There is so much to see in Kyoto from the Bamboo Forest to the Imperial Palace to Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine and more. It may feel overwhelming trying to fit everything into a few days but do not worry it is possible and I will tell you how.
This Kyoto itinerary will go over how to get to Kyoto, where to stay in Kyoto, best things to do in Kyoto and more to help you plan an amazing trip.
This post is all about the ultimate 3-day Kyoto Japan itinerary.
How to get to Kyoto
The best way to travel around Japan is by the bullet trains. I took the Shinkansen all around Japan from Tokyo to Kyoto to Hiroshima to Osaka to Hakone. I book all my train tickets on Japan Experience. The train from from Tokyo to Kyoto took around 2 hours and the tickets are around $100. The bullet trains around Japan are definitely not cheap but from my research Japan Experience had some of the best prices.
Where to stay in Kyoto
We I visited Kyoto I stayed in Piece Hostel Sanjo. This hostel has great ratings due to its great locations, amenities, and prices. Piece Hostel Sanjo is in a great central location a few minute walk from Nishiki Market and not far away from Kyoto Imperial Palace and the Gion District. I highly recommend checking out Piece Hostel Sanjo if you are planning on visit Kyoto.
How to get around in Kyoto
There are many different ways to get around Kyoto the best budget friendly way I found to travel around Kyoto is by train. The train tickets were only a few dollars each and can get you to almost anywhere you want to go. Another way travellers get around in Kyoto is by renting bikes which is a fun way to explore. There are lots of bike rental places but we rented bikes from 100 Bikes Kyoto. Another great way to get around is by walking there are lots of top tourist destinations in Kyoto that are close together. Those are the ways I travelled around Kyoto Japan.
3-day Kyoto Japan Itinerary
Day 1 in Kyoto
Overview of Day 1
- Kyoto Imperial Palace
- Nishiki Market + Moon and Back Ramen Bar
- Gion District
Morning
Visiting Kyoto Imperial Palace is a great way to start off your trip to Kyoto Japan. The Imperial Palace in Kyoto is a great look into the history and culture of Japan and the royal families in Japan. To explore Kyoto’s Imperial Palace and the surrounding grounds and gardens I recommend a couple hours.
If you are looking to learn even more about the history and culture there are lots of guided tours that would visit Kyoto Imperial Palace. You can find tours on Viator, GetYourGuide, and other travel websites.
But if you plan to visit the Imperial Palace of Kyoto by yourself it is a great budget activity because it is FREE to enter.
Afternoon
Once you spend a couple hours walking around Kyoto Imperial Palace it will be around lunch time. The perfect place to visit in Kyoto during lunch time is Nishiki Market. Nishiki Market is located only around a 30 minute walk from the Imperial Palace. This market in Kyoto is filled with tons of food stalls full of amazing Japanese food. Grab a snack or lunch at Nishiki Market. If you don’t find enough to fill you up at the market do not worry because only a few steps away from the market is Moon and Back Ramen Bar. Moon and Back has delicious ramen and if you are gluten free like me and my sister they have gluten free options!
Evening
After spending your afternoon exploring all the food stalls in Nishiki Market make your way to the Gion District. The Gion District is a neighbourhood in Kyoto also known as the Geisha District. You can either walk around and explore this district on your own or you can join a free walking tour to learn more about this area of Kyoto. There are tons of free walking tours that explore the Gion District on GuruWalks.
Day 2 in Kyoto
Overview of Day 2
- Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Morning
Today might be your favourite day in Kyoto, because it was for me. I recommend starting your morning by visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. You may recognize this shrine by photos of its path of hundreds of orange torii gates. Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine is even more amazing in person.
When you visit there is no entrance fee and I recommend spending a couple of hours exploring this shrine in Kyoto. Be aware that Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine is located on a mountain so wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes.
Afternoon
Once you have taken in all that Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine has to offer head over to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. These location are a bit further apart than yesterdays activities but they are easy to get to by public transport. Kiyomizu-dera Temple costs 500 JPY for adults to enter (200 JPY for kids and students). I recommend spending around an hour at this temple in Kyoto.
Day 3 in Kyoto
Overview of Day 3
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
- Tenryn-ji Temple Garden
Morning/Afternoon
You CANNOT miss out on the Bamboo Forest in Kyoto! For your last day in Kyoto you must visit Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Tenryn-ji Temple Garden. The bamboo forest is a bit of a ways outside the city centre of Kyoto but worth the trip. There are many ways to get to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest you can drive, train, or if you are CRAZY like me and my sister you can bike! We rented bikes for the day and biked 20 km to visit the Bamboo Forest which would have been fun if it wasn’t 40 degrees. I would recommend public transport for the best budget option.
It is free to visit Arashiyama Bamboo Forest but if you want to walk around Tenryn-ji Temple Gardens before or after your visit to the bamboo forest it will cost 500 yen (around $4).
There are also lots of tours that visit the Bamboo Forest in Kyoto so if you want your transport and tickets to be organized for you. Check out websites like GetYourGuide to book.
Evening
Spend your last evening taking in the last of Kyoto before you travel to your next Japanese city. Walk around the different neighbourhoods and get some delicious Japanese food for dinner before going back to your accommodations to pack.
That is how to spend the perfect 3-days in Kyoto Japan. There are so many amazing places to see in Japan from shrines to palaces to bamboo forests. I hope this 3-day Kyoto Japan itinerary helped you plan your own trip to Kyoto. Have the most amazing trip, safe travels!
This post was all about the ultimate 3-day Kyoto Japan itinerary.
