Kyoto Day Guides
Kyoto is a peaceful city full of culture, nature, and beautiful old streets. If you're coming from Hiroshima, this guide will help you enjoy your first day in Kyoto in a relaxed and memorable way.
Let’s walk through a great first-day itinerary!
Travel Time: Around 1 hour 40 minutes on a direct Shinkansen (bullet train)
Train Options:
Sakura Shinkansen – Fast, comfortable, and covered by the JR Pass.
Mizuho Shinkansen – Slightly faster, but not JR Pass-compatible.
Departure Station: Hiroshima Station
Arrival Station: Kyoto Station
Traveler’s Tip: Use the JR Pass app or machines at the station to reserve seats. Travel during off-peak hours if possible.
Free your hands so you can explore stress-free.
Options:
Hotel Drop-Off – Many hotels allow early luggage storage.
Coin Lockers – Available in various sizes at Kyoto Station.
Luggage Storage Services – Try “Ecbo Cloak” or “Kyoto Station Baggage Room.”
Travel Time: 5 minutes by JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Inari Station
Entrance Fee: Free
Fushimi Inari is known for its thousands of red torii gates stretching up the mountain.
What to Do:
✔ Walk through the long torii tunnel.
✔ Visit the main shrine and smaller side shrines.
✔ Hike up to the Yotsutsuji viewpoint for a view of Kyoto (30–40 minutes uphill).
✔ Spot fox statues – they are symbols of the shrine.
Cafés Around Fushimi Inari:
Vermillion Café – Specialty coffee with outdoor seating.
Inari Café – Small, cozy, with local sweets.
Hyssop Kyoto (Vegan-Friendly) – Stylish plant-based café with desserts.
Kyoto Neko Neko Café – A cat café nearby if you're an animal lover.
Walking Distance: 10–15 minutes from Fushimi Inari
Entrance Fee: ¥500 (for garden entry)
Tofukuji is a large Zen temple known for its gardens and autumn leaves.
What to See:
✔ Tsutenkyo Bridge – Great for seasonal views.
✔ Zen Rock Gardens – Minimalist and calming.
✔ Sanmon Gate – One of the oldest Zen gates in Japan.
✔ Hidden Pathways – Explore quiet areas behind the temple for peaceful photos.
Enjoy a hearty or light lunch before more sightseeing.
Recommended Restaurants:
Katsukura (Kyoto Station) – Kyoto-style tonkatsu with sesame dipping sauce.
Ramen Towzen (Vegan-Friendly) – Handmade plant-based ramen.
Mimikou (Near Gion) – Known for curry udon, with vegetarian options.
Okutan Kiyomizu (Vegetarian) – Traditional tofu-based set meals in a quiet setting.
Travel Time: 15 minutes by taxi or 20–25 minutes by bus from Tofukuji or Kyoto Station
Entrance Fee: ¥400
A World Heritage Site built on wooden stilts with amazing views over Kyoto.
What to Do:
✔ Walk across the temple’s giant wooden balcony.
✔ Drink from Otowa Waterfall for health, success, or love.
✔ Visit Jishu Shrine for love and match-making wishes.
✔ Explore the temple complex’s side halls and small pagodas.
Walking Distance: 5 minutes from Kiyomizu-dera
Two historic streets lined with traditional shops and snacks.
What to Do:
✔ Try yatsuhashi (Kyoto cinnamon rice crackers).
✔ Visit Kyoto Shoyeido Incense Store.
✔ Shop for hand fans, pottery, and kimono accessories.
✔ Stop by Starbucks Ninenzaka in a restored old house.
✔ Grab matcha ice cream from Gion Tsujiri.
Walking Distance: 10 minutes from Ninenzaka
Entrance Fee: ¥600
A quiet and often overlooked temple with a peaceful bamboo grove.
What to Do:
✔ Stroll the bamboo path (less crowded than Arashiyama).
✔ Explore tea houses and serene ponds.
✔ Visit the small art museum and temple buildings
Take a break with matcha, wagashi (Japanese sweets), or a tea ceremony.
Recommended Tea Houses:
Ippodo Tea – Famous tea brand with matcha tastings.
Saryo Tsujiri (Vegan Options) – Matcha parfaits and light sweets.
Camellia Flower Teahouse – Offers short traditional tea ceremonies.
Chakabuki House – Try blind tea tastings in a calm environment.
Travel Time: Around 10 minutes by taxi or 15 minutes on foot from Kodai-ji or Kiyomizu
Gion is Kyoto’s traditional geisha district with old streets and lantern-lit alleys.
What to Do:
✔ Walk through Hanamikoji Street, full of old tea houses.
✔ Visit Yasaka Shrine, lit up at night.
✔ Walk along Shirakawa Alley beside a quiet stream.
✔ Spot maiko (apprentice geisha) walking to evening appointments.
Finish your day with a relaxing and delicious dinner.
Recommended Dinner Spots:
Gion Karyo – Elegant traditional kaiseki course meals.
Menya Inoichi – Light, healthy ramen using local ingredients.
Veg Out Kyoto (Vegan-Friendly) – Relaxed setting with river views.
Hafuu Steak (For Meat Lovers) – Kyoto-style wagyu beef dishes.
Kamo Nanban Nakajima – Local spot specializing in duck soba noodles.
Head back to your hotel by taxi, bus, or train. After a full and satisfying day, unwind with a bath or tea, and get ready for more adventures tomorrow!
