Japan’s old capital certainly got its own charm. It’s a city so rich in culture and history that it could be overwhelming to a regular tourist. But whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or just passing by to snap some good photos, Kyoto surely has something for you.

It is, not surprisingly, home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The good news is you don’t have to travel far in-between to enjoy most sights – one of the reasons I love this place, it’s just so hard to miss the good spots.

If you’re pressed for time, you definitely should check this list first. This itinerary can easily be done in 1-2 days.

Getting there

From Tokyo, we took the Shinkansen train leaving from Tokyo Station. Travel time is 2 hours and 15 minutes. We travelled during the night to maximise our time.

Accommodation

We stayed at Khaosan Kyoto Guest House. I rarely stay at hostels, however this one was highly recommended so I decided to give it a try. The rates are fair – probably the cheapest you’ll get in the area, and the location is perfect as a base for exploring Kyoto. It’s basically in the center of the major sights and just a 3-minute walk from the bus station and shopping malls.

Day 1: Northern and Western Kyoto

Kinkaku-ji

Kinkaku-ji is my favourite sight in Kyoto. The temple’s golden reflection gleaming faintly across the pond set against the lush green background is indeed a magnificent sight. I literally just stood there for a good half-an-hour, totally in awe of its beauty.

Come here early in the morning to avoid the crowds. It’s also your best bet to taking home that postcard shot. Though I really appreciate the crowd control put up in the area as it allows everyone to get a nice view and photo.

Ryoan-ji

Here you can find Japan’s most famous Zen rock garden, which consists of 15 stones laid out in white gravel. It is said that, at any angle, there is at least one rock that will be hidden from the viewer, that is until one reaches the state of enlightenment…

The surrounding ground also makes for a relaxing walk. Guess I’d settle for that!

Day 2: Eastern Kyoto

Kiyomizudera Temple

This is perhaps the highest regarded place of worship in Kyoto. It is best known for its wooden stage that extends beyond the main hall. Here is enshrined the statue of Kannon Bodhisattva, the goddess of mercy, and the temple’s primary object of worship.

The temple also offers a stunning view of Kyoto’s cityscape. The scenery in the surroundings are especially beautiful in spring and autumn when the cherry and maple trees flare in a sea of colours. As we were there during the early weeks of spring, the cherry blossoms were yet to reach full bloom, however the view is just as amazing.

There are several other temple buildings dotting the massive complex, some of which were undergoing renovation during our visit.

Nanzenji Temple

Nanzenji is one of the most important Zen temples in Japan. The expansive grounds is perfect if you want to take a slow stroll or are travelling with families or big groups. This is the gateway to Philosopher’s Path and Ginkaku-ji.

Ginkaku-ji

Our next stop, interestingly, looks like a younger brother of Kinkaku-ji. Apparently, it was modelled after the former and was originally intended to be plated in silver leaf, differentiating it from the Golden Pavilion. However, there is actually no trace of silver in it.

There’s a walking path that will take you through the expansive villa consisting mostly of moss gardens, ponds, and little streams. Climb your way to the highest point to have a picturesque view of the entire temple grounds. Just be prepared to do a lot of walking here.

Gion

This is Kyoto’s most famous Geisha district. We wandered curiously along the narrow alleyways of Gion hoping to spot at least one. For starters, the services of geisha are expensive and exclusive and may even need to be booked in advance. Not so easy huh.

Guess I may have to be content with this. Spoiler alert: Don’t be so hopeful.

OK, I might have to put some disclaimer here – my friend made me do it. But for those of you who dream to be a geisha/maiko for a day, there are several agencies in Gion that could make this happen for you. Of course, that comes with a hefty price tag, hehe. I was basically forced into it but I must say I actually enjoyed the experience. When the whole thing was over, we left laughing and we were laughing for the rest of the night. I just proved that this is one thing that doesn’t look good on me. Haha!

We’re reaching the end of our trip! We left for Osaka on the same night. Travel time from Kyoto is only around 30 minutes so we still have plenty of time to have dinner and walk around when we get there.

Check out my Osaka post coming up soon!

xoxo