Itineraries · 3 days
Kyoto in 3 Days, Slowly
Higashiyama, Arashiyama and Uji — early starts, no rushing.
Higashiyama — kimono from Kiyomizu to Gion
Kiyomizu · Higashiyama · Gion- 109:00体 Do1 h
Kimono rental near Kiyomizu-dera 清水寺周辺の着物レンタル
Get dressed and styled in kimono at a shop at the foot of the temple, then walk straight out.
★ Most shops close returns at 17:30; want night shots? Pick one with next-day return. - Walk 10 min uphill
- 210:15景 Sight1 h
Kiyomizu-dera 清水寺
The famous wooden stage over the treetops, with a view back across the city.
★ Stand below at the Otowa waterfall for the best photo of the stage from underneath. - Walk 5 min
- 311:30食 Eat2 h
Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka 三年坂・二年坂
Stone slopes of wooden shops and teahouses — in kimono and zori you will walk slowly, so budget two hours.
🍜 Eat Yuba or tofu lunch sets ¥1,500–3,000, matcha soft serve ¥500–700, dango ¥300–500★ Look back uphill from the bottom of Ninenzaka for the classic pagoda-and-rooftops shot. - Walk 10 min via Nene-no-michi
- 414:00景 Sight45 min
Yasaka Shrine 八坂神社
The vermilion shrine at the top of Gion, with Maruyama Park just behind it.
★ The main gate at the end of Shijo street is brightest in late afternoon light.¥ FreeMap ↗ - Return kimono, then walk 15 min
- 516:30景 Sight1 h
Gion Shirakawa 祇園白川
After returning the kimono, walk the stone lane beside a willow-lined canal — the prettiest corner of Kyoto at dusk.
★ For the geisha district's real story, a small-group night walk beats wandering — and does not bother the maiko.¥ FreeMap ↗ - Walk 10 min across the Shijo bridge
- 618:30食 Eat1.5–2 h
Pontocho dinner 先斗町
A one-lane alley of lantern-lit restaurants between Kiyamachi and the Kamo River.
🍜 Eat Obanzai (Kyoto home-style small dishes), yakitori, kaiseki; roughly ¥4,000–10,000★ From May to September, book a riverside deck (kawayuka) table for the evening breeze.¥ Free (food extra)Map ↗
Arashiyama — bamboo, the bridge, the river
Arashiyama · Sagano · Hozu River- 107:30景 Sight45 min
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove 嵐山竹林の小径
Tall bamboo on both sides of a winding path — magical when it is empty.
★ After 9:00 your photos are mostly other people.¥ FreeMap ↗ - Walk 5 min to the north gate
- 208:30景 Sight1 h
Tenryu-ji Temple 天龍寺
A World Heritage Zen temple whose pond garden frames the Arashiyama hills.
★ Sit on the veranda of the main hall and look at the garden — that is the whole point.¥ Garden ¥500; halls +¥300; Cloud Dragon ceiling ¥500Map ↗ - Walk 10 min
- 310:00景 Sight45 min
Togetsukyo Bridge 渡月橋
The long wooden bridge over the Katsura River, with forested hills behind.
★ To save your legs, rent an e-bike here — Kinkaku-ji is an easy ride away on another day.¥ FreeMap ↗ - Walk 5 min
- 411:30食 Eat1 h
Arashiyama lunch 嵐山でランチ
Eat early on the main street before the midday crowds peak.
🍜 Eat Yudofu (simmered tofu) sets ¥2,000–4,000, matcha soba, croquettes and skewers ¥200–500★ Arashiyama peaks at midday — bamboo in the morning, lunch at noon, train in the afternoon. - Walk 10 min to Torokko Saga station
- 513:00体 Do45 min
Sagano Romantic Train 嵯峨野トロッコ列車
An open-air train along the Hozu River gorge from Saga to Kameoka.
★ It sells out fast in autumn; it does not run on Wednesdays.¥ One way ¥880 adults / ¥440 childrenMap ↗ - From Torokko Kameoka: shuttle bus to the boat pier, about 15 min
- 614:00体 Do2 h
Hozu River boat ride 保津川下り
Ride a traditional wooden boat down the gorge back to Arashiyama, steered by boatmen with poles.
★ Sit near the front for the rapids — and hold on to your phone.
Fushimi Inari and Uji matcha, then out
Fushimi · Uji · Kyoto Station- JR Nara line Kyoto → Inari, 5 min
- 107:30景 Sight1.5 h
Fushimi Inari Taisha 伏見稲荷大社
Walk the tunnel of vermilion torii gates up the sacred mountain as far as you like.
★ The torii tunnel is nearly empty before 8:00 — and you are still on the road early. - JR Nara line Inari → Uji, about 20 min, then walk 10 min
- 209:30景 Sight1 h
Byodo-in Phoenix Hall 平等院鳳凰堂
The temple hall reflected in its pond is the building on the back of the ten-yen coin.
★ Phoenix Hall interior tours run in timed slots — buy the extra ticket as soon as you arrive.¥ Garden + museum ¥600; Phoenix Hall interior +¥300Map ↗ - Walk 2 min
- 311:00食 Eat1 h
Byodo-in Omotesando tea street 平等院表参道
The lane to the temple is lined with tea merchants — this is where Japan's famous matcha comes from.
🍜 Eat Matcha soft serve ¥500–700, matcha soba ¥1,000–1,500, a bowl of whisked matcha with a sweet ¥800–1,500★ Buy tea here, not at the airport: you can taste before you pick. - Walk 10 min across the river
- 412:00景 Sight45 min
Uji River & Ujigami Shrine 宇治川・宇治上神社
Cross the river to a small World Heritage shrine, among the oldest standing shrine buildings in Japan.
★ The Uji Bridge area is the setting of the last chapters of The Tale of Genji. - JR Nara line Uji → Kyoto, about 25 min
- 513:30駅 MoveAbout 75 min
Kyoto Station → HARUKA to Kansai Airport 京都駅・はるか
The HARUKA limited express runs from Kyoto Station to Kansai Airport in about 75 minutes.
★ Allow 2.5 hours before an international flight, and ship bags ahead to spend the last half-day hands free.¥ FreeMap ↗