Kyoto 5-day Itinerary
Japan
Where to go and what to see in Kyoto to get the most from your trip – a 5-day itinerary from destination expert and Japan travel writer Rob Goss.
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Overview >Bucket list experience:
Kinkakuji Temple
Last updated: 05 November, 2022
First built in 1397 as a shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu’s retirement villa, but then transformed into a Zen temple upon his death in 1408, no sight better highlights the former capital’s glory than this gilded temple casting a shimmering reflection into its islet-studded pond.
Taking in the view while strolling Kinkakuji’s garden pathways is a timeless experience. So, despite having UNESCO World Heritage status, it can be a surprise to hear that the current structure only dates to 1955. That’s when Kinkakuji was rebuilt after being burnt down by a crazed monk in 1950.
Hats off to the artisans who painstakingly recreated it – it’s stunning
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Destination Guide >Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
Like most Kyoto sites, Kinkakuji is easy to do by yourself. The only issue can be working out how best to get there. As with other attractions in north-western Kyoto, use the city’s extensive bus network. From the bus terminal at Kyoto Station, take the number 101 or 205 bus roughly 40 minutes to Kinkakuji-michi. From the central Shijo-dori area, take bus number 12.
You’ll follow a set route that takes in the view across the pond, the head priest’s former living quarters which are known for their painted sliding doors, through the temple’s gardens to the Sekkatei Teahouse.
When to do it
Kinkakuji Temple is open all year round, seven days a week. As it’s an outdoor attraction, avoid the oppressive heat and humidity of July and August, or take precautions against heatstroke.
Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Aman Kyoto
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[1.3 miles]
Traditional inn meets luxury wellness retreat at this uber-exclusive hotel. Special extras include mineral-rich hot-spring baths and an evening with the geisha of Kyoto’s oldest chaya (teahouse).
Official star rating:
Ace Hotel Kyoto
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[4.3 miles]
A plush hipster hangout smack in the heart of central Kyoto, ideal for arty and creative types.
Official star rating:
Miru Kyoto Nishiki
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[4.9 miles]
Old-Kyoto meets contemporary Japan at this centrally located boutique hotel geared to budget-conscious travelers.
Official star rating:
BnA Alter Museum
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[5.6 miles]
One for art aficionados – a minimalist boutique that’s a living art gallery. All rooms are created by local artists.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Kyoto
Kansai, Japan
Ancient temples and shrines, sublime cuisine, manicured gardens, colourful geishas and living history in spades – Kyoto is traditional Japan at its best.
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Overview >Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Geishas in Gion
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[5.6 miles]
Kyoto’s historic Gion quarter is the place to see Japan’s mysterious and enigmatic geisha. Dressed in colourful kimonos, complimented by elaborate hairstyles and oshiroi make-up, they’ve been entertaining Japan’s wealthy and well-connected for centuries.
Best for ages: 10+ | Free
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Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[5.8 miles]
The towering stalks and soft light of Arashiyama’s much-photographed bamboo grove make this iconic Kyoto sight an almost otherworldly experience.
Best for ages: 4+ | £3
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Fushimi Inari Shrine
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[8.9 miles]
One of Japan’s most sacred shrines, Fushimi Inari’s thousands of torii gateways also make it one of the country’s most Instagrammable sights.
Best for ages: 6+ | £2
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Experience
Nishiki Market
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[5 miles]
Stretching along five shop-lined blocks, Kyoto’s oldest food market immerses visitors in Kyoto’s culinary heritage. Over 100 stalls and restaurants offer all and anything food related.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
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Experience
Kenninji Temple
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[5.9 miles]
Established in 1202, this temple at the southern end of Hanami-koji has traditional Zen gardens and incredible ceiling murals of dragons (added in 2002). It claims to be the oldest temple in Kyoto.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
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Experience
Yasaka Shrine
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[6 miles]
The shrine that protects the Gion geisha district is one of Kyoto’s most distinctive sights. Entered through a roofed gateway painted a vivid vermillion, its grounds include a striking dance stage—used for performances during festivals—that’s adorned with several hundred lanterns lit each evening.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
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Experience
Saihoji Temple
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan[6.7 miles]
A Buddhist Zen temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site best known for its unusual, atmospheric moss garden that circles a symbolically-shaped golden pond. Just getting in is an experience – you’re given a written sutra to copy it out onto another piece of paper to ensure you are pure enough to enter!
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
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Round-ups that include this experience
101 World’s greatest historic buildings
Multiple countries
The great civilisations of the past have left a legacy of constructions that still stand out and inspire. Built without the wonders of 20th-century technology, many are also monumental feats of engineering; others offer such grace and beauty, that they’ll literally take your breath away.
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