Many people warned us that Kyoto was a very touristic city and we shouldn’t spend that much time there. Looking back, we’re so glad to have trusted our gut feeling of staying for three nights! Kyoto was everything we imagined, and we would never recommend you to skip it. Similarly to what we usually do everywhere we go, we tried to avoid the crowds at the most popular places and to blend in with the locals throughout the rest of the city.
Don’t get overwhelmed by the amount of things you can do. This guide will help you plan your days and make sure you’re not missing anything.
Stay in piece hostel sanjo
There’s no such thing as a perfect area to stay in Kyoto since each one has its perks and downsizes. Also, the sights are scattered across the city, so you’ll never be close to all of them. Your decision should really depend on what you want to see and the atmosphere you want to experience during your visit.
We can’t imagine a better location than the one of Piece Hostel Sanjo, right in downtown Kyoto. It was the right one for us, and we believe it can be the right one for you as well, especially if you’re visiting Kyoto for the first time. It’s a ten minutes walk from the Metro station and walking distance to the main shopping streets and Gion District. The area is full of many trendy boutiques and great places to eat, and you can easily access everywhere from there.
rent a bike
Kyoto is incredibly easy to explore on foot since it is relatively small and mostly flat. The only time we’ve used public transport was to go to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, which is a little bit further away.
But did you know that Kyoto is considered one of the best bicycle cities in Asia? Our hostel had some rental bikes, and it turned out to be our favorite way of transportation! If you have the chance, rent a bicycle and explore Kyoto at your own pace, without traffic or delays!
nishiki market
Head to Nishiki Market to get a taste of some of the best food in the city! This traditional market attracts chefs and tourists alike, and it is full of fresh and high-quality ingredients. Even if you’re not hungry, this spot has an authentic and quirky feeling, and you shouldn’t miss it!
pontocho alley
This narrow alleyway quickly became one of our favorites spots in Kyoto. It is filled with bars and small restaurants, all with some typical Japanese lanterns outside. It’s the perfect place to have dinner or grab a drink.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
We had seen the pictures, and we knew it was going to be crowded. Nevertheless, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is a place that we had to check by ourselves. And we’re so glad we did! The best advice we can give you is to arrive early. To have the chance to witness this enchanting place without the thousands of tourists that head there every day is quite special. Imagine being able to take some pictures without having to remove people in photoshop!! It’s definitely worth some hours of your sleep.
Gion District
Welcome to the most charming and historical area of Kyoto. This district is the closest you’ll get to what Kyoto may have looked like in the past.
Start with a stroll in Hanamikoji street, and then make your way to the stunning Kiyomizu Dera temple, through the scenic route that includes Ishibei-koji lane, and the Nineizaka and Sanneizaka streets. You’ll find some lovely wooden stores selling everything from delicious Kyoto street food to souvenir goods. Yasaka Shrine is also a must, along with the many traditional tea houses. Gion is an excellent place to eat and drink, with many elegant restaurants featuring high-quality food.
This neighborhood is quite lively but VERY touristic, so try to head there early in the morning or later at night. By the time we’ve visited, it was quite crowded, which is a shame for such a magical place.
Sneakpeek Tip: You will spot some Geishas, but we must warn you that most of them are just dressed up tourists – quite disappointing, we know.
Fushimi Inari Shrine - the famous torii gates
The Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine was another place that we had to see from ourselves to conclude if it was worth the hype. It is. It’s beautiful, and a must-go if you visit Kyoto.
The site is a stunning combination of spirituality and nature, making you feel like you’ve entered a magical world that gets better and better the closer you get to the summit. It’s a long hike to the top, through the endless Torii gates. However, the crowds start to disappear the further you go.
Once again, try to go early in the morning (we cannot recommend this enough). We rode our rental bikes along the river path to the free parking area of the site, but there’s also a metro station right at the entrance.
golden temple kyoto
Due to a change of plans, we never got to visit the Kinkakuji Temple, which we strongly regret. The temple itself is stunning and very different from the others. We heard that its surrounding gardens are beautifully well maintained, contributing to a peaceful and charming setting.
Nijo Castle
This castle is known for having one of the best examples of the Japanese Nightingale flooring system. These floors make a chirping sound when walked on and were used as a security device to catch intruders. While we can’t be sure whether this is true or not, it sure adds some fun to the visit! The Ninomaru Palace was the residence and office of the shogun and took 25 years to be built. The Nijo Castle complex is impressive, and the offered tours gave us a good knowledge of the history of Nijo Castle.
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