How Many Days in Kyoto - Itinerary Ideas for 3, 5, & 7 Days

Kyoto, the medieval capital of Japan, is a must-see city to experience Japan's rich history and culture.

It's common to spend 3-7 days in Kyoto. The number of days you choose depends on how much you want to see and the pace of your trip.

In this article, you will find the perfect length of stay for your trip to Kyoto, along with itineraries and firsthand tips from our visits.

How Many Days to Spend in Kyoto?

Most travelers usually spend 3-7 days in Kyoto. For first-timers, we highly recommend visiting for 3 days. If you have more than 5 days in Kyoto, it's best to use the city as a base to explore the surrounding areas.

With a minimum of 3 days in Kyoto, you can explore the must-see attractions in a limited time. Though it might feel a bit rushed, it's enough to cover the essentials. Besides the city highlights, you can also take day trips to places like Arashiyama and Nara.

Spending 5 days in Kyoto allows you to gain a deeper experience while enjoying a relaxed pace. You'll have more time to savor authentic experiences like the tea ceremony, pottery making, and geisha performance.

If you have 7 days in Kyoto, it's best to use Kyoto as your base to explore nearby places like Nara, Uji, and Osaka. This way, you can have a more comprehensive experience.

How to Spend 3 Days in Kyoto?

Although 3 days in Kyoto might seem tight, with careful planning, you can still explore the must-see attractions. Plus, you could dedicate half a day to exploring Arashiyama and another half a day to a trip to Nara.

We recommend visiting 3–4 attractions each day. Focus on nearby spots to save time traveling. This way, you can enjoy each place without feeling rushed.

Here is a sample itinerary covering the must-visit in Kyoto for your inspiration.

• Day 1: City highlights (Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Gion, Nishiki Market, kimono-wearing)

Spend your first day discovering Kyoto's top attractions for a rich traditional vibe. They are all close to each other, within a 30-minute walk. You can also sample the cuisines at a local market.

• Day 2: City highlights and half day at Arashiyama (Kinkakuji, bamboo groves in Arashiyama)

On the second day, take a half day to enjoy the natural beauty of Arashiyama. It takes a 30-minute drive from downtown Kyoto. Here, you can take a rickshaw to explore the bamboo groves, hop on a sightseeing train to admire the scenery, or try your hand at rowing a boat.

• Day 3: Nara (Fushimi Inari Shrine, feed deer in Nara)

For the third day, make your way to Nara. On the journey, you'll pass by Fushimi Inari Shrine. After exploring Nara, you can head to your next destination.

How to Spend 4-5 Days in Kyoto?

A 5-day stay in Kyoto lets you delve into the city at your own pace. You can enjoy more authentic cultural activities, discover lesser-known spots, take day trips, and even have a free day.

A sample 5-day itinerary for your inspiration:

• Day 1: Cultural Kyoto (Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Gion, pottery making, ninja experience)
• Day 2: Historic Kyoto (Kinkakuji, Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market, tea ceremony in a kimono)
• Day 3: Arashiyama (bamboo groves, Sagano Romantic Train)
• Day 4: Nara (Fushimi Inari Shrine, Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, deer feeding)
• Day 5: Free day

In this itinerary, you can immerse yourself in Kyoto's cultural atmosphere while connecting with nature. This balance keeps the trip interesting, making you won't feel bored from visiting one shrine after another.

If you prefer a laid-back city with fewer tourists, consider spending day 5 in Uji. This city is famous for its matcha. We can arrange special experiences for you, like picking tea leaves in a plantation, grinding them, and even making incense with matcha.

How to Spend 7 Days in Kyoto?

For an enriching 7-day stay, we highly recommend using Kyoto as your base to explore nearby areas like Osaka, Uji, or Hiroshima. This way, you'll never get bored.

Here's a sample 7-day itinerary for your reference:

• Day 1: Cultural Kyoto (Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Gion, kimono-wearing)
• Day 2: Historic Kyoto (Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market, pottery making)
• Day 3: Arashiyama (Kinkakuji, take a rickshaw to enjoy the bamboo groves, Sagano Romantic Train)
• Day 4: Nara (Fushimi Inari Shrine, deer feeding)
• Day 5: Osaka city highlights (Umeda Sky building, foodie tour at Dotonbori, Ukiyo-e printmaking)
• Day 6: Uji (matcha-making process, a leisurely walk in the city)
• Day 7: Free day

We recommend planning more activities for the first three days and fewer for the last two. This is because you will feel more excited and energetic at the start of your trip. As time goes on, you may begin to feel tired.

Visiting both Kyoto and Osaka in a week is highly popular. Osaka, known as Japan's culinary paradise and a vibrant modern city, is just a quick 15-minute Shinkansen bullet train ride away from Kyoto. It offers a different experience compared to traditional Kyoto.

If You Have More Than a Week in Kyoto

If this is your first visit to Japan and you have over a week for your holiday, I suggest adding Tokyo and Osaka to your itinerary. This way, you'll get a well-rounded experience and truly enjoy Japan's essence.

Here is a handpicked 9-day Japan itinerary for your inspiration.

• Day 1-3: Tokyo (Meiji Shrine, Sensoji Temple, Tsukiji Fish Market)
• Day 4-5: Hakone (Owakudani, Lake Ashi, easy hike at Hakone Hachiri)
• Day 6-7: Kyoto (Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Gion, kimono-wearing, feed deer in Nara)
• Day 8: Osaka (foodie tour at Dotonbori, Ukiyo-e printmaking)
• Day 9: Departure

If this is your second visit to Kyoto and you want to explore western Japan, which includes the areas of Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, it's also great to spend your time there.

Tips for Planning Your Itinerary in Kyoto

1. Avoid Scheduling Your Day's Itinerary across Different Districts

Kyoto has many attractions spread across various regions. It's better to focus your visit on 1-2 neighbouring districts. This will help you maximize your time enjoying the highlights rather than spending it on the road.

For example, spend one day exploring "Southern Higashiyama" (Kiyomizu-dera, Ninenzaka, Yasaka Shrine), and another full day in Arashiyama.

2. Visit up to 3 Major Shrines and Temples Per Day

If you visit many shrines and temples in a single day, you might get tired and bored.

Combining temple visits with other activities is a good idea, like wearing a kimono to Kiyomizu-dera. This will help you have a more immersive experience and make it more engaging.

3. Diversify Your Itinerary

Don't limit yourself to just visiting temples in Kyoto! Explore other fun and authentic experiences like enjoying a meal at the local Nishiki Market, strolling through the lively Pontocho Alley, trying on a kimono for photos, or taking part in a traditional tea ceremony.

4. Add an Extra Day to Your Itinerary During Peak Season

After visiting Kyoto, we highly recommend adding at least one extra day to your itinerary during peak season, such as cherry blossom season or fall foliage season. Doing so will help you better manage larger crowds and enjoy a slower pace.

Let's Customize Your Kyoto Trip Now!

No matter what you want to experience in Kyoto, our expert Japan travel advisors can make your dream trip come true. Just share your preferences with us, and we'll ensure you have a stress-free journey!

Below are our most-chosen Japan tours that include Kyoto for your inspiration.

• 8-Day Essential Japan Family Trip with Culinary Delights
• 11-Day Traditional Japan Tour with Historical Hiroshima
• 13-Day Japan Family Vacation with Theme Parks