Great Itineraries

Great Itineraries

If You Have 1 Day

Heaven forbid if you have such limited time. Should it be so, start in eastern Kyoto with Ginkaku-ji for the simplicity of its exterior shape and its gardens. Walk a little way down the Path of Philosophy before taking a taxi to Kiyomizu-dera, a vast wooden temple built on a hillside.

Next, walk through Maruyama Koen to Chion-in, taking special notice of the awesome San-mon at its entrance. From here take a taxi to the Kyoto Craft Center to browse through the traditional and regional crafts. You may also want to take a break for lunch here.

Another taxi ride takes you to central Kyoto and Nijo-jo, a grandiose statement of Tokugawa military might. Now make tracks for western Kyoto, where you should have time for abbreviated visits to Kinkaku-ji, built in 1393, and Ryoan-ji, for its soul-searching garden. You can travel between the two on Bus 12. Because you're here so briefly, don't miss an all-out kaiseki dinner for a magical end to the day.

If You Have 3 Days

Give your first day to visiting the attractions in eastern Kyoto described above, but after Ginkaku-ji and the Path of Philosophy, slip in Nanzen-ji, the Heian Jingu, and Sanjusangen-do before going on to Kiyomizu-dera. On your second day spend the morning in central Kyoto at the Imperial Palace and Nijo-jo. In the afternoon cover western Kyoto and include Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, Ninna-ji, and Myoshin-ji. The morning of the third day take the Hankyu Railway Line from Kyoto's Hankyu Kawara-machi Station to Katsura Station and walk 15 minutes to get to Katsura Rikyu (having obtained your permit to do so the morning before). Then return to Kyoto and head to northern Kyoto and Hiei-zan to spend a calm afternoon wandering through the temple complex to appreciate the views of Kyoto below. Or get in a little shopping so as not to miss local foods and crafts to stuff into your suitcase.

If You Have 6 Days

Concentrate on eastern Kyoto for your first day. Then take on the Imperial Palace and Nijo-jo in central Kyoto the next morning and western Kyoto in the afternoon. On the third day visit the Katsura Rikyu in the morning and the sights in Arashiyama in the afternoon. When you come back into central Kyoto, try to visit Higashi-Hongan-ji. On the fourth day leave early for northern Kyoto to visit the temples in Ohara -- Sanzen-in, Jikko-in, and Jakko-in. By lunchtime, be at Hiei-zan to spend the afternoon on top of the world exploring the temple complexes. On the fifth day head for the Kyoto Craft Center, traditional shops, and Nishiki-koji for a few treasures to bring home. Finish off your visit with a day trip to nearby Nara.