Suggested 2 days in Kyoto itinerary

Departing from Tokyo, you only need 2 days 1 night to check-in the most unique places in Kyoto. Below is a 2-day 1-night Kyoto travel itinerary (2 days in Kyoto itinerary, Kyoto travel itinerary 2 days) for you.

Kyoto city is known as the cultural capital of the land of the rising sun. Unlike bustling Tokyo, this is the ancient capital of Japan, with many ancient castles, palaces and ancient houses with traditional values, which will surely bring you interesting experiences during your trip to Japan. Refer to the experience and 2-day 1-night Kyoto travel itinerary that Klook has compiled below.

Unlike the modern and bustling capital Tokyo, Kyoto is an ancient and traditional capital with many temples, shrines and ancient mansions. There are no skyscrapers here, instead there is the nostalgic beauty of historical and cultural sites.

It is not easy to visit all the famous places in Kyoto in 2 days and 1 night. Below is a reference itinerary that Klook has compiled, you can learn about other places and adjust the itinerary to suit your desires.

Day 1: Nijo Castle & Ninomaru Palace – Kyoto Imperial Palace – Sanjusangendo Temple – Kyoto Tower (#2 days in Kyoto itinerary)

On the first day, we will start with famous places that are ancient and still imbued with Japanese culture. The places that Klook suggests for the first day are quite close to each other, about 2 to 5km, so you can easily move between attractions by taxi.

Nijo Castle & Ninomaru Palace

Nijo Castle is the largest castle in Kyoto, including two large palaces and countless mansions. Built in 1603, to this day, many cultural imprints are still preserved, reflecting the lifestyle and customs of Japan from the Edo period.

Nijo Castle is perfectly preserved from the pillars to the roof, even the carvings on the walls. Those details seem to exude the living habits and lifestyle of the ancient Japanese, gentle and discreet.

The attraction here is Ninomaru Palace, which is considered a national treasure. The palace is over 3,000 square meters wide, with more than 30 rooms with hundreds of tatami mats and exquisite paintings. The Nijo Castle grounds are hundreds of cherry blossom trees, blooming in March and April, and countless maple and ginkgo trees adding brilliant colors in late autumn.

Kyoto Imperial Palace (#2 days in Kyoto itinerary)

It would be a pity to visit Kyoto for 2 days and 1 night without visiting the Kyoto Imperial Palace. This is the place where the Royal Family lived and worked for 500 years, since the 17th century. Although it has gone through many ups and downs, the Kyoto Imperial Palace has been preserved and restored to serve tourists to visit and learn about Japanese culture.

Inside the palace are dozens of majestic halls, connected by corridors and large and small royal gardens. The Kyoto Imperial Palace does not charge an entrance fee, however, on weekends or National Day, there will be no tours of the palace. Please check 2-3 days before going to arrange a suitable itinerary.

Sanjusangendo Ancient Temple

With a length of 120 meters, Sanjusangendo Temple is the longest wooden structure in Japan with 33 halls. The temple founded in 1164 and then was rebuilt a century after the original structures was destroyed in a fire.

The temple is famous for its 1001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, arranged in 10 rows, creating a beautiful sight. Visiting Sanjusangendo Temple is a suitable activity to end your first afternoon in Kyoto.

Enjoy the Panoramic View of the City from Kyoto Tower

If this is your only night in Kyoto, don’t miss the experience of enjoying the night view of Kyoto from Kyoto Tower. The Kyoto Tower is one of the symbols of the city and the tallest tower in this ancient capital. From the observation deck on the 5th floor, you can see distant buildings such as Kiyomizudera Temple, Toji Temple or Chionin Temple. On a clear day, you can even see Osaka city.

Tip: The best time to see Kyoto is at sunset, around 7:00 pm in summer and 5:00 pm in winter.

Day 2: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine – Kiyomizudera Temple – Ginkakuji Temple – Kinkakuji Temple

Unlike Day 1 in the city center, Day 2 will take you to the locations in the suburbs, where the temple and shrine are recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage.

(*) Note: This is your last day in Kyoto. Normally, check-out time is 12:00 noon. If you plan to go all day, you should check out of the hotel early and can leave your luggage at the reception. If you check out later than the scheduled time, you will have to pay an additional fee depending on the hotel’s regulations. It is best to ask in advance.

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine is Japan’s most sacred Shinto shrine, the most important of the thousands of shrines to Inari, the Shinto god of rice and harvest. While the main reason most visitors come to Fushimi Inari Shrine is to explore the mountain trail, the shrine’s architecture is also fascinating.

The torii gates that line the entire trail are donations from individuals and companies, each gate representing a prayer. You will see the donor’s name and the date of donation written on the back of each gate. Donations start at around 400,000 yen for a small gate and increase to over a million yen for a large gate.

Kiyomizudera Temple

Kiyomizudera Temple is a place you cannot miss when visiting Kyoto. Unlike the majesty of Fushimi Shrine, Kiyomizudera Temple is stunningly beautiful with its majestic natural scenery, with the combination of 3 sacred waterfalls representing love, longevity, and education. The wooden temple is precariously located on the mountainside, where you can see the whole view of Kyoto city.

 

Kinkakuji Temple

Kinkakuji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion, stands out elaborately and delicately among the green canopy of trees and the calm blue lake. The temple is famous for its unique architecture, especially the third floor covered in sparkling gold. The magnificent beauty of Kinkakuji is not only a symbol of wealth and power but also a work of art reflecting the quintessence of Japanese architecture.

Ginkakuji Temple

Unlike the flashy appearance of the Golden Pavilion Kinkakuji, the Silver Pavilion Ginkakuji offers a more peaceful and serene feeling. The temple is surrounded by a beautiful garden, with winding paths and clear ponds. You can participate in tea ceremonies, visit museums or meditate to feel the peace of this place.

Kyoto Travel tips for 2 Days 1 Night Self-sufficient trip

A trip to Kyoto will be very comfortable and enjoyable if you prepare carefully and plan in detail the places you want to go, the food you want to enjoy, the transportation issues before and during your stay in Kyoto, as well as a little foreign language to easily communicate with the locals.

Japan Travel SIM Card

You should buy a Japanese 4G SIM card to conveniently access internet services. This is an indispensable item, helping you stay connected with friends, family and easily find your way using online maps. Download some useful travel apps such as Google Maps, Hyperdia (check train schedules), and a translation app to support communication.

Tokyo – Kyoto Express Train Ticket

Tokyo and Kyoto are quite far apart, so buses or taxis are quite time-consuming. There are currently 2 options: take the Shinkansen or book a plane ticket to Osaka, then use other means of transport such as bullet trains, buses or taxis to Kyoto.

You should book tickets about 2-3 months before departure to buy tickets at the best price. In addition, buy yourself a JR Pass for unlimited travel by bullet train, suitable for those who travel to many different cities during the trip.

Japan Tourist Visa

A Japan tourist visa is a necessary document for you to enter the land of the rising sun and explore interesting things here for 90 days. For the visa application process to go smoothly, you need to prepare all the necessary documents and understand the regulations of the Japanese government.

The Best Time to Travel to Kyoto

Kyoto is surrounded by mountains and forests, so the weather is quite pleasant. If you want to see cherry blossoms in full bloom, come in March and May. If you want to see red maple leaves falling all over the path, come in August to October. Or if you want to see snow and feel the cold on your skin, come at the end of the year.

Kyoto 2-Day 1-Night Travel Cost Reference

To plan a complete 2-day 1-night trip to Kyoto, estimating the cost is extremely necessary. Below are some suggestions for the main expenses that you can refer to.

Category	Cost/person (USD)
Cost of travel from Tokyo to Kyoto (Shinkansen)	90.35
Hotel costs	59.18
Food and drink	31.56
Kiyomizudera, Ginkakuji and Kinkakuji Temple Tour	39.89
Kyoto Tower Admission Ticket	5.92
Other costs	118.36
Total	345.22

The travel costs below are compiled by Klook. Please note that this cost is for reference only and may change depending on the schedule, means of transportation, souvenir costs or food.

The ancient capital of Kyoto is the cradle of culture, taking you back to Japan hundreds of years ago. 2 days 1 night is enough time for you to explore Kyoto, experience the culture, visit historical sites of the Land of the Rising Sun. You also don’t forget to pose in traditional Kimono to update and check-in on social networks.

The post first appeared on Klook Vietnam and was translated and edited by Living Nomads. If you find any images or text that belong to you, please contact us, so we can credit you or give us permission to use them. Thank you very much!

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Kyoto you can refer to

• Private Kansai International Airport Transfers (KIX) for Kyoto
• Limousine Bus Transfers between Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Osaka or Kyoto
• Shared Night Bus Transfers from Kyoto to Tokyo
• Private Kansai Airport (KIX) Transfers to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Uji, Kobe, or Arima
• Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass (1 Day/2 Days, Kyoto Pick Up)
• Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass 1 Day/2 Days (Pick up at Osaka)
• Randen + Subway 1 Day Pass
• Kyoto Temples & Shrines Day Tour from Osaka: Fushimi Inari-taisha, Arashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera & More
• Kyoto Perfect Day Tour from Osaka or Kyoto: Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari-taisha, Arashiyama & More
• Kyoto and Nara Day Tour from Osaka/Kyoto
• Kyoto Afternoon Tour from Osaka
• 4G Prepaid Sim Card (JP Airports Pick Up) for Japan
• 4G WiFi (Japan Pick Up) for Japan
• JR Pass for Whole Japan (7, 14, or 21 Days)

Looking for best autumn spots in Japan? Read here. And Tokyo here. And top things to do in Kyoto: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Kyoto travel blog — The fullest Kyoto travel guide blog for a budget trip to Kyoto for the first-timers.