Kyoto’s historic shrines and winding, atmospheric streets earn it a spot on many travelers’ bucket lists. Japan’s former capital city retains its ancient charm yet embraces the country’s hyper-speed leaps into the future. While you could spend weeks wandering its endless gardens, temples and imperial palaces, only some have the luxury of time when visiting. If you find yourself in the Land of the Rising Sun with minimal time to explore, this is how you should spend three of those precious days in Kyoto.
Day 1
Arriving at Kyoto Station by train can be overwhelming, even for those who have visited Tokyo’s people-packed Shibuya crossing. You could spend days wandering through the 15-floor facility (the country’s second-largest train station) with its movie theater, shopping mall and countless eateries and boutiques, but you’ve got places to be.
Your hotel lies just a five-minute bus or taxi ride from the bustling train station, yet somehow it feels a world away from the crowds. The newly opened Dusit Thani Kyoto blends Thai tradition with Japanese style to create a relaxing city-center haven filled with sleek wood-paneled exteriors and a secluded courtyard garden. Be sure to request a room on the ground floor to enjoy your own private Zen moment with a view of the greenery.
Once you’ve checked in (or at least left your luggage with the friendly staff), it’s time to explore. Just a 10-minute taxi trip from your front door lies one of the city’s main attractions: Kiyomizu-dera. The gigantic Buddhist temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site is famed for its towering wooden scaffolding and a sprawling terrace with spectacular views over Kyoto, all built without a single nail. Kiyomizu-dera draws its name from the waterfall that flows through the grounds. Drinking the spring water is said to bring good fortune, depending on which of the three ceremonial streams you sip from.
Feeling refreshed, hydrated and full of great luck, you should head down the mountain to wander through the picturesque Higashiyama ward. One of Kyoto’s best-preserved districts, the neighborhood is a time capsule of feudal-era Japan, complete with tourists dressed in kimonos and small shops selling everything from fans and chopsticks to matcha tea and pickles. Be sure to snap a photo of the striking Yasaka Pagoda, one of the area’s most famous landmarks. If time permits, take a self-guided tour of Kodaiji Temple. The gorgeous grounds are reason enough to visit, but its beautifully preserved 17th-century tea houses are equally astounding. If you’re there in April, admire the millions of cherry blossoms blooming around adjacent Maruyama Park.
By now, your stomach is probably rumbling from all that walking. Head about five minutes north of Kodaji Temple to explore Gion, Kyoto’s nightlife district famed for its geishas. (If you spot one of the performers making her way around town, remember to respectfully refrain from snapping pictures.) The historic neighborhood has no shortage of buzzy izakaya, where you can grab a casual dinner and a pint of Japanese beer. However, suppose you want to dine at one of the neighborhood’s more upscale restaurants, like the family-run Tokiyo. In that case, you’ll need to make a reservation well in advance — a task the concierge at Dusit Thani Kyoto is more than capable of handling.
After dinner, stroll back toward Higashiyama for one of the city’s most enchanting sites. Lovely by day, Yasaka Shrine (also known as Gion Shrine) is downright gorgeous after sundown as hundreds of traditional paper lanterns light up the night. Soak up the evening glow in all its glory before hopping in a taxi for the short ride back to your hotel for a restful night’s sleep.
Day 2
Before heading out on your next adventure, an early wake-up call and a quick cup of coffee are both on the agenda. A 10-minute cab ride, or two stops on the JR Nara train line, takes you to the base of Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of Kyoto’s most famous shrines.The Shinto shrine has gained international appeal for its Instagram-famous 10,000 torii gates lining the path to the top of the mountain — that’s right, the shrine is at the top, so wear the appropriate footwear and clothing for the conditions.
While it’s tempting to start snapping photos immediately, we advise you ascend the peak and wait to capture your memories at the very top of the shrine. With more than 12,000 steps to the top, the vistas are breathtaking, and there are far fewer tourists blocking your picture-perfect shot of the endless rows of torii gates. Of course, you can turn back at any point along the route, and several smaller shrines dot the trail so you can stop and rest.
Hiking up and down that many steps works up an appetite, making Nishiki Market the perfect place to refuel. A 12-minute taxi or direct 25-minute train ride brings you to the entrance of the famous market, where roughly 130 vendors sell everything from Kobe beef and tempura seafood skewers to cookware and souvenirs. We suggest looking for one of the alleys off the main drag where a collection of barrels serves as makeshift tables and a small group of vendors serves a wide array of street eats for you to sample.
Walk off your eclectic lunch with a 20-minute stroll to the Kyoto Imperial Palace and its surrounding gardens. Spend some time wandering the meticulously manicured grounds and admiring the former residence of Japan’s imperial family. History buffs can book a tour to get the most out of their visit, but exploring the complex is a relaxing way to spend an afternoon in Kyoto.
As the sun sets, make your way to the narrow, winding streets of Pontocho Alley in search of sustenance. With its lantern-lit walkways and rows of intimate eateries, the pedestrian street is one of the most atmospheric spots to stroll after nightfall. Grab a stool at an izakaya for yakitori and Japanese whisky, or make a reservation for amazing dumplings at Gyoza Bar Anzukko or somewhere else to savor obanzai cuisine, a hyper-local cooking style that requires more than half of its ingredients to be sourced from Kyoto.
Day 3
For your final day in Kyoto, you’ll want to rise early to make your way to Kameoka, a mountain town about 30 minutes west of Kyoto proper, for an ancient outing. Hozugawa River cruises have been a staple of Kyoto sightseeing for more than 400 years and remain a popular excursion. Hop aboard a traditional flat-bottomed vessel as entertaining boatmen navigate river rapids using nothing more than bamboo poles. The leisurely (and occasionally exhilarating) ride takes 90 minutes to two hours, depending on the river’s height, but is a thoroughly enjoyable way to take in the region’s natural beauty.
At the end of your tour, you’ll disembark at Arashiyama. This quaint port-of-call has catered to leisure seekers for more than a millennium. It continues to attract an international crowd with its plethora of historic temples, waterside eateries and famed bamboo forest. We suggest renting a bike to explore the historic district, but its winding streets are easily traversed on foot.
With such a long history of tourism, Arashiyama can be a reasonably crowded destination at times, especially during the spring cherry blossom bloom and peak fall foliage. Try wandering off the beaten path to discover smaller hidden gems like Takiguchi-dera Temple’s entirely moss-covered grounds and gorgeous (and much less crowded) bamboo grove.
Before hopping on the train back to Kyoto, stop for a sugary pick-me-up at Bread, Espresso and Arashiyama Garden . The bakery/cafe takes up residence in a small cluster of historic buildings and serves Japanese-style patisserie out of its coffee shop that’s (almost) too pretty to eat.
Once you return to your stylish hotel, you’ll want to freshen up and change for dinner at Thai fine-dining venue Ayatana. Dusit Thani Kyoto’s signature dining room offers a progressive dinner experience with surprises to delight all five senses. You’ll start with a stroll through the luxury hotel’s garden courtyard as the maître d’ wafts fragrant Thai incense along the path. A hand-washing ritual and amuse bouche follow before you’re seated in the gorgeous main dining room to indulge in your multi-course Thai feast — a regal send-off for your three-day Kyoto adventure.
