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Kyoto 5-Day Itinerary

A 5-day Kyoto plan that groups each day by neighborhood, from Gion to Nijo Castle Area & Kawaramachi. Day 4 is a day trip to Uji. Every stop lists travel time, opening hours and regular closing days.

  1. Day 1Gion — Kiyomizudera Temple, Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka, Yasaka Shrine, Kodaiji, Gion District
  2. Day 2Fushimi & Kyoto Station — Fushimi Inari Shrine, Tofukuji, Kyoto Tower Sando, Kyoto Aquarium
  3. Day 3Kitano & Arashiyama — Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Ryoanji, Ninnaji, Tenryuji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
  4. Day 4Uji (day trip) — Byodoin (Uji), Ujigami Shrine
  5. Day 5Nijo Castle Area & Kawaramachi — Nijo Castle, Daimaru Kyoto
29 stops · paid admissions about ¥8,530 per person (free sights excluded)
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Day 1 · Gion

Starts 09:30 · 9 stops

  1. 09:30

    Kiyomizudera TempleSight

    Gionabout 75 minAdmission ¥500
    Open 06:00–18:00

    The wooden stage platform has stunning views. Arrive before 8am.

  2. ↓ Walk about 7 min
  3. 10:50

    Ninenzaka & SannenzakaShopping

    Gionabout 60 minFree
    Open Open 24 hours

    Stone-stepped shopping lanes up to Kiyomizudera. Best photos before 8am.

  4. ↓ Walk about 7 min
  5. 12:00

    Kyoto Katsugyu (Gyukatsu)Lunch

    Gionabout 45 minBudget ¥1,800
    Open 10:30–22:00

    Kyoto-born beef cutlet chain.

  6. ↓ Walk about 5 min
  7. 12:50

    Yasaka ShrineSight

    Gionabout 40 minFree
    Open Open 24 hours

    Free shrine at the end of Gion Street. Beautiful night lanterns.

  8. ↓ Walk about 5 min
  9. 13:35

    KodaijiSight

    Gionabout 50 minAdmission ¥600
    Open 09:00–17:30

    Next to Nene-no-michi. Popular spring and autumn night illuminations.

  10. ↓ Walk about 8 min
  11. 14:30

    Gion DistrictSight

    Gionabout 90 minFree
    Open Open 24 hours

    Maiko appear 6–8pm. Always ask permission before photographing.

  12. ↓ Walk about 5 min
  13. 16:05

    Saryo Tsujiri GionCafé

    Gionabout 40 minBudget ¥1,400
    Open 10:30–19:30

    Pioneer of the matcha parfait. Long waits in the afternoon.

  14. ↓ Walk about 5 min
  15. 18:05

    Izuu (Mackerel Sushi)Dinner

    Gionabout 50 minBudget ¥3,000
    Open 11:00–22:00 (Sun 11:00–21:00) · Closed Tuesdays (not yet officially verified)

    Kyoto-style saba-zushi specialist. Takeaway available.

  16. ↓ Walk about 5 min
  17. 19:35

    Gion Shirakawa (Tatsumi Bridge)Night view

    Gionabout 30 min
    Open Open 24 hours

    Willows and canal, prettiest after dark.

Day 2 · Fushimi & Kyoto Station

Starts 09:30 · 7 stops

  1. 09:30

    Fushimi Inari ShrineSight

    Fushimiabout 120 minFree
    Open Open 24 hours

    Tunnel of 10,000 red torii gates. Sunrise is the best time to visit.

  2. ↓ Walk about 14 min
  3. 11:45

    TofukujiSight

    Fushimiabout 60 minAdmission ¥1,000
    Open 09:00–16:00

    Kyoto's top autumn-leaf spot. Stunning view from Tsutenkyo bridge.

  4. ↓ Train / bus about 20 min
  5. 13:05

    Honke Daiichi-AsahiLunch

    Kyoto Stationabout 40 minBudget ¥1,000
    Open 06:00–01:00 · Closed Thursdays (not yet officially verified)

    Shoyu ramen near Kyoto Station, open early to late.

  6. ↓ Walk about 5 min
  7. 13:50

    Kyoto Tower SandoShopping

    Kyoto Stationabout 45 minFree
    Open 10:00–23:00

    Food hall and souvenirs under Kyoto Tower, with craft workshops.

  8. ↓ Walk about 14 min
  9. 14:50

    Kyoto AquariumSight

    Kyoto Stationabout 90 minAdmission ¥2,600
    Open 10:00–18:00 (Sun 10:00–19:00, Sat 10:00–19:00)

    Inside Umekoji Park. Pair with the Railway Museum.

  10. ↓ Walk about 13 min
  11. 16:20–18:15 free time · rest at the hotel or shop nearby
  12. 18:15

    Kyoto Ramen KojiDinner

    Kyoto Stationabout 40 minBudget ¥1,100
    Open 11:00–22:00

    Ramen street on the 10th floor of Kyoto Station. Easy late dinner.

  13. ↓ Walk about 5 min
  14. 19:35

    Kyoto Tower ObservatoryNight view

    Kyoto Stationabout 45 minBudget ¥900
    Open 10:00–21:00

    Right in front of Kyoto Station. Go at sunset.

Day 3 · Kitano & Arashiyama

Starts 09:30 · 7 stops

  1. 09:30

    Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)Sight

    Kitanoabout 60 minAdmission ¥500
    Open 09:00–17:00

    Arrive right at 9am opening to beat the crowds.

  2. ↓ Walk about 15 min
  3. 10:45

    RyoanjiSight

    Kitanoabout 50 minAdmission ¥600
    Open 08:00–17:00

    Famous 15-stone rock garden. Close to Kinkakuji.

  4. ↓ Walk about 7 min
  5. 11:40

    NinnajiSight

    Kitanoabout 50 minAdmission ¥800
    Open 09:00–17:00

    Famous for late-blooming Omuro cherry trees. 15 min walk from Ryoanji.

  6. ↓ Train / bus about 27 min
  7. 13:00

    Arashiyama Yoshimura (Soba)Lunch

    Arashiyamaabout 50 minBudget ¥1,500
    Open 11:00–16:00 (Sun 11:00–17:00, Sat 11:00–17:00)

    Soba with a Togetsukyo view. Lunch on the bamboo grove route.

  8. ↓ Walk about 5 min
  9. 13:55

    Tenryuji TempleSight

    Arashiyamaabout 60 minAdmission ¥500
    Open 08:30–17:30

    World Heritage Zen temple. The Karesansui rock garden is breathtaking.

  10. ↓ Walk about 5 min
  11. 15:00

    Arashiyama Bamboo GroveSight

    Arashiyamaabout 60 minFree
    Open Open 24 hours

    Visit 6–7am for a magical experience with zero crowds.

  12. ↓ Walk about 8 min
  13. 16:05

    % Arabica ArashiyamaCafé

    Arashiyamaabout 30 minBudget ¥600
    Open 09:00–18:00

    Riverside takeaway lattes. Go early for a short line.

Day 4 · Uji (day trip)

Starts 09:30 · 3 stops

  1. 09:30

    Byodoin (Uji)Sight

    Ujiabout 75 minAdmission ¥700
    Open 08:30–17:30

    The Phoenix Hall on the 10-yen coin. About 20 min by JR.

  2. ↓ Walk about 6 min
  3. 10:50

    Ujigami ShrineSight

    Ujiabout 30 minFree
    Open 09:00–16:30

    Japan's oldest surviving shrine building, across from Byodoin.

  4. ↓ Walk about 7 min
  5. 11:35

    Itoh Kyuemon (Uji)Lunch

    Ujiabout 45 minBudget ¥1,400
    Open 10:00–18:00

    Matcha parfaits and matcha soba near Uji Station.

Day 5 · Nijo Castle Area & Kawaramachi

Starts 09:30 · 3 stops

  1. 09:30

    Nijo CastleSight

    Nijo Castle Areaabout 75 minAdmission ¥1,300
    Open 08:45–17:00 · Closed Tuesdays in Jan, Jul, Aug, Dec (next weekday if a holiday) · closed over New Year (not yet officially verified)

    Don't miss the famous Nightingale Floor.

  2. ↓ Train / bus about 20 min
  3. 11:05

    Daimaru KyotoShopping

    Kawaramachiabout 60 minFree
    Open 10:00–20:00

    Shijo department store with Kyoto confectionery brands.

  4. ↓ Walk about 5 min
  5. 12:10

    Nishiki MarketLunch

    Gionabout 60 minBudget ¥1,500

    A 400-year-old market known as Kyoto's Kitchen.

Worth booking ahead

The things people book most for a Kyoto trip.

HotelsStays near Gion · Trip.comSee hotels →
Tours & activitiesLocal tours in KyotoGetYourGuide →TicketsBook ahead, skip the lineGetYourGuide →Transit passesCompare for busy daysGetYourGuide →

Getting around Kyoto

Buses cover the whole city but get crowded near the big sights. If you will ride more than four times a day, the subway & bus one-day pass (¥1,100) pays off. Uji is 20–30 minutes from Kyoto Station by JR.

FAQ

How much are admissions on a 5-day Kyoto trip?

On this route, paid admissions add up to about ¥8,530 per person. Food, transport and hotels are not included.

How does the Uji day trip work?

On day 4 you leave in the morning, visit Byodoin (Uji), Ujigami Shrine, and head back in the afternoon.

How do I check which places are closed?

Open this itinerary in PingClab and add your start date. Places with a regular closing day that day get a warning, and when you swap a place we only suggest ones open that day.

Do I need a transit pass in Kyoto?

Buses cover the whole city but get crowded near the big sights. If you will ride more than four times a day, the subway & bus one-day pass (¥1,100) pays off. Uji is 20–30 minutes from Kyoto Station by JR.

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