Exploring Kyoto in 3 Days: Temples, Food, and Hidden Gems
Welcome to Kyoto, Japan—a city where ancient temples, serene gardens, and culinary delights come together to create an unforgettable experience. After starting our Japanese adventure in Tokyo and Kanazawa, we spent three full days in Kyoto exploring its history, culture, and food scene. Here’s a look at our journey, along with tips to help you plan your own Kyoto itinerary.
Getting to Kyoto
Traveling from Kanazawa to Kyoto takes about two hours by train. The trip includes a transfer from the Hokuriku Shinkansen to the Thunderbird Limited Express, with scenic views of rice fields and mountains along the way.
Arriving at Kyoto Station is an experience in itself. Designed by architect Hiroshi Hara, the futuristic station opened in 1997 as part of a major redevelopment project. It’s one of Japan’s largest and busiest stations, featuring the Sky Garden observation deck and the Skyway atrium, plus access to both local trains and the JR Shinkansen.
Understanding Kyoto’s Layout
Kyoto is divided into five general areas—north, south, east, west, and central—spanning over 320 square miles. With hundreds of temples, shrines, and attractions, planning ahead is key. Group sights by neighborhood to save time and avoid spending hours just traveling between destinations.
Day 1: Temples, Okonomiyaki, and Craft Beer
We arrived in Kyoto around noon and settled into a traditional Airbnb house. With time to spare, we explored our neighborhood and discovered Chishakuin Temple, established in 1598. While we missed the famous garden, we enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and the ritual of lighting incense.
Just nearby, we visited Sanjusangendo Temple, home to 1,001 statues of Kannon (the goddess of compassion) and 28 guardian deities. While photography isn’t allowed inside, the temple’s size and presence are awe-inspiring.
Dinner took us to Pontocho Alley, a lively street lined with restaurants. We tried okonomiyaki—a savory Japanese pancake topped with sauce, mayonnaise, bonito flakes, and cabbage—paired with Japanese beer at Yasubee Okonomiyaki.
To end the night, we stopped at Kyoto Beer Lab, a cozy riverside craft brewery tucked into a quiet neighborhood.
Day 2: Fushimi Inari, Tea Ceremony, and the Bamboo Forest
Our second day began with an early (and rainy) visit to the iconic Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. Famous for its thousands of red torii gates stretching up Mount Inari, the hike takes about 2–3 hours, though you can turn back whenever you like. We even spotted some of the shrine’s resident cats wandering the grounds.
Next, we headed to the Gion district for a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Dressed in kimonos, we learned the art of preparing and serving matcha. It was one of the most memorable cultural experiences of our trip.
For lunch, we splurged on a multi-course teppanyaki meal at Gozanbo, enjoying expertly grilled dishes followed by matcha ice cream with sweeping city views.
In the afternoon, we explored the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, where towering stalks of bamboo create a dreamlike path. While the forest itself was beautiful, the adjacent Okochi Sanso Garden was our favorite, offering winding stone paths and stunning mountain views.
We wrapped up the evening with dinner and craft beer at Craft House Kyoto—a much-needed reward after walking over 20,000 steps.
Day 3: Gion, Bike Tour, and Hidden Eats
On our final day, we returned to Gion, Kyoto’s geisha district, with its wooden buildings and historic charm. The towering Yasaka Pagoda provided a stunning backdrop as we explored the streets.
Later, we joined a 5-hour e-bike tour of northern Kyoto, a fantastic way to see both major landmarks and hidden gems. Highlights included:
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine – dedicated to the god of learning, where students pray for academic success.
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) – one of Kyoto’s most famous temples, dazzling with gold leaf.
Ichimonjiya Wasuke – the world’s oldest sweet shop, founded in the year 1000, where we enjoyed grilled mochi.
Zuiho-in Temple – a Zen temple with unique Christian influences in its garden design.
For lunch, our guide recommended Kamishichiken Futaba, a family-owned noodle shop. The cold udon was refreshing and flavorful—a perfect finale to our trip.
Final Thoughts on Kyoto
In just three days, we walked nearly 75,000 steps (about 37 miles!) and visited nine major attractions. Even so, we only scratched the surface of what Kyoto has to offer.
If you’re planning your trip, I recommend:
Spending at least 4–5 days in Kyoto if possible.
Grouping sights by neighborhood to save time.
Booking cultural experiences like tea ceremonies or bike tours in advance.
Kyoto is a city that blends tradition and modern life seamlessly—and it’s absolutely worth a spot on your Japan itinerary.
