Shrines and Red Maples: A Five Day Kyoto Itinerary
Kyoto is unique and culturally different from other sizable cities in Japan. As a former capital, it is full of historical neighborhoods, beautiful temples and boasts a historical imperial palace. Surrounded by forests, it has managed to somehow limit modernization to the downtown area and retain a feeling of peace, mystery and culture throughout the rest of the city.
Why five days?
One could probably spend a month in Kyoto and still have temples left to see. However, given all the other (less touristy) amazing places in Japan, unless you are traveling the country for months, a week is just right amount of time to experience the highlights and leave while still wanting just a little bit more. Having talked to several other tourists who were there for 2-3 days, we heard multiple times “I just didn’t have enough time for X or Y”. In fact, we extended our original four days to six and were very glad we did.
So without further ado —
Day 1 - The Golden Temple (Kinkaku-ji)
In the land of historic temples, this Zen Buddhist temple is definitely the shiniest
Completely covered in gold leaf, this shogun’s villa became a zen temple in the 15th century (although the present structure was rebuilt in 1955). Go early in the morning to (maybe) avoid throngs of other tourists
If you are lucky enough to visit Kyoto in the fall, almost as beautiful as the temple itself are the grounds, specifically the stunning red maples
Carry around some coins to toss at good luck sculptures (yes, you are supposed to toss coins there). And, before leaving, stop in the old tea house for a traditional cup of green tea with a dessert
In the afternoon, you can roam around the Downtown area or drop by an Onsen to relax after all the walking around. There are quite a few peppered throughout the city. Don’t forget to watch a video or read up on Onsen etiquette before going… it will help to know what to expect and do.
In the evening, explore the izakayas around Hanamikoji Street and find your perfect dinner option. Then, for a great nightcap, head over to the hidden speakeasy of Apotheca
Day 2 - Arashiyama
Arashiyama is a less populated area of the city, located further out from downtown. It is very easily reached by train, and you can use google maps to help you map your route. It is more of a nature lover’s destinations, hosting the famous monkey park, bamboo forest, beautiful lake, and other attractions. It’s a great place to see what Japan is like outside the urban environment
Monkey park
One of Kyoto’s premier attractions, come to this park to have these cute critters run all around you and literally eat out of your hands —
— and climb up those fences — dare I say it — like monkeys
It also offers a great view of Kyoto. Pro tip - there is a bit of a hike up to the park, but it’s worth it, so get your muscles warmed up and prepare to carry any toddlers at the top
On the way to the park, you can ride a sloop on a beautiful lake and get some yummy street food. It’s a popular spot for Mitarashi Dango (grilled mochi balls)
If you are lucky enough to visit in the fall, the Monkey Park is also a phenomenal place to see japan’s famous autumn foliage
Bamboo Grove
Once in Arashiyama, it would be a sin not to also visit the bamboo grove. Known for its seemingly endless rows of tall bamboo stalks that feels other-worldly, it can feel as if you are walking through a dream sequence. It can be hard to believe that you are just a twenty minute ride from the busy streets of downtown Kyoto.
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Day 3 - Historic Kyoto
Walk the streets of the historic Higashiyama Ward to Yasaka Pagoda
Visitors to Japan are often surprised how western the architecture looks — downtown Osaka is pretty much downtown Seattle. Though the more residential areas (of Kyoto at least) tend to have much shorter buildings, the look isn’t particularly distinct. For that classic Japanese town street that you’ve seen in movies, seek out the specially preserved areas of Kyoto, like the historic streets of Higashiyama ward that lead up to Yasaka Pagoda. The little hilly streets are filled with old-style buildings, craft shops, tea houses and more. Of course, you’ll be one among thousands but, thankfully, many of them will be Japanese (though whether locals or visitors is hard to say)
Sanjūsangen-dō Temple
To better appreciate imperial Japan’s extensive history, this is also a good time to visit Sanjūsangen-dō as it is in the same neighborhood. This 12th century Buddhist temple is known for its 1000 Kannon statues
@discoverkyoto.com
Day 4 - The Imperial Palace
Kyoto literally means “capital city,” because it was the home of the imperial government for a thousand years, until the Meiji restoration in the late 19th century. Its imperial palace complex forms a series of nesting dolls of spaces within spaces. The outer walls enclose a large space with parks, guest houses of varying luxury and prestige, and the imperial palace itself which, in turn, includes various halls, as well as an inner palace
The wall of the palace within the overall grounds
Though none of the buildings are directly accessible, you can see inside many of them and there are some great explanations in English about the structures and what life was like at the palace during its heyday
When you are done here, visit Akutagawa - a nearby tonkotsu Ramen shop highly favored by local University students. One should experience ordering Ramen at a ticket-vending machine (via Google Translate app) at least once in Japan! And don’t worry if there is a line, it moves fast.
More shrines than you can shake a stick at
After the palace and some lunch, walk around central Kyoto and visit some of the Shinto or Buddhist temples and shrines.
Buddhism and Shinto are the two most common religions in Japan, but although the two boast roughly the same number of temples and shrines, walking around major cities, you encounter far more of the latter.
Shinto is much more about navigating daily life with the help of the deities, and so the primary activity at the shrines is making offerings and asking for various help (than say, prayer). The process, as we learned is: (1) bow at the Torii gate, (2) purify your hands at a nearby fountain, (3) drop your money offering into the trough below the rope, (4) bow deeply twice, (5) clap twice, (6) put your hands together while you make your ask, (7) bow once more. If you want, you can also give another offering to receive a fortune from a nearby automat or fortune box. So go ahead and make you wishes come true! And don’t forget to bow out when leaving through the Torii gate as well.
After making your way through the shrines, have dinner at Kitchen Bonasai, a fusion izakaya near the imperial palace. Offering fantastic Japanese food with a laid back atmosphere, English speakers are welcome as the chef/owner likes to practice. It’s one of the few restaurants you can reserve a table at online. Check out their life wisdom wall, and definitely ask for the tomatoes with white asparagus cream dish and the salmon rice bowl! Trust us!
Day 5
On the last day, accept that you are just a tourist and head over to the Compasso Teramachi Kyogoku mall. Sure, many of these shops and restaurants are on the touristy side, but aside from shopping and eating, you can avail yourself of many other experiences, like jewelry making, the fish market and —
The Samurai Ninja Museum and Experience
Micropig cafe
The Ninja museum and experience is serious kitsch, but does sport some interesting information on the history of the samurai in Japan. But more than anything, you do it for the photos and the fun of competing in dart blowing and star throwing
The museum component showcases some nice samurai outfits with a brief overview by the guide
2. Micropig cafe
After the museum, chill out and digest all that information with some micropigs in the same mall. Yes, just like a cat cafe, except with micropigs. It’s an acquired taste?
You’ll need to book your slot ahead of time. We suggest getting their early, as latecomers are put in an overflow room where the pigs are less agreeable.
Or if you are done with the tourist sites…
Check out the peaceful Roketsu dying studio in a residential quiet area of the city. This is a quiet space run by an older son and mother team with minimal English and maximum charm. Make an appointment ahead of time at their website https://www.roketsu.com/en/home-en/ and enjoy an hour or two of crafting a beautiful tapestry, bag or t-shirt…or really whatever you choose. It’s Zen at its best, and you get a lovely souvenir to take home.
Finally, if the day at the mall or craft shop has made you thirsty, head over to Bees Knees, one of the top 50 bars in all of Asia (and the only one on the list in Kyoto)
@theworlds50best.com
A Note on Food
One of the lovely aspects of Kyoto’s traditional roots is that (if you get out of city center) it is full of small restaurants run entirely by their owners and specializing in “just that one thing” that they have worked to perfect over the years. Explore and try the local places outside the main tourist areas — savor the omakase tempura-only restaurant, the 6-seat soba noodle shop. Remember that Japanese food is slow food. The hits are there to be found!
Where to Stay
Kyoto has lots of great locations to stay that you can find on Booking.com. The touristy neighborhoods around Higashiyama Ward can get a little crazy. Downtown is lively without being overwhelming. We stayed on the border between north and central Kyoto near Doshisha University, which was quieter and more local. With a metro station next door, the whole city was still super accessible.
You can also use an app to rent a bike just like in Europe and ride it around these tiny streets and chill park spaces — they are thrown around strategic locations in that area at least.
If you have more days to spare there is of course so much more to do in Kyoto — like walking other historic districts, attending tea ceremonies, visiting kabuki theater, having kaiseki dinners, relaxing at an Onsen, and hiking Fushimi Inari. Your experience is your own to craft, and we hope it’s one full of great memories!