Kyoto, the heart of Japan’s ancient traditions, is a city where history and culture blend seamlessly with modern life. With its stunning temples, peaceful gardens, traditional neighbourhoods and charming streets, Kyoto is a place that can’t be missed. It’s like the essence of Japan squeezed into one city.
And while one day isn’t enough to see everything, with the right plan, you can still experience Kyoto’s most iconic sights.
I realize, that there are probably hundreds of ways of spending one day in Kyoto, depending on what you like, what kind of traveller you are and how much sleep you’re willing to sacrifice. My one day in Kyoto itinerary will allow you to visit the city’s highlights, from the most famous bamboo grove to the magical torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine, will take you on the most scenic train ride and even allow you to have great food and coffee. But yes, you will have to get up early and rush a bit.
Ready for a day filled with beauty, culture, and amazing food?
Here’s the perfect “one day in Kyoto” itinerary to make the most of your time!
Looking for a place to stay in Kyoto? Go all traditional and book one of classic Kyoto ryokans. This way your short stay in Kyoto will be even more memorable.
How to spend one day in Kyoto
Below you can find a map with all the places in my “one day in Kyoto” itinerary.
Keep in mind that:
- this itinerary was curated for spring, summer and early autumn visits – you need at least 10h of daylight
- the starting time should be 8 am at the latest, preferably earlier;
- a breakfast stop is not included;
- this one day itinerary covers Kyoto’s most famous spots while keeping a good pace. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, feel free to skip one or two places;
- you will have to use public transport: trains, buses and a cab/Uber.
How to use public transport in Kyoto?
Getting around Kyoto is easy and convenient, thanks to its well-connected bus, train, and subway networks. During your one day in Kyoto, you’ll have to use a few trains, buses and a taxi/Uber. For only one day I wouldn’t recommend buying any sort of prepaid IC cards, single tickets will be enough. I wouldn’t waste time on running around Kyoto looking for places that sell day passes or IC cards.
For trains, you can get tickets at train stations. If you purchase the Japan Rail Pass in advance, check if the train you need to take is covered by it. JR Pass covers JR trains, but not Kyoto’s city buses or subways.
Kyoto’s buses are the easiest way to reach famous sites, but naturally they can be slow during peak hours. You can get bus ticket on the bus. Just enter from the back door and pay at the front when exiting the bus (but that also depends on the line). The fare is usually flat: ¥230 per ride (¥120 for children) and you need to have the exact change. Debit/credit cards won’t work. All buses have machines that will change 1,000 yen bills to coins. Larger bills cannot be changed.
Uber app does work in Kyoto. Uber and taxis are expensive, but obviously quite convenient and I do recommend taking an Uber at least once.
Travelling around Japan? Discover other amazing places to visit in this fascinating country! Spoiler alert: 3 of them are included in this itinerary, so coming to Kyoto was a great idea!
First stop: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
There’s no better place to start your one day in Kyoto your than in Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Even though it is a bit far, I’d say that visiting one of Kyoto’s most magical and iconic sights is a must. Walking through the towering green stalks, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another world. The grove is especially beautiful in the early morning, when it’s quieter and less crowded, which is perfect because I recommend getting there as soon as it gets light. Only then will you have a chance to enjoy this place in more calm atmosphere. Although, I can promise you, that there will be people there already.
I got there so early in the morning that it was still a bit dark and if you think that’s crazy…I was not the only crazy person there. But getting up at 5 am was worth it. The grove was absolutely magical and I was happy that I was able to enjoy it without massive crowds.
So stroll around, take some photos and soak in this otherworldly atmosphere. If you feel like you saw it all pretty quickly, head towards Togetsukyo Bridge. Just keep in mind, that you’ll have to come back the same way, because next, you’re catching the most romantic train in this part of Japan.
How to get there?
The fastest and most convenient way to get to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in the morning is taking an Uber. It might be a bit pricey, but the time and hustle and bustle you’ll save, will be totally worth it.
Second stop: Sagano Romantic Train
Also known as Sagano Sightseeing Railway, this train ride will take you through the breathtaking landscapes of the Hozugawa River Valley. Running between Arashiyama and Kameoka, this old-fashioned train offers open-air carriages, allowing you to fully enjoy the lush forests, river views, and seasonal beauty – whether it’s cherry blossoms in spring, vibrant greenery in summer or fiery autumn leaves. The ride takes 25 minutes during which you’ll be able to soak in Kyoto’s natural scenery and relax a bit.
How to get there?
From Arashiyama bamboo Forest walk towards Torokko Arashiyama Station. In theory, you can buy tickets on the spot (I did), but since you’re on a tight schedule, I’d recommend getting them online in advance. Your starting point is Arashiyama Station. Ending point: Kameoka Station.
What to do next?
After arriving at Kameoka Station, you’re in for a little walk. You’ll need to get to Umahori Station and take the train back to the city. It will be around 7-10 min walk. The train you want is called JR San-in line which will take you to Kyoto Main Station. The train takes 25 min. From there, you’ll have to take a bus to your next stop where you’ll finally have a chance to eat and drink something! Yay!
Speaking of drinking, make sure to get a reusable water bottle with filter before your trip to Japan. This way you’ll always feel fresh and well hydrated! I use WaterWell bottle with filter. It filters 99% of bacteria and is one of those items I never go anywhere without! Read more about it here and get it for yourself!
Third Stop: Nishiki Market
Nishiki Market, often called “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” is a busy, narrow shopping street filled with over 100 stalls and shops offering some of the best local food and ingredients. Whether you’re craving fresh seafood, matcha sweets, pickled vegetables, or Kyoto-style street food, this market has something for everyone. Be sure to try yuba (tofu skin), tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet) and chase it with sake. The market is very touristy and it can get super busy, but it’s still a great place to experience Kyoto’s rich food culture and pick up some unique souvenirs.
How to get there?
As I mentioned, from Kyoto Station you’ll have to take a bus to Nishiki Market. There are several buses that you can board, like 4, 205, 26… Depending which one gets there the fastest.
Fourth stop: Gion and Yasaka Shrine
After filling up on Kyoto specialities, time for a little walk. And not just any walk. The stroll you’re about to take is one of the nicest in Kyoto.
Walking through Gion – the famous geisha district, feels like stepping back in time to old Kyoto. Known for its beautifully preserved machiya (traditional wooden townhouses), charming streets and ochaya – historic tea houses, Gion is a super peaceful area to explore. Make sure to make a little detour and pass through Hanamikoji Street – the heart of Gion. Another must-visit spot is Shirakawa Lane, a quieter, picturesque canal-side street with weeping willows and stone-paved paths.
At the end of the walk, you’ll arrive at Yasaka Shrine, a beautiful Shinto shrine known for its iconic lantern-lit main hall. It’s the perfect way to soak in Kyoto’s traditional charm while enjoying a peaceful yet vibrant atmosphere.
How to get there?
It won’t come as a surprise, but from Nishiki Market to Yasaka Shrine you…walk! A stroll through Gion and its beautiful streets should take you around 30 min. That’s with slow pace and detours.
Fifth stop: Higashiyama District – Hokan-ji Temple, Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka
A short walk from Yasaka Shrine will get you to another of Kyoto’s must-sees – the Higashiyama District.
Higashiyama District is one of the most scenic and historic areas in Kyoto. Filled with traditional wooden buildings, narrow stone-paved streets, and hidden temples, it’s one of the best places to enjoy Kyoto’s traditional charm. Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka – two beautifully preserved streets lined with shops selling Kyoto souvenirs, matcha sweets and handcrafted goods also can’t be missed.
A highlight of the area is Hokan-ji Temple. (Also known as Yasaka Pagoda) this iconic five-story pagoda stands tall against the backdrop of old Kyoto. It’s one of the most photogenic spots in the city, especially at sunrise or sunset.
The only “minus” of the Higashiyama District – it’s insanely busy during the day. Just check out my Instagram video.
So if you need coffee and a little “people break”, sneak into the alley where KéFU STAND is and try their delicious coffee or matcha latte.
How to get there?
Well, I already wrote that. From Yasaka Shrine it’s about 10 min walk to Hokan-ji Temple.
Sixth stop: Fushimi Inari
Saved the best for last. Well, obviously we can argue which Kyoto sight is the best and probably no-one would win – they’re all amazing. But Fushimi Inari was my personal favourite. There’s something magical about this place and since crowd-wise it doesn’t matter when you visit it, I thought it would be a perfect way to end your one day in Kyoto.
Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of Kyoto’s most famous and breathtaking landmarks. Dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice and prosperity, the shrine is best known for its thousands of vermillion torii gates that create a mesmerizing pathway up Mount Inari.
If you’re super tired, you can just explore the main shrine at the base, but the real magic begins as you walk through the torii gate tunnel, which winds up the mountain. The full hike to the summit takes around 2–3 hours and for that you obviously don’t have the time. But you should definitely hike up at least 30 min to experience incredible views and a peaceful, almost spiritual atmosphere. Plus, the higher you get, the less busy it is.
At some point on the pathway, there’s a great spot you can watch the sunset from.
How to get there?
From Higashiyama District you can either take a taxi/Uber to save some time or use public transport. The fastest and easiest would be taking a train: Keihan Main Line from Kiyomizu-Gojō Station to Fushimi-Inari Station. Buses are also available.
That’s it!
Your one day in Kyoto has come to an end. Well, almost because you still have to get back to town and have some dinner.
Seventh stop: dinner
If you want something traditional, head back to Gion and go to one of the restaurants on Pontocho. It’s a narrow street along the Kamogawa River known for its amazing restaurants. You can end the day with a short walk to Kamogawa River.
Spending just one day in Kyoto might seem short, but with this well-planned itinerary, you can experience some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, traditional streets and incredible food. Whether you follow it to the letter or only take inspiration from, is up to you. But I hope you enjoyed it and you’ll have the best time in Kyoto!
And don’t forget check out my “9 amazing places in Japan” blog post for further inspiration!
If you have any questions, drop me a comment.
Hi, it’s Aga, the author of this blog. If you found this blog post interesting, entertaining or useful, please think of buying me a virtual coffee to support the site’s running costs. But if you know me, I might actually spend it on coffee. Thanks!
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Thank you so much for your article!
Extremely helpful!
That’s so nice to hear 🙂 enjoy Kyoto!
Thanks for the tiniest of the details and little tips here and there. Super helpful. Me and my husband ended up following most of it 🙂
Ohh that’s so great to hear! Thank you for the comment 🙂 hope you had the best time in Kyoto!