How to Spend the Best 2 Days in Kyoto | The Perfect Itinerary

Being the “city of the 10,000 shrines“, Kyoto is seen as the cultural an historical heart of Japan. If you’re visiting Japan, Kyoto is a city that cannot be missed out on – especially if you’re a history and cultural sites. To properly appreciate this city, you should plan to stay for at least 3 to 4 days – but 2 days in Kyoto will be enough for the main sights.

This 2 day Kyoto itinerary is perfect for those who want a mix of historic places and the city – meaning this itinerary does not revolve around temples and shrines. With this itinerary, you’ll discover Kyoto’s main attractions, including Fushimi Inari, the best markets, gluten free restaurants, palaces, and more!

“Steal” my 2 day Kyoto itinerary to make the most of your 48 hours in Kyoto.👇

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The Perfect 2 Day Kyoto Itinerary

Day 1 in Kyoto

Breakfast at Toshoan – Gluten Free Soufflé Pancakes

When in Japan, eating the iconic, Japanese soufflé pancakes in nothing short of a must!

Toshoan is a small cafe and shop that makes gluten free soufflé pancakes and sells all sorts of Japanese sweets. They even sell mizu shingen mochi, the viral “raindrop cake”!😍

I got the Matcha pancakes and they were to die for. They came along with a sweet syrup and red bean paste on the side. They also have really good coffee here!

Kyoto Sanjo Shopping Street

Once you’ve enjoyed a delicious breakfast, walk through the Sanjo Shopping street. In this shopping street you’ll find all sorts of stores, from thrift shops to Japanese home goods, groceries, and more.

This is the largest shopping street in West Japan, and one that is mainly frequented by locals. This shopping street is not something to go out of your way for, but it is fun to walk through as you head to your first, Kyoto must-see!

Nijō Castle Ninomaru Goten Palace

You first “true” sight of the day will be the beautiful Nijō Castle Ninomaru Goten Palace!

Dating back to 1603, this castle was the Kyoto residence of the first Shogun of the Edo period, Tokugawa Ieyasu. This palace complex consists of 6 buildings, all of which are connected to one another. The six buildings include waiting rooms, reception rooms, audience rooms, and so forth.

To bring you back in time, some of these rooms have life-size “dolls” of feudal lords, to show what meetings looked like.

Photos and videos are prohibited, but rest assured you will see incredible architecture and splendid wall paintings. Being a palace, there is gold leaf everywhere – including on the wall paintings. Some of my favorite paintings were tigers, cherry blossoms, and Japanese pine trees.

Once you’ve walked through the Ninomaru Palace, you’ll also get to visit the beautiful gardens.

General tickets are 1,300 yen, roughly $8.88, and 400 yen, $2.73, for junior high to high school students.

Important Note: You will be required to remove your shoes before entering the castle. Make sure to bring an extra pair of socks if you’re in sandals prior to your visit.

Oike Cafe Lunch

If you are celiac / gluten free, or traveling with someone who is – Oike Cafe is the perfect spot for lunch!

This is not a dedicated gluten free cafe/restaurant, but it does have some gluten free, as well as vegan, options. For those who are not gluten free, consider trying the Cappuccino Ramen (and then let me know how it was 👀)!

Nishiki Market

The Nishiki Market is a 400 year-old market, and a true foodie’s paradise.

Here you will mainly find food stalls, along with a few stores selling Japanese products and home goods. With over 100 stalls, you will get to indulge in everything from authentic street food, to wagyu, matcha, Japanese desserts, and so much more!

If you have a gluten allergy, there will not be many options – so make sure to come here with a full belly!🥲 And if you haven’t had a matcha yet, make sure to grab one here.😍

Note: This market is quite tight and fills up quickly. If you are someone who gets claustrophobic or gets overwhelmed easily with crowds, you might want to skip on this market!

Nintendo Kyoto

If you are a fan of Supermario Bros and Nintendo, this store is worth the visit! Here you will find all the Nintendo products you can think of, as well as this fun photo-op.

This store is located within Takashimaya, a beloved shopping center. In this center you will find everything from local to international brands/businesses, including high-end stores, restaurants, and more. When I visited it was the 50th anniversary of the iconic Moncchichi and there was a special exhibition – so keep an eye out for any special events!

Important Note: You must always have your passport with you, as that’s the law. But an additional reason to never forget your passport is the Tax Free shopping!💃

Teramachi-Dori Street

As you make your way to the beautiful Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, you can pass through the historic Teramachi-Dori Street. This is a covered shopping arcade and one of Kyoto’s most famous shopping streets.

I know… you might be thinking, “Laura, why are you giving me so many shopping streets and markets?”.😂 Well, this is the perfect day if you encounter a rainy day in Kyoto!😅

Rain aside, many of these streets are “on the way” and if you want to eat local street food and buy local products and authentic souvenirs, these are the best places to visit!

Kyoto Gyoen National Garden

Home to the Kyoto Imperial Palace, the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden is a vast and beautiful area to explore.

In this garden you’ll find everything from teahouses, to shrines, ponds, and a large variety of seasonal flowers. This is a great place to visit year round, to take a quick city-break and slow down.

If you want to visit the Kyoto Imperial Palace, it’s important to note that, depending on the season, it closes at either 4:30 PM, or 5 PM. With that said, adjust this itinerary as you see fit!

Walk Along Kamo River

To end the first day in Kyoto, walk along the beloved Kamo River. Here you will encounter residents and tourists sitting on the banks, enjoying their time, or taking peaceful strolls.

Flowing through the heart of the city, the Kamo River allows you to slow down and escape the busy city center, and appreciate Kyoto’s nature.

As you stroll along the river, make sure to checkout the Pontocho District, an area famous for it’s riverside restaurants and enchanting atmosphere.

If you want to dive deeper into Kyoto’s nightlife and Izakaya culture, this best rated, guided tour is perfect for you! Book it before it sells out.👇

Day 2 in Kyoto

Gion

On day 2, you’ll start the day with the beautiful, and beloved, Gion area and all of its attractions.

Gion is the most famous Geisha District of Kyoto, and is famous for its traditional architecture, entertainment, and streets. Here you will find Kyoto’s most famous street, Hanami-koji, the Yasaka Pagoda, several shrines, ochayas, shops and restaurants.

Important note: There are certain streets and alleyways that are closed off to tourists. There are also areas that prohibit photography, and you will get a heavy fine if you disrespect the rules. This is due to the over-tourism in Kyoto, and the unfortunate tourists that harassed geishas and caused other problems. As always, be on your best behavior and be respectful of locals and local spaces.

Here are some of the best tours and experiences in Gion!👇

Yasaka Sanctuary

Also known as the Gion Shrine, the Yasaka Shrine is one of the most famous shrines in all of Kyoto. Founded in 656 AD, over 1350 years ago, this shrine is nothing short of a historic icon.

Some of the must-sees of the Yasaka Shrine are the Nishiromon Gate, Nanaromon Gate, wooden koma-inu, and the beauty shrine. This shrine is free to enter and is open 24 hours, making it a great place to visit in the day and at night time.

This Yasaka shrine is particularly famous for its yearly summer festival, the Gion Matsuri, which dates back to 869 AD. Seeing over a million people each year, this is Japan’s most famous festival. During the whole month of July, Gion Matsuri is celebrated with several events, including the procession of floats, and lots of food vendors.

Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka Paths

Once you’ve strolled around the Yasaka shrine, head towards some of Gion’s most beautiful paths.

Connecting to one another, Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka are two historic pedestrian streets of Kyoto that hold a traditional atmosphere and stunning, older architecture. Personally, these are the most beautiful streets of Kyoto and they must be visited both in the morning and night time!

From these paths you’ll always see the Tower of Yasaka, which is seen as the symbol of Kyoto. In these paths you’ll encounter Geisha’s, see traditional architecture, cafes and restaurants, as well as local stores.

Unique Activity: On Sannenzaka, you will find the My Only Fragrance store. In this store, you can craft your own perfume with a professional. This is something I wanted to do, but found out about it too late. I’m a strong believer that perfumes can bring you back to a destination, and the memories you made there.

Hōkan-ji Temple

One of the most popular sights in Kyoto is the Yasaka Pagoda. This 46-meter-tall pagoda dates back to the 6th century, and is one of the last remaining parts of the Hōkan-ji Temple.

For 400 yen you can enter the Tower of Yasaka, in which you’ll see Buddhist relics and the giant central pillar that supports the pagoda.

Fushimi Inari-taisha

Once you’re done visiting Gion, get ready for a beautiful hike in Kyoto’s main attraction – Fushimi Inari-taisha. This is one of the most, culturally important Shinto shrines, and Kyoto’s main attraction.

This Shinto Shrine is famous for its iconic tunnel of 10,000 bright, red tori gates. The Torii Gate Pathways lead you to Mount Inari, a sacred mount dedicated to one of Japan’s most famous gods, Inari.

Being such a popular attraction, you will encounter lots of crowds in the first parts of the tunnel. To avoid those crowds, you could come at the crack of dawn or visit in the late afternoon/night time.

Another solution, one that also allows you travel deeper, is visiting at whichever time you prefer – but walking all the way up to Mt. Inari. This hike takes around 3 hours total, and allows you to appreciate the Fushimi Inari to the fullest. The crowds tend to disappear the higher you go, allowing you to have the vermillion torii gates to yourself.

Check out this amazing Fushi Inari Hike Guide to make the most of your hike😍!

Note: The commute from Gion to Fushimi Inari, depending on your public transportation pick, ranges from 20 to 30 minutes.

Day 3 in Kyoto | What to Do with Extra Time in Kyoto

Take a Day Trip

Kyoto is a great base to take day trips around Kyoto prefecture, and other famous destinations – including Osaka, Nara, and Kanazawa.

Should you stay in Osaka or Kyoto? Read to discover the best city to base yourself in!

By going on a day trip, you’ll be able to make the most of your Japan trip and dive deeper. For example, you could visit Wazuka to dive deeper into the tea culture of Japan, Kanazawa for the Samurai history, and Osaka for the street food culture.

You can also visit beloved attractions such as the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and the famous Golden Pavillion, Kinkaku-ji.

Here are the 8 Best Day Trips from Kyoto. Read to find your perfect match!

Things to Know about Kyoto Before Visiting

How to Get to Kyoto from Tokyo

The best way to get to Kyoto Station is via the Shinkansen bullet train, the Tokaido Shinkansen, directly from Tokyo Station. This direct commute costs around 14.170 JPY, roughly $100. If you have a JR Pass, this commute is covered!

Read to discover if you actually need the Japan Rail Pass.

Where to Stay in Kyoto

When in Kyoto, you simply must stay in a traditional Ryokan!😍 In terms of area, I strongly recommend the Shimogyo Ward – which is essentially the heart of Kyoto, and you’ll be close to the Kyoto Station.

One of the best traditional Ryokans in the Shimogyo Ward, is Toshiharu Ryokan!😍

FAQs

Is it worth going to Kyoto for 2 days?

I would argue that this depends on what you want to see and experience. If you want to see as many temples and shrines as possible, 2 days in Kyoto is not enough. I would recommend staying for around 5 days, which also allows you to take day trips.

I personally got tired of temples and shrines, and didn’t feel that there was much too much to do in Kyoto city outside of seeing it’s many religious sites. Because of this, 2 to 3 days felt like a good amount personally.

With that said, it is worth going to Kyoto for 2 days – and that’s better than not visiting at all.

More Information on Japan

• The Best and Unique Places to Visit in Japan in 2025
• 23 ESSENTIAL Tips + Things to Know Before Visiting Japan
• Do’s and Don’ts in Japan: Etiquette Guide for New Visitors
• Do I really need a JR Pass in? Here’s Everything You Need to Know!
• The 7 Best Kyoto Walking Tours and Traditional Experiences
• The 8 Best Day Trips from Kyoto Under 2 Hours
• 7 Temples and Shrines in Kyoto to Not Miss Out On
• Which is better, Osaka vs Kyoto? Guide for First Time Visitors

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