The Perfect 2 Day Kyoto Itinerary: How I Spent 48 Hours in Kyoto Japan (2026)

Just in case you’ve read any of my other Kyoto articles, you probably already know how obsessed I am with this city.

I am a huge fan and a firm believer that Kyoto is the absolute best place to visit in Japan. It has such a rich culture and history, and for anyone who loves Japanese architecture, shrines, and temples, Kyoto is basically heaven.

I personally spent four full days in the city and managed to see pretty much everything, including some more “off the beaten path” spots, but I’m convinced that two days in Kyoto are actually enough to see all the major highlights.

To help you out, I’ve put together my personal version of the perfect 2 day Kyoto itinerary. My goal is to make things a little easier for you, because from my own experience, I know that trying to plan a trip here can feel a little overwhelming at first.

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The Perfect 2 Day Kyoto Itinerary: How I Spent 48 Hours in Kyoto Japan (2026)

2 Days Kyoto Itinerary – My Experience

I actually spent 4 days in Kyoto, not just two, but I feel like having that extra time gave me an even better idea of what a “perfect” 48-hour version would look like.

First off, I love Kyoto because of its amazing traditional, historic charm. I’m the type of person who can truly appreciate Japanese architecture, and honestly, I could spend days just wandering through temples and shrines without getting bored.

When I was there, I tried to keep my itinerary a bit more mixed though. As much as I love the history, I didn’t want every single day to be “temples, temples, temples”, I needed to change things up a little to keep it interesting.

That said, Kyoto is a lot about shrines, so they definitely took up a good chunk of my time. But alongside the traditional sightseeing, I also did a tea ceremony with a Kimono dress-up.

I’ll be totally honest: I was very skeptical at first because it sounds like such a cringy tourist trap. But I ended up loving it. The Kimono felt high-quality and authentic, not like a cheap costume at all, and the whole experience felt very professional. It was definitely my biggest positive surprise in Kyoto.

I also spent a whole afternoon and evening at Nishiki Market, which is hands down my favorite food market in all of Japan. I honestly spent hours stall-hopping, going from Wagyu to dumplings to oysters and eel, all washed down with plenty of cold beers. It was such a fun culinary experience and a nice break from the quiet temples.

And, of course, I did the “must-dos.” I visited Fushimi Inari (the one with the iconic orange gates) and made the trek to the Bamboo Forest though, I’m still a little on the fence about whether that one is a total tourist trap or not!

Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Kyoto – My Kyoto Travel Tips

Before you start pinning locations on your map, there are a few things I learned the hard way (and a few things I’m glad I did right) that will make your life in Kyoto so much easier. Here is the lowdown on how to navigate the city without losing your mind.

Location is Everything

I said it before and I’ll say it again: stay in the downtown area. While parts of Kyoto are beautiful for a stroll, having a base in the center made a massive difference for me. It’s where all the best public transport links are, and honestly, after a long day of exploring, you don’t want to be stuck in a 40-minute commute just to find a decent dinner.

Get an eSIM (Seriously)

I was on my phone constantly in Kyoto, mostly for maps, checking train schedules, and hunting down the best ramen spots. I’ve been using Sim Local throughout my trip and I’m super happy with it; it just works. If you want to skip the drama of hunting for Wi-Fi, you can sign up here and use my discount code GIRLONAZEBRA for a little treat.

Don’t Try to Do It All

Kyoto is packed with temples, Golden Pavilions, Silver Pavilions, Pagodas, you name it. My biggest piece of advice is, Don’t try to see them all. Don’t just go on TripAdvisor and try to tick off the “Top 10” like it’s a chore. I personally found that mixing the big, famous sights with some quieter, off-the-beaten-path spots was the only way to avoid total “temple fatigue.” Pick a few that really speak to you and leave the rest for next time.

The IC Card vs. Walking

No matter where you go in Japan, you need an IC card (like a Suica or Pasmo) on your phone. It’s your golden ticket for all public transport. That said, I actually ended up walking a lot in Kyoto. I’d regularly walk 45 minutes between sights just because I loved seeing the smaller, hidden parts of the city you’d miss from a bus window.

Beat the Crowds (Set Your Alarm)

Honestly, the crowds at the big tourist spots can be a bit much. In my experience, places like the Golden Pavilion and the Bamboo Forest were so packed they were almost off-putting. If you really want to see these places without 5,000 other people in your photos, you have to be there at 6:00 or 7:00 AM.

Respect the Geishas

This is something I read about before I arrived, but it’s so important: do not chase or photograph the Geishas. Japan is big on etiquette and behavior rules, and Gion is their workplace, not a theme park. I strongly advise following the local rules.

How I Spent 2 Days in Kyoto – My Perfect Kyoto Itinerary

Day 1: Yasaka Pagoda, Kiyomizu-Dera & Fushimi Inari Taisha

Yasaka Pagoda (Hokan-ji Temple)

I started my first morning at Yasaka Pagoda (also known as Hokan-ji Temple), which is located in what I think is easily the most beautiful part of Kyoto. I’ll be totally honest: we had it in our heads that we wanted that “perfect” shot here. Usually, we aren’t those people who care that much, but this spot is just too iconic to skip. That meant hauling ourselves out of bed to arrive by 7:00 AM to beat the crowds and luckily, it actually worked.

The pagoda is stunning, but the whole surrounding area was my actual highlight here. Walking through Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, the famous historic streets nearby, felt like stepping into an old-world version of Kyoto. It was so peaceful and stunning to explore without the midday chaos, though I can definitely see how it would lose its charm once the tour buses arrive.

Book Here: Fully Guided Tour Around Kyoto

Kiyomizu-Dera

Since Kiyomizu-dera is just around the corner from the pagoda, I just walked straight over. I always recommend doing these two back-to-back because the logistics just make sense.

I had the absolute luck of visiting in November during the fall foliage, and my god, it was beautiful. Out of all the “touristy” temples in the city, this one is hands down my favorite.

Because it’s surrounded by so much nature, you get these incredible views over Kyoto framed by all those autumn colors. It’s a massive complex, so give yourself time to actually wander.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

To wrap up the day, I headed to Fushimi Inari, the famous shrine with the thousands of orange gates. I decided to go at 4:00 PM, thinking I was being clever and that it would be quiet because everyone surely goes in the morning… well, I was wrong. It was still super busy!

Despite the crowds at the bottom, I still had an amazing time. I decided to hike all the way through the gates to the very top, which, fair warning, is actually quite hard work! But the payoff was worth it: I got some beautiful sunset views over Kyoto from the summit.

If I could do it over? I’d probably hire a guide for this one to actually learn the history behind the gates, or if I was desperate for an empty-path photo, I’d suck it up and go at sunrise instead of sunset.

Day 2: Bamboo Forest, Tea Ceremony & Nishiki Market

The Bamboo Forest (and the actual hidden gems)

I started my second morning at the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and I’ll give it to you straight: I wasn’t that impressed. Yes, the towering bamboo is cool, but the sheer volume of people made it hard to actually “feel” the magic.

However, the forest isn’t even the real reason why we’re here. Once I’d had my fill of the crowds, I made my way to Jōjakkō-ji Temple, a stunning spot built into a hillside with a stream running through different levels.

It was so peaceful and practically empty, which is why it’s one of my favorite temples in Kyoto. From there, I wandered over to Adashino Nenbutsu-ji, which is easily another one of the most unique, non-touristy temples I’ve stepped foot in.

The best part here was that it has its own tiny bamboo forest where I was actually able to take some pictures without all the crowds.

The Tea Ceremony Surprise

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’m usually the first to roll my eyes at anything that feels like a “tourist trap.” So when my friends suggested a tea ceremony and Kimono dress-up, I was skeptical, to say the least. I fully expected it to be cringy.

I was so wrong. We went to this gorgeous traditional house where we were dressed in high-quality Kimonos, not the cheap, costume-y kind, and the super friendly ladies working there even did our hair.

The ceremony itself was led by a tea master who was so professional and patient while teaching us to make our own matcha. It didn’t feel like a show for tourists; it felt like a genuine, high-quality glimpse into the culture, and it ended up being my biggest highlight of the trip.

Book Here: Kyoto Tea Ceremony

Eating My Way Through Nishiki Market

I wrapped up my final day with what I do best: pure indulgence. For me, Japan was basically one long mission to find the best food possible, and Nishiki Market was the ultimate playground.

I spent hours just moving from stall to stall. My game plan was basically to stop at every food stall that looked good. By the time I left, I’d ticked off everything from fresh oysters and sushi to wagyu, dumplings, tempura, and mochi. I had an amazing time here and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for good food and a fun atmosphere.

Best Places to Stay in Kyoto Japan

I have some pretty straightforward advice on where to stay in Kyoto: stay central. Just for practical reasons, you really want to be in the downtown area or somewhere very close to Gion.

For my trip, I actually split my time. I spent two nights in a beautiful ryokan (a traditional Japanese house), which was calm and stunning, but it was also a little out of the way. I ended up taking loads of Ubers just to get around. For the other two nights, I moved to a hotel right in downtown, and it was just much easier. Being able to walk to public transport and grab food whenever I wanted was way more convenient.

If you have the time to do both like I did, then go for it. But if you only have 2 or 3 nights in Kyoto, do yourself a favor and just stay downtown.

Here are a few of my favorite places to stay in Kyoto:

Book Here: Good Nature Hotel Kyoto

Book Here: Kyoto Century Hotel

Book Here: Mimaro Kyoto

FAQs About My 2 Days in Kyoto Itinerary

What is the best 2 day Kyoto itinerary with kids?

I’d personally aim for a mix of culture and kid-friendly stuff. For the temples and shrines, pick the most colorful ones, but then balance it out with a day trip to see the deer in Nara or even a day at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka.

Is Kyoto worth visiting?

Absolutely. From my experience, Kyoto has the richest and most beautiful history, culture, and architecture of any major Japanese city. It’s a must and it is the coolest city in Japan that I have visited.

What is the best food in Kyoto?

I’ll be honest, the Wagyu in Kyoto is incredible. I went to a place called Kaneko and had the most tender, juicy Wagyu of my life. On top of that Kaneko had such a cool hidden gem local vibe it was incredible. I had to make a reservation though fyi.

Is Kyoto expensive to visit?

I’d say it’s pretty average for a Japanese city. I actually spent more on my hotel in Tokyo than I did in Kyoto, and food prices felt similar to the rest of the country. Overall, Japan is a more expensive destination in general, though.

What is the best itinerary for 2 days in Kyoto?

I think a mix of shrines and “fun” things is the way to go. You should definitely see the Fushimi Inari Shrine, but you also need to do a tea ceremony and grab street food and beers at Nishiki Market. A mix is definitely better than just doing 48 hours of temples.

Final Thoughts on 2 Days in Kyoto

All in all, I think 3-4 days is the perfect amount of time for Kyoto. That’s how much time I had, and it felt right. But that doesn’t mean two days in Kyoto isn’t good. I’m a big supporter of making the best of the time you actually have, and you can absolutely see the highlights in 48 hours in Kyoto.

If I only had two days in Kyoto, the main thing I’d ask myself is: do I want to have a good time, or do I feel obligated to hit 20 different shrines just because I think I “should”?

I didn’t go to every popular spot. Between the Golden and Silver Pavilions, Nijo Castle, and all the rest, there are just too many. I picked a few I genuinely liked, but I also made sure to do things like the tea ceremony or getting a bit drunk at Nishiki Market, because why not!

I hope this itinerary gives you a good idea of what Kyoto is about so you can have a great time here.