Curator’s statement
I can see why people love it here! There is so much to offer in the way of food and cultural experiences. I loved my time in Kyoto and it was much too short. Here is a quick overview, but I highly recommend adding a few more days for some more exploring.
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Day 1: Slow morning
Okada calligraphy class
Start your day off with a traditional Japanese breakfast, most ryokans will provide them during your stay. After enjoying a slow morning, make your way to Camilla’s Flower Teahouse for a tea ceremony. This lovely experience is restful and a wonderful way to interact and learn about the culture.
Once your ceremony has finished, be sure to explore the area’s temples and shops! I had two favorites, Yasaka Koshindo and Kodai-ji. Yasaka Koshindo was small, but colorful and had a wonderful energy. Kodai-ji had larger grounds and was filled with quiet beauty. If you’re up for it, in this area is Okada, where you can take a calligraphy class! I had a wonderful time and both the instructor and interpreter were friendly and easy to work with!
Day 2: Higashi Honganji Temple
Yasaka Koshindo
We started off at Higashi Honganji Temple and walked through the farmers market stationed out front. Now, if you’re looking for cheap and easy souvenirs, I highly recommend getting a goshuin book, where you can get hand-written stamps from each temple or shrine that you visit!
Please do not use a regular notebook—it has to be one specifically made for goshuin. From there, head to Roketsu Indigo Dyeing. We had an amazing time and even strongly considered going back the next day!
Day 3: Fushimi Inari Taisha
Fushimi Inari
Today, take the train down to Fushimi Inari Taisha, famous for its many red gates. Here you can choose to make the hike all the way to the top or go only part of the way up. If you don’t enjoy stairs, don’t take the full hike—it is a long way up. I recommend exploring the area once you have finished and then going to an onsen to relax for the evening. Onsens are all different, so if you have tattoos, you will need to check their policies as you may be turned away.
Day 4: Bamboo forest
Tenryu Temple grounds
You’ll be on the far side of Kyoto today, seeing the bamboo forest and the world heritage site of Tenryu-ji Temple. Getting off the tram in Arashiyama, stop by some of the food stalls as you make your way to the temple. The temple and the bamboo forest are connected, so take your time and appreciate the grounds. This was one of my favorite temples of the whole trip.
Need to know
Learn some Japanese to get around (directions and asking about train tickets), it will make your life so much easier. If you will be using public transportation while in Japan, I highly recommend that you get a suica card to make your life easier. These can be purchased at the airport when you arrive.
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Ellen Reinhold
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For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Kyoto page.