Kyoto in 3 days
Thousands of red torii gates at Fushimi Inari, the bamboo grove of Arashiyama and a geiko hurrying down a lane in Gion. Japan's former imperial capital remains the keeper of its traditional arts and its Zen gardens.
The plan, day by day
Day 1
- Morning
Fushimi Inari Taishafree · about 1 h 30A Shinto shrine to Inari, god of rice, whose trail of vermilion torii gates loops up Mount Inari past small hillside shrines.
- Afternoon
Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion)about 45 minA Zen temple whose gold-leaf pavilion stands over a pond; the present building dates from 1955, after the original was burnt down in 1950.
Day 2
- Morning
Arashiyama bamboo grovefree · about 45 minA path through tall bamboo in the west of the city, best walked early, near Tenryu-ji temple and the Togetsukyo bridge.
- Afternoon
Gionfree · about 1 h 30Kyoto's geisha district of wooden teahouses around Hanamikoji; photography is banned in its private lanes, and the geiko and maiko should be left alone.
Day 3
- Morning
Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavilion)about 1 hA 15th-century Zen temple never covered in silver, with a raked sand garden and moss paths, at the northern end of the Philosopher's Path.
Where to sleep in Kyoto
- Piece Hostel Kyoto · €35 a night
- K's House Kyoto · €30 a night
- Len Kyoto Kawaramachi · €35 a night
- Kyoto Century Hotel · €130 a night
- Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shijo · €110 a night
- Hotel Granvia Kyoto · €150 a night
- The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto · €900 a night
- Hyatt Regency Kyoto · €300 a night
- Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto · €700 a night
Plan this trip
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