3 day Kyoto guide in under 3 minutes 🇯🇵🎍🍵🥟 #kyotojapan #kyoto #japantravel #kyotoguide #japantr

@Sophia

3 day Kyoto guide in under 3 minutes 🇯🇵🎍🍵🥟 #kyotojapan #kyoto #japantravel #kyotoguide #japantr2:27

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This 3-day guide to Kyoto covers a mix of popular and lesser-known spots, from serene temples and tea houses to bustling markets, with tips on beating the crowds.

18 places · 1 experience

Experience · 4 places
Day 1: Arashiyama Temples & Gyoza Dinner
On day one, we started with a matcha latte at 7T, then headed to Arashiyama. We skipped the main bamboo forest due to crowds and instead visited Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple, which was probably one of our favorite temples in Japan so far, with hundreds of stone rakan statues. Afterwards, we stumbled on Ayuchaya Hiranoya, a little tea shop, and decided to get a matcha tea and some sweet rice balls to share. It was even better that there were only three people inside. Our next stop was Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple, which has its own mini bamboo forest with a percentage of the crowds of the main one, plus the temple grounds were so peaceful with all the cherry blossoms, and we had the bamboo forest to ourselves. For dinner, we went to Taizo Gyoza. We arrived at 5:06, six minutes after they opened, and they said they were already fully booked until 8 PM since there were only 10 seats inside. They luckily had a cancellation, so we were able to enjoy a delicious dinner where the chef cooks your gyoza made to order right in front of you.
1
Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
Buddhist temple
4.7 (3,591)Closed · opens tomorrow 9 AM
Creator's voice
A unique temple featuring hundreds of moss-covered stone rakan statues, each with a distinct expression. The creator considers it one of their favorite temples in Japan so far.
Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, 2-5 Sagatoriimoto Fukatanicho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8439, Japan
Stone Rakan statues — Hundreds of unique, moss-covered stone rakan statues, each carved with a different expression, creating a serene and captivating atmosphere.
2
Ayuchaya Hiranoya
Ryotei restaurant · Kyoto
4.5Closed · opens tomorrow 11:30 AM
Creator's voice
A small, traditional tea shop where you can enjoy matcha tea and sweet rice balls in a quiet setting. The creator appreciated that there were only three people inside during their visit.
Ayuchaya Hiranoya, １６ Sagatoriimoto Sennocho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8439, Japan
Matcha tea — Traditional matcha tea, served in a cozy teahouse setting.
Sweet rice balls — Sweet rice balls, perfect for sharing alongside your matcha tea.
3
Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple
Buddhist temple
4.3 (2,036)Closed · opens 9 AM
Creator's voice
A temple with its own mini bamboo forest, offering a peaceful experience with fewer crowds than the main Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. The temple grounds are also beautiful with cherry blossoms.
Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple, １７番地 Sagatoriimoto Adashinocho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8436, Japan
Mini bamboo forest — A smaller, less crowded bamboo forest within the temple grounds, offering a serene walk.
Cherry blossoms — Beautiful cherry blossoms adorn the temple grounds, adding to the peaceful atmosphere.
4
Taizo Gyoza
Dumpling restaurant · Kyoto
4.6 (426)Closed · opens 5 PM
Creator's voice
A small gyoza restaurant with only 10 seats, where the chef cooks your gyoza to order right in front of you. It's very popular, often fully booked hours after opening.
Gyoza Taizou, しのぶ会館２Ｆ 572 Nakanocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8042, Japan
Gyoza — Delicious gyoza cooked fresh to order by the chef right in front of you.
5
7T
Tea store · Kyoto
4.8Open · until 7 PM
Creator's voice
A matcha cafe where you can see all the different types of tea leaves. It's a great spot to start your day with a matcha latte.
Japan, 〒600-8052 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Shioyacho, 73番地1 7T+
- Matcha latte — A matcha latte served with organic agave syrup, perfect for starting your day.
6
Arashiyama
Scenic spot · Kyoto
4.5
Creator's voice
A famous district known for its bamboo forest. The creator skipped the main bamboo forest due to anticipated crowds.
Arashiyama, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan
7
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Shinto shrine · Kyoto
4.6 (90,859)Closed
Creator's voice
Famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that wind up a mountain. It gets extremely crowded, so an early morning visit (before 5 AM) is recommended to experience it without the crowds.
Fushimi Inari Taisha, 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-0882, Japan
- Vermilion torii gates — Thousands of iconic vermilion torii gates creating a stunning tunnel effect as they lead up the mountain. Best experienced early in the morning to avoid crowds.
8
Gokago
Cafe · Kyoto
4.5 (941)Closed · opens tomorrow 10:30 AM
Creator's voice
A matcha cafe that was popular on TikTok. The creator found it not worth the 45-minute wait and suggested there is better matcha elsewhere.
GOKAGO, 2 Chome-258 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan
- Matcha latte — Matcha latte, which the creator found not worth the 45-minute wait.
- Matcha donuts — Donuts with matcha glaze.
9
Koisus
Japanese curry restaurant · Kyoto
4.7 (1,314)Open · until 9 PM
Creator's voice
A restaurant serving curry and tempura, with dishes served with matcha salt.
curry & tempura koisus, 3 Chome-292 Miyagawasuji, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0801, Japan
- Curry and tempura set — A curry and tempura set, served with matcha salt. The curry comes in two varieties, split down the middle.
10
Kennin-ji Temple
Buddhist temple · Kyoto
4.5 (9,461)Closed · opens Tuesday 10 AM
Creator's voice
A very underrated Zen Buddhist temple with beautiful art history and Zen gardens. It's worth visiting in the area.
Kenninji Temple, ５８４番地 Komatsucho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0811, Japan
- Zen gardens — Beautifully maintained Zen gardens, offering a peaceful and contemplative atmosphere.
- Dragon ceiling painting — A stunning dragon painting on the ceiling, part of the temple's rich art history.
11
Seiraiin Temple
Buddhist temple · Kyoto
4.3 (220)Open · until 5 PM
Creator's voice
A temple visited alongside Kennin-ji, known for its beautiful art history and Zen gardens.
Seiraiin, 590 Komatsucho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0811, Japan
- Zen gardens — Beautifully maintained Zen gardens, offering a peaceful and contemplative atmosphere.
12
Wife & Husband
Coffee shop
4.5Closed · opens Friday 10 AM
Creator's voice
A cute coffee shop that also offers picnic rentals. The creator managed to get a seat inside without a reservation to order coffee and toast.
WIFE & HUSBAND, 106-6 Koyamashimouchikawaracho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8132, Japan
- Iced coffee — Iced coffee, enjoyed inside this cozy coffee shop.
- Cheesecake slice — A slice of cheesecake, paired with coffee.
- Honey cheese toast — The coffee shop's famous honey cheese toast.
13
Kamogawa Park
Park
4.4Closed · opens Friday 12 AM
Creator's voice
A park along the Kamogawa River, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the cherry blossoms.
Kamogawa Park, Izumojimatsunoshitacho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8133, Japan
- Cherry blossoms — Beautiful cherry blossoms line the park along the Kamogawa River, ideal for a relaxing stroll or picnic.
14
Ninen-zaka Walkway
Kyoto
Creator's voice
A historic walkway in Kyoto, known for its traditional architecture and leading to a pagoda. It's best visited early in the morning to avoid crowds.
Ninen Zaka Path, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Japan
- Pagoda view — A scenic view of a traditional pagoda from the historic Ninen-zaka walkway.
15
Yugen
Cafe · Kyoto
4.5 (413)Open · until 6 PM
Creator's voice
A matcha cafe offering pure matcha paired with Japanese desserts, where you can choose your own matcha bowl.
Japan, 〒604-0865 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Kameyacho, 146 YUGEN
- Pure matcha — Pure matcha tea, served with Japanese desserts. You can choose the bowl your matcha is served in.
- Japanese desserts — Traditional Japanese desserts, served alongside pure matcha.
16
Kyoto Gyoen National Garden
National park · Kyoto
4.5 (1,769)Closed
Creator's voice
A beautiful and peaceful national garden that houses the Imperial Palace. It remains serene even with rain.
Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, 3 Kyotogyoen, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-0881, Japan
- Imperial Palace — The Imperial Palace, located within the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, offering a beautiful and peaceful experience.
17
Nishiki Market
Market · Kyoto
4.3 (53,488)Open now
Creator's voice
A bustling fish market where you can try a variety of foods, including tempura and viral rice seasoning.
Nishiki Market, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8055, Japan
- Crab legs — Steamed or broiled crab legs available at various stalls.
- Shrimp tempura — Crispy shrimp tempura, a popular street food item.
- Viral rice seasoning — A popular rice seasoning that has gone viral, available for purchase and tasting.
18
Uji Tea Farm
Tourist attraction · Uji
4.3 (16)Closed
Creator's voice
A tea farm near Uji where you can learn how matcha is made.
Stone Groyne (Ishidashi) Surrounded by Tea Plantation, Otsukata-３９ Uji, Kyoto 611-0021, Japan