A Kyoto 2 Day Itinerary: Wandering Through Peaceful Gardens and Ancient Temples in the Japanese Capital of Culture
If you’re looking for the perfect two day Kyoto itinerary to help you on your next trip to Kyoto, Japan, look no further. We’ve outlined all the Kyoto travel tips in this guide for how to spend your time exploring one of the most historic cities in the country, and, in our opinion, one of the most incredible destinations in the world!
There are few cities that I’ve made such a dedicated effort to get to than Kyoto, Japan. Before visiting this incredible city, I was already buzzing with excitement over the history and culture I’d be able to see ahead of even booking a flight.
Chris and I decided to plan a trip to Kyoto after a pretty incredible trip to Tokyo. Seeing as we had limited time to spend on our initial trip to Japan, and somewhat limited funds at the time, we needed to make a few choices, so the initial choice was that we’d just go to Japan to see Tokyo.
Shortly after returning to Seoul from our trip, we quickly realized that our quick trip to Tokyo hadn’t been enough. I don’t think a month had even gone by before we were putting the plan into place for our return to Japan, which would most certainly involve spending 2 days in Kyoto.
Looking back on the two day itinerary we’d planned for ourselves, it’s a real lesson in the value of going exactly where you want to go when you can. Sometimes travellers can be quick to dismiss returning to a country after spending time there recently, but in this situation, I would plead the case for travelling to Japan twice within four months all over again if I wanted to.
And so, with that, let’s get down to what you’ll need to put into place when you plan out your own Kyoto 2-day itinerary. I promise you one thing: it will most definitely be worth it.
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Why You Should Plan to Take a 2 Day Trip to Kyoto
Whether you’re planning for a one week Japan itinerary, or if you’re looking to spend a month or more in this incredible country, Kyoto is absolutely a destination that has to be on your list.
Our trip to Kyoto started with the simple fact that as Chris and I were researching the city, we quickly learned that it has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites in a concentrated area than many other places in the world. The socio-political reasons for why and how sites receive UNESCO distinctions aside, planning a Kyoto tour reveals that there are 17 UNESCO sites in the city proper, and something like 15 additional sites in the surrounding regions.
One of the reasons Kyoto has such a high count of treasured sites worth visiting is because it was spared during World War 2. It has been said that Kyoto was actually the initial intended target for the devastating atomic bomb, however Americans and allies had visited the city and thought it unwise to attack such a culturally relevant place to the Japanese.
This opens up a much larger discussion about the ethics surrounding bombings anywhere in the world, including historically significant places, as in recent years many parts of the world have not been spared in the same way. It is tragic to think about a place like Kyoto being destroyed, and then simultaneously to remember that so many other places and its people haven’t been granted the same gift. If human history can teach us anything, it’s that we are just as good at building things up as we are at tearing them down, and the more time I spend on this earth, the longer I wonder why.
Of course, we all know how this story ends…why the general consensus couldn’t have been that no place on earth deserves such a tragedy ever, and that future generations don’t deserve such a trauma, remains a continuous scar on human history. But I acknowledge that this is a point far greater than can ever be covered completely in a post like this, and so for now I will digress.
There’s No Such Thing as a Bad Season to Visit Kyoto
If you’re planning on spending 2 days in Kyoto, you have a lot of options depending on what you’re looking for. When Chris and I visited this cultural captial, we went during the middle of spring. We were graced with warm sunny days, blooming trees, and sprawling mossy green temple gardens.
Truthfully, I’ve seen incredible photos of Kyoto in all seasons. In the wintertime, guilded temples and rock gardens are covered in a dusting of snow. In the autumn, historic sites are framed by multi-coloured leaves at the changing of seasons.
Of course Kyoto is incredible to visit any time of year, but if you’re able to plan your Japan travel to coincide with cherry blossom season, then you will surely be grinning from ear to ear. Kyoto especially is covered in cherry blossom trees, and visiting this ancient city with its awe-inspiring sites framed by cherry blossoms is truly a special sight to admire.
Planning on Getting to Kyoto, Japan
If you’re arriving to Kyoto, chances are you’re coming one of two ways.
If you plan to fly into Japan and head to Kyoto early on in your trip, you’ll want to plan to land at Kansai International Airport. This is the primary international airport in the Greater Osaka Area of Japan, and is the closest airport to Kyoto. We’d highly recommend spending some time in Osaka during your trip, too, but that’s a story for another day.
From Osaka, you can hop on a Japan Rail (JR) train, which takes about an hour to get from Osaka to Kyoto Station. If you’re planning on taking JR trains throughout your time in Japan, then getting your hands on a one, two, or three-week Japan Rail Pass is a must. The JR train system is extensive and an extremely well-planned system that runs throughout the country. You can purchase your pass here, ahead of your trip, so it’s ready to use when you land.
If you’re coming from Tokyo, you can fly or take a bus, but I would recommend taking the JR Tokaido Shinkansen train line, which runs from Kyoto to Tokyo in both directions. Taking this line means experiencing one of Japan’s famed bullet trains for yourself. An experience on one of the bullet trains in Asia is a highlight on any trip in this part of the world, for sure!
How to Get Around Kyoto Once You Arrive
When planning your Kyoto 2-day itinerary, you are without a doubt going to have to use public transit. There are some cities which are more walkable, or you may only have to take transit once or twice during your visit, but the distance between some notable sites in Kyoto is so great that transit is a must on a two day trip.
While Kyoto’s train system is small, with only two train lines (the Karasuma subway line, which runs north-south, and the Tozai Line, which runs east-west), it makes up for it with its extensive bus network. Chris and I found navigating the bus system quite easy, and since it is so extensive, buses literally seem to travel to all corners of the city, frequently.
I’ll also say that although they get a bad wrap, taking the bus in a city, especially with only 2 days in Kyoto, is a really great way to see what’s around you and get a better sense for your surroundings.
On your trip to Kyoto, I would recommend getting your hands on a Kyoto bus day pass for each day to use on the bus network, which costs approximately ¥700.
If you’re enjoying this post, you’ll likely want to read about How to Spend 3 Days in Tokyo or How to Visit Bangkok in 24 Hours.
Where to Stay in Kyoto
If you’re going to spend two days in Kyoto, I’d recommend you choose a neighbourhood prioritizing function over fashion. I’m not saying the two have to be mutually exclusive, but if you’re looking to maximize what you get out of your 2 days in Kyoto, then you’ll want to be rooted somewhere with easy access to Kyoto’s transportation options.
It’s important to understand that although this city is packed with incredible history and culture, sites are spread out around the city and to the city’s limits.
Southern Higashiyama
This area is close to some of the most impressive areas and sites in the city, such as Gion, the Kiyomizu dera Temple and the Sanjusangen-do Temple.
If you’re interested in spending some time on your own self-guided Kyoto walking tour, this area is filled with beautiful places to walk around in the daytime or evening.
Kyoto Station Area
As its name would suggest, this area is a great place to be based for both its proximity to transportation within and outside of the city, as well as its abundance of shops and restaurants.
You can also use the map below to help you find the best accommodation for you during your trip!
What to Do During Your 2 Day Itinerary Kyoto
Now for the fun part! Kyoto, Japan has been as one of my favourite places in the world for years. And I’m not just saying that to make it sound better, or because I’m North American and our favourite descriptors tend to be superlative qualifiers like “the best” or “the greatest”. I say this because it’s the real deal.
I think what makes Kyoto one of the most special places to me is its seamless intertwining of history, culture and nature. I visit a rock garden and feel like I’m at a city park, but then I remember I’m at a temple, but then I realize it feels more like I’m taking in an abstract piece of art fuelled by religious symbolism. And then I see a woman dressed in a kimono walk past and my heart flutters with all the beautiful, meaningful and minute details this city is brimming with.
In creating this list of the places to go in Kyoto, I’ve kept the idea in mind that you’ll only be spending 2 days in Kyoto, and thus I think it’s important to firstly experience the main attractions of the city, without creating an overwhelming and unattainable list of what to see.
If you are spending 3 days in Kyoto or longer, then you’ll be able to add a few more “off the beaten path” options to this list, or some of the additional sites I included at the end of this post. I’ve made this travel guide in hopes of you seeing a select portion of varied sites, to get a taste for all that this city holds. The lifeblood of Kyoto, after all, is the converging of some very significant art, history, architecture and culture, so let’s get down to the best places to experience the beauty of this special city.
So excited to explore Kyoto during my first visit to the city, and to see Kinkaku-ji for the first time!
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Yes, it’s the first on the list. The illustrious Golden Pavilion is possibly the most famous site in Kyoto— I even bought a Hello Kitty key chain charm with the Golden Pavilion on it, which I still use to this day for my keys. Though it gets a mixed wrap from visitors and locals to this city for a few understandable reasons (see: gold and crowds), it’s still very much a site worth visiting, in my humble opinion.
Dating back to 1397, this impressive structure was built as a Shogun's retirement villa. It was initially built as part of a larger complex, but is the only remaining structure now. Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion, was later transformed into a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, which is what it continues to be today. Destroyed by fire in 1950 and meticulously reconstructed, its shimmering golden exterior embodies Japanese architectural opulence and spiritual serenity, attracting visitors from across the globe.
It is exactly as its name describes: this scenic little three-story pavilion is covered in gold leafing! To this day I haven’t seen another structure like it, which in itself makes it worth the visit for me. Today, it sits peacefully on the little pond on the property and surrounded by its carefully planned gardens.
I put this site on the list first intentionally, since visiting it first thing in the morning (ideally when the gates open to the public) is a must on your Kyoto. Kyoto school groups and other tourists will be there waiting with you, but the opportunity to see it so serenely on its own in the morning, if only for a moment, is truly a special thing.
Kiyomizu dera Temple
This impressive Buddhist temple was founded in 778, but the buildings you can see today were erected in 1633. It is impressive not only because of its beautiful location on the mountain amongst the trees surrounding it, but also because there isn’t a single nail used in its design. When you stand inside of its massive structure or observe it from a distance emerging from the canopy of trees that surrounds it, on a hillside, you’ll understand just how jaw-droppingly shocking and impressive this is.
Visiting Kiyomizu-dera is special because you are greeted with its impressive architecture inside, but your short hike up the mountain is met with impressive views of the surrounding landscape. If you’re travelling for 2 days in Kyoto during the warmer months, make sure you bring your water!
If you forget your water bottle, you can stop by the natural spring water at the base of this temple. It is said that if visitors drink it, they will be met with health, longevity and success in their academic studies.
Ginkaku-ji (Temple of the Silver Pavilion)
Intended as a royal retirement villa for the 8th Shōgun of the Ashikaga shogunate, Ashikaga Yoshimasa, plans for the Silver Pavilion began around 1460. Unlike the Golden Pavilion, the Silver Pavilion is not covered in silver, but it is an impressive and serene structure nonetheless.
In my opinion, equally as impressive as the structure itself are the rock and moss gardens surrounding the pavilion. I haven’t yet touched on the significance of rock and moss gardens in Japanese Zen culture, but Kyoto is resplendent with it. A visit to this temple on your Kyoto itinerary is certainly not to be missed, if only to admire the peaceful garden at the very most.
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Fushimi Inari-taisha
This impressive Shinto shrine, translated to English as the Fushimi Inari Shrine, is located on the outskirts of Kyoto in Fushimi-ku, and will take a dedicated bus ride to get to. The shrine was built primarily for the kami (or spirits) of rice and agriculture, its earliest structures being built in 711, but many manufacturers and merchants worship Inari as the “patron of business” as well.
There are approximately a thousand torii gates, which are the arches located at this shrine, creating a seemingly never-ending “tunnel of torii”. If you haven’t seen a Shinto shrine before, in addition to learning about and understanding its religious significance, it’s worth experiencing seeing one.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
In another far corner of town requiring more dedication and buses, you’ll find the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. This impressive bamboo forest achieves something difficult in the age of social media: it feels just as magical in person as it does in the photos.
The bamboo in this grove is so thick that even on a sunny day, the sun’s rays won’t quite reach you. The bamboo stalks stretch over 25 feet tall, with thick leaves at the top, and will leave you feeling stuck in another magical world. Have I used the word “magical” too many times? I can’t really think of another word that better describes the feeling of visiting this place! It is a must stop on a trip to Kyoto.
Take an Evening Stroll through the Gion District
The area of Gion is full of long, narrow and winding streets. Lined with centuries old buildings, traditional restaurants, entertainment spaces and Izakayas, this historic district is the place where the ancient art of Geisha began, and it makes for the perfect way to end one or two days of sightseeing in Kyoto.
As you walk along the scenic Kamo River at night, you’ll pass quaint shops, little bridges and places to drink sake. You’ll likely also see small groups of huddled Geisha rushing off to a nightly performance or lesson somewhere. It will truly make you feel as though you’ve been transported to another moment in time.
While you’re in Gion, don’t forget to pop across the Kamo River to the Pontocho neighbourhood, and Pontocho Alley. This pedestrian-only street is an excellent place to come to spot more Geishas, or pop into more charming Izakayas for a bite to eat after a long day spent exploring.
Other Places to Consider on your 2-Day Trip to Kyoto
If you’re looking for a few more places to check out while you’re in Kyoto, or if you find yourself having a little more than two days and you’d like to extend your time in this incredible city, then these are more places worth considering on your trip:
The Kyoto Imperial Palace is nestled in the historic heart of Kyoto. It’s surrounded by lush gardens and moats, and it showcases traditional Japanese architecture. The palace grounds and the building itself are extensive. During a visit you can explore serene courtyards, majestic halls, and centuries-old pine trees, and learn about the history of Kyoto and its Emperors. Don’t miss checking out it’s main hall, Shishinden.
The Nishiki Market is a fresh food market, bursting with vibrant colors and culinary flavors. You can sample dishes like fresh seafood, matcha treats, and artisanal delights lining the narrow lanes or the market. If you’re interested in learning more about all of the amazing dishes to enjoy when you’re in Japan, we outlined them in our Tokyo guide. If you’re interested in really diving into the market and learning about Japanese cuisine, then I’d highly recommend you consider taking a guided tour of the market to better understand it during your visit.
Nijo Castle is a masterpiece of Edo-period architecture, and steeped in history. Wander through opulent chambers adorned with intricate paintings and the famous "nightingale floors" that literally “chirp” with your every step. The castle's historic gardens offer a serene escape, inviting you to step back into a timeless landscape steeped in samurai tales and imperial legacy.
Final Thoughts on Spending 2 Days in Kyoto
These are my top recommendations for what to see and do during your 2 days in Kyoto. There are so many more incredible sites and experiences which didn’t make this post, but as I said earlier, I want to be selective enough so that it isn’t overwhelming for you when you plan your Kyoto itinerary in 2 days.
If you have unlimited amounts of time in this city, there is so much to see beyond this in a Kyoto itinerary, but this gives you a nice dose of history and culture on your first trip there. I’ll leave you with a picture of Chris and I loving our first time spent in Kyoto, with our hopeful and youthful faces planning on returning some day soon!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this post here on travelingmitch! Chris and I are always excited to share more of our thoughts and itineraries with you here. As with any international trip, don’t forget to purchase travel insurance and make sure you have your arrival and departure flights scheduled before landing. Many countries require this!