2-Day Kyoto Itinerary: Best Things to See, Do & Eat

What to See & Do in Kyoto

With two days in Kyoto, here are the iconic temples and neighborhoods and cultural experiences I’d prioritize.

1. Explore Gion & Higashiyama

The Gion District is Kyoto’s traditional entertainment district, where you’ll find old wooden buildings, charming streets, canals, shrines, and teahouses.

If you have time, explore Gion early in the morning, as well as around dusk. (Staying somewhere like Kyoto Granbell Hotel will make that easy.) Visiting in the daytime will allow you to take in all of the area’s little details, while dusk brings beautiful lighting to the houses, canals, and lantern-lit streets.

Start around Gion Shirakawa and Shinbashi-dori, near Tatsumi Bridge – one of the prettiest parts of Gion I remember from my first trip to Kyoto. From there, you can wander along Hanamikoji-dori, visit Yasaka Shrine, and continue into Higashiyama toward Ninenzaka and Kiyomizu-dera.

As you go, you’ll probably spot geiko and maiko walking to their evening engagements. Just remember not to stop them for photos and respect any photography restrictions.

The Gion District is also home to some fantastic restaurants and foodie experiences. This night food and sake tour through Gion is a fun way to explore the neighborhood after dark while trying local food and drinks.

2. Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha

One of the most-visited attractions in Kyoto is Fushimi Inari Taisha, a shrine dedicated to Inari, the Shinto deity associated with rice and prosperity.

Entry is free, and it couldn’t be easier to access. Take the train to Inari Station or Fushimi-inari Station, and the shrine is just a short walk away.

From the main shrine at the bottom, the Fushimi Inari Trail features thousands of torii gates, which lead toward the 233-meter-high summit of Mt. Inari and many smaller shrines along the way. If you decide to do the entire circuit, allow around 2 to 3 hours.

The major downside is the crowds… And the way this place feels like a gigantic content creation amusement park. Phones and selfie sticks everywhere. I recently visited at around 7 AM and even that felt super busy. If possible, visit around sunrise or later in the evening.

If you do visit when it’s busy, know that the further up you go, the smaller the crowds tend to get – so don’t turn around after the famous lower gates!

3. Visit Sanjusangen-do Temple

For something much less chaotic, visit Sanjusangen-do Temple.

Inside the incredibly long wooden temple hall are 1,001 statues of Kannon, arranged in rows around a huge central statue. It’s one of the most impressive temple interiors in Kyoto – and an easy stop to work into two days in the city. The dim interior is filled with gilded figures and intricate carved details, with the scent of burning incense filling the air.

My husband and I loved this temple… It was a little busy, but not nearly as crowded as the more iconic temples.

4. Experience Kaiseki

Kaiseki is the pinnacle of Japanese cuisine – a traditional and elegant multi-course dinner focusing heavily on the chef’s precise technique and skill.

When done properly, kaiseki presents the ultimate dining experience: the food is exquisite and plated beautifully, the service is outstanding, and the entire experience – yep, you guessed it – can be pretty expensive.

Typically, kaiseki includes a progression of small seasonal dishes, which may include sashimi, simmered and grilled dishes, rice, soup, and beautifully presented courses that change throughout the year.

If you want to experience kaiseki, I recommend reserving one of these well in advance:

• Gion Shinbashi Nakatani
• Gion Karyo
• Ishibe Koji Mamecha

MADDY’S TIP: Another Japanese foodie experience I love? Don’t miss this ramen and gyoza cooking class with professional Japanese chefs.

5. Experience a Traditional Tea Ceremony

Another must-do activity during two days in Kyoto is experiencing a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

Formal and elegant, a tea ceremony offers the chance to learn about the rituals, preparation, and meaning behind one of Japan’s most famous traditions – rather than simply stopping somewhere for a cup of matcha.

This small-group Japanese tea ceremony also includes dressing in a traditional kimono, making it a particularly memorable experience to fit into your two days in Kyoto.

If you don’t want to book a formal ceremony, you can always stop at a tea shop for a bowl of matcha and some Japanese sweets (wagashi) instead.

Book your Kyoto tea ceremony here.

READ MORE: Ultimate Guide to Kanazawa, Japan: Best Things to Do & See

More Unique Things to Do in Kyoto

Want to experience Kyoto beyond its temples and shrines? Japan is world-renowned for its traditional craftsmanship, so why not make something beautiful that you can actually bring home with you? You can forge your own chef’s knife with a Japanese blacksmith, craft your own set of chopsticks, or even make a ring from a vintage Japanese coin during a hands-on workshop.

And if your priority is getting away from Kyoto’s most crowded sights (and trust me, it should be!), this “Hidden Kyoto” bike tour focuses on quieter, less-visited parts of the city.