Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Kyoto?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Kyoto?
Not sure how much time you'll need in Kyoto, Japan? Most people spend two to three days in Kyoto during their visit. After all, the cultural city will let you tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, admire the wonderful scenery, and taste delicious cuisine.
Kyoto was once the capital of Japan, and today it is a beautiful historic city that is filled with temples and traditional neighborhoods. There are gardens and palaces as well as traditional shops and dining opportunities. The city is filled with culture and fascinating places to wander and explore.
Do you have one or two days to visit Kyoto? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Kyoto?
One day is usually not enough time to experience the cultural city of Kyoto, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, admire the wonderful scenery, and taste delicious cuisine. So, you'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around two to three days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.
How to spend a day in Kyoto
Kyoto is home to renowned museums and iconic landmarks, so dive into the city's famous attractions. The city's historical sites rank among the most awe-inspiring globally. With its long-running history, there are many traditional buildings and temples in town. Nijo Castle is stunning to explore, but also make sure you visit the Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine, the Golden Pavilion, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Kyoto Early Bird Tour: Must-See Landmarks (Private Available) ($108)
- Nijo Castle and Imperial Palace Visit with Guide ($86)
- Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nijo Castle Walking Tour ($122)
Kyoto is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. It's one of the most historical cities in Japan and it has many beautiful Buddhist temples, gardens, and imperial palaces. It's particularly striking during the cherry blossom season.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Kyoto Zen Meditation & Garden Tour at a Zen Temple with Lunch ($102)
- Kyoto Fushimi-Inari Night Walking Tour ($46)
- Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour - Bamboo, Monkeys, Temple & Secrets ($83)
Kyoto is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. It's one of the most walkable cities in Japan and there are many sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly areas.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Kyoto?
As a popular city, Kyoto offers a large number of activities and attractions for visitors. So with a weekend, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the cultural city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to three days to fully enjoy the city. If you have a weekend or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.
Eikando Temple, Kyoto, Japan
How to spend 2 days in Kyoto
Having a weekend (two to three days) in Kyoto will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. This is among the most historic cities in Japan and there are many traditional buildings and temples. Higashiyama is filled with interesting districts and it has many UNESCO World Heritage temples.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Kyoto Fushimi-Inari Night Walking Tour ($46)
- Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour - Bamboo, Monkeys, Temple & Secrets ($83)
- Half-Day Private Walking Tour in Kyoto ($96)
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. The local cuisine is as beautiful as it is delicious. There is a long running history to many of the dishes, and the recipes are expertly prepared by world class chefs at many of the restaurants. You can enjoy everything from a tea ceremony to multi-course meals, referred to as kyo kaiseki.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Bento Box Cooking Class ($77)
- Private Sushi Cooking Class and Tea Ceremony in Kyoto with Emika ($152)
- Ramen Cooking Class at Ramen Factory in Kyoto ($142)
Public transit in Kyoto is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. The city has an extensive system of trains, subways, and buses that make it easy to get around.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Kyoto, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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