Itinerary Check: Kyoto 3 days

Hi! I’ll visit Kyoto in December and I was wondering if I could have advice or thoughts. I’ll visit in winter meaning that stuff opens late and closes early and this is a main concern. I hope I’m not rushing anything. I also get lost easily so I’m adding extra time in transportation as cushion just in case.

#Day #1

7 AM: Fushimi Inary Shrine. Hike a little until 8:30 AM which is when the office opens to obtain a goshuincho and a goshuin.

Take Keihan Main Line metro to Kiyomizu Gojo station (around 7 min the trip) and walk 20 min to get to Kiyomizudera Temple

9:30 AM- Visit Kiyomizudera Temple and leave by 10:30 AM.

10:45 AM- walk through Sannen Zaka and Ninen Zaka Path. Maybe shop a little.

Noon- Visit Kodaiji Temple and leave by 1 PM

1:15 PM- visit Yasaka-Jinja Shrine. Take a break at Maruyama park where there’s a restaurant.

3 PM- Visit Chion In Temple

4 PM and evening – Explore Gion and have dinner there

#Day #2

8 AM- Arrive at Arashiyama and walk through Bamboo Grove

9 AM- Visit Okochi Sanso Villa. Take the free tea and treat they give you after visiting.

10:30 AM- Tenruji Temple. Since I have to go back through the bamboo grove. I’ll have to enter through the “Tenruji North Gate” which is a garden area and come out through the “Nahou-In Temple Grand Gate”.

11:45- Noodle lunch at Arashiyama

Take taxi to Kinkakuji (Google maps says it’s approx. 1 hour 45 min through public transportation)

1:30 PM – Visit Kinkakuji until 2:30 PM

3 PM- Visit Nishiki Market (my hotel is close to Nishiki market).

5 PM – Tea ceremony close to Nishiki.

#Day #3

Morning- Half-day trip to Kurama/Kibune

2 PM- Arrive and visit Ginkakuji

3 PM- walk the “Path of Philosohy”

4 PM- Nanzenji Temple (it closes at 4:30 PM but one can still walk around the grounds even after it’s closed)

5 PM and evening – free time, maybe go to Daimaru basement or Kyoto station for souvenir shopping.