Kyoto in 7 days

Japan's old capital, temples, tea houses, and the country's quietest mornings. Best time to visit: March-April (cherry blossom) and November (autumn colours). Average daily budget: $100 to $160 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Higashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, the postcard preserved district.

Morning: Fushimi Inari at sunrise. Be at the base by 6:30am. The full hike to the top takes 2 hours and you'll be alone.

Afternoon: Explore Higashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, the postcard preserved district.

Evening: Kaiseki dinner in Pontocho. The seasonal multi-course meal Kyoto invented, book ahead.

Eat: Tofu kaiseki at Shoraian (Arashiyama)

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Arashiyama, Bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji, monkey park, go at sunrise.

Morning: Arashiyama bamboo grove at 7am. By 9am it's a queue. Go early, then breakfast at % Arabica.

Afternoon: Explore Arashiyama, Bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji, monkey park, go at sunrise.

Evening: A tea ceremony in Gion. Camellia or En are the most beginner-friendly.

Eat: Matcha at Tsujiri or Ippodo

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Gion, Geisha district, machiya townhouses, lantern-lit alleys.

Morning: Arashiyama bamboo grove early. The towering bamboo path is magical at first light and a scrum by midday. Pair an early visit with the Tenryu-ji temple gardens and the riverside before the tour buses land.

Afternoon: Explore Gion, Geisha district, machiya townhouses, lantern-lit alleys.

Evening: Honen-in temple, moss garden, free entry, almost no tourists.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Yudofu, Kyoto-style hot tofu in winter

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Pontocho, Narrow lantern alley along the Kamo river, the best dinner street.

Morning: Daitoku-ji sub-temples, Zen rock gardens that beat the famous ones.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Pontocho, Narrow lantern alley along the Kamo river, the best dinner street.

Evening: Nishiki Market early on a weekday morning.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Conveyor sushi at Musashi Sushi near Sanjo

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Northern Higashiyama, Philosopher's Path, Ginkaku-ji, quieter than the south.

Morning: Kurama to Kibune hike, temples, hot springs, river-bed dining 30 minutes from the city.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Northern Higashiyama, Philosopher's Path, Ginkaku-ji, quieter than the south.

Evening: Dinner at Tofu kaiseki at Shoraian (Arashiyama), then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Northern Higashiyama.

Eat: Tofu kaiseki at Shoraian (Arashiyama)

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Higashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, the postcard preserved district.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Higashiyama, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Higashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, the postcard preserved district.

Evening: Dinner at Matcha at Tsujiri or Ippodo, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Higashiyama.

Eat: Matcha at Tsujiri or Ippodo

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Arashiyama, Bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji, monkey park, go at sunrise.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Arashiyama, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Arashiyama, Bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji, monkey park, go at sunrise.

Evening: Dinner at Yudofu, Kyoto-style hot tofu in winter, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Arashiyama.

Eat: Yudofu, Kyoto-style hot tofu in winter

Hidden gems

Honen-in temple, moss garden, free entry, almost no tourists.
Daitoku-ji sub-temples, Zen rock gardens that beat the famous ones.
Nishiki Market early on a weekday morning.
Kurama to Kibune hike, temples, hot springs, river-bed dining 30 minutes from the city.

Getting around

Get a bus day pass (¥700). Buses are slow but reach every temple. The subway is fast but limited. Rent a bike for Higashiyama, Kyoto is mostly flat.

Safety

Among the safest cities on earth. Solo female travellers walk anywhere at any hour. The only etiquette risk is photographing geiko/maiko in Gion, it's actually banned in private alleys, fines apply.

Kyoto in 3 days | Kyoto in 5 days | Full Kyoto guide