Explore Kyoto in One Day
For a first-timer in Japan, the combination of Tokyo and Kyoto is a must to do. And although we didn’t have much time, we jumped on a Shinkansen and went straight to Kyoto. There is much to discover; one day is not enough, but it’s better than nothing. We appreciate each hour we can get somewhere.
As said, there is a lot to discover in the former capital of Japan, and here is our 24-hour itinerary of things we saw in Kyoto.
We arrived on Sunday around mid-day, meaning we had half a day to spare and start exploring. After checking in at our hotel (Hotel IL Verde Kyoto), we waddled right into the city. Be prepared; Kyoto is huge. Bigger than you imagine.
In one day, you can still see a lot, which is up to your preference. Below is what we managed to explore.
#1 Monkey Park
This was our first stop—the Monkey Park Iwatayama. The park is located in Arashiyama, one of Kyoto’s busiest tourist areas. It is accessible by train, which is a beautiful experience.
You can experience the famous snow monkey, as they live there. Beware – do not approach them. They are wild monkeys. Read more about our adventure here – link.
#2 Kimono Forest
Many times, Kimono Park is overlooked in the Arashiyama district.
It is located in the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, which will surely be on your list. The Kimono forest consists of 600 poles that are 6.5 feet tall, consisting of pieces of textile displays dyed in the traditional Kyo-yuzen style.
It is beautiful to waddle around these colorful fabrics.
#3 Bamboo Grove
The bamboo forest is one of the most photographed sights, and we can understand why. It’s marvelous.
And as much as the pictures are beautiful, it is nothing compared to standing there. A pro tip – if you are interested in having nice pictures without people, come early in the morning. Very early. Also, once there, make sure to stand still, close your eyes, and listen. Read about our waddle through the forest grove here – link.
#4 Imperial Palace
The area of the former Imperial Palace is vast. You can waddle around for a whole day and still find new places. Well, we waddled only for about 30 minutes, and it was a challenge to reach the actual palace. Since the Meiji Restoration in 1869, the Emperors have resided at the Tokyo Imperial Palace, while the preservation of the Kyoto Imperial Palace was ordered in 1877. Kyoto Imperial Palace is open to the public all year round. No prior registration is needed. Admission is free. Your belongings will be subject to security checks at the entry gate.
#5 Nishiki Market
Nishiki Market (Nishiki Ichiba) is a narrow, five-block-long shopping street lined by more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Kyoto’s biggest market runs between Teramachi and Shinmachi, one block north of Shijo. It specializes in all things food related, like fresh seafood, produce, knives, and cookware, and is a great place to find seasonal foods. It is bustling, but we enjoyed the vibe. Read about our waddle through the market here – link.
#6 Gion Geisha District
Gion (祇園) is Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, located around Shijo Avenue between Yasaka Shrine in the east and the Kamo River in the west. It is full of shops, restaurants, and ochaya (teahouses), where geiko (Kyoto dialect for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices) entertain. It is very well known from movies, and coming here, you will feel like stepping back in time. The most famous street is Hanamikoji, which ich situated in Gion District and is a historic area.
#7 Inari Taisha
It is our favorite place in Kyoto. As much as we enjoyed all the other places we visited, Fushimi Inari Taisha is very special in our hearts. Despite being sweaty before we reached the top, we felt simply wonderful there. It is most famous for its torii gates going all the way to the top.
Pro tip – the higher you go, the fewer people you will meet if you want to have a picture without people in it. Read about our waddle here – link.
#8 To-ji Temple
Tō-ji Temple, also known as Kyō-ō-gokoku-ji is a Shingon Buddhist temple. The most famous image associated with Tō-ji is the five-story pagoda (gojū no tō) in the southeast corner of the temple grounds.
It is 54.8 meters tall, and it is the tallest wooden tower in Japan, rebuilt by the third Tokugawa Shogun after being burned down by a lightning strike in the Edo period.
Toji Temple — meaning “East Temple”— dates back to 794 when Japan’s capital moved from Nara to Kyoto. The ground of the temple is quite excessive.
#9 Train Station
Underestimated but worth waddling around. The Station in Kyoto is beautiful, and we had a little spare time and were glad for it.
First, there are the stairs that have various light art on them. But the best part is the station’s top where you can relax while waiting for your train. From here, you can see the whole city of Kyoto. Makes for a great observation deck.
These are the nine things we managed to see in the one day we had in Kyoto. Although our “to do/see” list was much more extensive, see below. And though we wanted to see it all, the Kinkaku-ji and Kiyomizu-dera, we are sad we didn’t manage to see them. Well, next time.
We hope this inspired your itinerary, and have a great time in Kyoto.
