Hello everyone, here from Brazil going to spend 2,5 half days in Kyoto, heres what I’ve cooked so far
Also, any vegetarian/vegan suggestions for lunch are welcomed, since my gf is:
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\-Day 1:
\-Morning: Fushimi-Inari > Kiyoumizu-Dera street + temple > Jinshu Shrine
\-Lunch: Look for something to eat on the Kyouzumi streets
\-Afternoon: Maruyama Park + Yasaka Shrine
\-Night: Walk by Gion
\-Day 2:
\-Morning: Imperial Palace > Kinkaku Temple
\-Lunch: ??
\-Afternoon: Gingaku Temple > Nishiki Market
\-Night: Onsen
\-Day 3:
\-Morning: Walk by Gion
6 comments
Try to go to Nishiki Market in the morning, it’s better.
*Kiyomizudera
The local special style of udon served around fushimi inari shrine is Kitsune Udon and has a piece of inari skin tofu floating in it. I’m not sure if strictly vegetarian / vegan, as I’m unsure the contents of the broth, but it is nice that the specialty here is not a meat style. This may suit your partner for lunch that day,
Fushimi Inari-taisha can take quite some time, especially if you are planning to hike all the way up. So it would work better if you either start the days early or don’t climb all the way.
While around Kiyomizu-dera, make sure you check sannen zaka and ninenzaka. If you have time, you might consider adding Kodai-ji that is a temple that have bamboo and is located in the area.
I would do Nishiki market in the morning.
For onsen, keep in mind that Kyoto is not especially known for it, so while I know there is some around Arashiyama, I would do some research beforehand to make sure you know a place as there wont be onsen everywhere in the city.
imperial palace was kind of boring. Are you going to any of the neighboring towns? Nara, Himeji, and even Kobe was interesting.
If you happen to decide to add Arashiyama to the itinerary, I highly recommend Shojin ryori at Tenryuji temple. Shojin ryori is like a vegetarian version of Kaiseki. I have eaten Shojin ryori at some other places but the one I had at Tenryuji temple was simply the best. One of the best culinary experience in Japan for me.
Your first day seems overbooked – fushimi Inari is at least a morning. You can hike up halfway if you don’t want to do the full hike and have lunch on the path.
For your second day, you might want to think about renting bikes! It’s an affordable and very very fun way to see the city, and its also convenient and quick.
For vegetarian options, while it is hard to find dishes that don’t use dashi, Kyoto had a few well-known tofu focused restaurants. I believe there are a few on Ponto-cho. I’d recommend the experience to non-vegeterians as well – its really special!! Not your average grocery store tofu at all.