How to Spend the Best 2 Days in Kyoto

Being the “city of the 10,000 shrines”, Kyoto is seen as the cultural and historical heart of Japan. If you’re visiting Japan, Kyoto is a city that cannot be missed – especially if you love  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 is enough for the main sights.

This 2-day Kyoto itinerary is perfect for those who want a mix of historic places and seeking out the city center – meaning this itinerary doesn’t just 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. This is guide is great for first time visitors who are looking to enjoy the best of Kyoto, from Ninomaru Palace and Fushimi Inari, to Nijō Castle, historic markets, and enjoy gluten free food. 👇

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The Perfect 2 Day Kyoto Itinerary

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Day 1 in Kyoto

• Breakfast: Fluffy Japanese Soufflé Pancakes (Gluten Free)
• Kyoto Sanjo Shopping Street
• Nijō Castle
• Nishiki Market
• Teramachi-dori Street
• Kyoto Gyoen National Garden
• Kamo River stroll

Breakfast at Toshoan – Gluten Free Soufflé Pancakes

When in Japan, eating the iconic Japanese soufflé pancakes is 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 Western Japan, and one that locals mainly frequent. 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

Your first “true” sight of the day will be the beautiful Nijō Castle & Ninomaru Goten Palace! The Ninomaru Goten Palace is located inside the fortifications of the Nijo Castle.

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 mannequins of feudal lords, to show what meetings looked like.

Photos and videos are prohibited, but rest assured that you’ll 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 to both the castle and palace are 1,300 yen, roughly $8.50, and 400 yen, $2.62, 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 planning on wearing sandals.

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 and 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 at Kumonocha Cafe. 😍

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 this market!

Nintendo Kyoto

If you are a fan of Super Mario Bros and Nintendo, this store is worth a visit! Here you will find all the Nintendo products you can think of, as well as a 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: Always have your passport with you as it’s the law, and you can use it for 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 activity for a rainy day in Kyoto! 😅

Rain aside, many of these streets are “on the way” to other locations, 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 and perfect for taking a quick break from the city to 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 check out the Pontocho District, an area famous for its riverside restaurants and enchanting atmosphere.

If you want to dive deeper into Kyoto’s nightlife and Izakaya culture, this guided Izakaya bars tour is perfect for you! 👇

Day 2 in Kyoto

• Gion
• Yakasa Sanctuary
• Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka Paths
• Hōkan-ji Temple
• Fushimi Inari-taisha

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, known 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: Certain streets and alleyways are closed 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 issue in Kyoto, and the unruly tourists who have harassed geishas and caused other problems. As always, be on your best behavior and be respectful of locals and local spaces.

Read my cultural etiquette guide to discover Japan’s Do’s and Don’ts 

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.

Discover the 7 Best Shrines and Temples to visit in Kyoto

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.

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

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

Unique Activity: On Sannenzaka, you will find the My Only Fragrance store. Here, 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 Tori 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/nighttime.

Another solution, one that also allows you to 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 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, or to other famous destinations – including Osaka, Nara, and Kanazawa.

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, or Osaka for the street food culture.

You can also visit beloved attractions such as theArashiyama Bamboo Forest and the famous Golden Pavilion, 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 for your upcoming Japan trip.

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 a great central location and close to the Kyoto Station.

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

I personally stayed in the Apartment Hotel Kanso in the Minami Ward, which was lovely and a short walk from the Kyoto station. The hotel is in a very calm area, it sits right next to the Kamo River and is only a 25 minute walk, or public transport ride, to Fushimi Inari.

With that said, if you’d rather be closer to Fushimi Inari for an early morning hike and are looking for an apartment-stay with a kitchen, Apartment Hotel Kanso is a great option!

Lastly, if you’re looking to stay in the very heart of Kyoto and be surrounded by its more traditional atmosphere, the Higashiyama Ward is where you’ll want to stay! One of the best hotels to stay in Kyoto is the beautiful Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto.

How to Get Around Kyoto

Kyoto is both a very walkable and well-connected city. Being significantly smaller compared to Tokyo, here you’ll mainly visit on foot or take the bus. 

To use public transportation, you will want to get yourself a PASMO or Suica Card, which are pre-paid IC cards that you can tap to use public transportation and even use for payments in select stores and restaurants, including convenience stores.

Want to learn more? Discover all the 20+ things to know before visiting Japan!

2 Days in Kyoto 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 seek out 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 its 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.

What to do in Kyoto for first-timers?

Some of the best things to do in Kyoto for first-timers are:

• Fushimi Inari Hike
• Walk around the Gion district
• Attend a traditional tea ceremony
• Walk around the markets – especially the 400-year-old Nishiki Market
• Visit the Nintendo Store

What is the best month to visit Kyoto?

The best months to visit Kyoto for optimal weather and the beautiful cherry blossoms are late March and April. However, this is also the peak season for tourism, and Kyoto starts to feel more like a tourist attraction rather than a city, because of all the international tourists. 

If you’re looking to experience a quieter and traditional Kyoto, late fall can be a great season.

Should I spend more time in Osaka or Kyoto?

Osaka and Kyoto may only be 30 minutes away from each other, but their differences are astronomical. With that said, you should spend more time in the city that suits your preferences

As a quick comparison, Kyoto is one of the most historically and culturally important cities to visit in Japan. It offers a more traditional atmosphere and has lots of beautiful nature nearby.

Osaka, on the other hand, is a modern city that is full of life and is also known as Japan’s Kitchen because of its incredible food scene.

Between the two cities, Kyoto is the most famous and overcrowded one. I personally preferred Osaka for how lively it was and how much there was to see and do.

Read my complete comparison guide, Osaka vs Kyoto, to understand what’s best for your trip!

Should I spend longer in Tokyo or Kyoto?

Similar to Osaka vs Kyoto, Tokyo and Kyoto could not be more different from one another. 

However, this question is much more straightforward to answer because Tokyo, at the end of the day, is much larger than Kyoto – offering more things to do, see, and experience. 

I generally recommend staying longer in Tokyo, during which you can also take day trips. However, if you’re someone who prefers smaller cities and nature, then Kyoto is the best option.

Need help with your plans? Here’s my 10-day Japan itinerary – perfect for first-time visitors!

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Final Thoughts on 2 Days in Kyoto

What are you most excited to do, or see, in Kyoto? Furthermore, did this post help you feel more at ease about your Japan travels? Let me know in the comments! 😊

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