The Perfect 1 Day in Kyoto Itinerary: How I Spent 24 Hours in Kyoto (2026)

As I’ve probably mentioned in a dozen other guides by now, Kyoto is hands-down my favorite city in Japan.

There’s just something about the traditional, historical charm here that gets me every time. I’ll also be the first to admit I’m a total nerd when it comes to Japanese architecture and the shrines, the temples and the pagodas are incredible. There are literally thousands of them, and I was obsessed with all of them.

I personally spent four full days in Kyoto, but because I covered so much ground, I feel like I have a pretty solid idea of what a “perfect” 24-hour visit would look like.

I’ve put together this 1 day Kyoto itinerary so you can just follow the plan and not have to stress about the logistics of fitting it all in.

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1 Day in Kyoto Itinerary: How I Spent 24 Hours in Kyoto (2026)

1 Day in Kyoto Itinerary – My Experience

Before we dive into the “where” and “when,” I want to give you some context on why I’ve built this itinerary the way I have. I spent four full days in Kyoto, and if there is one thing I learned, it’s that “temple fatigue” is a very real thing.

When I was originally planning my trip, the “Top 10” lists were just a never-ending cycle of shrines and pagodas. I realized pretty quickly that I didn’t need to see every single one to get the “Kyoto experience.”

Instead, I picked a few favorites and spent the rest of my time finding things that were actually fun, because I’ll be honest, I can only look at so many wooden structures before they all start to look the same.

I also made the executive decision to cut the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest from this one-day plan. I know, I know, it’s on every postcard, but it’s a bit of a trek to get out there, and once you arrive, it’s basically a shoulder-to-shoulder tourist trap.

In this itinerary I’m planning on doing the big-name shrines in the morning while the energy is high, and then I’ll move to food and exploring the local vibe in the afternoon. That way I feel like I’m getting a good mix of both, culture and fun.

One Day in Kyoto – My Itinerary

Morning: Yasaka Pagoda & Kiyomizu-Dera

Since you only have 24 hours in the city, you really have to make the most of it. That means starting the day early, around 7:00 AM, at the Yasaka Pagoda (Hokan-ji Temple). I did this specifically to beat the crowds, and it was 100% worth the early wake-up call. Not only did I get the iconic shot of the pagoda, but I was also able to wander through the streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka before the chaos started. If you aren’t afraid of an early alarm, seeing these streets empty is such a great experience.

Right after the pagoda, I walked over to Kiyomizu-dera. It’s one of the most famous temples in Japan and it’s right around the corner, so it makes sense to group them together. I visited during the fall foliage season, and seeing the temple surrounded by the red and orange forest was incredible. It’s easily one of my favorite spots in the city.

The only downside to being such an early bird was that most of the coffee shops were still closed while I was wandering around. There is a % Arabica right there, which is my favorite coffee chain in Asia, but they don’t open until 9:00 AM. If you happen to be finishing up your temple walk around that time, I highly recommend grabbing a latte there before moving on to the next spot.

Book Here: Fully Guided Tour Around Kyoto

Midday: Fushimi Inari Shrine

After the first few stops, we have one more big and popular temple to visit. I know it’s already been a lot of walking and a lot of temples, but Fushimi Inari Shrine, the one with the thousands of orange gates, is a total must-visit.

When I went, I tried to time it for the late afternoon thinking I’d avoid the peak crowds. I was wrong; it was still packed. If you truly want the place to yourself, you have to go at sunrise, but even with the crowds, I thought it was worth the trip.

I spent quite a bit of time here because I decided to hike all the way to the top. I won’t lie, it was hard work, but the further up you go, the more the crowds thin out. It’s much more peaceful at the summit. If you’re interested in the history rather than just the photos, I’d actually recommend booking a guide here to explain the significance of the shrine.

Afternoon: Tea Ceremony or Maiko Show

By the afternoon, I’m usually completely “templed out.” This is when I head back into downtown Kyoto to switch things up a little. Depending on what you’re into, I’d suggest one of two things: either joining a hands-on tea ceremony or attending a traditional ceremony hosted by a Maiko (an apprentice Geisha).

They are very different vibes. The Maiko ceremony is more about observing a traditional cultural performance, whereas doing your own tea ceremony is a lot more interactive (and fun in my opinion).

I personally did the tea ceremony with a kimono dress-up, and I loved it. I’ll be honest: at first, I thought this might be super touristy and “cringe,” but I was pleasantly surprised.

The kimono I wore was high quality and felt very authentic and not like a cheap costume. The tea master was incredible and taught us exactly how to prepare matcha. I went in a little skeptical to be honest but I ended up having an amazing time.

Book Here: Kyoto Tea Ceremony

Evening: Nishiki Market (My Favorite Food Market)

My evenings in Kyoto are always about the food. To be honest, that’s what Japan was all about for me anyway. I made it a mission to find the best meal possible every single day, and I don’t mean the most expensive or “fancy” spots. Some of the best things I ate were actually the cheapest.

For the ultimate evening, you have to head to Nishiki Market in downtown Kyoto. It’s hands-down my favorite food market in the entire country.

I literally spent hours here just hopping from one stall to the next. The cool thing about Nishiki is that it’s a mix of quick street food and tiny sit-down restaurants. I spent my night grabbing a quick bite and a beer at one spot, then moving on to the next. By the end of it, I’d gone through oysters, eel, sushi, dumplings, and tempura. It was a blast.

If you want a more specific recommendation, I really loved a tiny place called Gyoza Taizou. It’s the smallest restaurant I’ve ever seen, they only have two seatings a night and only fit 10 people at a time. We had such a fun group of people there and ended up making a bunch of new friends, which made the night.

I will say though, because it’s so intimate, your experience probably depends on the crowd, if your group is lame, it might not be as fun, but for us, it was a highlight of the trip.

Where to Stay in Kyoto Japan

I’ve mentioned this in a few of my other Kyoto guides, but I really can’t recommend staying in Kyoto Downtown (Kawaramachi) enough. During my trip, I split my time: I stayed for two nights downtown and then another two nights in a traditional Japanese Ryokan over by the Philosopher’s Path.

As much as I loved the traditional stay and it was a cool experience, it was a bit of a nightmare for getting around. It just wasn’t ideal for staying connected to the rest of the city.

If you’re only in Kyoto for a day, you definitely want to stay downtown. You’ll be right by all the public transport and close to the main Kyoto Station, which makes getting in and out of the city so much easier. You don’t want to waste your limited time sitting on long bus rides just to get to the “fun” areas.

Here are some of my top hotel recommendations in the downtown area that you should look into:

Book Here: Good Nature Hotel Kyoto

Book Here: Kyoto Century Hotel

Book Here: Mimaro Kyoto

FAQs About 1 Day Trip Kyoto

What is the best 1 Day Kyoto itinerary from Osaka?

I think the perfect day trip from Osaka is all about a mix of culture and actually having a good time. I spent my morning at the Yasaka Pagoda and Kiyomizu-dera to get my fill of history, but then I spent the afternoon at a tea ceremony and hitting the food markets for eats and cold beers. That balance is what made it perfect for me.

How to spend a day in Kyoto with kids?

I’ll be honest: Kyoto is very heavy on culture, history, and temples, which might not be a hit with everyone. If the kids start getting bored of shrines, I’d suggest a day trip to Nara to feed the deer or heading over to Universal Studios in Osaka.

What are the best things to do in Kyoto if you have only one day?

If you only have time for one thing, Fushimi Inari (the shrine with the thousands of orange gates) is a must. To me, it’s the most iconic site in the city and you can’t really say you’ve been to Kyoto without seeing it.

Is Kyoto worth visiting?

100%. Kyoto is my favorite city in Japan because the culture and tradition are just on another level. I could honestly spend days just wandering between temples and, of course, eating my way through the city.

Final Thoughts on Spending One Day in Kyoto

At the end of the day, 24 hours isn’t enough to see everything Kyoto has to offer. If you can manage a longer trip, you definitely should. But you have to make the most of the time you actually have, and if you only have one day, you can still have an incredible experience.

My version of a perfect day is a mix of the heavy-hitting shrines in the morning followed by something more interactive in the afternoon. I know it sounds a bit touristy, but I really can’t recommend the tea ceremony and kimono dress-up enough, I had such a great time doing it!

I hope this guide on how I spent 24 hours in Kyoto gives you a solid starting point for planning your own trip.