Kyoto & Nara in 5 days: a day-by-day itinerary
5 days in Kyoto & Nara, planned stop by stop: when to arrive, how long to stay, how to get to the next place and roughly what it costs. Highlights include Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.
- 5 days
- 28 stops
- About $280 per person
- Japan
Costs cover entry tickets and meals, not hotels or getting there. Some links are affiliate links; see the note at the bottom of the page.
Day 1 of 5
Southern Kyoto & Thousand Torii Gates
5 stops · about $66 per person
- 07:3010:30
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Hike through thousands of vermilion shrine gates winding up the sacred mountain.
Next: train 15 min to the next stop
- 11:0012:30
Tofuku-ji Temple
Historic temple renowned for serene Zen dry rock gardens and maple valley bridges.
Next: train 15 min to the next stop
- 13:0014:15
Nishiki Warai
Savory Kyoto-style okonomiyaki pancakes cooked fresh on hot teppan plates.
Next: walk 5 min to the next stop
- 14:3017:00
Nishiki Market
400-year-old 'Kyoto's Kitchen' alley with dashi omelets and skewers.
Next: walk 10 min to the next stop
- 18:3021:00
Pontocho Alley Izakaya
Atmospheric lantern-lit river alleyway serving duck hotpot and seasonal dishes.
Day 2 of 5
Eastern Kyoto & Timeless Higashiyama
5 stops · about $23 per person
- 08:3010:30
Kiyomizu-dera
Dramatic hillside wooden temple veranda overlooking maple forests and Otowa waterfall.
Next: walk 5 min to the next stop
- 10:4512:30
Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka
Preserved stone-paved merchant streets lined with wooden teahouses.
Next: walk 10 min to the next stop
- 12:4514:00
Kyoto Katsugyu
Panko-crusted beef cutlet (gyukatsu) with dipping salts and wasabi.
Next: walk 10 min to the next stop
- 14:3016:30
Kodai-ji & Maruyama Park
Zen stone rock garden, tranquil bamboo paths, and public park grounds.
Next: walk 8 min to the next stop
- 18:0020:30
Day 3 of 5
Arashiyama Bamboo Groves & Sagano Valleys
6 stops · about $48 per person
- 08:0009:30
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Morning walk through soaring bamboo stalks along the paved mountain pathway.
Next: walk 5 min to the next stop
- 09:4511:30
Tenryu-ji Temple
World Heritage temple complex framing a 14th-century pond landscape garden.
Next: walk 10 min to the next stop
- 12:0013:30
Shigetsu (Tenryu-ji)
Traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine (shojin ryori) in temple grounds.
Next: walk 10 min to the next stop
- 14:0015:30
Iwatayama Monkey Park
Uphill forest trek to feed wild macaque monkeys with hilltop city panoramas.
Next: train 10 min to the next stop
- 16:0017:30
Togetsukyo Bridge
Leisurely riverbank walk with scenic views of wooded hills and boats.
Next: train 25 min to the next stop
- 19:0021:00
Day 4 of 5
Northern Zen Pavilions & Philosopher’s Path
6 stops · about $94 per person
- 09:0010:45
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
The iconic Golden Pavilion shimmering over Kyoko-chi mirror pond.
Next: bus 15 min to the next stop
- 11:1512:45
Ryoan-ji Temple
Japan's most celebrated karesansui dry-landscape rock garden of 15 stones.
Next: bus 25 min to the next stop
- 13:1514:30
Omen Ginkakuji
Handmade thick udon noodles served with seasonal mountain vegetables.
Next: walk 5 min to the next stop
- 14:4516:00
Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
Serene moss garden, sand-sculpted cone, and wooded mountain backdrop.
Next: walk 2 min to the next stop
- 16:0017:30
Philosopher’s Path
Peaceful canal-side stone path lined with cherry trees and small art studios.
Next: bus 20 min to the next stop
- 19:0021:30
Day 5 of 5
Day Trip to Ancient Nara Deer Park
6 stops · about $49 per person
- 08:3009:30
Kintetsu Express Train
Quick rail journey south from Kyoto Station to Nara Station.
Next: walk 10 min to the next stop
- 09:4512:00
Nara Park & Todai-ji
Roaming friendly sika deer leading to the giant bronze Great Buddha Hall.
Next: walk 12 min to the next stop
- 12:1513:45
Kura (Naramachi)
Soba noodles and persimmon-leaf wrapped sushi (Kakinoha-zushi).
Next: walk 10 min to the next stop
- 14:0015:30
Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Primeval forest shrine adorned with thousands of stone and bronze lanterns.
Next: walk 15 min to the next stop
- 15:4517:00
Naramachi Quarter
Preserved Edo-period lattice townhouses and traditional craft workshops.
Next: train 45 min to the next stop
- 19:0021:30
Before you go: Japan
- Currency
- Japanese Yen (JPY)
- Language
- Japanese
- Plugs
- Type A, B, 100V / 50Hz (east, incl. Tokyo) or 60Hz (west, incl. Osaka)
- Cars drive on the
- left
- Calling code
- +81
- Time zone
- UTC+9 (JST), no daylight saving
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