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We recommend 2 to 3 days in Kyoto. Visit the famous temples and shrines early in the morning, avoid the busiest places at midday, and walk through Gion in the evening. With a third day, add a day trip to Nara, or try on a kimono and join a tea ceremony.
Things to do in Kyoto
1. Fushimi Inari Taisha
Thousands of vermilion torii gates climb the mountain behind the shrine. It is open at all hours and free to enter, and it is best early in the morning. Walking to the top takes 2 to 3 hours, so with children, turn back at one of the viewpoints on the way.
2. Kiyomizu-dera and Higashiyama
A huge wooden stage on the hillside, with views across Kyoto. The temple opens at 6:00, and admission is ¥500 for adults and ¥200 for children. On the way down, walk the old lanes of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka.
3. Kinkaku-ji
The golden pavilion reflected in its pond. You can’t go inside, and you follow a one-way path around the garden.
4. Arashiyama
The bamboo grove, Togetsukyo Bridge and boats on the river. The bamboo grove gets very crowded unless you go early.
5. Gion
Old wooden townhouses and quiet lanes, best for an evening walk.
6. A walk in kimono
Rent a kimono and take photos around Higashiyama or Gion. There are kimono for children too.
7. A tea ceremony
Learn how to whisk matcha with a tea master. Children can join too.
8. A day trip to Nara
About 35 to 45 minutes by train. See our Nara day trip from Kyoto.
Our recommended plan
Day 1: Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera and Gion
- Early morning (7:00 to 8:00): Fushimi Inari Taisha, right in front of JR Inari Station. Walk through the gates before the crowds arrive
- Late morning: a taxi or private car to Kiyomizu-dera (about 15 minutes)
- Lunch: a halal lunch near Higashiyama or Gion (see our guide to halal food in Kyoto)
- Afternoon: walk down Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka for souvenirs, then rest at your hotel
- Evening: a walk through Gion
Day 2: Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji
- Early morning: the Arashiyama bamboo grove, as early as you can
- Late morning: cross Togetsukyo Bridge, then take a boat or walk along the river
- Lunch: a halal lunch in Arashiyama
- Afternoon: a taxi or private car to Kinkaku-ji
- Evening: back to Kyoto Station or Shijo for shopping and dinner
Day 3: Nara, or a day of Japanese culture
- Nara: take the Kintetsu line to Nara Park, feed the deer and see the Great Buddha at Todai-ji
- Culture: a kimono walk and photos in Higashiyama in the morning, and a tea ceremony in the afternoon
- Go early to the famous places: Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera and the bamboo grove get very busy after about 9:00
- With children, skip the city buses: the sights are far apart and the buses are packed. Use trains and taxis, or a private driver on days with luggage or small children
- Cherry blossom and autumn leaves seasons are busier still: late March to early April and mid to late November, so book hotels early
Where to stay
- Around Kyoto Station: easy for the bullet train, the airport and day trips to Osaka and Nara
- Shijo and Gion: best for walking and evenings out
- A ryokan: one night with a private hot spring bath makes a special memory (see our top 10 ryokan with private onsen)
Halal food and prayer
- Kyoto has halal wagyu ramen and yakiniku restaurants near Gion and Kyoto Station. See our guide to halal food in Kyoto
- For prayer, there is Kyoto Mosque, and the City of Kyoto lists free spaces where Muslim visitors can pray. Both are in our Kyoto halal guide
Getting there
- From Tokyo: about 2 hours 15 minutes on the Nozomi bullet train
- From Osaka: about 30 minutes on the JR Special Rapid. See our Osaka itinerary with kids
- From Kansai Airport: the JR Haruka limited express runs straight to Kyoto Station
Let a Japanese local plan your Kyoto trip
Tell us your dates and who is travelling, and we will plan your trip: where to stay, an early-start plan, a private car, halal restaurant bookings and kimono or tea ceremony experiences. Plan my trip, or see our Japan tour packages from Dubai.
How many days do you need in Kyoto?
2 days for the main sights, or 3 days if you also want a day trip to Nara or a kimono and tea ceremony experience.
Can children walk to the top of Fushimi Inari?
The round trip takes 2 to 3 hours, so with small children it is better to turn back at one of the viewpoints on the way.
Is it better to get around Kyoto by bus or train?
City buses are very crowded, so with children, trains and taxis or a private car are much easier.
Are there halal restaurants in Kyoto?
Yes. There are halal wagyu ramen and yakiniku restaurants near Gion and Kyoto Station.
Should we stay in Kyoto or Osaka?
Kyoto if temples and shrines are your focus, Osaka if you want USJ and street food. They are about 30 minutes apart by train, so day trips are easy.
