The Ultimate 3-Day Kyoto Itinerary for Solo Travellers
Kyoto is the cities of temples, history and culture. It is one of my favourite places I have visited in Japan and there is so much to see and do here. From seemingly endless bamboo forests to thousands of red Torii gates to the most delicious food, there is something for everyone.
I recently visited Kyoto as part of my 2-week Japan trip and quickly fell in love with the city. Not only does it have the most beautiful temples and shrines, it also has amazing food, gorgeous nature and so much history. I only spent two days in Kyoto and really regretted it, so I would highly recommend spending at least three days here!
There are SO many things to do in Kyoto, but here is exactly how I would spend 3 days. It does include some of the early (6 am) starts that Kyoto is infamous for, but believe me it is worth it to get some quiet time at the busiest attractions.
How to get to Kyoto?
Whether Kyoto is your first stop and you are flying in or headed to Kyoto from your previous stop in Japan, here is exactly how to get to the city center:
By plane
There are actually no airports directly in Kyoto, the closest are in its neighbouring city Osaka – Kansai International Airport and Itami Airport.
Itami Airport is only for domestic flights so if you come from say Kyoto, Tokyo or other areas in Japan. I actually flew in from Northern Japan, Sapporo, as I had just finished working my ski season there, however, my flight still went to Kansai Airport.
From your airport in Osaka, you can then get to Kyoto via train, bus or private shuttle.
Train: Kansai Airport Express from $13.35 (fastest way) or head into Osaka (all the info about getting from Osaka airports to the city centre here) and get the local train for $3-4
Bus: Airport Limousine Bus for around $20
Private Shuttle: Book here – from $150
From Tokyo to Kyoto
If you are coming from Tokyo, you can get a Shinkansen (the express train). It costs around $100 and takes only 2 hours. Check for tickets here.
If you are on a budget, there are night buses from e.g. Willer’s Express you can take (check out my experience on a night bus here). Tickets start at 5000yen ($35) but can go up to 14,000yen ($97) for the lie-flat seats.
Where to stay in Kyoto?
Kyoto is quite well connected through buses and subway and most tourist areas are walkable. Some of the best areas to stay in are he best areas to stay in to be close to some of the highlights are Kyoto Station, Gion, Downtown and Northern Higashiyama.
Best hostels in Kyoto for backpackers:
Piece Hostel Kyoto – Lovely dorm rooms with big beds and curtains. Location is super central, right by Kyoto station.
Woman Only Guesthouse Nanohana (Female only) -This one is for my fellow solo, female travellers. The location is unbeatable and even private rooms are really affordable.
Ryokan Hostel Gion – Really nice dorms with lots of privacy in the dorm beds and located right in the heart of Gion so perfect for sightseeing.
The Millennials Kyoto – Located right in downtown Kyoto, this hotel has high-end pods that allow for ultimate privacy and comfort.
Best hotels in Kyoto:
$ HOTEL RINGS KYOTO – Super lovely and affordable hotel right in downtown Kyoto. Rooms are nice and very spacious for Japan!
$$ KYOTO Bukkouji Shinmachi – Right in the heart of downtown, this hotel has lovely, modern rooms at fair prices.
$$$ Higashiyama Shikikaboku – With the ideal location for sightseeing and a stunningly beautiful exterior and interior, this hotel is one of the best!
How to get around Kyoto using public transport?
Kyoto’s public transportation network is extensive and pretty efficient. You can either buy single trip tickets at the ticket machines each time or use an IC card. An IC card is a prepaid card that you can use for transportation or even the convenience stores, lockers and many more things around Japan.
The version for Kansai (includes Kyoto) is called ICOCA but you can also use Tokyo’s Suica card or any other. Prices start at ¥1000 including a 500yen deposit that is refundable at the end of your holiday. The other 500yen are loaded onto the card. You can buy the ICOCA at JR stations or Kansai airport and top it up at any train/subway station and most convenience stores.
I used Google Maps to get around Kyoto and plan my transportation. A bus journey for example costs 230 yen. There is a lot of public Wi-Fi in Japan, but I would recommend getting an E-Sim for easiest navigation.
Best Things to Do in Kyoto Over 3 Days
Kyoto is a very busy city, so this itinerary will include quite a few 6am starts. I recommend sticking to these early starts to get the best of some of the busiest attractions and then resting a little in the afternoon.
Day 1: Arashiyama and Ginkaku-ji
Start early with Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is a great way to start your Kyoto adventure. Ideally you’d want to get here as early as possible (around 7am for empty photos), however it’s all good if your first day is starting a bit later. I personally saw Arashiyama more around midday and while it was busy, I was still able to get some nice photos and enjoy the vastness and beauty of this forest.
The bamboo grove is located around 30-minutes by train from Kyoto station or 40min-1hour by bus from different areas of downtown Kyoto. The trail through the forest is only about 500m long one-way and will take you around 30-minutes. There are a couple of shrines along the way that are worth checking out.
At the end of the walk you will find Okochi Sanso Garden, a gorgeous Japanese garden for just 1000yen entry ($7). In here it is very tranquil, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the Bamboo forest.
Explore the beautiful district of Arashiyama
While Arashiyama is famous mostly for the bamboo forest, there is actually a lot more to it, from nature to temples to shopping. Two of the main temples are Tenryu-ji, which is UNESCO-listed, and Jojakko-ji. Both are worth a visit, their traditional facades surrounded by nature.
The Hozugawa River runs right through Arashiyama’s mountainous terrain. Whether walking along the riverside or taking a boat tour, the emerald-blue water is a must-see in this area. There is a great viewing deck at the other side of the bamboo forest called Okochi Sanso Gorge Observation Deck, where you get a birds-eye view of the river bends.
Another activity in this area is Arashiyama Monkey Park, which is home to about 120 snow monkeys. It is a short hike to get up to the park, but totally worth it for this unique experience. Admission is 800 yen ($5.50).
I also loved wandering the streets of Arashiyama, where you will find countless souvenir and ceramics shops, street food, delicious matcha, Kimono rentals and so much more. The area is very lively and there is something new to discover around every corner. Make sure to grab a bite to eat here to refuel for the afternoon.
Stop at the historic Nijō Castle
It is time to head back to downtown Kyoto (~40 min subway/train) and a stopover at Nijō Castle is a great way to bridge the long way between the last and next attraction. This castle is a true piece of Kyoto’s history, built in 1603 and even briefly used as the Imperial Palace around 1867. It is a World Heritage Site with gorgeous, traditional buildings and gardens.
Entry costs 800 yen ($5.5). It is a really cool piece of history to see in Kyoto, but if you feel you are running out of time, I’d recommend to skip this one and head to the next one instead.
Wander the beautiful grounds of Higashizama Jisho-ji
Located on the other side of Kyoto to Arashiyama (a lot of public transport today), you will find the Silver Pavilion. It is also often referred to as Ginkaku-ji. Admission costs 500yen ($3.50).
If you are into Japanese landscape architecture, this place is your dream come true. The entire layout, gardens and buildings are beautifully designed in meticulous detail. It features a sand and moss garden, temple buildings, a main hall and even a hill with views over the entire area. I’d highly recommend visiting here and enjoying the serenity.
Follow the meandering Philosopher’s path
Said to be named the Philosopher’s path after Kyoto University Professor Nishida Kitaro who used this route as his daily meditative walk, it makes for a serene and beautiful walk along a small canal. The stony path is especially famous for the masses of cherry blossoms that line the river every spring, but also the golden foliage come fall.
We were there a little early so there were few cherry blossoms, but the walk was still lovely and there were lots of local shops and cafes along the way to grab some caffeine or a bite to eat. The path is about 2km long and ends in the neighbourhood of Nanzenji.
Finish the day with a delicious dinner in Pontocho alley
Pontocho is a historic alley lined with world-class restaurants. Walking here in the evening feels like stepping back in time. the traditional houses only lit up by lanterns that illuminate the narrow alley in a warm glow.
Some restaurants even have terraces that overlook the Kamogawa River while serving traditional, Japanese food. I personally loved the smaller restaurants that were hiding in the side streets of Pontocho alley. They felt a lot more authentic, with locals lining the seats and no English menu in sight.
Day 2: Gion district
A 6am start to the famous streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka
Among the most famous photo spots in Kyoto are the Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka roads in Gion with a background of the Hōkan-ji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda). If you are wanting to see them without the masses of people, you need to get there between 6-7am. Which is extremely early for a holiday I know, however it is 1000% worth it in this case. Both streets gently slope upwards towards Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
The exact location for the famous photo of Yasaka Pagoda shown above is here. The streets are lined with traditional shops and restaurants that come to life around 8/9am. Here you will find local delicacies, lots of souvenirs and traditional Japanese crafts. Tourists will start piling up in the famous photo spots from 7am. If you want truly empty streets, come back here at night – it makes for super unique photos and the closest experience of what Kyoto may have looked like before modernity took over.
Overall, this is one of the most beautiful yet most touristy areas of Tokyo. The streets are as stunning as they look in photos, so it is worth the early wake-up call.
Visit the landmark of the Gion district, Yasaka Pagoda
Yasaka Pagoda is right between Nanenzaka and Sannenzaka and worth a closer look. The tower is 46m tall and has a history of over 500 years. You will often find tourists with their rented Kimonos here, battling for a shot under the gorgeous tiers of the pagoda. Make sure to get detail shots of the beautiful tiers of the pagoda and visit at night for a totally unique experience.
Wander around Kiyomizu-dera before the crowds
All roads lead to Rome, or in this case, Kiyomizu-dera Temple. It is located at the top of the hill in Gion and overlooks Kyoto. The first thing when entering the grounds you will see is Niomon Gate and a stunning red pagoda with the most beautiful details. It is one of the tallest of its kind in Japan, standing at 31 metres. The above is probably my favourite photo of all in Kyoto.
This area of the temple is free and includes several of these stunningly red buildings, the pagoda and a viewing platform that looks over Kyoto.
The temple itself costs 500yen ($3.50) entry and is build upon a fascinating 13-meter-high wooden stage. Inside, you will find the statue of the Eleven-headed Thousand-armed Kannon Bodhisattva, Otowa Waterfall (is said to make wishes come true) and several other buildings. I’d highly recommend going inside this temple, I found it a serene and enlightening experience, especially fairly early in the morning.
Explore the Gion district and its endless temples
It’s now time to fully explore the old streets of Gion, Kyoto’s famous geisha neighbourhood. There are endless temples in this area, one more beautiful than the next. Some of my favourites were Kodaiji Temple which has a beautiful Bamboo forest, Ryōzen Kannon Temple with its huge Buddha, Yasaka Koshindo which has colorful cloth balls everywhere (pictured below) and Kenninji Temple. You will likely not be able to visit all, so pick your favourites and admire the rest from outside.
Gion also has a couple of small back roads with historical buildings. They are usually slightly hidden and identifiable by signs that say “no photos”. Walking down these streets feels like entering a different era, a peaceful bubble of old Japanese architecture and gardens.
Other things to do here are going shopping, taking part in a tea ceremony in a traditional teahouse or renting a Kimono to take some pictures in the beautiful streets of Gion.
Finish your Gion tour at Yasaka Shrine
One of the most famous shrines in Kyoto is no doubt Yasaka Shrine, or Gion Shrine. It is free to enter and almost the starting/end-point of Gion or at least the historic small streets. The shrine itself is beautiful, with lanters hanging from the ceiling and surrounded by red buildings and smaller shrines. There are also a ton of street food carts in this area and it generally buzzes with worshippers, tourists and vendors.
It’s also beautiful at night, where the lantern glow in the dark.
Go shopping in Gion downtown
Between Yasaka Shrine and the Kamo River, you will find more modern streets with cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, bars and gorgeous buildings. Make sure to stop by the Miffy Cafe for some nostalgic sweet treats.
Head to Shirakawa Canal for a relaxing evening stroll along traditional wooden townhouses and historic bridges. Many say it is Kyoto’s best spot for viewing the cherry blossom in bloom.
Dinner at Kyoto Gion Okaru for the most unique and delicious Udon Curry
Kyoto Gion Okaru is one of those places you probably wouldn’t choose as a tourist. It is slightly hidden in a back alley of Gion, the door is behind a small curtain and the menu looks a little confusing. We went here on the recommendation of a local and it was probably the best meal of my entire trip. The curry udon was chewy, flavourful and came with delicious Tofu in my case, while my friend went for the cheesy, meaty version that she called “a revelation”. Highly recommend!!
Day 3: Fushimi Inari and Kinkaku-ji
Another 6am start to walk the 1000s of red Torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine
Don’t hate me, but we have another 6am start for the famous 10,000 red Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine. We got there around 7.30am and it was already pretty packed at the bottom. Luckily (or unlucky, depends on how you see it), the hike up is a little tough so it gets much quieter the higher you walk. It is said to be around 12,000 steps to the top, and from experience I can tell you it’s a workout – wear comfy shoes!
This was one of my absolute highlights on this trip, there is nothing comparable to the thousands of red gates that snake up through the forest to the top of Mt. Inari. The loop up and down is supposed to take 2-3 hours, I think it took us around 2 with photos and little breaks.
Fushimi Inari is actually a complex of shrines, so we saw quite a few different ones with their own worshipping areas and often even a store with snacks and souvenirs, as well as Ema wishing plaques. My favourite were the ones that looked like tiny red Torii gates.
As you are heading back down the mountain, you will find a couple stores and cafes dotted at the bottom. If you are early enough, get a seat at Vermillion Cafe. It has delicious food and drinks and overlooks a pond (sign up to the waiting list asap when arriving). Even further down are lots of food stands with traditional Japanese street food, we tried the Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki and it was amazing.
Grab lunch at Nishiki market and explore Downtown Kyoto
It is now time to finally explore downtown Kyoto, specifically the area around Nishiki Market. Check out the little cute side streets that hide local stores, the big Japanes stores (GU and Daiso are my favourites) and admire the hustle and bustle of modern-day Kyoto.
After climbing thousands of steps in the early hours of morning, it’s time to have a well-deserved food break. No better place than the famous Nishiki Market. This is a long, vibrant shopping street that is lined with one food stall after the next. Most places sell some sort of meet or seafood stick, but you can also find many other treats. I recommend the fried croquettes, mine had a corn mixture in it and was delicious.
Marvel at the golden beauty of KinKaku-ji temple
If there was a beauty contest for temples, this one would win it. KinKaku-ji is truly stunning in its golden glory surrounded by water and nature. Entry is 500 yen ($3.50) and you have to follow a one-way loop around the temple. It took us around 45 minutes. If you’re wondering whether it is worth heading that far out of town (about 40mins by bus) for this temple, I’m here to tell you that it is. It’s just such a unique temple and the grounds are really nice too.
Try to get a photo with the famous reflection of the temple in the water!
Finish with a traditional Japanese dinner
You have made it to the end of your three days in Kyoto! It’s a bitter sweet feeling, but we will end it with a delicious traditional Japanese meal of Okonomiyaki at Dainoji or Izakaya at Toya Nonki – both just a short distance of Kinkakuji temple. Alternatively, I have listed some of my favourite restaurants in different areas of Kyoto below.
How many days in Kyoto is enough?
I know that Japan trips are often on a fairly tight schedule, but I would highly recommend at least three days in Kyoto to see the main attractions. If you have more time, you can venture off the main attractions a little bit and discover a more authentic side of Kyoto.
Where to eat in Kyoto?
Some of my favourite places to eat in Kyoto were:
- Kyoto Gion Okaru – delightful cheesy curry Udon that are super authentic (LOCAL RECOMMENDED)
- Nishiki Market – Great for little snacks on the go
- Tantanmen Ebisu Kyoto Ekimae Shop – amazing Ramen
- Kyo KAramen KYO-KARA – also fantastic Ramen
- Sushi Dokoro Ima – nice Omakase
Is Nara closer to Osaka or Kyoto?
Osaka is a little closer to Nara than Kyoto and I decided to do my day trip from Osaka as accommodation there is a little cheaper than in Kyoto. However, you can easily visit Nara from both cities in under an hour.
Related article: The Ultimate 4-Day Osaka Itinerary
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