Kiyomizu-dera, Higashiyama, Gion, and Pontocho
Start early at Kiyomizu-dera, which opens at 06:00, then walk down the old lanes of Higashiyama to Kōdaiji and Yasaka Shrine. Rest over matcha in the afternoon, then walk Gion toward dusk and finish with an evening stroll and dinner along the Kamo River in Pontocho.
- 1 hour 30 min
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Walk the hilltop temple with its wooden stage over the valley, best early in the morning, before the crowds (ticketed).
Kiyomizu-dera is a UNESCO World Heritage temple on the hills of eastern Kyoto, famous for its wooden main hall built out on a huge stilted veranda over the valley, and for the Otowa spring below it. It is worth an early start for the view over the city and the autumn and spring color. Expect a ticketed temple that opens at 06:00, so earlier is quieter, crowds that build quickly from mid-morning, and steep lanes and steps to reach it, so go early and wear comfortable shoes.
Photo: Martin Falbisoner · CC BY-SA 4.0 - 50 min
Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka
Stroll the stepped, preserved lanes of old wooden shopfronts that lead down from the temple.
Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka are two connected stone-paved lanes that run downhill from Kiyomizu-dera, lined with wooden machiya buildings now housing tea shops, sweets stores, and craft shops. It is worth a slow walk for the preserved old-Kyoto atmosphere. Expect most shops to open around 10:00, heavy crowds by late morning, and steps, so take it at a gentle pace and keep your belongings close.
- 1 hour
Kōdaiji Temple
See a Zen temple with a raked rock garden, a pond garden, and a bamboo grove (ticketed).
Kōdaiji is a Zen temple in Higashiyama, founded in the early 1600s in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, with a Zen rock garden, a pond garden, and a small bamboo grove, and it is usually quieter than the nearby temples. It is worth about an hour for its calm gardens. Expect a ticketed visit and special evening illuminations in some seasons, which are separately ticketed and busy.
Photo: 663highland · CC BY-SA 4.0 - 1 hour 10 min
Lunch near Yasaka Shrine
- 30 min
Yasaka Shrine
Visit the Shinto shrine at the end of Gion, a lively spot at any time of day.
Yasaka Shrine sits at the eastern end of Shijō Street where Gion meets Maruyama Park, a Shinto shrine with a vermilion gate, a dance stage hung with lanterns, and an association with the Gion Matsuri festival. It is worth a short stop for the lanterns and the people-watching. Expect an open shrine that you can visit at any hour and that is free to enter, with crowds in the evening.
Photo: Zairon · CC BY-SA 4.0 - 45 min
Matcha and a rest
- 1 hour 30 min
Rest at the hotel (allow time to travel there and back)
- 1 hour 15 min
Gion and Hanamikoji
Walk the lanes of Kyoto’s old entertainment quarter, and respect the rules in the private alleys.
Gion is Kyoto’s best-known geisha district, with wooden teahouses along Hanamikoji Street and the quiet Shirakawa canal. It is worth a slow walk for the old streets and the chance to see geiko and maiko in the early evening. Expect crowds, some private lanes that are off-limits to visitors (signs warn of fines), and a request not to chase or block the geiko and maiko, so be respectful and keep to the public streets.
- 40 min
Pontocho Alley
Stroll the narrow lantern-lit alley of restaurants beside the Kamo River.
Pontocho is a narrow, lantern-lit alley of restaurants and bars running beside the Kamo River, a few blocks west of Gion. It is worth an evening walk for the atmosphere and its mix of traditional kaiseki houses and casual izakaya. Expect a tight, busy alley, higher prices than elsewhere, and a need to book ahead on weekends, so choose a restaurant in advance.
- 1 hour 30 min
Dinner in Pontocho
