Suggested for the traveler who will spend a few days in our fair city but still wants to prioritize the most popular sights, this itinerary will help you make the most of your trip in the heart of Kyoto city. Explore the famous Higashiyama district from the Silver Pavilion at its northernmost section down along the scenic Philosopher’s Path, visiting shrines and temples along the way until you arrive at the Gion geisha district come nightfall.
Ginkaku-ji
Spend your morning at Ginkaku-ji temple, a prime example of the wabisabi aesthetic in Japan that focuses on beauty found in things imperfect and transient. The most famous aspect of the temple is the so-called “Silver Pavilion”, a two-story hall beside a pond often compared to the “Gold Pavilion” at Kinkaku-ji. Made up of splendid gardens of both the shaped sand and rock variety as well as lush strolling paths through the foothills, Ginkaku-ji is just as classic now as it was in his heyday.
OPENING HOURS
8:30 to 17:00 (9:00 to 16:30 from December to February)
NEAREST STATION / BUS STOP
● By City Bus ⇒ Bus Route 5 or 17 ⇒ Ginkakuji-michi Bus Stop
● By City Bus ⇒ Route 100 ⇒ Ginkakuji-mae Bus Stop
● From Nanzen-ji ⇒ 35 – 40 minutes walking along the Philosopher’s Path
ALSO IN THE AREA
Philosopher’s Path (Tetsugaku no Michi)
Tetsugaki no Michi, or the “Philosopher’s Path”, is scenic path that follows a small canal from northern Higashiyama on down past several small temples and shrines. Most famous in the cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons, this area is nonetheless worth a visit no matter the season. Largely a footpath with little hint of larger roads, the Philosopher’s Path allows you to experience a bit of the Old Kyoto feel. Feel free to take your time with a leisurely walk from Ginkaku-ji to your next destination, or make a few stops along the way at one of the cafés, shops, and temples.
OPENING HOURS
24 hours
ALSO IN THE AREA
Heian Jingū
Though a relatively new shrine when it comes to its construction, the Heian Shrine was modeled after the Heian Period buildings of a thousand years past. With sprawling grounds and luxurious gardens, Chinese influence and brilliant vermilion colors make this shrine stand out from the rest. Weeping cherry trees and countless water-loving irises make it a popular destination in spring and summer, and its location in the center of the Okazaki Park area makes it a great place to explore before you make a stop for lunch or a side trip to one of the museums nearby.
OPENING HOURS
6:00 to 17:30 (Shin’en Gardens: 8:30 to 17:00)
NEAREST STATION / BUS STOP
● Subway Tozai Line ⇒ Higashiyama Station ⇒ 10 minutes walking
● From Kyoto Station ⇒ City Bus 5 or Kyoto Bus 100 ⇒ Okazaki Koen Bus Stop or Heian Jingū-mae Bus Stop ⇒ 5 minutes walking
● Keihan Train Line ⇒ Sanjō Station or Jingū Marutamachi Station ⇒ 15 minutes walking
ALSO IN THE AREA
Nanzen-ji
A sprawling temple complex that contains several sub-temples and a historic aqueduct bringing in water from Lake Biwa in the neighboring Shiga Prefecture, Nanzen-ji makes for a fun exploration through temple halls, brick arches, and maple groves. Depending on the time you have, you can either stick to the main temple and its interior garden or pay a visit to some of the smaller temples hidden behind tiled walls. The aqueduct is a particularly popular place for photographs, as is the towering Sanmon Gate you can climb to get a great view of your surroundings.
OPENING HOURS
8:40 – 17:00 (March – November)
8:40 – 16:30 (December – February)
NEAREST STATION / BUS STOP
● By Tōzai Subway Line ⇒ Keage Station ⇒ 10 minutes walking
● From Kyoto Station ⇒ Karasuma Subway Line ⇒ Karasuma Oike Station ⇒ Change to Tōzai Subway Line ⇒ Keage Station ⇒ 10 minutes walking
● From Kyoto Station ⇒ City Bus Route 5
ALSO IN THE AREA
Kiyomizu-dera
Kiyomizu-dera is the temple that sees the most visitors yearly here in Kyoto, and it’s famous for its “stage” that juts out over a valley of maple trees, where you can see Kyoto City spread out in a gorgeous arch in the mountain basin below you from the viewing platform. The grounds also contain various interesting features you can explore, such as a pagoda, a sacred waterfall, and the “womb of the bodhisattva”. Depending on the season Kiyomizu-dera sometimes offers special nighttime openings with the temple skillfully illuminated for those tourists who aren’t yet ready to call it a day.
OPENING HOURS
6:00 – 17:00 to 6:00 – 18:30, depending on the season
NEAREST STATION / BUS STOP
● From JR Kyoto Station ⇒ City Bus Route 206 or 100 ⇒ Gojozaka Bus Stop ⇒ 10 minutes walking
● From JR Kyoto Station ⇒ Kyoto Bus Route 18 ⇒ Higashiyama Gojo Bus Stop ⇒ 10 minutes walking
● By Keihan Line ⇒ Kiyomizu Gojo Station ⇒ 25 minutes walking
● From Shijō Karasuma (Hankyū Line Kyoto Kawaramachi Station or Keihan Line Gion Shijō Station) ⇒ City Bus Route 207 bound for Tofukuji/Kujo Shako or Keihan Bus Route 83, 85, 87, or 88 ⇒ Kiyomizu-michi Bus Stop ⇒ 10 minutes walking
ALSO IN THE AREA
Gion
Spend your night in the Gion district, famous as the home to many of Kyoto’s traditional entertainers, the geiko and maiko. Not only might you see one of these skilled women passing through the streets, but you can enjoy the traditional architecture and atmosphere of Gion just by walking through. From expensive to affordable and traditionally Japanese to modern fusion, the area also offers countless restaurants to choose from for dinner.
OPENING HOURS
Varies by restaurant
NEAREST STATION / BUS STOP
Gion Shijō Station