4 days in Kyoto
Kyoto, nestled in the heart of Japan, is a cultural treasure trove that blends ancient traditions with modern allure. As you wander through the historic streets of this enchanting city, the Golden Gates of Kinkaku-ji Temple glisten in the sunlight, casting a radiant reflection upon the serene waters that surround them. Kyoto's vibrant pulse is felt in the lively jazz bars tucked away in narrow alleys, where the smooth melodies intertwine with the city's rich tapestry of history. In the Arashiyama district, wild monkeys frolic amidst the lush bamboo groves, while nearby the iconic Nara deer roam freely through Nara Park. In this post, I’ll give you a great itinerary for 4 action-packed days exploring this captivating city.
Getting from Tokyo to Kyoto
Take the bullet train to Kyoto from Tokyo with a Japan Rail Pass. It’s a 2.5 hour train ride that moves swiftly through the country. If you're heading to Japan, purchase your rail passes in advance. You can't purchase them once you get there. These passes are for tourists only to discount their fare to travel around the country, otherwise it gets quite expensive.
Day 1
Eat Breakfast at Kano Cafe
Kano Cafe is a quaint little breakfast spot we found around the corner from our Airbnb. It was perfect, coffee & eggs with a quiet cozy atmosphere and light jazz humming in the background. It sits right on the Kano river. This is not a must-see or do but it was a great find for a relaxing breakfast.
Visit the Orange Torii Gates named Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
Fushina Inari Taisha, also know as the golden gates, is a beautiful shrine in southern Kyoto. Visiting this vibrant site was my favorite day of the entire trip. The shrine has thousands of Torii, or golden gates to pass through to reach the mountaintop. It’s quite the hike, but has gorgeous views up to the top and I hugely underestimated the beauty of all the torii lined up as you climb to the top. It’s quite striking. Photos don’t do it’s beauty enough justice. Read more
This shrine is free to visit, but if you prefer to learn more about this site you can opt to take a tour, here are a few highly rated ones I found on Get Your Guide:
After working up an appetite during the hike, head back down to the bottom where there are loads of street vendors. You can wander down the street consuming all types of deliciousness: crab on a stick, mochi on a stick, kobe beef on a stick... Yes, everything was conveniently on a stick. We filled our bellies, grabbed matcha lattes for the road, then got back on the train to ride to Nara Park.
Grab a night cap at Hello Dolly
Hello Dolly is a bar that plays light jazz and serves fancy cocktails. It seems this is a trend in Kyoto, a throwback to 20s jazz and speakeasy vibes is really popular. We kept seeing over and over again, and absolutely loved it.
Day 2
See the Hundreds of Roaming deer at Nara Park
Nara is one of the oldest parks in Japan and is known for their wild wandering deer that roam free all over the 1,240 acres. They are literally everywhere. Some are sweet and timid, some are insanely aggressive! It was surreal to be in the massive park with swarms of them all around in the rain. Read more
We arrived at Nara and the weather had taken a turn for the worse. It was raining cats and dogs… and lots of deer.
Walk through the park to Tōdai-ji, a massive wooden temple. When you enter the structure, you’ll find the world's largest bronze statue of the Buddha! What a wow moment! The scale is tough to describe in words, it was ginormous! We were happily surprised by the discovery.
have dinner at Chojiro sushi
Chojiro in Gion is sushi in a conveyer belt. As it goes around in circles you grab whichever dish looks good to you and they are cost color coded by plate color. At the end the waiters just add up your plates to total your dinner amount. It was both delicious and a fun experience.
Order a Cocktail at rocking chair bar
Rocking Chair Bar is a very quaint little bar with 4 rocking chairs by a fireplace. We were lucky enough to get there just as a group was leaving that prime location. The vibe felt very 20s throwback, with waiters wearing bow-ties, soft jazz music playing, and a soft, yellow hue lighting. Sipping Japanese whiskey in a cozy setting was a nice escape from the biting cold outside (February weather).
Day 3
Visit wild macaques at Arashiyama Monkey Park
Iwatayama is a monkey park inhabited by a troop of over 170 Japanese macaque monkeys. When we arrived to the park it was sunny but snowing, and quite a little hike up to the top. Once you reach the plateau, there is a great view of the city and the monkey’s are everywhere, wild and free. You can purchase food to feed them from the inside of a building. It’s like we become the caged creatures and the monkeys climb on the outside reaching in. Read more
Dine at Arashiyama Yoshimura Soba
Arashiyama Yoshimura is a traditional Soba restaurant on the Katsura River near the Iwatayama Monkey Park. Soba is a buckwheat noodle served with dipping sauces and various toppings. So delish! The ambiance and service here is top notch.
Visit the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Arashiyama is a forest of thick green stalks of bamboo, shooting high into the sky. The tall bamboo shoots create a chill vibe with their rustling leaves, making it a nice place for a stroll.
Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)
The Golden Pavilion surpasses expectations. It’s way more dazzling in person than in photos. What seemed golden yellow online is, in reality, a shimmering expanse of gold leaf, metallic and casting reflections onto the serene lake.
Day 4
Take a Day Trip to Miyajima and Hiroshima
Miyajima, regarded as the island of the gods, is a beautiful island on the southeastern coast of Japan. There is Itsukushima Shrine, which hovers over the water at high tide, and the great Torii, which appear to be floating on the water.
Wild deer roam this island as well and are quite friendly.
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum in Japan poignantly recounts the devastating impact of the atomic bomb in 1945, offering a sobering collection of artifacts and personal testimonies. Through immersive exhibits, it strives to convey the tragic consequences of nuclear warfare and promote a fervent commitment to lasting global peace.
Going to see this memorial was incredibly emotional. It’s a very powerful message reminding us of the inhumanity and danger of nuclear weapons.
Are you planning a trip soon? These are some of my favorite sites for finding places to stay, booking tours, and more:
Booking.com for the best hotel deals
Get Your Guide to book a variety of tours and activities
Expedia for flights, hotels, rental cars and more.
Herschel for nice luggage that’s made to last
