Hey guys,
Me and my friend are traveling to japan at mid of October starting our trip from Kyoto at the morning of 17.10.
I have made an optimistic ✔️and very organized plan for our 3 ( and 4-5 hours) stay at Kyoto , i want your help telling me how realistic this plan is and is it doable and if i missed anything important.
Of course every suggestion or feedback ( positive or negative) is more than welcomed.
Kyoto :
Hotel : Booked ✅
Train from Tokyo to Kyoto: Booked ✅
Day 1: Arrival, Gion, and Kamogawa River
Breakfast 🥞 : Seven Eleven stuff and eating stuff on the way with a coffee to fresh up.
Lunch 🍽️ : Gion Owatari Café / Yagenbori Chaya
Dinner 🍱 : Yasaka Endo or a nearby restaurant / Gion Area
- 09:00 AM: Arrival in Kyoto.
- 09:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Drop off bags and check-in at your hotel in Gion. Freshen up, rest a bit, and get ready for the day.
- 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Start with a visit to Kennin-ji Temple (15 min walk from Gion). Explore the serene temple grounds and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
- 12:30 PM – 02:30 PM: Visit Yasaka Shrine, a prominent shrine in Gion.
- 02:30 PM – 03:30 PM: Have lunch at Gion Owatari Café or Yagenbori Chaya for traditional Kyoto cuisine. / maybe change to a fast food and push to night
- 03:30 PM – 05:00 PM: Explore the nearby Maruyama Park and enjoy the scenic views.
- 05:00 PM – 08:00 PM: Higashiyama District and Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- 09:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Dinner at Yasaka Endo or a nearby traditional restaurant. Enjoy a leisurely meal in a refined and relaxed setting.
- Post-dinner, explore Kyoto's nightlife. We can visit the Pontocho Alley (a lively, narrow alley lined with restaurants and bars) or experience Kyoto Gion Corner, for traditional Japanese performing arts like tea ceremony demonstrations, ikebana, and geisha dance performances.
Day 2: Fushimi Inari Taisha, Nishiki Market Lunch, and Matcha Experience
Breakfast 🥞 : Happy Pancake Kyoto
Lunch 🍽️ : Omen Kyoto Ginkakuji Honten / could be replaced by a quick lunch and left for dinner
Dinner 🍱 : Hyotei Honten
- 09:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Start the day with breakfast at Happy Pancake Kyoto for fluffy, soufflé-style pancakes.
- 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM: Visit Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) enjoy views over the city.
- 12:15 PM – 01:30 PM: Walk along the Philosopher’s Path, lined with cherry trees and small cafes.
- 02:00 PM – 03:00 PM: Visit Nanzen-ji Temple and explore the aqueduct and beautiful gardens.
- 03:30 PM – 04:30 PM: Lunch at Omen Kyoto Ginkakuji Honten, known for its handmade udon. / maybe a quick lunch
- 04:30 PM – 07:30 PM: Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha at sunset. Spend 2-3 hours hiking through the torii gates and enjoy the atmosphere as the light changes.
- 07:30 PM – 09:00 PM: Dinner near Fushimi Inari at Kendonya Fushimi Inari / Hyotei Honten or a nearby restaurant.
- 09:00 PM onwards: Evening walk along the Kamogawa River or enjoy Gion’s nightlife.
Day 3: Arashiyama, Togetsu-kyo Bridge, and Ryoan-ji Temple
Breakfast 🥞 : Coffee and Donut
Lunch 🍽️ : Quick fast food
Dinner 🍱 : Local restaurant at Gion.
- 08:30 AM – 09:30 AM: Coffee and Donut.
- 09:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Take the JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station (about 30 mins). Experience the Sagano Scenic Railway or book a ride on the Romantic Train (must book in advance).
- 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Explore the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and visit the Tenryu-ji Temple. Enjoy the beautiful landscape and serene gardens.
- 12:30 PM – 01:30 PM: Walk to Togetsukyo Bridge and have lunch at Arashiyama Yoshimura for soba noodles with a view.
- 01:30 PM – 03:30 PM: Take the Hozu River Boat Ride (about 2 hours). Enjoy the scenic journey down the river with beautiful views of the Arashiyama mountains.
- 01:30 PM – 03:00 PM: Head to Ryoan-ji Temple & Garden (take bus 93 from Arashiyama to Ritsumeikan Daigaku-mae stop, about 25 mins). Explore the famous rock garden and enjoy the tranquility of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- 03:15 PM – 05:30 PM: Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), located nearby, to experience one of Kyoto's most iconic temples.
- Heian Shrine ?
- 08:00 PM Return to Gion and have dinner at Yasaka Endo or a local izakaya to experience Japanese casual dining.
- 08:00 PM onwards: Free time to explore the Gion streets or finish your trip with a calm stroll along the Shirakawa Canal.
4-Day ( 3-5 hours ) :
Dont know what to add !
Thanks
by mostafa420swaglegend
