The thousand-year capital of Japan is small, walkable, and dense with temples — over a thousand of them, plus a handful of geisha districts that still function as such. The famous photographic stops are Fushimi Inari (the orange torii gates up the mountain), Kinkaku-ji (the gold pavilion), and the bamboo grove at Arashiyama. The less photographed pleasures are better: a tea house in Gion at dusk, a kaiseki dinner at a ryokan, and a pre-dawn walk through Kiyomizu before the tour buses. Two days is too few; four is right.
Visual Guides
Botanical Gardens — read the guide & watch videos.Ancient Ruins — read the guide & watch videos.Hidden Gems and Local Secrets — read the guide & watch videos.Coffee and Cafe Culture — read the guide & watch videos.Best Markets and Bazaars — read the guide & watch videos.Downtown Core — read the guide & watch videos.Packing and Seasons Guide — read the guide & watch videos.Riverside District — read the guide & watch videos.Music and Dance Traditions — read the guide & watch videos.Beaches — read the guide & watch videos.Budget — read the guide & watch videos.Mosques and Islamic Heritage — read the guide & watch videos.Suburban Escapes — read the guide & watch videos.Festival Calendar — read the guide & watch videos.Tea Houses and Traditional Drinks — read the guide & watch videos.Street Art and Murals — read the guide & watch videos.Street Food Guide — read the guide & watch videos.Archaeological Treasures — read the guide & watch videos.Historic Towns — read the guide & watch videos.Modern Architectural Marvels — read the guide & watch videos.Shopping Districts — read the guide & watch videos.Old Quarter — read the guide & watch videos.Weekend — read the guide & watch videos.New Year Traditions — read the guide & watch videos.Waterfalls — read the guide & watch videos.Nightlife and Live Music — read the guide & watch videos.Best Food Markets — read the guide & watch videos.Monuments and Memorials — read the guide & watch videos.Getting around Transport Guide — read the guide & watch videos.Photography Hotspots — read the guide & watch videos.Iconic Landmarks of Kyoto — read the guide & watch videos.Mountains & Viewpoints Around Kyoto — read the guide & watch videos.Festivals & Celebrations of Kyoto — read the guide & watch videos.Civic Landmarks and Clock Towers — read the guide & watch videos.Neighborhoods of Decoded — read the guide & watch videos.After Dark Entertainment Districts — read the guide & watch videos.Antiques and Flea Markets — read the guide & watch videos.Night Food Scene — read the guide & watch videos.Rooftop Bars and Skyline Views — read the guide & watch videos.Unmissable Experiences — read the guide & watch videos.Public Transit Decoded — read the guide & watch videos.Hot Springs and Bathing — read the guide & watch videos.Cooking Classes and Food Tours — read the guide & watch videos.Chinatown — read the guide & watch videos.Regional Specialties — read the guide & watch videos.Travel Etiquette and Customs — read the guide & watch videos.Grand Bridges and Gateways — read the guide & watch videos.Craft Beer and Local Breweries — read the guide & watch videos.Vegetarian and Vegan Eats — read the guide & watch videos.Night Markets — read the guide & watch videos.River Cruises and Boat Trips — read the guide & watch videos.Trendy and Hipster Areas — read the guide & watch videos.UNESCO World Heritage — read the guide & watch videos.Where to Stay — read the guide & watch videos.Countryside and Villages — read the guide & watch videos.Best Day Trips — read the guide & watch videos.First Timer Guide — read the guide & watch videos.Sweets and Desserts — read the guide & watch videos.Royal Dynasties and Rulers — read the guide & watch videos.Islands Within Reach — read the guide & watch videos.Skyline and Famous Towers — read the guide & watch videos.Spa and Massage Traditions — read the guide & watch videos.Wildlife and Nature Reserves — read the guide & watch videos.Colonial Era Heritage — read the guide & watch videos.Souvenirs and What to Buy — read the guide & watch videos.Rivers and Waterways — read the guide & watch videos.Historic Forts and City Walls — read the guide & watch videos.Perfect 3 Day Itinerary — read the guide & watch videos.
Fushimi Inari at sunrise.Kinkaku-ji golden pavilion.Arashiyama bamboo grove.Gion district at dusk.Kiyomizu-dera before dawn.Philosopher’s Path in spring.
