Kyoto Kansai Japan
3
Day Itinerary •
Japan
Three days in Kyoto and Kansai reveals the cultural heart of Japan, its extraordinary thousand-year imperial legacy, seventeen UNESCO World Heritage sites, the finest geisha district on earth and the remarkable ancient capitals of Nara and Osaka within easy reach. This route covers the essential Kansai: the extraordinary Fushimi Inari shrine gates, the remarkable Arashiyama bamboo grove, the finest geisha streets of Gion, the extraordinary Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion and the ancient deer park of Nara.
Best Time To Visit
March to May or October to November
Getting There
Fly to Osaka Kansai (KIX) or take Shinkansen from Tokyo.
Getting Around
Bus and metro in Kyoto. Train to Nara and Osaka.
Budget Per Day
Approx 90 to 180 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy , walking, buses and short train trips
DAY 1
EAST KYOTO
MORNING
FUSHIMI INARI SHRINE
Fushimi Inari is the most extraordinary Shinto shrine in Japan, its remarkable ten thousand vermilion torii gates winding 4km up the sacred Mount Inari creating the finest tunnel of colour in the world. The extraordinary atmosphere deepens dramatically as you climb away from the crowds into the ancient cedar forest. The remarkable fox shrines and the extraordinary views over Kyoto from the upper trails give the finest heritage walk in Japan. Entry free. Drive: 30 min by train
MIDDAY
GION GEISHA DISTRICT AND NISHIKI MARKET
Gion is the most extraordinary geisha district in Japan, its remarkable preserved Edo-period machiya townhouses on Hanamikoji Street giving the finest traditional streetscape in the country. The extraordinary Nishiki Market, the five-block covered food market called Kyoto's kitchen, gives the finest tasting experience in the city with pickles, tofu, skewers and the finest street food in Japan. Free to walk. Drive: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
KIYOMIZU-DERA TEMPLE
Kiyomizu-dera is the most extraordinary wooden temple in Japan, its remarkable stage platform cantilevered over the forested hillside without a single nail giving the finest views over the Kyoto cityscape. The extraordinary three-storey pagoda and the remarkable Otowa waterfall below the stage, where visitors drink from three streams for longevity, love and success, give the finest temple experience in Kyoto. Entry approx 500 yen.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Fushimi Inari upper trails above the main gate tunnel are almost entirely empty of tourists, the remarkable two-hour loop through the ancient cedar forest giving the finest experience of the sacred mountain. Go before 7am or after 5pm for the most extraordinary atmosphere. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe near Fushimi Inari Green tea and the finest matcha sweets before walking the extraordinary ten thousand torii gates. | Lunch: Nishiki Market stalls Outstanding Kyoto street food at Japan's finest covered market. Tofu skewers, pickles and fresh mochi. | Dinner: Kaiseki restaurant in Gion Outstanding traditional Kyoto kaiseki dinner in the finest geisha district in Japan.
DAY 2
NORTH KYOTO
MORNING
KINKAKU-JI GOLDEN PAVILION
Kinkaku-ji is the most extraordinary building in Japan, its remarkable three-storey Zen pavilion covered in pure gold leaf reflected in the Mirror Pond giving the finest single image in Japanese culture. The extraordinary garden of raked gravel and ancient pines surrounding the pond and the remarkable tea house above the pavilion give the finest zen garden experience in Kyoto. Entry approx 500 yen. Drive: 20 min by bus
MIDDAY
RYOAN-JI ROCK GARDEN
Ryoan-ji contains the most extraordinary rock garden in the world, its remarkable fifteen stones arranged in raked white gravel so that no arrangement allows all fifteen to be seen simultaneously from any angle giving the finest philosophical puzzle in Japanese culture. The extraordinary Kyoyochi Pond garden surrounding the temple and the remarkable wabi-sabi atmosphere give the finest Zen heritage in Kyoto. Entry approx 600 yen. Drive: 30 min by bus
AFTERNOON
NIJO CASTLE AND PHILOSOPHER'S PATH
Nijo Castle is the most extraordinary shogunate palace in Japan, its remarkable nightingale floors that squeak to alert guards of intruders and the extraordinary Ninomaru Palace interior with the finest Edo-period painted screens in the country giving the finest feudal heritage in Kyoto. The remarkable Philosopher's Path canal walk beneath cherry trees is the finest evening stroll in the city. Castle entry approx 1300 yen.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Daitoku-ji temple complex north of Kinkaku-ji contains the finest collection of Zen sub-temples in Japan, its remarkable 22 independent temples each with extraordinary moss gardens hidden behind stone walls. Almost entirely unknown to tourists following the main Kyoto circuit. Several temples open. Entry approx 400 yen each.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Tofu restaurant near Kinkaku-ji Outstanding Kyoto yudofu tofu cuisine before visiting the extraordinary Golden Pavilion. | Lunch: Noodle shop near Ryoan-ji Outstanding Kyoto ramen or soba near the most famous rock garden in the world. | Dinner: Restaurant on Philosopher's Path Outstanding Kyoto dinner on the finest canal walk in Japan.
DAY 3
NARA DAY TRIP
MORNING
TODAI-JI TEMPLE AND NARA DEER PARK
Todai-ji contains the most extraordinary wooden building in the world, its remarkable Great Buddha Hall housing the largest bronze Buddha in Japan at 15 metres high. The extraordinary Nara deer park surrounding the temple, where over 1200 sacred sika deer roam freely among visitors, gives the most remarkable wildlife encounter in Japan. The deer bow to receive crackers and will follow you through the park. Entry approx 600 yen. Drive: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
KASUGA GRAND SHRINE
Kasuga Grand Shrine is the most extraordinary lantern shrine in Japan, its remarkable three thousand stone and bronze lanterns lining the forest approach and hanging from the shrine eaves giving the finest heritage approach in the country. The extraordinary primeval Kasugayama forest behind the shrine, the oldest protected forest in Japan, and the remarkable covered gallery of hanging lanterns give the finest Shinto heritage in Nara. Entry approx 500 yen. Drive: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
NARAMACHI HISTORIC DISTRICT
Naramachi is the most extraordinary preserved merchant district in Nara, its remarkable maze of narrow streets lined with traditional machiya townhouses of merchants and craftsmen giving the finest Edo-period streetscape in the Kansai region. The extraordinary folk museums, the remarkable indigo-dyed textile shops and the fine cafes in converted townhouses give the finest afternoon in Nara. Free to explore.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Isuien Garden in Nara incorporates the great roof of Todai-ji as a borrowed landscape, its remarkable pond garden framing the extraordinary temple hall beyond the garden wall. The finest garden in Nara and almost entirely overlooked by tourists. Entry approx 1200 yen.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early breakfast before Nara train Early departure from Kyoto for Nara. The deer park and Todai-ji are extraordinary before the crowds arrive. | Lunch: Nara restaurant near Kasuga Shrine Outstanding Nara cuisine. Local kakinoha sushi and the finest regional sake near the extraordinary deer park. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Kyoto Outstanding final Kyoto kaiseki or yakitori dinner. Return from Nara to Kyoto takes 45 minutes by express.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Gion, Nights 1 to 2 The finest location in Kyoto. Traditional machiya from 120 to 300 euros. Walking distance to Gion and temples. Downtown Kyoto, alt. Best transport links. Hotels from 90 to 250 euros. Central for buses to all temples. Budget option Hostels and guesthouses in Kyoto from 40 euros. Book ahead for cherry blossom season.
Top Tips
1. Fushimi Inari before 7am: the extraordinary torii gate tunnels are completely empty and otherworldly in the early morning mist. The most powerful experience in Kyoto.
2. Kinkaku-ji opens at 9am and fills instantly. Arrive at opening for a few minutes with a manageable crowd before tour buses arrive at 9:30am.
3. Gion on Tuesday and Thursday evenings: the finest chance of seeing a maiko geisha walking to her appointment. Stand quietly on Hanamikoji , never chase or photograph.
4. Kyoto buses: the 205 loop line covers Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji and Nijo Castle. The 100 tourist bus covers the eastern temples. A day pass is the best value.
5. Nara deer: buy the deer crackers (shika senbei) from the vendors. The deer genuinely bow to request crackers. The bowing deer is the finest wildlife interaction in Japan.
6. Kaiseki in Kyoto: the finest tasting menus in Japan start at 5000 yen per person. Book at least a week ahead for the best restaurants in Gion and Pontocho.
Total Budget
90 to 180 euros/day