2 Days Kyoto Itinerary: Exploring off the Typical Tourist Trail

Having spent over five days exploring the rich culture and hidden gems of Kyoto, we’ve immersed ourselves in everything from the iconic temples to the lesser-known local experiences. Our time in this historic city has allowed us to craft a well-rounded 2 days Kyoto itinerary that highlights the best of Kyoto while ensuring you don’t miss out on its more intimate, off-the-beaten-path treasures. Given how touristic Kyoto is, it is important not to spend all your time in the crowded popular spots but instead find the experiences that give you a true taste of Kyoto. 

Garnering our personal experience as well as guidance from our Japanese local friends, this itinerary blends the must-see landmarks with unique experiences that only a seasoned traveler can recommend. Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, I’m confident this guide will help you make the most of your time in this enchanting city.

How many days in Kyoto?

To properly experience Kyoto, we would recommend a minimum of four days. Kyoto itself is already quite big and filled with local attractions, but multiple day-trips are highly worth doing. Beyond the closer day trips like Fushimi inarii and Arashiyama, there is also the deer capital of Nara, the matcha capital of Uji, or the Wagyu capital of Kobe. Also keep in mind that Kyoto is one of the busiest and most touristic cities in Japan so it may take more time to visit each site. 

We ended up spending 5 days in Kyoto and still did not get a chance to see everything we wanted to see. With only two days, you will really need to smartly choose your must-do experiences in Kyoto. But don’t worry, below we have proposed what we consider a perfect itinerary in Kyoto and also included several alternative experiences that you can swap in according to your preferences. 

2 days Kyoto Itinerary

Below we will highlight what we consider the best way to spend 2 amazing days in Kyoto, including what to see and where to eat. If that is too much work for you, then we have also included two highly recommended guided tour options.

Independent Exploration of Kyoto

Below we will explain how we would schedule our two days in Kyoto if travelling without a tour. We provide tips on what to see and what to avoid, as we felt like many of the ‘main sights’ in Kyoto are overcrowded and somewhat overhyped.

Day 1: Arashiyama and kimonos

Morning: Arashiyama

Like many proposed schedules around Kyoto, we include Arashiyama in our 2 days kyoto itinerary. However, we recommend visiting Arashiyama not for their bamboo forest, but rather for the quaint small town, beautiful natural scenery, a relaxing onsen experience, and finally a delicious Wagyu lunch/dinner. 

We did end up quickly visiting the Bamboo forest but to be honest, it was incredibly crowded and the experience was far shorter than we had expected. I saw many others recommend going super early but since this is now widely known, you will still likely encounter large crowds. 

Instead, head north towards Seiryoji temple where you’ll really start to see the crowds dwindle and you’ll have a chance to appreciate the authentic tranquil environment. If you have time, make your way towards Otagi Nenbutsuji where you’ll get to see the unique temple lined with hundreds of small statues.  

Noon: Onsen experience

Then, if you are like us and bought the Kansai Pass, you can use one of your ‘activities pass’ to experience the Fu Fu No Yu onsen. The onsen itself is outdoors with 1 big rock thermal pool, 1 indoor sauna, and 1 cold tub. There are also multiple lounge chairs to relax on.

Check out the 🎟️ Kansai Pass. You can get from a 3-8 activities pass which can save you up to 43% on the original ticket prices!

🎟️ Kansai Pass

Keep in mind that at the Japanese onsens, you do go completely naked. They also do not allow visible tattoos. I spent a good 2 hours there and it was the perfect way to unwind after a day of walking.

Lunch: Wagyu meal at Kijurou

Finally, make sure not to miss tasting the Wagyu set meals at Kijurou. It is located in a beautiful room where one entire wall is floor-to-ceiling windows allowing you to enjoy their zen outdoor garden. We went for lunch since it was cheaper and ordered their Wagyu beef steak in a lacquered box, with boiled tofu. It turned out to be our favourite Wagyu experience during our entire Japan trip!   

Afternoon: Dress up in Komono to explore Gion/Higashiyama Ward

Unlike Osaka and Tokyo, Kyoto has a very historical Japanese architecture and for that reason, we highly recommend doing the Kimono/Yukata rental experience here. This is the perfect occasion to immerse into the culture and do a beautiful photoshoot.

The basic Kimono rental costs around 25 USD per person, however, you can add multiple accessories or even makeup and a hairdo for an added cost. Once dressed up, take a stroll through Gion, the Geisha district or Higashiyama ward. We did the Kimono rental experience twice, once in the historical town of Kurashiki Bikan, a bit further than Okayama, and the second time in Kyoto.  

Check out this 👘 Kimono rental experience! You can even add-on a professional photoshoot to help capture this special moment!

👘 Kimono Rental

💡 If you are planning on purchasing the Kansai activities pass, then you can use one of the passes on Kimono rental at Kimono Miyabi Kyoto.

If you head to Sannenzaka slope, keep in mind that it is very touristic and crowded. It is for this reason that we suggest combining the kimono dress-up experience with exploring that area. That way, if you get frustrated by the tourist crowds, you can at least enjoy being in the spotlight wearing those beautiful kimonos/yukatas. 

Day 2: Fushimi Inari and cultural experiences

On Day 2, you will be exploring one of the most famous sites around Kyoto, called the Tori Gates of Fushimi Inari. However, in order to get off the beaten path and avoid massive crowds, we found an alternate, secret route. Read on below to learn more!

Morning: Fushimi Inari (Secret Route)

When you search for images of Kyoto, one of the most iconic sights you’ll encounter is the breathtaking rows of a thousand vibrant red Torii gates winding up the mountain pathway. This place is called Fushimi Inari and it is one of Kyoto’s most famous Shinto shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice, agriculture, and business. These beautiful Torii gates were donated by individuals and businesses in the hopes of receiving good fortune and prosperity from the gods. 

You have also undoubtedly heard of other traveler’s recommendations to go there super early in the morning in order to avoid the crowds. What if I told you that there is an alternate path where you can avoid most of the crowds?

What is special about the Fushimi Inari Alternate Route?

We discovered this hidden route through a local friend who lives in Japan, and we’re thrilled to report that it truly is off the beaten path. During our hike, we encountered only a handful of other people, allowing us to experience a side of the Torii gates that most visitors never see.

Unlike the well-maintained gates on the tourist-heavy trails, this alternative path reveals a more rustic and serene side of Fushimi Inari. Here, nature has begun to reclaim its territory, with vibrant red gates partially covered in moss, blending harmoniously with the surrounding forest. The atmosphere is peaceful and almost mystical, offering a unique contrast to the more polished areas of the shrine. It felt as if we had stepped back in time, discovering a secret piece of Kyoto’s history, untouched and quietly preserved by nature.

Rejoining the ‘popular route’

What’s great about this alternate route is that you get to experience all this, but you will also not miss out on seeing the tourist-popular route. Once you have reached the top of Mount Inari, make sure to continue slightly further up by doing the loop trail. Most other tourists will not trek all the way to the top so here you will get to avoid much of the crowds.

Then, once you are done visiting, you will be going downhill on the popular tourist trail. The further down you go, the more crowded it gets. But if you want the iconic shot of you standing amidst the row of thousands of Torii gates, then get it at the top of the mountain. 

How to get to the Alternate Route of Fushimi Inari

to reach the alternate route for Fushimi Inari, you will need to make your way to this location. Instead of getting off at Fushimi Inari train station, you will get off one stop earlier at Tobakaido station. From there, it is about a 27 minute walk to the trailhead. You will be walking through a residential area before you get to the start of the trail but you will know you have reached it once you see a steep upwards forest trail. There will also be a sign indicating it.

Time needed at Fushimi Inari

We spent around 5 hours on Fushimi Inari. It takes time to climb all the way up, and then you have the additional loop trail at the top, before climbing back down. You also need to account for time for photography. We went at around 1pm and it was after sunset by the time we got down. So visiting Fushimi Inari is about a half-day trip.

Afternoon: Optional activities in Kyoto

After climbing up Fushimi Inari for half the day, you will likely be pretty tired. Spend the afternoon and evening with a more relaxing or cultural activity. Here are a few suggestions depending on what you are in the mood for:

Cultural: 🍵 Tea Ceremony experience in Kyoto

Learn the art and spiritual significance in this 70 minute tea ceremony experience that takes place in Jotokuji temple. The tea master will guide you through each step of properly preparing the matcha tea and learn about the importance of these ceremonies. 

Exciting: 🏯 Kyoto Samurai experience or 🥷 Ninja training experience.

We have all grown up marveling at the stories of samurais and ninjas. If you want to experience this first-hand, then we would highly recommend the Kyoto Samurai Experience or the 1 hour hands-on Ninja lesson. 

Foodie: Enjoy the delicious green tea specialties 🍃

Throughout our trip in Osaka and Kyoto, we were looking forward every day to tasting the delicious Japanese matcha desserts. We have tried many throughout and would highly recommend these two: Matcha drink or matcha poured over ice cream at Kyo Ha Matcha de Kimeru. Or, any of the matcha desserts at Nana’s green tea. 

This post is part of our series about Japan. If you want to learn more about Japan, planning your trip, and some of the best experiences there, check out the guides below:

Izu Peninsula Itinerary: Planning & Tips for the Perfect Izu Peninsula Road Trip

Day Trip to Nara, Japan: Ultimate Travel Guide (2024)

Best Things to do in Izu Peninsula, Japan (2024)

Where to eat in Kyoto

There are countless choices of restaurants in Kyoto so it can be helpful to have a couple of suggestions from a fellow traveler. One important tip I would like to give is to try to make a reservation at the restaurant ahead of time. This is especially the case for those more special experiences, such as omakase or kaisekis, but it applies to even the standard restaurants. 

When we were in Japan, especially in Kyoto, we ended up being turned away from many restaurants because they were fully booked or already had such a big lineup in front that they knew they wouldn’t be able to take us in. Sometimes this would happen at 2-3 restaurants before we find one that could take us.

Another factor is that in the past few years, influencers have been strongly promoting certain restaurants. This end up making that restaurant suddenly super popular and with queues that can take 1-2 hours. 

Overall, pretty much all the food in Japan is delicious, whether it is a popular restaurant or a mom-and-pop restaurant. So I would say don’t waste your time queueing for that ‘tik tok famous’ ramen shop and just go to one of the lesser-known ones around the corner. It will likely be just as good or if not better.

• Tonkatsu at Niigata Katsudon Tarekatsu
• Ramen at Ramen Mugyu Vol 2. Karasuma Takoyakushi
• Wagyu at Kijurou in Arashiyama
• Izakaya at Komefuku 

Guided tour option

If you would prefer to have a tour guide help you with a full itinerary and bring you to your highlight places, then you can also hire a private Kyoto tour. Another great option would be the Hidden Kyoto E-bike tour which brings you through 8kms of off-the-beaten-path sights in Kyoto, which is far more than you would be able to see if on foot. 

Other experiences you can include in your Kyoto itinerary

Day Trip to Uji

Uji is the matcha capital of Japan and just a short 35-minute train ride from Kyoto. This makes for a very fun day trip to experience the countryside of Japan while sampling the delicious Uji-famous matcha. If you prefer a guided experience, you can do this Kyoto + Uji day tour

Nara Day Trip

Nara was one of our favourite day trips during our 3 week trip in Japan. Here you will get to see the bowing deers, beautiful zen gardens, and find the best tuna bowl in all of Japan (in our opinion!). We have written an entire post detailing what to do, what to see, and where to eat on a day trip to Nara. 

Nishiki Market

Nishiki market is frequently mentioned as one of the things to do in Kyoto. However, we personally felt like it was far too touristic and crowded. Also, the cost of the food that you will find there has clearly been adjusted to tourists and you will easily pay 30-50% more than elsewhere. 

Nijo Castle and the Naked Sakura festival

When we were in Japan during the cherry blossom season, we got to experience the Naked Sakura Festival at Nijo Castle. This event showcased the beautiful gardens and castle by casting colourful light projections onto the cherry blossom trees as well as the castle facades. If you are not there during the cherry blossom season, you can still visit Nijo castle and its beautiful gardens. 

Kurama Shrines hiking trail

1 hour North of Kyoto, you will find the quiet and peaceful Kurama shrines hiking trail. We didn’t have time to do it but heard that it is beautiful and tranquil. 

Learn about the Geishas in Gion

To learn more about the mysterious tradition of Geishas, make sure to visit Gion. Join this Geisha walk and show tour in Gion to learn about the history and witness a dance demonstration performed by an apprentice Geisha. Also, when visiting Gion, if you see a geisha, make sure to be respectful and give them privacy and space. Do not chase them, photograph them, or approach them. Geishas there are working and it is important to be respectful. 

Is Kansai Pass worth it?

When we visited Osaka and Kyoto, we purchased the Kansai activities pass and felt like it provided a really good value. Not only does it help you save up to 43% on your total activities spending, but it also facilitates the ticket acquisition process. Instead of individually going to each website and going through the purchasing process, or waiting in line to buy at the ticket counter, the Kansai pass allows you to book your activities directly from one website. 

But is it good value? 

Let’s say you purchase the 3 attractions pass for 5,520 yen. You use the passes on TeamLab botanical gardens (2,000 yen), JR Haruka Kansai Airport express (1,800 yen), and Solaniwa onsen experience (3,080 yen). The total original price comes out to 6,880 yen which already provides you with a discount of 20%! 

If you will be taking the JR Shinkansens as well, then you can do a premium add-on of the JR Kansai Area Pass which provides you with 4 days of unlimited train rides. The JR Kansai Area pass normally costs 7,000 yen so if you purchase it as a premium add on with the Kansai 3 attractions pass (which also includes a free 3GB E-sim), you will get to save about 22%  (11,720 yen vs. 15,080 yen) on the original price.

So is the Kansai Pass worth it? We felt like it was!

You save money and it really facilitates the purchasing and booking process!  

Check out the Kansai pass where you can select from 3 to 8 activities in the Kansai region (including Osaka and Kyoto)

📸 Kansai Area Pass

You can also add as a premium add-on the JR Kansai Area pass which gives you access to the JR Shinkansens + a free 3GB Esim!

🚅 JR Pass + Activities

How to get to Kyoto

Arriving from the Airport

Kyoto does not have its own airport so if you are arriving from internationally, then the nearest airport would be Kansai International Airport close to Osaka. From Osaka, you have 3 options available:

1) Kansai-Airport limousine bus (1h30)

Cost: 2800 Yen

If you don’t want to have to worry about going up and down the stairs or not finding a seat on the subway, then we would highly recommend taking the Kansai Airport limousine bus. These are comfortable coach buses with plush seats and a toilet onboard. They will take you directly to Kyoto Central Station. 

If you know you will be taking this bus and will be doing some of the main activities in the Kansai region (such as TeamLab Botanical gardens, Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky, Onsen, Kimono rental and more), then we would highly recommend getting the Kansai Pass. Purchasing this pass will allow you to save money and also already have all the tickets in hand so you don’t have to lineup at each attraction. We got this pass during our trip and it was really worth it!

Times: The shuttle starts at 6:45am from Kansai Terminal 1 and the last bus departs at 11:05pm. For the full timetable, you can check out the bus timetable here.

2) JR Haruka train (1h20)

Cost: 3840 yen

The JR Haruka train is another great option and is also included in the Kansai Pass. It is a bit faster than the limousine bus, however, you do have to navigate and find your way through the multi-level train stations. We did this once and it was a bit of effort lifting our luggage through the station staircases. We would, however, recommend this option if your accommodation in Kyoto is not close to the Kyoto central station, and will need to continue your journey anyways using their train/metro system. 

By taking the JR Haruka train, you also have the chance of catching the Hello Kitty train! When we bought the Kansai Pass, we were lucky enough to catch the Hello Kitty train on our way from Kansai Airport to Osaka. 

You can also purchase the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass, which we did, which allowed us to take the high-speed JR lines to Okayama, Kobe, Nara, all the way to Kyoto. 

I was able to pick up the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass as a premium add on on the Kansai Pass. I know, there are literally a billion different options and pass combinations so you will have to check them out to see which fits your criteria the best. 

3) Private transport (1h20)

Cost: 220€ or around 35,000 yen

Private transport of any sort in Japan will be the most expensive. I normally would not recommend it, and even taking a local taxi will cost a lot. However, if this is the most appropriate means of transportation for you, then I would highly recommend using Welcome Pickups. We have used them several times before in other countries and were always happy with their service. 

Arriving from other cities in Japan

If you are arriving from other cities in Japan, then you can easily reach Kyoto using the JR or other train lines. We would highly recommend using Google Maps or NaviTime to find the best route for you which also includes the pricing.

To reach Kyoto by train, you will likely need to get the JR Rail Pass which allows you to take all the high-speed trains, or the JR Kansai Area Wide pass if you are already in the Kansai area.  

Keep in mind that once you do arrive in Kyoto, and need to take the local train/metro system to reach your accommodation, you will need to use the ICOCA card to pay for the transport. The JR Rail Pass is only for the high speed bullet trains, and not for the local city trains. If you are coming from Tokyo, then you will likely already have the SUICA card which works the same way as the ICOCA card and can be used interchangeably in the Kansai region’s transportation system.

How to get around within Kyoto

Getting around Kyoto is pretty convenient with their local bus and train systems. During our 5 days in Kyoto, we used a combination of both and were able to reach the main highlights easily including Arashiyama, Uji, Fushimi Inari, and more. 

Also, if your accommodation is located centrally (Near Shijo Station or Nishiki Market), then you will also be able to easily reach most of the in-city highlights on foot. We stayed at Inn Kawashima and were able to visit most of the local sites by walking. 

When arriving from the airport or main train station in Kyoto, make sure to pick up your ICOCA card which will allow you to pay for all the local buses, trains, and even allow you to purchase things from vending machines and convenience stores. The smaller train stations do not dispense the ICOCA card so make sure to get it when you are at those primary stations. 

Where to stay in Kyoto

When choosing where to stay in Kyoto, we highly recommend picking a spot that is central and near the subway/train stations since you will be taking them daily.

We consider the area between Karasuma station and Gion-Shijo station (or somewhere close to Nishiki Market) to be very central where you can reach most of the highlight attractions on foot.

We stayed at Inn Kawashima and loved our experience in their cozy tatami rooms. They are also one of the more affordable options all while being very centrally located. Check out our recommendations below: 

🌟 Budget: Inn Kawashima

🌟🌟 Mid-range: Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto

🌟🌟🌟 Luxury: Hyatt Regency Kyoto

FAQ

Is Kyoto expensive to visit?

Overall, Kyoto was not more expensive as compared to Osaka or Tokyo. When comparing our spending in each city, it turned out to be 1221 CAD in Kyoto, 1196 in Osaka, and 1556 in Tokyo. This isn’t fully reflective of your situation since it highly depends on what tours or big activities you do in each city.

For example, we did a wagyu tasting, omakase, and the Harry potter studio tour in Tokyo which ended up increasing the spending. If we compare Kyoto to our Izu peninsula road trip, then we would say that you will find better quality and value in Izu Peninsula.

Among the many incredible things to do in the Izu Peninsula, staying at Ryokans and eating fancy seafood kaiseki meals were a lot more affordable in Izu. So overall, we would consider Kyoto to be fairly equivalent in price as compared to the other main cities of Japan.   

When is the best time to visit Kyoto?

One of the highlight times to visit Kyoto is during the cherry blossom season, from mid march to mid april. We timed our visit to try to coincide with the cherry blossoms but unfortunately that year, it was unusually cold so it was not in full bloom.

Nonetheless, the areas that were in bloom were absolutely beautiful. If you do plan on going during cherry blossom season, then make sure to book your accommodation and travel routes way in advance (at least 4 months) as it is one of the most popular festivals. 

Alternatively, the fall season from October to November is also considered an ideal time to visit Kyoto. If possible, we would recommend avoiding the summer months of July and August as it is the hottest months and also coincides with huge crowds on summer holidays. 

Should I visit Kyoto or Osaka?

Choosing between Kyoto and Osaka will highly depend on the activities you are interested in. Fortunately, Kyoto is only a 30-40 minute train ride away so it can also be done as a day trip. We ended up spending 4 days in Osaka and 5 days in Kyoto so were able to fully experience each. This is how we would compare them:

Osaka	Kyoto
More city-like feel where locals live Moderately touristic Close to Universal Studios Osaka Less expensive and easier to find accommodation Has the Mario Kart Go-kart experience Has the TeamLab Botanical Gardens experience Easier access since it is close to Kansai airport	More ancient historical town Very touristic Close to Arashiyama and Fushimi Inarii Can be more expensive due to its popularity Restaurants usually have a big lineup since there are fewer choices compared to Osaka Visually Kyoto is a lot prettier than Osaka

Overall, we preferred Osaka but were happy we got to stay at and experience Kyoto. They are also both located very conveniently to access the day trips including Uji, Kobe, and Nara.

Is Kyoto crowded/touristic?

Across our three weeks trip in Japan, Kyoto was the city that we found the most touristic and crowded. This is particularly true for the main areas like Sannenzaka and Ninnenkaza slopes, and Gion district, where everyone is trying to catch the iconic photo of the historic buildings.

We also experienced the crowds when going to restaurants, and were faced with huge lineups or were directly turned away since they were fully booked.

In the last years, Japan has been faced with over-tourism and in Kyoto it has been one of the worst, where the large crowds have started disrupting the daily routines of the locals. So if you do head to Kyoto, keep in mind that it will be very touristic, and we encourage you to be as respectful as possible so as to preserve this beautiful city and try not to disrupt the locals.   

Using WISE card in Japan

When taking cash out of an ATM while abroad, you will most likely be charged both a foreign exchange fee and a foreign transaction fee by that country’s ATM. With my Canadian card, this can easily be 3-4$ + 2.75% + a markup on the exchange rate charged by my bank, and then another 3-5$ charged by the foreign ATM.

This can be really costly. For this reason, we recommend using WISE card which has only minimal fees and just about no foreign currency exchange markup. This helps me save at least 5-7$ every time I take out money from an ATM. If you want to see our full review of the card showing exactly how WISE can help you save, check out our WISE Travel card Review post.

Summary: 2 Days Kyoto Itinerary

With two days in Kyoto, you certainly won’t have time to do everything but we hope this post has helped you figure out your trip itinerary and find your must-do activities. Kyoto for us exuded the most authentic experience of ancient Japan and was an amazing base to explore the surrounding towns of Uji, Nara, and Arashiyama. If you are wondering where to go after Kyoto and want to explore a bit off-the-beaten-path, we highly recommend doing a road trip in the Izu Peninsula. It turned out to be our favourite experience in our 3 weeks trip to Japan.  

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