Kyōto
Kyōto3days
3
Days
27
Activities
1
Location
~9.3 km
Between stops
08:00
Earliest start

3-day itinerary·27 activities

Exclusive Kyoto Highlights for Luxury Travellers

A three-day exploration of Kyoto's landmark temples, historic districts, and scenic gardens, designed with private experiences and high-end dining for luxury travellers.

  • 7Sights
  • 6Food stops
  • 5Temples & shrines
  • 3Stays
  • 2Outdoors
  • 2Landmarks

Good for couples · solo · friends

  • luxury
  • kyoto
  • culture
  • temples
  • gardens

Free — no credit card. The copy lands in your own Trips, editable.

Day by day

3 days in Kyōto, in order. No fixed dates — start whenever you like. 6 of 27 stops are on the map — about 9.3 km between them.

Day 1

Southern and Eastern Kyoto Temples and Gion9 Activities

Explore the Iconic shrines and Zen temples of Southern and Eastern Kyoto before spending the evening in historic Gion.

  1. 08:0009:00
    Food

    Breakfast at Inoda Coffee Honten

    08:00 – 09:00

    Enjoy a traditional drip coffee and breakfast set in a historic Kyoto coffee house.

  2. 09:1510:45
    Sightseeing

    Fushimi Inari Taisha Visit

    09:15 – 10:45

    Walk through the thousands of vermilion torii gates stretching up Mount Inari.

    • entryFree
  3. 11:0012:15
    Sightseeing

    Sanjusangen-do Temple

    11:00 – 12:15

    View the hall housing 1,001 life-sized carved wooden statues of Kannon.

    • entryINR 600
  4. 12:3013:45
    Food

    Lunch at Gion Karyo

    12:30 – 13:45

    Dine on traditional multi-course Kaiseki cuisine in a restored townhouse.

  5. 14:0015:15
    Sightseeing

    Kiyomizu-dera Temple

    14:00 – 15:15

    Visit the wooden stage overlooking Kyoto and sample water from the Otowa Waterfall.

    • entryINR 400
  6. 15:3016:30
    Sightseeing

    Kōdai-ji Zen Temple Experience

    15:30 – 16:30

    Explore the Zen rock gardens and bamboo paths established in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

    • entryFree
  7. 16:4517:45
    Sightseeing

    Romantic Kimono Experience

    16:45 – 17:45

    Dress in fine silk kimono for a guided photography session through historic lanes.

    • entryFree
  8. 18:0019:15
    Sightseeing

    Gion District Exploration

    18:00 – 19:15

    Walk past preserved machiya townhouses along Hanamikoji Street.

    • entryUSD 25
  9. 19:3021:30
    Food

    Dinner at Kikunoi Honten

    19:30 – 21:30

    Savour three-star Michelin Kaiseki dining in private tatami rooms.

Day 2

Northern Zen Temples and Arashiyama Groves9 Activities

Visit iconic Zen gardens in the north before heading west to the bamboo groves and rivers of Arashiyama.

  1. 08:0009:00
    Food

    Breakfast at Iyemon Salon Kyoto

    08:00 – 09:00

    Sample a refined Japanese breakfast featuring seasonal small dishes and green tea.

  2. 09:1510:30
    Outdoor

    Kyoto Botanical Gardens Morning Walk

    09:15 – 10:30

    Stroll through extensive conservatories and landscaped flower gardens.

  3. 10:4511:45
    Sightseeing

    Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) Visit

    10:45 – 11:45

    Observe the gold-leaf covered Zen temple reflecting over Kyoko-chi pond.

    • entryFree
  4. 12:0012:55
    Sightseeing

    Visit to Ryoan-ji Temple

    12:00 – 12:55

    Contemplate the famous dry landscape karesansui rock garden.

    • entryJPY 15
  5. 13:0014:15
    Food

    Lunch at Shigetsu

    13:00 – 14:15

    Eat traditional Buddhist vegetarian Shojin Ryori within Tenryu-ji temple grounds.

  6. 14:3015:30
    Sightseeing

    Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

    14:30 – 15:30

    Walk the path through towering green bamboo stalks.

    • entryFree
  7. 15:4517:00
    Sightseeing

    Private Rickshaw Tour of Arashiyama

    15:45 – 17:00

    Ride through scenic backstreets and rural temples with a private puller.

    • entryFree
  8. 17:1518:30
    Outdoor

    Evening Stroll Along the Kamogawa River

    17:15 – 18:30

    Walk along the riverside paths as city lights reflect on the water.

  9. 19:3021:30
    Food

    Dinner at Kitcho Arashiyama

    19:30 – 21:30

    Experience elite multi-course dining overlooking the Oi River.

Day 3

Imperial Heritage and Market Delights9 Activities

Discover royal palatial grounds and lively food markets before concluding along the Philosopher's Path.

  1. 08:0009:00
    Food

    Breakfast at Maeda Coffee Meirin

    08:00 – 09:00

    Try morning sets and hand-drip roasts inside a repurposed historical schoolhouse.

  2. 09:1510:30
    Sightseeing

    Kyoto Imperial Palace Tour

    09:15 – 10:30

    Walk through the gravel grounds and view the historic residences of Japan's former emperors.

    • entryFree
  3. 10:4512:00
    Sightseeing

    Nijo Castle Tour

    10:45 – 12:00

    Explore the nightingale floors and painted screens of the Tokugawa Shogunate stronghold.

    • entryUSD 10
  4. 12:3013:45
    Food

    Lunch at Nishiki Warai

    12:30 – 13:45

    Eat freshly prepared okonomiyaki and teppanyaki specialties near the market.

  5. 14:0015:15
    Shopping

    Nishiki Market Shopping

    14:00 – 15:15

    Browse narrow aisles filled with specialized cookware, artisan crafts, and local delicacies.

  6. 15:3016:45
    Sightseeing

    Philosopher's Path Stroll

    15:30 – 16:45

    Follow the stone canal trail lined with trees and quiet neighborhood temples.

    • entryFree
  7. 17:0018:15
    Sightseeing

    Eikan-dō Zenrin-ji Temple Visit

    17:00 – 18:15

    Visit the temple complex known for its raised wooden walkways and garden pond.

    • entryFree
  8. 18:3019:15
    Sightseeing

    Evening Stroll in Gion

    18:30 – 19:15

    Take a final evening walk along Shirakawa Canal and lantern-lit alleys.

    • entryFree
  9. 19:3021:00
    Food

    Dinner at Hyotei

    19:30 – 21:00

    Enjoy 400-year-old traditional Kaiseki culinary heritage near Nanzen-ji.

Take this trip as your own

Copy all 3 days into your Trips, then move activities, swap the hotel, or add your own days.