The COMPLETE Kyoto Travel Guide | Shrines, Food, and More All of Kyoto in 1 DAY

Start your day early, around 6:00 or 7:00 a.m., at Fushimi Inari Shrine. Even at the entrance, you can get amazing photos without crowds if you arrive at first glimpse of morning light. If you come later, like 10:00 a.m., it will be very crowded, and you'll need to hike farther up the mountain to escape the people. The full roundtrip loop takes about 2 hours, but for a one-day itinerary, you won't have time for the full loop. Alternatively, come later in the evening or at night, as the shrine is open 24 hours and often empty then. The shrine is free to enter. Be aware that the area in front of the shrine has a lot of train and pedestrian traffic, making taxi pickups difficult. If taking a taxi, cross the pedestrian bridge to the other side of the river to avoid long waits.

Visit Nijo Castle, one of Kyoto's most iconic castles, built in 1603. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its 'Nightingale floors,' designed to chirp like a bird when walked on, protecting the Shogun from intruders. The gardens around the castle are also stunning. Entry costs around 800 Yen (about $5 USD) for the castle area, with an additional 500 Yen to enter the interior of the palace. You don't need reservations, but you can buy tickets online in advance. There's a convenient taxi waiting area right in front of the palace.

For a unique, Kyoto-exclusive lunch experience, stop at Menbaka Fire Ramen. This place has gone viral online for its dramatic fire show. Before the fire, they give clear instructions: sit still, don't move, and don't freak out. They'll capture the experience for you on your phone, with mounts placed all over the seating area. There are only about 12 seats, so try to go early around opening time to avoid long waits. It's pricey for ramen, but you're paying for the unique experience. The ramen itself has a very smoky flavor. It's an Instagram-worthy lunch that's worth doing once.

Visit Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion. This stunning three-story pavilion has its top two stories covered in gold leaf, making it stand out against the surrounding greenery. If you're lucky and the wind is still, you can get a perfect mirror reflection of the pavilion in the water. I didn't get that, as it was windy and raining, but it still looked sunny. The pavilion was built in 1397 as a luxury retirement villa and later converted into a temple. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site. There's an entrance fee of 500 Yen, and they do not take credit cards, so bring cash. After seeing the temple, make your way out through the surrounding garden to catch a taxi.

Head to Kiyomizu-dera, another UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Kyoto's most iconic landmarks. The temple, founded in 778, is fairly large, with its main hall and stage built entirely of wood without any nails. Walking on the stage can feel a little scary as it has a slight slope and areas that creak. There's also a pagoda here that makes for stunning photos.

Right outside Kiyomizu-dera, you'll find streets lined with stores, offering a fun place to shop and explore with a unique Kyoto vibe. As you walk down these streets, make your way to Hokan-ji Temple for the world-famous photo spot: the old streets of Kyoto on the side with the Yasaka Pagoda in the background. This iconic spot can get very crowded, so for photos without people, you'd typically need to go very early in the morning or very late at night, which isn't an option on this one-day timeline. This area truly embodies the culture of Japan.

For an insane meal, I personally recommend Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu. Here, you can get amazing A5 wagyu beef, breaded as katsu, and prepared for you to grill yourself to your liking. It's the most amazing thing you can experience. The price is also not bad for what you get; our meals came out to around $40 per person, and it was probably the single best thing I ate in Japan. Wait times can be long, as these restaurants are popular. We went to a location near Nishiki Market that was in a building's basement and surprisingly got seated right away. The staff was super friendly, and the food was top-notch. Dip it in the radish sauce for an even better taste; it just melts straight into your mouth.