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How to Spend the Perfect One Day in Kyoto Itinerary

Last Updated on 27th June 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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Kyoto is a historic city which is rich in history and culture, meaning that there’s no shortage of wonderful attractions to discover. But if you only have 24 hours to explore, then here’s how to spend the perfect one day in Kyoto itinerary.

cherry blossom kyoto

Kyoto is one of those destinations that has something for everyone. From mouthwatering food (even for the vegans and vegetarians) to over 1600 Buddhist Temples and 400 Shinto Shrines, not to mention several Palaces and Castles, there’s no way to run out of things to do!

For many people Kyoto ends up being a highlight of their time in Japan, and it was easily my husband’s favourite destination from the two weeks we spent exploring the country.

The most popular times to go are during the cherry blossom season (enjoying the blossom is known as hanami) and during the fall (enjoying the falling leaves is known as koyo). If it’s your first time visiting Japan, be sure to check out my top Japan travel tips.

cherry blossom in kyoto

Is one day enough time in Kyoto?

To be honest, one day certainly isn’t enough time in Kyoto. However, if this is all the time that you have available to you, then you shouldn’t pass up the chance to discover the ancient capital of Japan. In order to see more of Kyoto, I would recommend spending at least three days in the city, or ideally four or five.

yasaka pagoda sunset

Suggested one day in Kyoto itinerary

Fushimi Inari-taisha

If you want to be really ambitious in your itinerary, then you can start your day by heading to Fushimi Inari-taisha. This is one of the most famous places to visit in all of Japan thanks to the presence of 10,000 Torii gates lining the slopes of Mount Inari.

The shrine is dedicated to the rice goddess Inari, who is also the goddess of trade, commerce, and harvest. It’s believed that foxes are the god’s messengers on earth and so over 100 fox statues are located on the mountain.

The shrine is completely free to visit and is open 24/7, meaning that you can start this day in Kyoto itinerary as early as 7 AM if you so wish. Though the whole loop takes two to three hours, you can hike halfway up the mountain and back in around an hour and a half.

torii entrance fushimi inari

Take the train to Kyoto Station

Luckily the train from the JR Inari station to Kyoto’s Central station only takes six minutes and there are trains on a fairly regular basis. Once you’re in Kyoto station do take a moment to look around as the modern architecture is pretty expansive and impressive.

kyoto train station

Breakfast at Murmur Coffee

If you’re looking for a coffee and a brief cake break, then I highly recommend heading to Murmur Coffee, which is set alongside the banks of the gently flowing River Takase, which is home to plenty of cherry blossoms in the spring time.

As well as a variety of hot drinks including tea and coffee, there are a number of toasts and other sweet desserts on the menu. If the weather is nice, then you can sit outside, sip on your drink, and watch the world go by.

murmur coffee kyoto
murmur coffee shop kyoto

Go back to Kyoto station

Once you’ve had your coffee, head back to Kyoto station and catch a bus to reach Nijo Castle. the journey will take around half an hour, which includes the time to walk back to the station from the coffee shop.

Nijo Castle

If you’re looking to enjoy a bit of culture while in Kyoto (and, trust me, there is plenty to discover!), then you should be sure to visit Nijo Castle. This is actually an expansive complex comprising of fortifications, the Ninomaru Palace, the ruins of the Honmaru Palace, and gardens, among other additional buildings.

As with most Palaces and Castles, note that you’ll have to take off your shoes in order to enter the Palace and so be sure to wear some socks! You’ll need around an hour and a half to see everything at this UNESCO World Heritage listed site. Book a guided tour here in advance.

nijo castle

Nishiki Market for lunch

After exploring Nijo Castle, you’ll want to hop back on a bus that takes around ten minutes to reach the next foodie stop on this one day in Kyoto itinerary. Comprising of a covered passage which stretches five blocks, Nishiki Market is located in the Nakagyo Ward and dates back 400 years.

Inside you’ll be able to spy all kinds of stalls selling local food and drink. If you’re vegetarian then there are still a few options available to you, including Yuba (soybean skin) and mochi (sweet rice balls). If you want to learn even more about the market together with a local guide, consider booking a tour like this one.

view of nishiki market, kyoto

Silver Temple

Of course, you can’t visit Kyoto and miss out on seeing a Temple, and the Silver Temple is one of the most beautiful and impressive. The temple was established in the 16th century and is famed for its sand garden. It’s close to the Philosopher’s Path, which is a 2 KM long stretch lined with cherry blossom trees.

silver temple in kyoto

Coffee at Starbucks

Now I normally wouldn’t recommend visiting a Starbucks while on holiday, but we completely fell in love with the one in Higashiyama Ward (Kyoto Nineizaka Yasaka Chaya).

After all, this Starbucks is set against the backdrop of a traditional wooden building and even has tatami you can sit on to enjoy your beverages (be sure to take off your shoes before going into these areas) and a garden inspired by Japanese tea ceremony culture.

starbucks kyoto

Wander around Higashiyama

Southern Higashiyama is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful spots to visit in Kyoto thanks to its many traditional wooden houses lining historic streets. You’ll want to allow yourself an hour or so to wander around, shop for souvenirs, and sample some street food.

gion district

Yasaka Pagoda

One highlight of the southern Higashiyama area that you won’t want to miss is the Yasaka Pagoda. This five-storey pagoda is all that remains of a 6th-century temple by the name of Hōkan-ji Temple. Now a popular tourist attraction, the pagoda can be spied from all over the district and is best-seen at golden hour.

gion pagoda

Sunset on the Kamo River

After exploring the Gion district, you’ll want to wander back down towards the river. A sunset stroll along the banks of the River Kamo was one of my favourite highlights of our time in Kyoto and made for a complete change of scenery from everything we had ever seen.

If you’re visiting during cherry blossom season, then this is one of the best places to head to as plenty of sakura trees line both banks of the river. There are also a number of places where you can spot the traditional wooden houses that Kyoto is so synonymous with.

sunset by the river

Have dinner at Gion Soy Milk Ramen

Once you’re at the river, you’ll want to walk north along the river banks to go back towards the direction of Gion, where you’ll have dinner. We really enjoyed our vegan meal at Gion Soy Milk Ramen and everything from the presentation to the taste was just perfect!

ramen in kyoto

Getting around Kyoto

Unfortunately, unlike other major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, it can be a little tricky to get around Kyoto as, while public transport is convenient, many of the major sites are a little way out of town and so can be tricky to navigate between.

Where to stay in Kyoto

Thanks to its sheer popularity, Kyoto has plenty of places to stay to suit a variety of needs and budgets. I would personally recommend staying in central Kyoto as this will give you the best base from which to explore the other districts of Kyoto, as well as take day trips.

Hotel Tavinos Kyoto: We stayed in this hotel while in Kyoto and found it to be clean and comfortable. The rooms were a little on the small side, but since we were out exploring most of the time, it didn’t really impact on our stay. Check prices and availability here.

Ryokan Mugen: If you’re looking for an unforgettable stay in Kyoto, then you’ll want to book yourself into this traditional Ryokan. Amenities include a bar onsite, and a courtyard with a rock garden. Some rooms have tatami mats. Check prices and availability here.

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