3-Day Kyoto Essentials

Overview

Kyoto in 3 days: Higashiyama + Arashiyama + Fushimi Inari + Uji matcha. Substantive without rushing.

• Hotel base: ¥9,000–14,000/night Karasuma or near Kyoto Station
• Transit: Kyoto City Bus 1-Day Pass ¥700 + JR Nara Line for Uji
• Budget: ¥88,000/person

Day 1 — Higashiyama

• 8 AM: Yasaka Pagoda + Kodai-ji
• Lunch: Ninenzaka + Sannenzaka old streets
• PM: Kiyomizu-dera (arrive before 16:00 for golden light)
• Eve: Yasaka Shrine + Pontocho dinner

Day 2 — Arashiyama + Sagano

• 8 AM: Sagano bamboo grove (emptiest)
• UNESCO Tenryu-ji + Togetsukyo Bridge
• Lunch: yudofu kaiseki ¥4,500
• PM: Iwatayama monkey park + Okochi Sanso garden

Day 3 — Fushimi Inari + Uji

• 6 AM: Fushimi Inari (2.5h round-trip to summit)
• Lunch: inari-zushi ¥1,500
• PM: 17-min JR to Uji — UNESCO Byodo-in + Nakamura Tokichi matcha

Hotels

• Hotel Granvia Kyoto ¥18,000 (right at Kyoto Station)
• Citadines Karasuma-Gojo ¥11,000
• Sakura Terrace ¥9,000

Tip

For late-March hanami or November koyo, book hotels 2–3 months ahead.