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Kyoto Prefecture

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Kyoto

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Kyoto

Exterior of the Golden Pavilion overlooking a pond in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

Comprehensive Itinerary to Cover All of Kyoto's Sights

Ultimate Kyoto 4 Day Itinerary

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Our Kyoto 4 Day Itinerary extensively covers all the major attractions that Kyoto has to offer. In addition to the first two days itinerary, the third day checks out the (京都御所, Kyōto Gosho), the (銀閣寺, Ginkaku-ji), and the sacred Nanzenji Temple. The fourth day covers the (金閣寺, Kinkaku-ji), (二条城, Nijō-jo), and the (京都鉄道博物館, Kyōto Tetsudō Hakubutsukan).

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Arashiyama and Kamo River

A day of riverside views

Nature
Culture
Gourmet
Volume
Kyoto has some of the most stunning riverside views in Japan. Our favorite neighborhood in Kyoto, Arashiyama is typically less-crowded than Kyoto’s favorite attractions. Located next to the , making for great scenic shots. Plenty of attractions, shops, and restaurants in the area makes it a great place to discover on foot.
At night, we'll head to the in central Kyoto, strolling down the moonlit river.
River view in autumn in Arashiyama, Kyoto Prefecture

Itinerary Details

Start off at Kyoto Station

Recommended Time:

09:00

京都駅

Kyoto Station

JR-E01

嵯峨野線

Sagano Line

JR-D01

奈良線

Nara Line

K

11

烏丸線

Karasuma Line

JR-A31

JR京都線

JR Kyōto Line

JR-A31

琵琶湖線

Biwako Line

Take the train to Saga-Arashiyama Station

Est.

09:00

24 mins

Sagano Line

Towards Sonobe Station

JR West.webp

JR West

Kyoto Station

to

Saga-Arashiyama Station

17 mins

Take South Exit

7 mins
600m

Saga-Arashiyama Station

to

Tenryū-ji Temple

Pond and temple building in Tenryuji in Arashiyama, Kyoto Prefecture

Est.

09:35

1 hour

Tenryū-ji Temple (天龍寺)

Explore Kyoto’s Top Zen Temple

Tenryū-ji Temple is an important located in (嵐山), and is the head temple of the . It is considered Kyoto’s top temple in the system which denotes the ten most important Zen temples (five in Kyoto, and five in Kamakura) in Japan.
Walkway through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama, Kyoto Prefecture

Est.

10:35

1 hour

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (嵐山 竹林の小径)

Meander through the Bamboo Forest

The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove has become one of Kyoto’s most iconic sights, alongside the gates of the Fushimi Inari Shrine. This pedestrian path is lined with lush bamboo that stretch out for as far as the eye can see on either side. Of course, with its popularity, one can expect large crowds in the area as well, but that still doesn’t take away the sense of scale and awe from the grove.

Walk to Sagano-yu

Est.

11:35

9 mins
9 mins
750m

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

to

Saganoyu

Exterior of Sagano-yu in Arashiyama, Kyoto Prefecture

Est.

11:55

1.5 hours

Saganoyu (嵯峨野湯)

Have brunch in a former sento

Saganoyu is a popular cafe located in a former , that has been repurposed with a stylish retro interior while keeping certain features of the original bathhouse, such as the walls and the tiling.
People walking down the shopping street in Arashiyama, Kyoto Prefecture

Est.

13:25

1 hour

Sagano & Arashiyama Shotengai (嵯峨野と嵐山商店街)

Shop your way down the Sagano and Arashiyama Shotengais

The Sagano Shōtengai runs from the JR Saga-Arashiyama Station all the way to the entrance of the (天龍寺, Tenryū-ji).
Kyoto Latte held up outside %Arabica in Arashiyama, Kyoto Prefecture

Est.

14:25

30 mins

% Arabica (アラビカ)

Sip on coffee by the river

%Arabica is a unique Japanese homegrown coffee brand that is headquartered in Kyoto. While the brand now has outlets around the world, this particular shop in Arashiyama has a beautifully minimalist design and also overlooks the and the (渡月橋, Tōgetsu-kyō Bridge).
Panoramic view of Togetsukyo bridge in Arashiyama, Kyoto Prefecture

Est.

14:55

30 mins

Togetsukyo Bridge (渡月橋)

Get amazing views of the Katsura River

The Togetsukyo Bridge was named after , while on a party on a boat on the river in the 1200s, thought that it looked like the moon was crossing over the bridge. The bridge is popular for its traditional wooden design spanning 155m, it is a favorite filming spot for historic films set in Japan. The first bridge was built in 836, with the current bridge built in 1934, with reinforced concrete beams despite its wooden appearance.
Monkeys roaming free in Monkey Park Iwatayama in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

Est.

15:25

1.5 hours

Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama (嵐山モンキーパーク)

Go monkey-ing around

The Monkey Park Iwatayama is an open-air mountainside nature park where around a 100 roam free. These creatures are native to Japan, and are most famous for those photos where they would sit inside the in (長野県, Nagano-ken). In this park, the monkeys roam free and you can also get the opportunity to feed them from the safety of a metal mesh inside a hut.
Scones, galette, and milk tea at Chavaty in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

Est.

16:55

1 hour

Chavaty Kyoto (チャバティ京都)

Tea and scones the perfect combination

Chavaty offers a Japanese take on the classic combination of tea and scones, using Japanese teas such as and . They offer a variety of menu items including all-day breakfast, crepes, tea-flavored soft serve, scones, pancakes, tea, tea lattes, cocktails and more. It’s a great place for brunch, or a mid-day tea break.
Riverside view of Nakanoshima in Arashiyama, Kyoto Prefecture

Est.

17:55

30 mins

Arashiyama Park Nakanoshima (嵐山公園 中之島)

Stroll around this riverside park

The Arashiyama Park Nakanoshima is a small park located on the island of Nakanoshima on the . The park itself is rather simple, but it has stone-covered riverbanks where you can get pretty close to the river and some nice shots of (渡月橋, Tōgetsu-kyō Bridge) and the Katsura River. It’s just generally a nice place to stroll along and soak in the views.

Head to Kyoto-Kawaramachi

Est.

18:25

27 mins
3 mins
210m

Fu Fu no Yu

to

Arashiyama Station (Hankyu)

Hankyu Arashiyama Line

Towards Katsura

Hankyu.webp

Hankyu

Arashiyama Station (Hankyu)

to

Katsura

8 mins

Hankyu Kyoto Main Line

Towards Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station

Hankyu.webp

Hankyu

Katsura

to

Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station

7 mins

Take Exit 1A

5 mins
400m

Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station

to

Katsugyu

Narrow streets of Pontocho Alley in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

Est.

19:00

15 mins

Pontocho Alley (先斗町道)

Walk up Pontocho Alley

A small district that centers around a single long narrow paved alley, lined with restaurants and bars on both sides.
Gyukatsu at Katsugyu in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

Est.

19:15

1 hour

Katsugyu (勝牛)

Give gyukatsu a try

Katsugyu specializes in , beef that has been breaded and deep-fried. The beef comes medium-rare, and you can finish the beef to the doneness of your liking on a small personal hot-stone grill.

Head over to the Kamo River

Est.

20:15

2 mins
Head further north on Pontocho Alley, till you reach a T-Junction. Make a right, and you will see the entrance to the walking path beside the Kamo River.
2 mins
210m

Katsugyu

to

Kamo River

People strolling alongside the Kamo River in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

Credit: John Gillespie (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Est.

20:25

1 hour

Kamo River (鴨川)

Stroll down the Kamo River

One of the best ways to unwind in Kyoto is by walking along the Kamo River. While many always associate Kyoto with the bustling tourist crowds of Higashiyama, Gion, and the temples across Kyoto, walking down the Kamo River bring a nice, quaint change of pace.

End off at Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station

Est.

21:25

京都河原町駅

Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station

HK

86

阪急京都本線

Hankyu Kyoto Main Line

Day 2

Fushimi Inari, Higashiyama, and Gion

Exploring Central Kyoto's Old Districts

Ninenzaka staircase at Higashiyama in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture

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Due to changing circumstances, readers are advised to do their own additional research. All information on this site is purely for reference only.

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