Day 1 — Higashiyama (east)
Kiyomizu-dera, the lanes of Gion and Sannenzaka, the Yasaka shrine, then Ginkaku-ji and the Philosopher's Path.
Day 2 — Arashiyama and the north
The Arashiyama bamboo grove (early morning), Tenryu-ji temple, then the Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) and the Ryoan-ji zen garden.
Day 3 — Fushimi Inari and the south
The thousands of torii of Fushimi Inari (very early to beat the crowds). In the afternoon, a day-trip option to Nara and its deer (45 min).
The logic: group by zone
First put your places on a map to see the clusters. If you have a Google Maps favourites list, start by exporting it or pasting your list. With MyFavsMap, you visualise your Kyoto spots, filter by category and build your days by zone (east, west, south) — so you enjoy more and rush less.
Practical tips
- Very early for Fushimi Inari and the bamboo grove: the crowd changes everything.
- Bus and train: Kyoto is mostly explored by bus.
- IC card (ICOCA) for transport.
- Respect the calm of the temples and Gion.
- A 4th day? Nara or Osaka, both close by.
FAQ
How many days do you need in Kyoto?
Three days for Higashiyama, Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari. One more for Nara or Osaka.
When should you visit Fushimi Inari?
As early as possible in the morning (even at dawn): the site is open around the clock and the crowds are intense during the day.
How do you get around Kyoto?
Mostly by bus, supplemented by train. Group the temples by zone to limit journeys.