Kyoto, Japan’s cultural heartland, is a city brimming with history, tradition, and beauty at every turn. From its breathtaking temples and serene gardens to its buzzing markets and delectable cuisine, Kyoto is a must-visit destination for first-timers to Japan.
TLDR 🫣
Kyoto: Japan’s cultural core presents a mesmerizing mix of history, tradition, and breathtaking views, making it a must-see destination for first-time travellers.
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Exploring the Heart of Kyoto (Central Kyoto). Nijō Castle, Lunch kaiseki, Gion district, Yasaka shrine, Kiyomizu-dera, Kichi Kichi.
- Day 2: Temples and Gardens in Northern Kyoto. Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, Otagi Nenbutsuji, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
- Day 3: Day Trip to Nara and Southern Kyoto. Nakatanidou mochi slapping, Kofuku-ji, Fushimi Inari Taisha.
- Day 4: Final Exploration (Central Kyoto). Toji, Nishiki Market, and anything else you didn't get to do!
Pro Tips:
- Book hotel reservations early; Hotel IL Verde Kyoto offers free happy hour drinks and is cheaper when you book in advance.
- Kyoto has some of the best kaiseki and eating at lunch time is more affordable.
- Go to Nara early or else you might miss the Nakantanidou mochi slapping show.
Top Awards:
- Best experiences included feeding deer at Nara Park, exploring Kiyomizu-dera Temple (our favourite temple in all of Japan), and taking photos in the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove at dusk.
- Best food featured lunch kaiseki at Hanasaki Nishikiten and an entertaining omurice dinner at Kichi Kichi. While we couldn't snag reservations for Kichi Kichi, we still found a way to dine there—details below.
We spent 4 full days in Kyoto (5 if you count travel days) during our month-long adventure in Japan, and one of those days included a day trip to Nara, which turned out to be one of our favourite experiences! If you’re planning a longer trip, check out our 31-day itinerary, How to Spend 1 Month in Japan, for a high-level view of the cities we explored, where we stayed, and what we loved in each place.
But for now, let’s dive into how to spend 4 full days in Kyoto for first-timers. (Heads up: some links are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase!)
AWARDS
Best Experiences: exploring Nara Park – home to so many deer, enjoying a peaceful afternoon at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and wandering around Arashiyama Bamboo Grove at dusk
Best Eats: A true cultural experience having an affordable kaiseki at Hanasaki Nishikiten
Best “Bang for your Buck” Hotel: Hotel IL Verde Kyoto. See “Day 1” below for why we LOVED this hotel (not sponsored). Hint: Free alcohol
Best e-SIM: Airalo (You can use our referral code “CELINA4205” to save $4.50 CAD OFF your first purchase)
HOW TO GET TO KYOTO
Getting to Kyoto is easy via public transportation. We took the train from Osaka to Kyoto and when we were leaving, we took the train from Kyoto to Kobe, which were both affordable and quick. In general, we try to take the local train if commute times are reasonable and avoid taking buses. Bringing your luggage on buses is frowned up (sometimes not even allowed) as they take up a lot of space. Here’s what our route looked like:
– Osaka to Kyoto: Tokaido-Sanyo Line, 580 yen per person (~$6 CAD), 30 minutes.
– Kyoto to Kobe: Tokaido-Sanyo Line, 1,100 yen per person (~$11 CAD), taking about an hour.
If you’re planning to visit other cities like Osaka or Kobe during your trip, check out our other itineraries: How to Spend 4 Full Days in Osaka and How to Spend 1 Full Day in Kobe. Now, let’s break down how to spend 4 full days in Kyoto, Japan, as first-timers.
ITINERARY
Let’s break down How to Spend 4 full days in Kyoto, Japan as First-Timers:
Day 1: Exploring the Heart of Kyoto (Central Kyoto)
Day 2: Temples and Gardens in Northern Kyoto
Day 3: Day Trip to Nara and Southern Kyoto
Day 4: Final Exploration (Central Kyoto)
Since we travelled from Osaka to Kyoto to Kobe, we had a couple half days that were dedicated to just travel. So, we actually spent a total of 5 days including travel days. Below is our actual itinerary, which we condensed into the 4 days above for first-timers. This means you can mix and match the itinerary/ combine half days to suit your schedule. Here’s how we spent 5 days in Kyoto
Day 1: Arrival in Kyoto and Hotel Check-In (half-day)
After arriving in Kyoto, we checked into Hotel IL Verde Kyoto, which was one of our favourite places to stay in Japan. Located a little away from the bustling center, it’s in a quieter part of town, but still close enough to explore Kyoto’s key attractions. A great perk: free unlimited happy hour! From 4:00-9:00 pm each evening, you can enjoy free drinks, including plum wine and soju—a perfect way to unwind after a day of sightseeing.
Our arrival day was mostly dedicated to settling in, enjoying said happy hour, and exploring the nearby area.
For dinner, we tried what Ryan calls “Cheap Eats”, restaurants that are open 24/7 serving cheap yet filling meals. I personally love these when we’re looking for something filling, but it’s late at night. We came across Machikadoya Karasuma Gojo, and it was absolutely delicious with their help-yourself refillable soup and rice! The cost for two people came out to $15 CAD.
Day 2: Full Day Exploring the Heart of Kyoto
On our first full day in Kyoto, we immersed ourselves in the city’s rich history and vibrant culture, starting with Nijō Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The entrance fee was 800 yen (~$8 CAD), and we spent a couple of hours marvelling at the beautiful gardens and learning about the castle’s fascinating history. Is it a must do? Nah, this one can be skipped unless you’re really into castles and history. Osaka, Hiroshima and Himeji castles were better in our opinion.
Next, we headed to Nishiki Market, a lively market known for its fresh produce, local snacks, and an exciting array of street food. But, we had lunch reservations at a kaiseki in about 20 minutes, so we decided to just browse and window shop, coming back here another day to eat.
For lunch, we dined at Kyoto Cuisine Hanasaki Nishikiten, a cozy spot near Nishiki Market, offering an affordable kaiseki (traditional multi-course) lunch—a must-try when in Kyoto. There were 7 courses, each dish was carefully curated and chosen based on the season. The set included an appetizer, sashimi, a grilled dish (fish), pumkin dumpling, tempura, pickled vegetables sushi, and dessert. Despite being one of the more affordable kaisekis, lunch put us back about $74 CAD.
After lunch, we explored Gion District, the famous geisha neighborhood. We strolled down Hanamikoji Street, admired the elegance of Yasaka Shrine, and took a peaceful walk through Maruyama Park.
To satisfy our sweet tooth, we stopped at KUMONOCHA Kiyomizu Sannenzaka for their signature cloud dessert. We ordered one cloud dessert set which came with a matcha tea, and one matcha brownie, totalling $14 CAD for both items.
Then, it was time to see the star of today, Kiyomizu-dera Temple. This temple, known for its large wooden stage offering stunning views of Kyoto, was one of the highlights of the day. In fact, of all the temples we visited across Japan in 31 days, Kiyomizu-dera was our favourite temple. There’s something surreal about it’s beautiful, grand wooden stage, placed high above the forest, overlooking the city. Pro tip: it closes at 6 pm, so plan accordingly! We got there just before closing and it was already gloomy. The cost for two people was 1000 yen ($10 CAD).
Heading back to town, we spotted one of my favourite Japanese snacks – karaage! That’s fried chicken on a stick. Who doesn’t love that? We ordered one giant stick to share, costing about 800 yen ($8 CAD).
After that small appetizer, our hunger started to set in. We decided to wrap up the day with dinner at the famous Kichi Kichi, renowned for its playful and theatrical omurice (rice omelet). To dine here, you need a reservation, and depending on whether you’re aiming for lunch or dinner, you have to act fast on their online reservation system. They only accept same-day bookings, and reservations fill up quickly.
Did we manage to secure one? Surprisingly, no! We knew reservations were necessary, so we tried to book the moment the slots opened, but with only 12 seats in the entire restaurant, I guess we weren’t quick enough to snag one.
So how did we get a spot at Kichi Kichi? Well, after visiting Kiyomizu-dera Temple and snacking on karaage, we wandered back into town to find dinner and happened to just pass by Kichi Kichi around 6:45 PM. A large sign on the door read, “Fully booked. No seats. Reservation only.” Undeterred, we asked a friendly server if we could wait in case of any no-shows. To our luck, three people didn’t show up for their reservation, and after just a 15-minute wait, we were seated by 7:00 PM, ready to enjoy the show! Two regular sized omurice dishes cost $35 CAD.
Day 3: Temples and Gardens in Northern Kyoto
On day 3, we dove deeper into Kyoto’s temple culture. First, we visited Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion, one of the most iconic landmarks in Japan. Its dazzling gold-leaf exterior reflected in the surrounding pond is simply breathtaking. Entry was about 1000 yen ($10 CAD) for two people.
A short trip away is Ryoan-ji Temple, home to Japan’s most famous rock garden. It’s a serene and contemplative spot, and we enjoyed taking a moment to soak in the peaceful atmosphere. We spent 20 minutes, just sitting back and enjoy the quiet scene. The cost for two people was 1200 yen ($12 CAD).
For lunch, we stumbled upon a local noodle shop, called Shofukutei nearby. It was a small house, offering only four tables, and run by grandma and grandpa. We thought their point-and-show menu was genius for tourists who did not speak any Japanese. The funny thing is – the menu has no prices. We ordered and hoped that the prices would be reasonable for a local restaurant. Well, two dishes cost $16 CAD, so I’d say that was a pretty good deal.
In the afternoon, we visited the lesser-known Otagi Nenbutsuji, an amazing spot with hundreds of happy faced mini statues. We were amazed and would definitely recommend visiting if you’re in the area. We spent only 45 minutes here and paid 800 yen ($8 CAD) for two people.
A quick walk away, we ended up at the Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple, where we wandered through a small bamboo grove with stairs. It was 1000 yen ($10 CAD) for two people. Would we recommend going to this temple? Actually, no. Instead, we recommend skipping it, especially if you’re short on time and planning to visit Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, since Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple charges an entrance fee and is much smaller.
Arashiyama was grander and free, and we arrived around 5:00 pm when it was quiet and almost empty—an ideal time to visit. Take a look at these two photos (above and below) and decide whether the stairs are worth the additional fee.
We ended our day with conveyor belt sushi at Musashi in Kyoto station. This was our first time having conveyor belt sushi in Japan and I was SO EXCITED. We waited for approximately 30 minutes to get a seat by the bar (conveyor belt area) and eager selected our dishes off the belt. The cost for two people came up to $34 CAD.
Day 4: Day Trip to Nara Day 5: Final Day of Exploring
For day 4, we took a day trip to Nara, a charming city just an hour from Kyoto via the Kintetsu-Kyoto Line Express Kintetsu-Nara line. It cost about 760 yen per person ($8 CAD) and took about ~1 hour. Nara is known for its friendly deer, historical temples, and tranquil parks, making it an unforgettable experience.
Our first stop was Nakatanidou, where we were lucky enough to catch the famous mochi-pounding demonstration at 10:30 AM. The skilled mochi makers put on an entertaining show, slapping and pounding the mochi until it’s perfectly tender and chewy. We spent about $3 CAD on some freshly made mochi.
Pro tip: Arrive in Nara early. We got there around 10:00 AM, just in time for the mochi-pounding show. After it ended, we asked when the next demonstration would be, but they explained it depends on whether they sell out and need to make more. On this day, the 10:30 AM show turned out to be the only one, as they didn’t need to make more mochi.
Lunch was at Kamakura, a ramen shop that quickly became one of our favourites. We later found out that Kamakura is a chain, but it served the best ramen we’ve ever had! We ordered two large ramens, beer, karaage, and gyoza for $27 CAD.
Next, we explored Kofuku-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Nara Deer Park, where we spent a couple of hours feeding the deer with special cookies (200 yen for a pack). The deer are incredibly polite—they bow to you in exchange for food, which was adorable. Feeding deer in Nara will be one of the highlights for us for the rest of our lives.
We finished the afternoon at Tōdai-ji, home to the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue (Great Buddha), passing through the impressive Nandaimon South Gate to enter. There are deer everywhere, so if you haven’t finished giving away all your cookies, they’ll definitely be waiting for you here. Tickets for the temple cost 1600 yen ($16 CAD) for two people.
On our way back to Kyoto, we made an impromptu stop at Fushimi Inari Taisha, the iconic shrine with thousands of red torii gates. It’s also completely free! We decided to explore it well into the evening, which turned out to be an eerie yet serene experience. Some say they’ve even encountered wild boar at night! The crowds were sparse, and as we walked deeper into the shrine, the fewer people we encountered. If you’re up for a nighttime adventure, this is the place to be! We walked the entire grounds in about 3 hours (we had no clue it would take that long), so we were thankful to have completed it at night when it was much cooler.
Day 5: Final Day of Exploring (Half Day)
On our final day in Kyoto, we checked out of our hotel in the morning but left our luggage to explore a bit more. We visited Toji Temple, another UNESCO World Heritage site known for its towering five-story pagoda. Tickets cost 1000 yen ($10 CAD) for two people. There was barely anyone here, but it was one of the best pagodas we’ve ever seen. It’s surrounded by ponds and beautiful trees.
Before leaving, we returned to Nishiki Market for one last snack stop. It turned out to be a mini lunch as we grabbed sake ($1 CAD), butter taiyaki and matcha lattes ($8 CAD), and michelin-rated dumplings and karaage ($9 CAD).
Semi-full, we decided to supplement our market snacks with a a quick lunch at Kuro Sushi, a conveyor belt sushi place offering an affordable, casual dining experience. The cost for two people came out to be $14 CAD. Super affordable as most of the plates are only 150 yen ($1.50 CAD). They also have a cool game here – For every 5 plates, you can deposit them for a chance to win a random game. If you win, you get a gatcha ball from the vending machine above your table. We did not win. 🙁
By early afternoon, it was time to head to our next destination: Kobe. We bid farewell to beautiful Kyoto and took the train to Kobe. It required a 20 minute walk to the station and then 640 yen ($6.50 CAD) per person. We arrived in Kobe after ~1.5 hours.
TOTAL COST for 4 Full Days in Kyoto (Approximate, CAD for 2 people):
Accommodations for 4 nights: $268
Activities: $66
Food: $278
TOTAL: $612 (Roughly $77 per person, per day)
FINAL THOUGHTS
Kyoto is a magical city that perfectly balances tradition and modernity. Whether you’re marveling at temples, indulging in local cuisine, or exploring bustling markets, there’s something for everyone in this culturally rich city. We hope this guide helps you plan the perfect 4-day itinerary for your visit to Kyoto, whether you’re a first-time traveler or a seasoned Japan explorer!
If you’re planning a longer trip, don’t forget to check out our 31-day Japan itinerary, How to Spend 1 Month in Japan, for more travel tips and inspiration. Comment below if you have any questions!
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