Kyoto 2-Day Itinerary
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posted by WANGKIRA
Planning a 2-day stay in the Kyoto region means budgeting your time across the city center and the historical sites of nearby Nara and Uji.
Joining a day tour makes things much easier, as you won't have to worry about coordinating transportation between attractions that are far apart.
Most itineraries divide the region into two separate routes:
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Day 1: This route covers the southern and western parts of the region, beginning with an early visit to Nara Park and Fushimi Inari Taisha before continuing on to Arashiyama. After the day trip, you will have plenty of time to enjoy dinner near Kyoto Station.
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Day 2: This route focuses on the northern and eastern parts of the region, featuring landmarks such as Kinkaku-ji, the historic streets surrounding Kiyomizu-dera, and the scenic tea-growing areas of Uji. In the evening, you can enjoy dinner and walking around downtown.
How many days you should spend in Kyoto depends on the rest of your Japan itinerary, but this 48-hour plan covers the region's main highlights in an efficient and manageable way.
Table of Contents
Kyoto Train and Bus
Getting around Kyoto is straightforward thanks to its extensive network of trains, subways, and buses. Rather than buying tickets for each journey, it's worth getting an ICOCA card. The card costs ¥2,000 upfront, including a ¥500 refundable deposit and ¥1,500 in credit that can be used immediately.
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Local Buses: Kyoto's buses can become quite crowded and are often affected by traffic, especially during peak travel seasons. On busy days, waits can be longer than expected, so trains or guided tours are often a more reliable way to get around.
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Traveling from Osaka: If you're staying in Osaka, getting to Kyoto is quick and inexpensive. The JR Special Rapid Service reaches Kyoto Station in about 30 minutes and costs ¥580, while the Hankyu Line takes around 43 minutes from Osaka-Umeda to Kyoto-Kawaramachi for ¥410, making it a convenient option for exploring central Kyoto.
Day 1: Nara Park, Fushimi Inari & Arashiyama
This route covers three of Kyoto's most popular sights, located across different parts of the city and the surrounding area. Rather than navigating multiple train and bus connections, you'll travel directly between attractions, making the day much smoother and more efficient.
[8:00 AM Osaka / 9:00 AM Kyoto Pickup] ➔ [Nara Park: 1 Hour] ➔
[Fushimi Inari: 1 Hour 10 Mins] ➔ [Arashiyama: 1.5 Hours] ➔ [Return]9:00 AM – Nara Park
Start the morning at Nara Park, famous for its friendly, free-roaming sika deer. Take a walk through the park, enjoy the historic surroundings, and pick up a pack of shika senbei (deer crackers) if you'd like to feed the deer yourself. They're widely available from local vendors and typically cost around ¥200.
Since Nara sits outside central Kyoto, joining a tour can save a considerable amount of travel time compared with navigating the train network on your own.
10:45 AM – Fushimi Inari Taisha
Head north to Fushimi Inari Taisha, famous for its endless rows of bright orange torii gates. Over the next 70 minutes, walk through the lower Senbon Torii paths toward the inner shrine. Arriving at this time also means you can enjoy the site before it gets crowded later in the day.
2:00 PM – Arashiyama
Spend the afternoon exploring Arashiyama in western Kyoto on a relaxed, self-guided walking route that connects several of its most well-known sights within close distance.
Start with a stroll through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, where shaded paths wind through towering green stalks. Just along the same route, you’ll pass Nonomiya Shrine, a quiet historic shrine marked by its distinctive dark torii gate.
Continue on to Tenryu-ji Temple, home to one of Kyoto’s most celebrated Zen gardens (entry ¥500). From there, it’s a short walk to Togetsukyo Bridge, which offers classic views of the Katsura River and surrounding mountains.
Near the station area, you’ll find the Kimono Forest—colorful textile pillars inspired by traditional Kyoto dye patterns—and, if you have time, the nearby station foot bath, a small paid hot spring spot where you can relax before heading back.
Evening – Kyoto Station & Dinner
The tour returns to Kyoto Station in the early evening, making it easy to stay in the area for dinner. Head up to the 10th floor, where Kyoto Ramen Koji brings together a selection of regional ramen shops under one roof, offering everything from rich tonkotsu to lighter soy-based broths.
After dinner, take a short walk through the Skyway Tunnel, a glass-walled passageway above the station that offers a clear view toward Kyoto Tower. It’s an easy way to wind down the day before heading back.
If you'd like to follow this itinerary, you can book a day tour covering Nara Park, Fushimi Inari Taisha, and Arashiyama.
Day 2: Kinkaku-ji, Higashiyama & Uji
Day Two covers northern Kyoto, the eastern historic districts, and the tea-growing area of Uji in the south. The route wraps up back in central Kyoto in time for an easy evening meal.
[8:00 AM Osaka / 9:00 AM Kyoto Pickup] ➔ [Kinkaku-ji: 40 Mins] ➔
[Kiyomizu-dera Area: 2.5 Hours] ➔ [Uji Region: 1.5 Hours] ➔ [Return]9:30 AM – Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Begin the day at Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), one of Kyoto’s most iconic temples, known for its gold-leaf upper floors that shimmer across the surrounding pond. A short walking route circles the Mirror Pond (Kyoko-chi), revealing different angles of the pavilion as you move. Entry is ¥500, and most visitors spend about 40 minutes here.
11:00 AM – Kiyomizu-dera & Higashiyama District
Continue to the Higashiyama hillside area for a relaxed mid-day visit that combines sightseeing and lunch in one of Kyoto’s most atmospheric districts.
Start at Kiyomizu-dera, famous for its 13-meter wooden terrace that overlooks the city. Beneath the main hall, you’ll also find the Otowa Waterfall, where visitors traditionally drink from the spring for good fortune (entry ¥500).
From there, wander through the historic streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, where stone-paved lanes are lined with wooden townhouses, small tea shops, and pottery stores.
A short walk away, Yasaka Koshin-do offers a quieter stop, known for its colorful kukurizaru—cloth monkey charms that cover the temple grounds in bright clusters.
2:30 PM – Uji Riverside
Head south to Uji, a quiet riverside town best known for its long history of green tea production. Spend some time strolling along the river, where small stalls sell matcha soft-serve ice cream and skewered dango, typically ranging from ¥400 to ¥600.
From the riverside paths, you can cross the Uji Bridge, visit the hillside Uji Shrine, or continue on to Byodo-in Temple (entry ¥600), home to the iconic Phoenix Hall featured on Japan’s 10-yen coin.
Evening – Downtown Kyoto Dining
The day wraps up around 5:30 PM at Kyoto Station. From there, take a short train or taxi ride to Pontocho Alley, a narrow riverside lane along the Kamo River lined with traditional restaurants. The area is known for everything from yakitori skewers and wagyu beef to seasonal Kyoto specialties, making it a perfect place for dinner.
In the warmer months (May to September), many restaurants set up kamogawa yuka—elevated wooden platforms built over the river where you can dine outdoors by the water.
To book this itinerary, select the Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera & Uji day tour.
Alternative Local Routes & Customizable Options
If you’d like to explore beyond the main Kyoto sightseeing circuit, there are several curated day tours that focus on quieter or more regional areas, while still offering convenient transport and well-planned routes.
1. Katsuo-ji, Arashiyama & Kinkaku-ji
A mountain-side temple famous for its thousands of red Daruma dolls, Katsuo-ji is often combined with Kyoto’s most iconic sights. This route pairs it with Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji, offering a balance of nature, tradition, and classic Kyoto highlights in a single day.
Check the day tour prices and availability2. Nijo Castle, Arashiyama & Kinkaku-ji
Ideal for travelers interested in history and architecture, this route combines the former shogunate residence of Nijo Castle with the peaceful bamboo forests of Arashiyama and the Golden Pavilion at Kinkaku-ji.
Check the day tour prices and availability3. Amanohashidate, Ine Funaya & Miyama
For a full-day coastal escape, this route heads north to the Sea of Japan, where you’ll see the scenic sandbar of Amanohashidate, the traditional boat houses of Ine, and the thatched-roof village of Miyama.
Check Ine Funaya & Amanohashidate Day Tour
Private & Customizable Tours
If you already have specific places in mind or prefer a more flexible schedule, we also offer fully customizable private tours. A Kyoto Customizable Private Tour allows you to explore Kyoto, Nara, and Uji at your own pace, with private transportation and an itinerary tailored to your group's interests, hotel location, and preferred schedule.
2 days in Kyoto FAQs
Are entrance fees included in the baseline tour price?
No. To keep tour prices flexible, entrance fees are not included. Tickets for attractions such as Kiyomizu-dera (¥500) and Byodo-in Temple (¥600) can be purchased directly at the entrance using cash or an IC card.
Can I bring full-sized luggage on the day tour vehicles?
If you're traveling with large suitcases—for example, while changing hotels between Osaka and Kyoto—we recommend booking a Kyoto & Nara Customizable Private Tour, which provides dedicated luggage space and a more flexible travel experience.
Why are the stops at Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari limited to around an hour?
Most visitors spend around 30–40 minutes exploring Kinkaku-ji's walking route, while a 70-minute stop at Fushimi Inari provides enough time to visit the main shrine and walk through the famous Senbon Torii paths. Feel free to contact us to customize your itinerary.
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