How to Spend 3 Days in Kyoto

Kyoto is one of the most famous places to visit in Japan, especially during maple leaf season in autumn, when the city is filled with picturesque walks perfect for the time of year. It ended up being one of my favourite places in Japan. It was so scenic, particularly with the vibrant orange colours from the leaves. It’s also such a stark contrast to the city life of Tokyo, which I think makes it feel even more special, especially as you typically travel here by bullet train from Tokyo.

One caveat: Kyoto is an extremely popular travel destination, particularly during autumn foliage or cherry blossom season. Prepare yourself for big crowds and long queues. One way to get around this is to visit places at quieter times, early in the morning or later in the afternoon. I don’t think we had a single lie-in while we were in Kyoto, but it was so worth it to enjoy the true beauty of the sights without being surrounded by lots of people.

3 Days in Kyoto

In this blog, I’m going to share how I’d recommend spending three days in Kyoto based on my experience. Three days is probably the perfect amount of time to see all the main sights in the area, though if you had longer, you could definitely take this itinerary at a slower pace.

Day 1 in Kyoto:

First things first, get up early (and I mean 6am early!) and head to Fushimi Inari Taisha. It’s only a short 10-minute train ride away, so it doesn’t take long to get to. Fushimi Inari is a Shinto shrine famous for its thousands of bright red torii gates, which stretch all the way up sacred Mount Inari. It’s magical walking through the many torii gates and soaking up the sacredness of the area. I’d highly recommend hiking to the top if you're fit enough, as the crowds thin out quite a bit, and you really get to take in the full beauty of the place.

After your early start and hike, I’d suggest heading to Nishiki Market. This is another place that gets busy with tourists, but if you go just before lunchtime, it tends to be a bit quieter, so you can enjoy wandering through more peacefully. You can get everything here from tofu doughnuts to fresh sashimi. My top picks you must try are the soy-braised chicken leg and the fruit-stuffed mochi. Absolutely heavenly!

I’d then spend the rest of the afternoon wandering around the area near the market. There are loads of thrift shops where you can pick up some trendy clothes, and plenty of cafés where you can relax after a busy day and enjoy a matcha. You’ll also find a few themed cafés with animals but do be mindful—some of them aren’t very ethical and keep animals in tiny cages. You’ll likely be able to tell from the look of the place.

Finally, for the evening, head to the Nidec Kyoto Tower observation deck. From the top, you get an amazing view of the whole city lit up at night. There’s just something magical about seeing a city from above. In the basement of the same building, there’s a huge selection of food vendors, where you can try everything from wagyu beef burgers to soufflé pancakes and even matcha beer. It’s a great opportunity to try some fun, unique takes on Japanese classics.

Day 2 in Kyoto:

On your second day, I’d recommend a day trip to Nara. It’s super easy to get there yourself, no need for a tour or anything. Just hop on the Nara Line train from Kyoto Station and it’ll take you straight there, with no need to change. It takes roughly an hour.

Nara’s most famous attraction? The deer. And not just any deer. Bowing deer. Walk about 10 minutes straight from the station and you’ll soon see deer everywhere. I recommend heading to Nara Park, a big green area full of them. You can buy crackers from local vendors to feed them, but be warned, some of them, especially the males, can get a bit feisty. They’re not shy about chasing you or nibbling your clothes (my partner learned that the hard way!). Keep the crackers in your pocket, show the deer your empty hands, and only bring out one at a time. I’d also go for the smaller or solo deer rather than big groups. And yes, if you bow to them before feeding, they’ll bow back. It’s honestly the cutest thing.

After spending time with the deer, go for a walk around the Todai-ji Temple and Nigatsudo Temple area. The temples are surrounded by forest, and the way they blend in with the trees makes them look like they belong there naturally. It’s a beautiful, peaceful walk and a lovely way to feel a little more connected to nature. You might even spot a few more deer along the way!

Before heading back, stroll through the Shimomikado shopping street near the station. You can grab lunch here and pick up a few gifts. Don’t miss Nakatanidou either, it’s a famous spot for handmade mochi. They do a mochi-pounding demo every hour, but it gets seriously busy and only lasts about a minute, so I wouldn’t go out of your way just for that. However, go to try the authentic handmade mochi for sure!

Back in Kyoto, I’d spend the evening walking along the Kamogawa River at sunset. It’s such a peaceful walk, look out for herons in the river and the occasional busker playing music. Then head to Pontocho Alley, where you’ll find loads of cosy izakayas for dinner or a few drinks. The alley is narrow and full of character, and even if you don’t eat there, it’s worth wandering down just to take it all in.

Day 3 in Kyoto:

For your third and final day, it’s another early start, but trust me, it’s worth it! Catch the first bus to Arashiyama (around 6:30am). It gets super busy by late morning, so getting there early means you can enjoy it more peacefully.

First up: the Bamboo Forest. One top tip for you, is don’t Google photos beforehand! It often looks more impressive online than in real life. It’s still lovely and worth visiting, but social media can skew expectations. It gets really packed with people taking selfies and doing full-on photo shoots, so the earlier you go, the more peaceful the experience.

Afterwards, take a walk along Togetsukyo Bridge and by the river. It’s especially beautiful during autumn and cherry blossom season, with all the colours lighting up the area. It’s another great spot to escape the hustle and bustle and reconnect with nature.

Next, head to the Monkey Park in Arashiyama, which sits atop a hill and is home to wild Japanese snow monkeys. It’s protected by volunteers and you can hike up to watch the monkeys interacting in their natural habitat. There’s even an option to feed them from a safe, enclosed area. As a bonus, the top offers panoramic views over Kyoto. Perfect for soaking in the sights and relaxing after the walk.

By now it’s probably around lunchtime, so stay in Arashiyama and try a traditional Kyoto meal, Obanzai. It’s a tray of small home-cooked dishes like miso soup, pickles, rice, tofu, and a fried dish. Everything’s made from seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. There are lots of great restaurants offering Obanzai in the area, and it’s such a nice way to sample lots of different flavours all at once.

On your way back to central Kyoto, make time for Kiyomizu-dera Temple. It can still be busy, but by late afternoon the crowds often start to thin. The temple itself is a striking red and looks stunning during the autumn leaf season. There’s a lovely, forested path around it, offering lots of different viewpoints and photo opportunities. Depending on the time of year, they sometimes put on light shows at night too, so it is worth checking in advance. The area is also full of little stalls selling handmade souvenirs and local snacks, so have a wander. And make sure to pop into the Studio Ghibli shop, it’s full of quirky finds you probably won’t see anywhere else!

Conclusion

That brings us to the end of this blog, an action-packed three days in Kyoto! It’s definitely a busy itinerary, but completely worth it to see everything that makes Kyoto so unique. If you’ve got a bit more time, I’d absolutely recommend extending your trip by a day or two to slow down and explore more.

I hope this blog has helped you plan your trip to Kyoto and has got you excited for what’s to come. If you're heading off to explore more of Japan, check out my blog on the Top 10 Things To Do in Japan for even more inspiration!