. Best things to do in Kyoto in 48 hours -Tenryuji temple, unesco world heritage site. Backpacking Kyoto Japan travel blog

 

 

14. Togetsukyo Bridge

 

 

15. Arashiyama Monkey Park

2 days in Kyoto itinerary. Best things to do in Kyoto in 48 hours - arashiyama monkey park. Backpacking Kyoto Japan travel blog

 

More below with details on how to get around during your 2 days in Kyoto!

 

 

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More info/pictures below, but... SIDE NOTE!
Where to go from Kyoto?! You can go to to Nachi Falls to see one of Japan's most famous views! You can make it a part of your Kumano Kodo itinerary to go to several UNESCO world heritage sites, also making a stop at the small Yunomine Onsen hot springs town!

Here are more ideas for your Japan trip planning!

 

 

Day 1: How to get around Kyoto

2 days in Kyoto itinerary. Best places to visit in Kyoto in 48 hours - Kyoto tourist map for top sightseeing attractions. Backpacking Japan travel blog

 

 

See more of one day with a Kyoto bus pass and UNESCO world heritage sites in Kyoto.

 

 

Day 2: How to get around Kyoto

2 days in Kyoto itinerary. Best places to visit in Kyoto in 48 hours - Kyoto tourist map for fushimi inari shrine. Backpacking Japan travel blog

2 days in Kyoto itinerary. Best places to visit in Kyoto in 48 hours - Kyoto tourist map for Arashiyama Sagano. Backpacking Japan travel blog

 

 

See more of the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine hike and one day in Arashiyama and Sagano.

 

 

Quick tips for getting around Kyoto

  • The Google Maps app is a reliable way to figure out how to get around Kyoto by bus and train
  • The Japan Travel Navitime app can be good if you’re trying to figure out the best way to get around with a JR pass (or to help you decide if it’s better to get around without your JR pass… or to decide if it’s worth it to buy the JR pass at all!)
  • The Google Translate app has a feature where you can take a picture of Japanese writing and it will translate it for you
  • The ICOCA card is SO worth it to get if you’ll be taking the bus or train to get around Kyoto. No cost savings, but it’s highly convenient so you won’t have to go through the hassle of buying individual tickets! They are basically recharge cash cards.

 

 

2 days in Kyoto itinerary. Best places to visit in Kyoto in 48 hours. Best things to do in Kyoto. Backpacking Japan travel blog

 

HAPPY 2 DAYS IN KYOTO!

 

If your days in Kyoto are during cherry blossom season, then be sure to see ideas for how to spend one of those days with the Kyoto cherry blossom itinerary!

If your days in Kyoto are when there are fall colors, take your pick out of 2 of the days for a Kyoto fall colors itinerary!

 

Here are ideas for your Kyoto itinerary!

PLUS Kyoto cherry blossom itinerary and Kyoto fall colors itinerary!


And the JR pass makes it time-efficient to travel around Japan by train and is a popular option among international travelers! See how to figure out if the JR pass will be worth it for you!


Traveling around Japan and can't read Japanese? No problem! Just use the camera on the google translate app!









Is a JR pass worth it?!

  • Google maps can make it easy to figure out whether or not you should get a JR pass!
  • In google maps, type in your departure and arrival city, and choose the transit icon. The route will come up, and so will the estimated cost at the bottom!
  • Here is an example of a train route with cost on google maps.
  • So do that for all of your long distance routes to figure out how much it might cost.
  • Next, go here to see how much a JR pass costs from an official JR pass vendor (and partner of this website).
  • And compare!
  • Not all forms of public transportation are JR, but long distance shinkansen bullet trains are, and that's where the most cost savings will come.




Best of Kyoto (and Japan!)



👇 Explore the best places to visit in Japan!
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