How Many Days in Kyoto Do You Need? A Realistic Guide for First Timers (2026)

Kyoto is for sure one of the top places to visit in Japan and, as a matter of fact, it’s actually my personal favorite city in the country.

I’ll be honest, I could probably spend weeks here. I’m completely obsessed with the temples, the shrines, the architecture, and that super calm vibe you get here, not to mention the amazing food. 

But I know spending forever in one city isn’t realistic for most people, so I’ve put together a quick guide on how many days in Kyoto you actually need.

I personally spent four full days in Kyoto, which I thought was perfect. However, I know some of you will only have one or two days to work with. That’s totally okay too, and it’s exactly why I’m writing this. 

I’ll give you some insight on how to make the absolute best out of whatever time you have. Even if you only have one day, it’s still massively worth the trip!

How Many Days in Kyoto Do I Need – My Experience

So as I already mentioned, I spent four full days in Kyoto and I thought that was the perfect amount of time. It meant I really got to see the major sights I had on my list, but I also had plenty of time for more random, off-the-beaten-path things.

For instance, I didn’t really care to see every single major temple. I remember Googling “the best things to do in Kyoto” and just getting this massive list of 15 different temples, and I thought: yeah, I won’t be doing that. I ended up picking a few of the big highlights, but then I made sure to give myself enough time to actually explore and find new things.

In the end, I found some of the coolest temples that aren’t even that popular, but they were absolutely stunning. My favorites were Ginkaku-ji and Jojakko-ji, both were super beautiful and peaceful without the crazy crowds you find elsewhere.

I also did a tea ceremony with a Kimono dress-up while I was here. Hear me out: it was actually amazing. It felt way more authentic and high-quality than I thought it would be, and it was a total highlight.

Because there are just so many things to do in Kyoto, I’d suggest looking at everything that interests you and then narrowing it down. I’m only saying that because even I felt a little overwhelmed by the amount of people telling me which temples were “must-sees.” It’s just too much. But I’m very sure that even with only one or two days in Kyoto, you can have the most amazing time without feeling like you’re missing out.

1-2 Days in Kyoto: See Only the Highlights

If I only had one or two days in Kyoto, I’d probably do a bunch of research to see everything on offer and then narrow it down to what I actually want to see. When you’re on this kind of timeline, you have to cut things out and you just won’t be able to fit it all in. That’s not a bad thing, though! You don’t need to see 100 different temples, you just have to make a choice.

I’d personally focus on Yasaka Pagoda, Kiyomizu-dera, and Fushimi Inari Shrine because they are all more or less in the same direction. Then, I’d finish the day with loads of good food and cold beer at Nishiki Market. I’ll add some pictures below so you can see exactly what I’m talking about.

Book Here: Fully Guided Tour Around Kyoto

Yasaka Pagoda

Yasaka Pagoda (sometimes called Hokan-ji Temple) is one of the most beautiful pagodas I’ve seen, and it’s in one of my favorite parts of town. The pagoda itself is stunning, but it’s also surrounded by these super cute, old-school Japanese neighborhoods and streets that are just great to wander through.

Kiyomizu-dera

This is one of the top “highlight” temples in Kyoto. I personally spent hours here because the whole complex is massive, with so many walkways and nature surrounding it. I was super lucky to be here during the fall foliage, so all the colors were incredible.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Fushimi Inari is the one you’ve probably already seen, the shrine with the thousands of orange gates. It’s definitely a must-see spot. I’ll be honest, when I was there it was super busy, but the further I walked up through the gates (which is actually kind of hard work!), the fewer people I encountered.

3-4 Days in Kyoto: Highlights + Hidden Gems

This is the category I fall into since I actually spent four days in Kyoto. 

Personally, I thought four days was perfect because I never felt like I had to rush. I was able to fit in everything I mentioned in the 1-2 day highlights, but I also had time for some hidden gems and other activities. 

I went to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (Bamboo Grove), which I didn’t actually love, but from there I explored Jojakko-ji and Nenbutsu-ji, which became some of my favorite temples. I also visited the Philosopher’s Path, went to Ginkaku-ji, and did the tea ceremony and kimono dress-up, which ended up being one of my favorite things I did.

Jojakko-ji Temple and Nenbutsu-ji Temple

Both of these temples are within walking distance of the famous bamboo forest. I walked to both and loved them. Jojakko-ji is one of my favorites because it’s stunning but so non-touristy, definitely a hidden gem. Nenbutsu-ji is another favorite, and it even has its own mini bamboo forest which is a great alternative to the main one.

Philosopher’s Path and Ginkaku-ji

I actually stayed in a traditional Japanese house (a ryokan) right on the Philosopher’s Path and right next to Ginkaku-ji. I just had to walk over, and I was so surprised! Ginkaku-ji is easily in my top three favorite temples in Kyoto because it’s so beautiful and almost serene. I really enjoyed it.

Tea Ceremony + Kimono

A group of friends planned this activity, and at the very beginning, I thought it was going to be super cringy, cheesy, and just a total tourist trap. However, when they dressed us in the kimonos, they felt super authentic and legit. The whole thing happened in an authentic Japanese tea house and the ceremony itself was amazing. It ended up being my biggest surprise and I ended up loving it.

Book Here: Kyoto Tea Ceremony

5+ Days in Kyoto: Explore Beyond Mass Tourism

If you’re lucky enough to have five or more days in Kyoto, the city really starts to open up. Having that extra time means you don’t have to stay stuck in the city center, and one of the first things I’d suggest is a day trip to Nara. I actually squeezed this into my 4-day trip, so it’s definitely doable, and it ended up being one of my favorite days because of how calm it felt compared to the Kyoto crowds.

Of course, with a longer stay, you also have the luxury of ticking off more big-name spots like the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), Nijo Castle, or the Silver Pavilion. I’ll be honest though, I personally wouldn’t try to see every single one of them. 

“Temple fatigue” is a very real thing in Kyoto, and I can totally see myself getting tired of too many temples. But if you’re a history buff and that’s your thing, go for it! Beyond the temples, I’d definitely spend more time in Gion and look into booking a proper Geisha show.

Day Trip to Nara

Even though it was raining the entire time I was there, I absolutely loved Nara. There’s something so nice about escaping the city buzz for a bit to just wander through the parks. The deer are everywhere, and feeding them was such a highlight, even if they can be a bit pushy! While you’re there, you have to check out the Great Buddha Hall (Todai-ji); it was easily the most impressive thing I saw in the area.

Book Here: Day Trip to Nara

Gion + Geisha Show

I managed to find some time to wander through Gion at night, which has a pretty cool vibe, and I even got lucky enough to spot a few Geishas. However, if I’m being honest, I kind of slept on the chance to see a proper show in a teahouse or the theater. It’s the one thing I really wish I’d made time for, and it’s definitely at the top of my list for the next time I’m in Kyoto.

Where to Stay in Kyoto Japan

When people ask me where to stay in Kyoto, I usually give them the same advice: stay central. You want to be in the downtown area (Kawaramachi) or somewhere close to Gion.

I actually split my time here. I spent half my time in Kyoto in a traditional Japanese ryokan, which was beautiful and a really cool experience, but I’ll be honest, it was also pretty decentralized. It just made getting around a lot harder than it needed to be. 

For the second half, I moved to a hotel in the city center, and it ended up being much more convenient. Everything from catching public transport to grabbing a quick bite was just so much easier.

If you’re someone who wants to be out exploring all day, do yourself a favor and stay in the center. It makes the logistics of the trip way less of a headache.

Here are some of my favorite places to stay in Kyoto:

Book Here: Good Nature Hotel Kyoto

Book Here: Kyoto Century Hotel

FAQs About How Many Days Do I Need in Kyoto?

How many days in Kyoto do I need?

I’d personally recommend spending 3-4 days if you want to see the best of it. That’s what I did, and it felt like the perfect amount of time to not feel rushed. But if you only have two days, don’t stress, you can totally make the best of that too.

Can I do one day in Kyoto?

For sure. I’ve met plenty of people who just did a day trip from Osaka, which is only a 30-minute train ride away. It’s definitely worth it; I’d much rather see Kyoto for just one day than not see it at all.

Is Kyoto worth visiting?

100%. Kyoto is probably my favorite city in Japan. It has such a rich culture and history, and honestly, I’m just a sucker for all the temples and architecture, so I had an amazing time there.

When is the best time to visit Kyoto?

I honestly think autumn is the best time to visit. That’s when I went, and it was stunning. Yeah, it rained on a few days, but it was also way less crowded, and the fall foliage around spots like Kiyomizu-dera was incredible.

Final Thoughts on How Many Days in Kyoto is Enough?

At the end of the day, I’m a huge supporter of just making the best of what you’ve got. If you only have one or two days, then definitely focus on the big highlights. But if you have 3-4 days, make sure you actually get out and explore the non-touristy parts of the city too.

If I’m being honest, that’s what I really loved about Kyoto. I actually found it fairly easy to find parts of the city without the huge crowds, even if that just means visiting a quieter shrine and heading to a cute local coffee shop afterward. I would much rather do that than be stuck shoulder-to-shoulder with 1,000 other people trying to take the same picture of a shrine.

I hope this guide gives you a rough idea of how to plan your time so you can actually enjoy the city!

Check Out My Other Kyoto Guides

Is Kyoto worth visiting: My Honest Review

2 Day Kyoto Itinerary: How I spent 48 Hours in Kyoto

How Many Days in Kyoto: A Realistic Guide for First Timers

Best Time to Visit Kyoto: My Seasonal Guide to Kyoto

Check Out My Other Japan Travel Guides

Japan Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Japan

Best eSIM for Japan: My Honest Comparison

Is Japan Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

Is Japan Expensive to Visit? Japan Budget Guide

7 Days in Japan Itinerary: How I Spent 1 Week in Japan