A detailed analysis of how much time you need for visiting Kyoto and see all the important landmarks.

Kyoto is an amazing city. For many, it’s the cultural heart of Japan. But its food and temples are just as famous. This leads most tourist to one important question: Just how many days in Kyoto should I work into my itinerary? As there are so many things to do in the city of 1.45 million inhabitants (do read my guide to the top 20 landmarks!), this question is far from easy.

Here’s an attempt to help you with the decision process:

Note: If you want a more thorough look, do check out my very detailed 14 days Japan itinerary.

The minimum time to spend in Kyoto: 2 days

Light reflecting on the water in front of Kinkaku-ji in Kyoto
Kinkaku-ji temple in Kyoto

Kyoto is a city with many highlights, but it’s also quite a large city. This actually means if you want to see only the basic highlights, you will still need at least 2 full days. The reason? The famous Fushimi Inari Shrine (read my guide) is located in the south, while the golden temple (Kingaku-ji) and the famous Ryōan-ji are up in the north. And well, there’s quite something to see in the immediate city center as well.

Kyoto does have a good public transport system (subway, bus, railway, taxi), but transfers will take quite a while. Things, like attending a tea ceremony or eating a traditional Kaiseki dinner, will take time and can’t be rushed. Also know, that you have a staggering 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kyoto. You might not need to see them all, but I’d say that seeing some of them is not a bad idea, eh?

The perfect Kyoto itinerary: 4 days

geisha (geiko) passing around a corner in gion, kyoto
A geiko (“geisha”) in Gion

Now, personally speaking, I’d say that even a month might not be enough to see all of Kyoto. But obviously, most tourists don’t have that abundance of time available for their visit. That’s why 4 days in Kyoto is enough and a good compromise. It will allow you to see all the major highlights (check out my Japan itinerary to see how I make it work).

You will also be able to accommodate a day trip to nearby Nara (check my guide), and you can also go Geisha hunting in the evening.

Here’s a little-condensed sample itinerary:

Day1:

  • Nijō Castle
  • Kinkaku-ji (Golden Temple; here is my guide)
  • Ryōan-ji
  • Shimogamo Shrine
  • Ginkaku-ji (Silver Temple)
  • Explore Gion in the evening

Day2:

Day 3: Day trip to Nara (read: 10 amazing things to see in Nara); Taking the subway is faster for those who do not hold a JR Pass.

Day 4: 

  • Arashiyama
  • Katsura Imperial Villa (my personal favorite sight in Kyoto)

Note: You need to pre-buy tickets for the Imperial Villa at the imperial household agency! Do it on day 1, when you visit the imperial palace where you will find the agency. Don’t forget to bring your passports.

Room in a traditional Ryokan with its own private zen garden in Kyoto
Room in a traditional Ryokan with its own private zen garden

During your time in Kyoto, you should definitely consider staying overnight at a traditional Ryokan instead of a western hotel. Sleeping on traditional tatami mats will truly add more depth to your visit, plus they usually serve Kaiseki dinner, which you really have to experience at least once (read about the best Ryokan in Kyoto here).

How long to see everything in Kyoto: 7 days

Kiyomizu-dera in kyoto - the Giantic buddhist temple should be on every list of things to do in Kyoto
Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto

So, just how many days in Kyoto are enough to see all the attractions – or rather most of it? Well, that is indeed a tough question, but having been there multiple times I’d say that a week is what you would need to tour all the ancient temples, castles, Japanese gardens, and Shinto shrines. You’ll have enough time for a day trip to Nara, go to the Kabuki theater, see the Geisha and eat your share of Kyoto’s famous cuisine and complete your sightseeing.

Kyoto is a famous place to go shopping, and you really shouldn’t neglect the modern side of it. There are manga and a railway museum, there’s the Kyoto Tower and even a monkey park near Arashiyama. In Summer, cycling around the city can be a fun idea.

Most importantly, if you truly want to get intimate with Kyoto you really have to take your time. I love walking through the row of antique shops in inner Gion or attending one of the many festivals (matsuri) held throughout the year. You might even consider arranging one of the fabled Geisha parties for you or alternatively dress up as one (there are many agencies offering this unique experience, full make-up and wig included).

You could also opt to incorporate a day trip to Osaka (read my guide), which is only like 30 minutes by Shinkansen/bullet train. Definitely check out the local calendar before your trip to Japan, as you might not want to miss the cherry blossoms at the end of March or the beautiful autumn foliage in late October. You also might want to skip the Golden Week, when Kyoto will be too busy with local tourists.

A word of warning: Many people try to see Kyoto in less than 4 days. While you can move on to Miyajima or Hiroshima or spend more time in Tokyo, I believe it is a mistake to overload your itinerary with so many different cities. You waste so much time on transfers. Instead, focus your time on Kyoto and the Kansai area where you can experience the full depth of Japanese culture.

What can I see in 24 hours in Kyoto?

The red torii gates of the Fushimi Inarai Taisha Shrine in Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Taisha

For those with little to no time in Japan, I got one good news: Even with only one day in Kyoto, you will get an amazing taste of Japan’s most beautiful city.

Here’s what I would want to see in one (rather long) day:

  1. Start at Kingaku-ji
  2. Ryōan-ji
  3. Nijō Castle
  4. Have lunch in the city center (Nishiki Market)
  5. Fushimi Inari
  6. Kyomizu-dera
  7. Explore Gion in the evening

Now, this is certainly far from the only way to spend 24 hours in Kyoto. There are probably a myriad different ways to enjoy the capital of the Kansai region. But this is actually a good thing: No matter how much time you got and how many times you travel to Japan/Kyoto, there will always be beauty, history, culture and even some adventure to be explored.

If you do move around a lot, I recommend you packing very wisely, as you will be carrying around that suitcase a lot. Check out my Japan packing list to make sure you bring everything you need.

You also might want to check out my list of the top Japan travel books. Wi-Fi is not as common in Japan as you might think, your mobile phone probably won’t work, so some hardcover travel guide is recommended.

So, here is one last question for you: How many days in Kyoto are you going to spend? Tell me in the comments below!

How many days for Kyoto are enough to see all the tourist attractions? 4 days in Kyoto are usually enough, though some do it all in 24 hours. Here's a detailed travel guide to show you how much you can see with how many days. #kyoto #japan #travel
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15 COMMENTS

  1. Hi.. Will be arriving in KIX at around 2pm and will directly go to KYOTO… Will be staying in KYOTO until the afternoon of the following day…. What sites should we visit? Thank you….

  2. hi. are the places that you recommend close to each other? Will we be needing a car or bus is okay?Thank you!

    • Hey Johanna,

      Japan has an excellent public transport system, so you will not need to get a car at all. If you are looking for the perfect day trip then visit Nara or Osaka – both just 1 hour away by train.

      • Thank you very much for the information you shared . What rail/bus passes would you recommend for your itineraries : Kyoto and one day Osaka ?

      • Well there are different passes you can buy Icocoa card, Kansei thru pass, cards for buses & subways etc. I am staying 5 days in Kyoto and planning to go one day to Nara, visit Uji and may last day before returning home to see Osaka. Not sure what pass will be better since many are covering different types of trains , buses etc .

      • Well Andreea,
        I couldn’t possibly answer that question. Go to Hyperdia and just add the sums of the trips you are going to make and then look for the cheapest card(s) that cover them. Sometimes no card is cheaper, and sometimes it is. It really depends on how much you make use of trains/subways.

  3. Thanks a lot for your 4 day itinerary, though on day 1 we crisscrossed a bit through Kyoto, the ‘program’ as it is, is not completely in a logical order.

    • Hey Rob,

      thank you for your input. Hope you enjoyed Kyoto. You are right, the program is not in a completely logical order.
      I corrected the order for day one, so it makes more sense, though I rather intended it to be a suggestion instead of a fixed program ;-)

  4. Hi there,

    I am considering going to Kyoto this summer 2019 — it’ll be my first solo international trip! I was thinking of staying in Kyoto for the entire trip, but a friend of mine said it’s smarter to stay for a few days and just travel to other cities.

    What are your thoughts on staying for 2 weeks and simply enjoy the life of the locals?

    Thanks in advance for your reply!

    Best,
    S.

    • Hey Sovana,

      well…Kyoto is big. really big. It’s very easy to spend a two or three weeks there. Osaka and Nara are very easy day trips (50minutes), so actually it does make a lot of sense to use it as a base.
      I visited Kyoto so many times and there is still sights I haven’t seen (but want to). *shrug*
      But of course, if you want to experience rural life, or the mountains, it would be better to move on for a bit.

  5. Hey would there be more red leaves between end of october to 1st of november in kyoto, than between 11th of december to mid December because peak foliage is in the middle of that and I’m not sure which of these times to go as these are the times I’m free. Will the leaves still be dark red.

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