Kyoto 2 Day Temple Visits

🗓️ Day 1: Northern & Central Kyoto

Theme: Iconic temples, Zen gardens, and scenic walks

🟡 Morning:

1. Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

• Start early to beat the crowds.

• Explore the grounds, take photos of the shimmering temple.
  

2. Ryoan-ji

• Short bus/taxi ride from Kinkaku-ji.

• Meditate by the famous rock garden.

• Peaceful grounds with a large pond.

  
  

🍵 Lunch nearby – Try Yudofu (tofu hotpot) at a temple restaurant nearby.

🔶 Afternoon:

3. Ninna-ji (optional but beautiful and less crowded)

• UNESCO temple with a 5-story pagoda and seasonal flowers.

  
  

4. Arashiyama area

• Take a taxi/train to Tenryu-ji.

• Explore the Zen garden and enjoy the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove right next door.

🌅 Evening:

• Walk along the Katsura River or take a scenic rickshaw ride.

• Optional dinner in Arashiyama or return to Kyoto city center.

🗓️ Day 2: Eastern Kyoto

Theme: Historical heart of Kyoto, panoramic views, and spiritual energy

🔴 Morning:

1. Kiyomizu-dera

• Arrive early (opens ~6:00 AM) to enjoy peaceful views.

• Explore Otowa Waterfall and Jishu Shrine.

2. Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka Streets

• Stroll through charming old streets filled with shops and tea houses.

🍜 Lunch in Higashiyama – Try soba or yuba (tofu skin) dishes.

Soba is buckwheat noodles enjoyed cold (with dipping sauce 'tsuyu') or hot (in broth).

🟢 Afternoon:

3. Eikan-do

• Gorgeous gardens, especially in autumn.

• Tranquil temple known for its statue looking back.

  
  

4. Nanzen-ji

• Grand temple complex with gardens and an aqueduct.

• Great place for a quiet walk.

🌸 Optional: Walk the Philosopher’s Path up to Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)

• Peaceful stroll by a canal with cherry trees.

• Ginkaku-ji offers calm beauty, perfect to end your day.

✅ Tips:

• Kyoto City Bus Day Pass: Worth it for Day 1.

• Footwear: Comfortable shoes you can slip on/off easily.

• Timing: Start early—temples open around 8–9 AM.

• Autumn (Nov) or Spring (Apr): Best times to visit for foliage or blossoms.

Like what you see? Here's the detailed plan:

🗓️ Day 1: Northern & Central Kyoto

Theme: Iconic temples, Zen gardens, and scenic walks

🟡 Morning

1. Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

   ✅ Opens at 9:00 AM.

   ✅ Best to go first — it's extremely popular and gets crowded fast.

   ⚠️ No interior access; it's more about the exterior beauty and photo ops.

   ⏱️ Time needed: ~45 mins.

   
   

2. Ryoan-ji (5-10 min taxi or 20 min walk)

   ✅ Opens at 8:00 AM.

   ✅ Famous rock garden; also has a serene pond garden worth seeing.

   ⏱️ Time needed: ~45 mins – 1 hr.

   
   

🍵 Lunch Suggestion:✔️ Yudofu Sagano (near Tenryu-ji) or Ryoan-ji Yudofu if you’re still near Ryoan-ji.Yudofu is perfect for a Zen-style lunch and available at many temple-run restaurants.

🔶 Afternoon

3. Ninna-ji (Optional)

   ✅ 10–15 min walk from Ryoan-ji.

   ✅ Less crowded, great if you're ahead of schedule.

   ❗Check if you want to skip to Arashiyama for more time.

   ⏱️ Time needed: ~45 mins.

   
   

4. Arashiyama Area

   ✅ Travel: 20–30 min by taxi or Keifuku line (Randen).

   • Tenryu-ji: Open until 5:00 PM. Main hall + stunning gardens.

   • Arashiyama Bamboo Grove: Right outside Tenryu-ji’s north gate.

     ✅ Pro Tip: Go to bamboo grove after temple for fewer crowds (afternoon light is also better).

   • ⏱️ Total time for Tenryu-ji + bamboo: ~1.5–2 hrs.

   
   

🌅 Evening in Arashiyama

• Katsura River walk: Beautiful during sunset.

• Rickshaw ride: Optional but scenic (Ebisuya is a reliable service).

  
  

• Dinner:

  • Casual: Arashiyama Yoshimura (soba with river view)

  • Upscale: Shoraian (kaiseki, must reserve)

  • ✅ Option to return to Kyoto Station/Gion area for wider dinner choices.

    
    

🗓️ Day 2: Eastern Kyoto

Theme: Spiritual energy, historical charm, and serene walks

🔴 Morning

1. Kiyomizu-dera

   ✅ Opens at 6:00 AM — great for sunrise and beating tour groups.

   ✅ Major highlights: Main hall (with its famous wooden stage), Otowa waterfall, and Jishu Shrine (love stones).

   ⏱️ Time needed: ~1–1.5 hrs.

   
   

2. Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka Streets

   ✅ Beautiful preserved streets lined with tea houses and traditional shops.

   ✅ Try a quick matcha ice cream or browse local crafts.

   ⏱️ Time needed: ~45 mins to 1 hr.

   
   

🍜 Lunch in Higashiyama✔️ Great tofu/yuba options: Okutan Kiyomizu or Yudofu Sagano Higashiyama branch.✔️ Soba: Omen (popular, near Ginkaku-ji too if you do Philosopher’s Path).

🟢 Afternoon

3. Eikan-do

   ✅ Opens ~9:00 AM. Gorgeous foliage if it's autumn (esp. late Nov).

   ✅ Less crowded than nearby temples, and underrated.

   ⏱️ Time needed: ~45 mins – 1 hr.

   
   

4. Nanzen-ji (10 min walk from Eikan-do)

   ✅ Massive temple complex with beautiful gardens and iconic brick aqueduct.

   ✅ Good spot to wind down the day or start Philosopher’s Path from here.

   ⏱️ Time needed: ~45 mins.

🌸 Optional: Philosopher’s Path → Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)

• Peaceful ~30–45 min walk (depending on pace & stops).

• Ginkaku-ji closes at 5:00 PM (last entry ~4:30 PM).

  • Serene sand garden and mossy grounds — excellent evening spot.

  • ⏱️ Time needed: ~45 mins.

Read here for a List of Top Temples of Kyoto