How to Spend ONE DAY in Kyoto: 1 Day Kyoto Itinerary
Last Updated on September 19, 2025 by Audrey
Looking for the perfect 1 day Kyoto itinerary?
Kyoto is one of Japan’s most beloved cities, famous for its ancient temples, serene shrines, traditional tea houses, and the enchanting Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Once the nation’s capital, it offers a nostalgic glimpse into old Japan.
I’ve visited Kyoto 3 times now, and I can never get over how magical this city is. It has a perfect blend of modern city attractions as well as endless cultural landmarks to visit. In fact, Kyoto has 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, more than almost any other city!
While I encourage you to consider spending a few days here, you can still see a lot of the city with a well planned 1 day Kyoto itinerary. From peaceful shrines to delicious cuisine, my in depth guide will take you to Kyoto’s most important landmarks and extraordinary experiences. Let’s start our full day in this incredible city.
Don't Miss My Top Choice!
The tour I loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
I took this evening foodie tour of Kyoto and LOVED it! We explored the hidden streets of Gion, saw a geisha, and had a delicious traditional kaiseki dinner, all while listening to amazing stories and cultural gems from our knowledgeable guide.
Check out the countless 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
1 Day in Kyoto Itinerary
Breakfast - M& Maison Kyoto
Start your morning early at M & Maison Kyoto, which opens at 7:30 AM. They serve beautifully plated traditional Japanese breakfast with seasonal fish, rice, miso soup, and side dishes.
The set menu starts at 1,700 (about $11.50), but I recommend trying one step up from the basic set, called Ichiju Gosai. It’s a little bit pricier at 2,100, but you get 5 side dishes instead of 3, and you’ll get to try the black sesame tofu and pumpkin salad which are both really good!
It’s perfect for experiencing what locals eat in the morning, and while it may seem peculiar to enjoy fish for breakfast, I think it’s delicious. Afterwards, it’s a quick 17 minute train ride to Fushimi Station.
Morning - Fushimi Inari Taisha (Thousand Torii Gates)
It’s best to begin your day with Fushimi Inari, since it’s a bit of a hike and possibly the most popular landmark in all of Kyoto. This is the iconic Shinto shrine with thousands of bright red torii gates that line all the way up the mountain, creating a tunnel-like pathway. This is the spot you’ve seen all over Instagram, and it’s a must-see.
I’ve hiked Fushimi Inari three times now, though admittingly I’ve never actually made it all the way to the top. It’s a long climb! Most people aim for the Yotsutsuji intersection, which you can reach in about 45 minutes. This is where the torii gates start to spread apart and you start to see a beautiful view over Kyoto.
The shrine is open 24 hours, so if you can manage to arrive before breakfast I recommend it. You’ll get to enjoy the trail before all the crowds arrive, and won’t have to deal with having strangers in your photos.
At the entrance, there are tons of souvenir shops selling fox and torii-themed souvenirs. Most of them close in the afternoon around 3-4 PM, so you have time to shop after you come back down.
Fushimi Inari will always have a little bit of a crowd (unless you come at sunrise), but don’t worry. Keep walking further along the trail and you’ll eventually find an empty spot for some photos.
Check out over 5,000 5-star reviews and enjoy FREE cancellation on this Fushimi Inari Tour!
Lunch at Nishiki Market
If you don’t dawdle at Fushimi Inari, you can squeeze in a quick visit to Nishiki Market for lunch and souvenirs. Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen”, this lively market has been operating for over 400 years and is packed with stalls selling everything from fresh seafood and local produce, to traditional sweets, ceramics, and regional specialties.
It’s the perfect spot for a street food lunch, with vendors offering tempura, sashimi, grilled seafood, yuba (tofu skin), and sabazushi (mackerel sushi). We picked up loose-leaf Hojicha tea, miso, and sampled tons of snacks as we wandered through the covered arcade.
This is where I discovered my ultimate rice topper, Kyo-Rayu furikake made by Ochanoko saisai. I put it on everything, and bought 12 (that’s right, TWELVE) bags last time I went to Kyoto. If you like chili oil, make sure to grab a bag!
Afternoon - Kiyomizu-dera
Kiyomizu-dera is my favorite temple in Kyoto for its sheer beauty and breathtaking views, and I can’t wait for you to experience it.
Built halfway up Mount Otowa, this 8th-century Buddhist temple is one of the most photographed sites in Japan, and for good reason. The towering wooden building that protrudes over the hillside creates a surreal panorama of Kyoto. To see the temple, the sky, and beautiful seasonal blooms all together paints an image that takes your breath away.
As you explore, you can pay your respects to Kannon, the temple’s deity and the goddess of mercy, and stroll beneath the falling cherry blossom petals.
After you head back down the hill, you’ll see tons of local shops, street food stalls, and fantastic restaurants, so take your time browsing as you walk through the historic streets.
Check out over 3,000 5-star reviews and book your tour to Kiyomizu-dera here!
Mid-afternoon - Higashiyama Area
At the bottom of Mt Owawa is the Higashiyama area. There are a couple of landmarks here that you can visit if you have a little extra time after visiting Kiyomizu-dera.
- Yasaka Pagoda Photo Spot - The Yasaka Pagoda is in Hokan-ji Temple, but arguably the best place to get a photo is here!
- Maruyama Park - This park is a popular spot for cherry blossom season!
- Kyoto National Museum - One of Kyoto’s best museums, you can learn more about Japanese culture and see historical masterpieces for just 700 yen, or $4.75 (and even cheaper if you’re a student!)
- Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka - A scenic shopping slope on a hill with a great view of Yasaka Pagoda. You can grab snacks, visit the Porter stand, and browse around here.
- Sanjusangendo Temple - An unassuming temple from the outside, inside you’ll be stunned to find 1,001 golden statues of Kannon, known as the goddess of mercy.
Evening - Gion District Geisha Tour
Spend your evening exploring Gion, Kyoto’s famous geisha district. Geishas are highly trained entertainers skilled in traditional Japanese arts like dance, music, and the tea ceremony. In Kyoto, fully trained geishas are called geikos, while those still in training are known as maikos.
If you’re interested in learning more about geishas, then I highly recommend this walking tour of Gion! I personally went on this tour and loved it. It starts at 5 PM and lasts for around 3 hours, with a traditional kaiseki course dinner included!
We explored Gion’s cobblestone streets on foot, starting at the historic Shirakawa area through the narrow alleyway of Pontocho, which is lined with traditional restaurants. Along the way we learned how to recognize the symbols on the doors to indicate tea houses where geishas host and perform. Our guide, Thomas, was incredibly knowledgeable about the history and culture of Kyoto’s geisha world, and he even explained the years of intense training required to reach geiko status.
One of the highlights was getting to see a maiko in her beautiful kimono while waiting at an intersection! Thomas instructed us on how to take photos without being intrusive.
We ended the evening with an incredible 10-course keiseki dinner at Hanasaki, a restaurant frequented by locals. Kaiseki course meals are elaborate and grand, considered to be haute cuisine of Japan. These dinners are typically 15,000 yen ($101 USD) so to be able to enjoy it in the place it originated from and have proper etiquette explained was a bonus!
After dinner, feel free to explore Gion further. The alleyways look extra magical when illuminated with lanterns and really bring out Kyoto’s old-world charm.
Got more time in Kyoto?
Kyoto has so many more stops to visit, and if you find yourself with a bit more time to spend here I recommend these places!
- Nijo Castle: A UNESCO World Heritage site built in 1603 as the residence of the Tokugawa shogunate! This castle is celebrated for its elegant gardens and the historic Honmaru and Ninomaru Palaces, with the Honmaru recently reopening in 2024 after an 18-year restoration. You can book a tour of Nijo Castle and the Imperial Palace here.
- Arashiyama: Venture to the outskirts of Kyoto and visit Arashiyama Monkey Park, Bamboo Forest, and several famous temples like Tenryu-ji or the hidden gem Otagi Nenbutsuji! You can check out a full day of Arashiyama here.
- Kinkaku-ji: Kyoto’s most photographed temple, the Golden Pavilion is a beautiful zen temple entirely covered in gold leaf, casting a shimmering reflection over a quiet pond.
Where to Stay in Kyoto
Here are my top hotel recommendations in Kyoto! These are all hotels I’ve personally stayed at and loved!
Luxury - Saka Hotel ($$$)
Saka Hotel Kyoto is a perfect modern ryokan fusion located right next to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, with outstanding service, delicious food, and traditional hinoki baths. Along with ryokan details, this hotel provides large western beds that are incredibly comfortable. We personally stayed here and loved our stay at Saka Hotel!
If you want to learn more, I have a full in-depth review on Saka Hotel here.
Mid-Range - M’s Hotel Gojo Odawara ($$)
I recently stayed in M’s Hotel Gojo Odawara and enjoyed it! The room is very spacious compared to Japanese standards, and the beds were super comfortable! The hotel is quite modern with keyless entry, and it’s located in a central location just a 6-minute train ride from Kyoto Station.
Budget: K's House Kyoto ($)
I’ve stayed in 2 different K’s House and think they’re a great value. They have double rooms for couples, and prices are around $40-50/night ($25 split between two people). The facilities are clean, the staff is nice and always give great restaurant recommendations!
Renting a car in Japan
While Japan's trains are a formidable force and are usually all you need, sometimes you just can’t beat the convenience and flexibility of a car.
I loved renting a car and exploring Japan's scenic routes, and Kyoto is spaced out enough that you won’t feel overwhelmed.
We personally used Orix with Booking and had a great experience! You can easily check prices, filter for the type of vehicle you want, and add affordable full coverage insurance during check out.
Tips for Renting a Car in Japan
- Drive on the left: In Japan, you’ll be driving on the left side of the road, and the steering wheel is on the right. It’s not too difficult to get the hang of, but start off easy to have some time to adjust before driving in the city.
- Learn the rules: I recommend watching a YouTube video about the rules. Remember to come to a FULL stop at the stop signs, big red signs that read “止まれ”. No rolling stops in Japan! Always remember that pedestrians have the right of way, and make sure everyone in the car wears a seatbelt.
- Get car insurance: Between tiny parking spots, winding mountain roads, and the occasional wildlife sighting, it’s worth the peace of mind. When you use Booking, you have the option to add insurance at checkout.
- Pick a car that fits: Japan isn’t exactly known for wide open roads, especially in the countryside or older towns. A small or mid-sized car is usually best. Booking lets you filter by size, transmission, and even luggage space.
- Watch out for toll roads: If you’re planning to use the expressways, it’s best to include an ETC card, as Japan has a lot of toll roads. The card makes paying tolls way faster and way less stressful than having to keep cash on you at all times.
What you need to rent a car in Japan
- Bring your valid license from your home country.
- An International Driving Permit (IDP) based on the 1949 Geneva Convention (Japan won’t accept anything else!) We got ours in 20 minutes with AAA in the States before we left for Japan.
- A credit card under the driver’s name for the deposit.
- Most rentals require you to be at least 18, but some might want you to have had your license for a year. If you're under 25, there might be a young driver fee.
Ready to give left-sided driving a spin? Click here to book with Booking!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
While traveling in a foreign country, it's essential to get full coverage trip insurance just in case of an accident or illness. I recommend VisitorsCoverage for affordable prices and great insurance benefits.
Additionally, if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card, you get automatic trip insurance!
Thanks for reading!
I absolutely love visiting this city, and while one day in Kyoto may not feel like enough time to explore its tradition and culture, you’re going to have an incredible experience!
From the vibrant torii gates to the mountainside temple with panoramic views, this city is undoubtedly a treasure. Unfortunately with only 1 day here you won't have time to visit Arashiyama, but definitely consider making a return visit in the future to explore more of Kyoto's landmarks.
I hope this 1 day Kyoto itinerary helps you with your trip planning, and if you ever need help feel free to leave a comment or email me at audrey@getlostinjapan.com!
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