Kyoto itinerary 🍵 5 days in Kyoto can be PERFECT to see historic Japan and rural Japan!🍵 Japan travel blog

Hi there!

So you’re giving yourself 5 days in Kyoto as a part of your Japan itinerary!

Of course this is better than just one day or 2 days, as you have time to slow down and enjoy more!

Is 5 days in Kyoto enough?

Yes, 5 days in Kyoto can be a perfect amount of time to spend in Kyoto! You can see a lot of classic ancient Kyoto sights to get a feel for different aspects of historic Japan, and you can also make time to see rural Japan!

Is 5 days enough for Japan?

5 days is absolutely not enough for Japan. But if 5 days is all you have for your total time in Japan, then you can have a perfect first trip to Japan by spending all 5 days in and around Kyoto! Look for flights to KIX.

Is a week too long in Kyoto?

It really depends on your style of travel and how long you have in Japan.

If you are someone who wants to do everything during your short time in Japan, then a week is too long in Kyoto. You definitely don’t want to skip Kyoto, so maybe in that case you will want just 2 or 3 days. (It’s hard to say only spend ONE day in Kyoto. 😜)

If you are someone who likes to take things more slowly and thinks the less packing (and un-packing) you need to do the better, then you just might love one week in Kyoto!

Where to go from Kyoto?

Kyoto is well-connected by train and in a good location for moving on to other parts of Japan, including Hiroshima and Miyajima.

If you want to go to some more of the best places to visit in Japan that aren’t the typical spots of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Mount Fuji, then you may also want to go to Himeji and the Kumano Kodo.

Himeji is famous for the UNESCO world heritage Himeji Castle. You can do Himeji as a day trip from Kyoto, or you can do it on your way to Hiroshima. (map)

While you can make the Kumano Kodo into a multi-day hike, you can also do it by (mostly) bus and go to places like the iconic Nachi Falls and do a private onsen (hot springs) at Yunomine Onsen. (It’s also popular to do as a 4-day Kumano Kodo hike for example, with luggage service available so you don’t have to carry it all!)

You can’t do the Kumano Kodo as a day trip from Kyoto. It will be a multi-day trip from Kyoto. You can access the Kumano Kodo by going to the train stations of Kii-Tanabe Station (map) or Kii-Katsuura Station (map) depending on your specific plans.

Matcha green tea in Kyoto

Japan is famous for green tea and matcha tea, and you could say that Kyoto is the PERFECT place to experience this.

Kyoto is famous for matcha in particular.

And as you’re walking the streets of Kyoto, you’re sure to come across a number of shops that sell different types of products containing matcha.

So if you want a taste of something “very Kyoto,” give a try to some food or drink that contains matcha!

First, the quick list of the best things to do in Kyoto.

Then, a Kyoto map to better plan out your day.

And then finally, a few more details about how to create your own 5 day plan for Kyoto!

Now…

20 best places to visit in Kyoto in 5 days

1. Nijo Castle

…and Nijo Castle teahouse

2. Kinkakuji Temple

…and Kinkakuji tea garden

3. Ryoanji Temple

4. Yasaka Shrine

5. Chion-in Temple

6. Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka streets

7. Kiyomizu-dera Temple

8. Fushimi Inari Shrine

9. Ginkakuji Temple

…and Ginkakuji tea garden

10. Philosopher’s Path

11. Eikando Temple

12. Nanzenji Temple

13. Hozugawa River

14. Okochi Sanso Villa Garden

…and Okochi Sanso teahouse

15. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

16. Tenryuji Temple

17. Monkey Park

18. Kurama-dera Temple

19. Kifune shrine

20. Ohara village

If you will be in Kyoto during cherry blossom season, also see the Kyoto cherry blossom itinerary.

If you will be in Kyoto during fall colors season, also see the Kyoto fall colors itinerary.

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Kyoto tourist map

So where are all these places located?!

Play around with the map this Kyoto map in Google Maps!

Whether you’re on mobile or desktop, click on a colored icon for more information about each location!

Click the icon on the top left corner of the map to also see the list of what’s included on this map.

Now…

How to get around Kyoto

WARNING: There is a LOT of walking involved! 😉

Kyoto itinerary

• Day 1: Top tourist spots with one day Kyoto bus pass
• Day 2: Fushimi Inari Shrine
• Day 3: Philosopher’s Path
• Day 4: Arashiyama and Sagano
• Day 5: Kurama Kibune Ohara with one day pass

Day 1 in Kyoto

UNESCO world heritage sites

Quick list of activities

• Nijo Castle (world heritage site) + teahouse
• Kinkakuji Temple (world heritage site)
• Ryoanji Temple (world heritage site)
• Yasaka Shrine
• Chion-in Temple
• Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka streets (“classic” Kyoto)
• Kiyomizu-dera Temple (world heritage site)

How to get around

• Bus from Kyoto Station to Nijo Castle
• Visit Nijo Castle (and teahouse)
• Bus from Nijo Castle to Kinkakuji
• Visit Kinkakuji Temple (and tea garden)
• Bus from Kinkakuji to Ryoanji
• Visit Ryoanji Temple
• Bus from Ryoanji to Gion
• Visit Yasaka Shrine
• Walk from Gion to Kiyomizu-dera (with stops at Chion-in and Ninenzaka)
• Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple
• Bus from Kiyomizu-dera to Kyoto station

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

Day 2 in Kyoto

Hiking day

Quick list of activities

• Fushimi Inari shrine
• Daimonji-yama hike

How to get around

• Train from Kyoto station to Fushimi inari
• Visit Fushimi Inari shrine
• Train and bus from Fushimi Inari shrine to near Ginkakuji Temple
• Daimonji-yama hike
• Bus or train from Ginkakuji Temple to Kyoto Station

See more of the Fushimi Inari Shrine hike through 1,000 torii gates.

Day 3 in Kyoto

Philosopher’s Path

Quick list of activities

• Ginkakuji Temple (world heritage site) + tea garden
• Philosopher’s Path
• Eikando Temple
• Nanzenji Temple

How to get around

• Bus from Kyoto station to Ginkakuji
• Visit Ginkakuji Temple (and tea garden)
• Start Philosopher’s Path walk
• Visit Eikando Temple
• Keep walking on the path!
• Visit Nanzenji Temple
• Bus or train from Nanzenji to Kyoto station

See more of the Philosopher’s Path walk.

Day 4 in Kyoto

Arashiyama and Sagano

Quick list of activities

• Hozugawa River
• Sagano scenic train
• Okochi Sanso Garden + teahouse
• Arashiyama bamboo forest
• Tenryuji Temple (world heritage site)
• Arashiyama monkey park

How to get around

• Train from Kyoto Station to Arashiyama
• Walk from Hozukyo JR station to Hozukyo torokko station (and back) (OR Hozugawa river rafting)
• Train and walk from JR Hozukyo Station to Kameoka torokko train station
• Sagano scenic train ride to Arashiyama torokko station
• Walk to Okochi Sanso Villa
• Visit Okochi Sanso Garden and teahouse
• Walk to bamboo grove
• Walk through Arashiyama bamboo grove
• Walk to Tenryuji Temple
• Visit Tenryuji Temple
• Walk across Togetsukyo Bridge
• Visit Arashiyama monkey park
• Train from Arashiyama to Kyoto Station

See more of one day in Arashiyama and Sagano.

Day 5 in Kyoto

Kurama – Kibune – Ohara

Quick list of activities

• Kurama-dera Temple
• Kifune Shrine
• Sanzen-in Temple
• Ohara streets
• Jakko-in Temple
• Kamogawa River

How to get around

• Bus and train from Kyoto Station to Kurama
• Visit Kurama-dera Temple
• Hike from Kurama to Kibune
• Visit Kifune Shrine
• Bus and train from Kibune to Ohara
• Walk from Ohara bus station to Sanzen-in
• Visit Sanzen-in Temple
• Walk from Sanzen-in to Jakko-in
• Visit Jakko-in Temple
• Walk from Jakko-in Temple to Ohara bus station
• Bus from Ohara to Kyoto
• Picnic at Kamogawa River
• Demachiyanagi to Kyoto station bus

See more about visiting Kurama, Kibune, and Ohara with a one day pass.

And there’s your 5 days in Kyoto!

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 help you 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.

See more Kyoto travel tips!

What about the JR pass for Kyoto?

While it is possible that there are parts of the this itinerary in which you can use your JR pass, if Kyoto is your first stop in Japan, you may want to wait to activate your JR pass.

There is a JR bus in Kyoto that you use can use with a JR pass. The route tends to be more limiting, but if you’ll already have your pass activated, you may want to look into it.

And there is also a JR train in Kyoto which means that there are some places you can get by train with your JR pass like to Arashiyama and to the Fushimi Inari torii gates.

But in general, it might turn out to be easier to get around Kyoto by taking routes not covered by the JR pass.

As for getting the JR pass in general, if you’re planning on doing 2 long-distance shinkansen rides within a week, the JR pass will likely be worth it.

You can’t take the fastest Nozomi shinkansen train with a JR pass, but you can take the Hikari shinkansen train. For travel between Tokyo and Kyoto, it’s about a 20 minute difference between the 2 trains, and the Hikari has enough frequent timings for this to be convenient. It will take around 2.5 hours to travel by shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto.

The best way to truly know if the JR pass is worth it is to check the current price of the JR pass and compare it with your calculation of the bullet train ticket prices that you are planning on doing.

Flying into Tokyo (Narita or Haneda), then to Kyoto

Maybe you are going from Tokyo to Hiroshima (maybe US$170), and then Hiroshima to Osaka (maybe US$90) and Osaka to Kyoto (maybe US$5),

Or maybe you’ll skip Osaka, and make it Tokyo to Hiroshima, and then directly Hiroshima to Kyoto (maybe US$100).

In either of these situations, it’s possible that the JR pass could end up being worth it especially if you add in some smaller fare train and ferry rides that you take in Hiroshima and Osaka. (Like getting from Hiroshima to Miyajima.)

It’s reasonable to be in Kyoto within 7 days of taking that Tokyo to Hiroshima train, if you were to activate your JR pass for the day you leave Tokyo, or possibly a day or 2 before depending on how many days you’ll be spending in Hiroshima and Osaka.

Flying into Osaka (Kansai), then to Kyoto

The Kansai airport is the closest airport to Kyoto.

So if this is the airport you’re flying into, you might consider waiting to activate your JR pass until the day you leave Kyoto.

Then if you go from Kyoto to Hiroshima (maybe US$100) and then Hiroshima to Tokyo (maybe US$170), it’s possible that the 7-day JR pass could end up being worth it with a few shorter rides.

There is a JR train that runs between Kyoto and Kansai airport, but depending on the rest of your itinerary and how many days you spend in Kyoto, it’s possible that you may want to pay for this train ticket out-of-pocket.

Round trip between Tokyo and Kyoto

Similarly, if you go from Tokyo to Kyoto (maybe US$120), and then back from Kyoto to Tokyo, there’s a good chance the JR pass could pay for itself as well with a few short train rides around Tokyo and Kyoto.

Otherwise, if you have the time, there is also a Tokyo to Kyoto bus, which will be cheaper compared to taking the super fast train!

HAPPY 5 DAYS IN KYOTO!

More for your Japan itinerary

• Best places to visit in Japan
• Day trip to Nara from Kyoto
• Cost to hike Mount Fuji from Tokyo
• One day with Mt Fuji views from Tokyo
• Things to know before going to Hiroshima
• One day in Miyajima

🍵 Read the reviews of these highly rated tours:

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!)

• Best temples to visit in Kyoto
• Japanese gardens in Kyoto

👇 Explore the best places to visit in Japan!




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