Hi, my partner and I are spending a day and a half in Kyoto at the end of May. We would like to spend this time sightseeing and enjoying what makes Kyoto unique.
I have pencilled in the following plans but am unsure about how to plan out our full day on Thursday. We have an idea of what we’d like to do but I don’t know if this is a good order to tackle it in, if it is too much walking for one day and how best to handle the transit aspect. Initially I figured we would visit Fushimi Inari first in the morning but based on everything else we want to do I’m thinking it might actually be better to go in the evening.
Wednesday
– Arrive around lunch time, drop bags at hotel (Near Karasuma Station)
– Get lunch, maybe go to Nishiki Market but open to other suggestions (we have visited Nishiki before)
– Arashiyama Monkey Park, maybe bamboo grove
– Is there anything else unmissable to see on this side of Kyoto?
– Unsure what to do in evening, but will probably just want somewhere nice to eat and relax
Thursday
– Ginkakuji-cho (how best to get here? Walk from train station? Or better to get a bus?)
– Follow Philosopher’s Path south to Nanzenji Fukuchicho
– Walk to Gion
– Keep heading south, pass through Ninenzaka/Sannenzaka
– Higashiyama
– Catch train to Fushimi Inari
Is this plan realistic? It looks like a LOT of walking when I put all these points onto a map, but Google says it shouldn’t take very long at all, although we will of course be stopping a lot and taking our time at all the temples etc along the way. We wouldn’t be getting up too early unless it was necessary to fit everything in, I’m thinking we’ll head to Ginkakuji around 9-10am. I’d like to reach Ninenzaka/Sannenzaka around sunset. If you think we would have free time, what else would you recommend to do that fits into this itinerary? Also, where would be good districts to stop and rest/eat along the way? Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thank you 🙂
by chimairacle