We are two adults in our twenties on our first (and probably once in a lifetime) visit to Japan and we have 4,5 days in Kyoto. We are really struggling to pick from the incredibly large offer of points of interests and have plans that do not fit in these 4,5 days. How could we best condense our itinerary?
For context: we are there for 5 nights in the third week of April, covering the weekend, and our accomodation is in southern Higashiyama (<500m from Kenninji). We are healthy and used to travelling abroad and walking long distances
We are doing a longer round trip, including Tokyo, Matsumoto, Magome-Tsumago hike, Kanazawa, Okayama/Kurashiki, Hiroshima/Mijayima, Himeji castle, and a Koyasan temple stay.
Our plans:
Day 1: Travel from Kanazawa in the morning.
Afternoon/evening: visit Kennin-ji temple, Yasaka Shrine, and Gion – all at easy walking distance from our accomodation.
Day 2: Full day Higashiyama (priority)
Starting from Kiyomizudera (must-see) close to our accomodation; walking along Ninenzaka/Sannenzaka; then Kodai-ji, Chion-in and Shoren-in (all optional entry) via Keage Incline to Nanzen-ji, along Philosophers Path, Honen-in and ending at Ginkaku-ji (must-see).
Day 3 option A: Northern Kyoto.
Morning: Ryoan-ji and Kinkaku-ji.
Afternoon: Public transport to Kurama and visiting Kuramadera, Kifune Shrine and Kibune.
Day 3 option B: North-Western Kyoto.
Morning: Arashiyama to visit Tenryuin temple and
Afternoon: Ryoan-ji and Kinkaku-ji.
Day 4: Day trip to Nara (priority)
Kofakuji, Todaji temple (must-see) with Nigatsudo view and Kasuga Taisha.
Day 5:
Morning: Fushimi Inari Taisha (must-see)
Afternoon: Uji – main goal to visit Byodoin and drink matcha.
Day 6: Morning departure to Himeji; no time in Kyoto.
Questions:
– We need to either choose between 3A and 3B, or cut another day from the itinerary.
– I am really in doubt on Arashiyama. I understand that it is among the most popular places for first timers, but I think the bamboo grove is not our priority, neither is the monkey park, and I would like the scenic train ride but read mixed reviews. The temples sound amazing but we are already visiting a lot of temples. The Kurama hike sounds like a nice change of scenery but the travel north might take quite some time. Which one would you advice?
– Is Uji advisable for a first stay or should we stay more in Kyoto itself?
– We now miss out on Heian Shrine, Nijo Castle and the Imperial Palace – would you prefer any over the sights we picked? We do plan on seeing both Himeji and Matsumoto castle and might viist the public outer gardens of the Tokyo Imperial Palace.