Kyoto Itinerary: 2 to 3 Days
Kyoto packs centuries of temples, shrines and gardens into a walkable, bus-friendly city. Two days hits the highlights; a third opens up a day trip to Nara or Osaka. Here is a clean way to split it, plus good places to stay.
| Suggested length | 2 to 3 days |
|---|---|
| Get around | City buses, bikes and the subway |
| Day trips | Nara and Osaka |
Day 1: east Kyoto
Walk the Higashiyama district from Kiyomizu-dera down through Ninenzaka, then on to Gion in the late afternoon to catch the old lantern-lit streets.
Day 2: north and west
Start early at Fushimi Inari's torii gates, then cross to Arashiyama for the bamboo grove and riverside. Add the Golden Pavilion if time allows.
Day 3: a day trip
Nara is about 45 minutes away for its great temple and friendly deer, and Osaka is even closer for food and city energy.
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