Bamboo mornings, golden sunsets & quiet shrine magic — here’s how to fall in love with Kyoto in just 48 hours.
Hi, I’m Bravo — and Kyoto has my heart. It’s one of those rare cities that slows you down in all the right ways. The light filters differently through temple gates, the food has soul, and even silence here feels intentional.
If you’ve only got 2 full days in Kyoto, don’t worry — it’s enough to feel the city’s rhythm, taste its beauty, and make memories you’ll carry long after your flight home.
Here’s my favorite way to spend them.
🗓️ Day 1 — Temples, Tea Streets & Torii Glow
🌿 Early Morning: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
⏰ 7:00–8:00 AM
Start your day before the world wakes up with a walk through Kyoto’s most iconic bamboo forest. Arashiyama can get wildly crowded by mid-morning — but if you arrive early, you’ll catch that rare hush where wind rustles through the stalks and the only sound is your footsteps.
📍Pro tip: After the grove, swing by Tenryū-ji Temple (a UNESCO site) and then cross the Togetsukyo Bridge for a slow river walk or even a short rowboat ride if weather permits.
🫖 Optional stop: Grab a matcha latte from a local café near Arashiyama Station.
🧘 Late Morning: Philosopher’s Path + Honen-in
⏰ 9:30–11:30 AM
Head east to Kyoto’s Higashiyama district and stroll along the Philosopher’s Path — a cherry tree-lined canal that’s gorgeous in every season. It’s quiet, introspective, and lined with tiny studios, hidden shrines, and traditional homes.
Don’t miss:
- Hōnen-in — one of my personal favorite temples in Kyoto: mossy gates, raked sand art, and barely any tourists.
- Nanzen-ji — a grand Zen temple with dramatic gates and a peaceful aqueduct worth exploring.
📷 This is where I slow down, people-watch, and journal with a view. Bring a notebook. You’ll want to write here.
🍜 Lunch Break: Local Cafe in Northern Higashiyama
Stop by a small teahouse or modern kissaten-style café. Try ochazuke (rice in green tea), yuba dishes, or even a Kyoto-style obanzai set.
POUYUENJI KYOTO — ⭐ 4.8
🎎 Afternoon: Gion & Hanamikoji
⏰ 1:30–3:30 PM
Now you’re heading into Kyoto’s famous geisha district. Gion is everything you’ve imagined — narrow lanes, wooden houses, flickering lanterns, and the occasional swish of a kimono.
Walk slowly down Hanamikoji Street and peek into ochaya (teahouses). You might glimpse a real maiko heading to a performance in the early evening.
📸 Try not to take invasive photos. Kyoto’s charm comes from respect — not just aesthetics.
🌅 Sunset: Yasaka Shrine + Maruyama Park
⏰ 4:00–6:00 PM
End your day at Yasaka Shrine, glowing softly as the lanterns come on. It’s open 24/7 and feels alive at all hours. From there, wander into Maruyama Park — especially beautiful in cherry blossom or autumn season.
On your way, you can grab snacks from local food stalls if the season’s right (hello, mochi on sticks, grilled sweet potato, taiyaki… yes please).
🍶 Dinner in Ponto-chō
⏰ 7:00–9:00 PM
One of my favorite dinner spots in Kyoto — a narrow alley beside the river, lit by lanterns and packed with tiny izakayas and hidden gems.
A5 Wagyu PANGA Kyoto Gion-Shijo — ⭐ 4.9
Book ahead if you can — some places are very intimate. For a scenic meal, look for riverside seating in warm weather!
🏯 Day 2 — Golden Temples, Local Markets & Torii Magic
✨ Morning: Kinkaku‑ji (Golden Pavilion)
⏰ 8:00–9:30 AM
Start early again and head northwest to Kyoto’s most photogenic temple — Kinkaku-ji, aka the Golden Pavilion. Yes, it’s shiny. Yes, it’s busy. And yes, it’s absolutely worth it. Go when the light is soft, and you might even see the reflection in the pond mirror back that famous gold-leaf shimmer.
Spend a little extra time in the garden paths after the main viewpoint. There’s something meditative about following the winding paths with the scent of pine and incense.
🛍️ Mid-Morning: Nishiki Market
⏰ 10:30–12:30
Make your way back downtown to Nishiki Market — a bustling, lively street market also called “Kyoto’s Kitchen.” Try the yuba, pickled veggies, sesame mochi, and local sweets.
I love coming here for lunch — just grazing from stall to stall. It’s loud, colorful, and a full-on sensory feast.
🌿 Afternoon: Imperial Palace Park Picnic
⏰ 1:00–2:30 PM
After the buzz of the market, balance it out with quiet. Head to Kyoto Imperial Palace Park, where locals come to jog, nap, or picnic under the trees.
Pick up snacks from a conbini or bakery and just breathe. It’s one of those “slow travel” moments that makes you feel like you actually live here.
🦊 Late Afternoon: Fushimi Inari Taisha
⏰ 3:00–5:30 PM
Wrap your Kyoto visit with one of the city’s most iconic experiences — the endless vermilion torii gates of Fushimi Inari. You can hike the whole loop (about 2 hours), or just wander part of the way and soak up the atmosphere.
Try to come later in the afternoon — most tour groups leave by then, and the light through the gates is stunning.
📍Bring water. Wear comfy shoes. And take a moment to read the names on the gates — they’re donations from people and businesses across Japan.
🌇 Optional: Sunset from Kyoto Station Skywalk
⏰ 6:00–6:30 PM
If you’ve got energy left, take the escalators all the way up Kyoto Station to the Sky Garden Walkway — the view of the city as it turns gold is underrated and totally free.
🍜 Final Dinner: Cozy Noodles or Kaiseki
Celebrate your last night with something Kyoto-style:
- 🍲 Simple soba or udon in a tatami restaurant
- 🍶 Kaiseki tasting menu if you want to splurge
- 🥢 Or grab street bites and head back to your hotel early — sometimes that’s the best way to end a big day.
🎒 Packing Bravo’s Kyoto in a Nutshell
| Time | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Arashiyama Bamboo Grove | Kinkaku‑ji Golden Pavilion |
| 10:00 AM | Philosopher’s Path + Honen-in | Nishiki Market |
| 1:00 PM | Gion + Hanamikoji | Imperial Palace Picnic |
| 4:00 PM | Yasaka Shrine + Maruyama Park | Fushimi Inari Taisha |
| 7:00 PM | Dinner in Ponto-chō | Optional: Kyoto Tower / Skywalk |
💖 Final Thoughts from Bravo
Kyoto isn’t just a destination — it’s an emotion. It’s soft mornings and orange sunsets, quiet alleys and loud markets, spiritual shrines and sizzling street food. You’ll come for the sights, but it’s the atmosphere that stays with you.
This 2-day plan is tight but beautiful — and it leaves room for wandering, pausing, and discovering your own Kyoto moments in between.
Need help picking the best stay? Want a map with this exact route?
DM me on Threads @bravotwjp, and I’ve got you covered 💌
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