If you’re thinking of a holiday to Kyoto but aren’t too sure as to how to go about it, then check out this 4-day guide that will soon have you travelling through the city like a pro.
Day 1
After a 2-hour & 20-minute journey from Tokyo that will cost you JPY 13,910 with a Nozomi ticket, you are bound to arrive in downtown Kyoto during the afternoon. Upon checking into Travelodge Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi which is one of the stylish hotels in downtown Kyoto, you can catch jaw-dropping views of the city from Kyoto Tower. From here, stroll towards Shijo-dori and sample flavourful fare from its many eateries.
Day 2
Kick off day 2 at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove that will feel like moving over a green carpet before snapping pictures for your social media posts. Afterwards, get yourself to Iwatayama Monkey Forest for some mischievous monkey business where for a fee of JPY 550 you will witness Japanese macaque monkeys in their elements. In the event you desire beating the heat during summer, then beeline for Gio-ji Temple which is renowned for its moss-covered pathways and serene environs.
Day 3
Go on long walks down the pedestrian-only paths and staircases of Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka where you can buy souvenirs and partake in a traditional tea ceremony. Next up, pay homage at Jishu-jinja which is one of the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kyoto. Dedicated to the god of love, the shrine brings luck to those who dare complete the ‘Fortune Stones of Love.’
Day 4
Perched on the side of Mount Inari, Fushimi Inari Taisha is the most revered shrine built in honour of Inari, the Shinto god of rice. Traverse its grounds that are filled with statues of foxes as you prep for a 2–3-hour journey to the summit. Inundated with landscaped gardens, checkerboard gardens of moss and stone together with Zen rock gardens, Tofuku-ji is a sanctuary of peace and tranquility that must be included in your itinerary.
