HomeAsiaEast AsiaJapanKyoto Kyoto Itinerary + Budget Travel Guide for first-timers By Marcos Detourista. Updated on January 1, 2019. Here’s a starter Kyoto travel guide with sample itinerary, budget, places to visit & more. Kyoto is definitely a place you would want to visit on your first trip to Japan. Located just 30 minutes by train from Osaka, Kyoto is famous for its well-preserved traditional Japanese vibe. In fact, its historic monuments are inscribed in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. This city is also a destination for enjoying formal traditions such as kaiseki dining and traditional performances by geishas. During my trip to Kyoto, I made my way to Kyoto’s sacred Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and historic districts. I fell in love with how the city’s old town charms co-existed harmoniously with its modern surroundings, and how the traditional architecture was complemented perfectly with Zen gardens and natural features. Traveling to Kyoto for the first time? Scroll down to get started on planning your trip. I’ve included a sample itinerary, places to visit/things to do, list of expenses/budget breakdown and extra travel tips. Follow me on Instagram Kyoto Itinerary What to do in Kyoto in 2 days? Here’s a 2 days & 1 nights (2D1N) itinerary for your do-it-yourself (DIY) trip. This itinerary will take you to many of Kyoto’s top temples, and cultural sights. Including the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Temple) & more. Feel free to tweak the activities & timings below based on your traveling style, schedule & attractions that interest you the most. Day 1: Kyoto Tower & Fushimi Inari Shrine Marcos at Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto Sushi no Musashi, Kyoto Station Kyoto, Japan Time Activity Flight to Osaka Arrive at Osaka-Kansai International Airport (KIX). Claim tours, passes & tickets booked online. Osaka airport to Kyoto center/hotel train — via JR Haruka line to Kyoto Station Kyoto hotel check-in Cheapest ratesBest reviews Fushimi Inari Taisha (shrine) Tofukuji Temple Kyoto Tower Day 2: Kyoto Highlights Marcos at Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kyoto Marcos at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kyoto Tenryuji Temple, Kyoto Togetsu-kyō Bridge in Arashiyama, Kyoto Kinkaku-ji (Golden Temple), Kyoto Nijō Castle (optional), Kyoto Time Activity 0700 AM Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Tenryuji Temple Togetsu-kyō Bridge Kinkaku-ji (Golden Temple) Nijō Castle (optional) Kiyomizudera Temple Explore Higashiyama Ward — Sanneizaka & Nineizaka streets Kodaiji Temple Yasaka Shrine (Gion Shrine) Gion District (optional) Nishiki Market Kiyomizudera Temple view overlooking Kyoto Marcos at Higashiyama ward, Kyoto Kodaiji Temple, Kyoto Yasaka Shrine (Gion Shrine), Kyoto Ramen Sen no Kaze, Kyoto Time Activity Kiyomizudera Temple Explore Higashiyama Ward — Sanneizaka & Nineizaka streets Kodaiji Temple Yasaka Shrine (Gion Shrine) Gion District Nishiki Market Kyoto Budget Your travel expenses will largely depend on your traveling style and how much you plan to spend on activities, accommodations & food. To help you set your own budget, here are budget estimates if you follow the 2 days and 1 nights (2D1N) itinerary posted above. Make sure to review all discounts & online booking prices. Transport expenses breakdown JPY 2,200 JR West Kansai Pass — Per person discount price online. Includes 1 day unlimited rides on JR trains in West Kansai area. Covers Haruka limited express line from Osaka-Kansai Airport to Kyoto Station and JR Nara line.Book here JPY 500 Kyoto Bus Pass — Per person. Includes 1 day unlimited rides on Kyoto buses. Buy at Kyoto train station or from your hotel (if available). Activities/attraction costs breakdown JPY 400 Tofukuji Temple — Admission ticket/entrance fee per person. JPY 150 Kyoto Tower — Per person price online. Includes admission ticket/entrance fee.Book discount here JPY 500 Tenryuji Temple — Admission ticket/entrance fee per person. JPY 400 Kinkaku-ji (Golden Temple) — Admission ticket/entrance fee per person. JPY 600 Kiyomizu-dera Temple — Admission ticket/entrance fee per person. JPY 600 Kodaiji Temple — Admission ticket/entrance fee per person. Budget Trip – Backpacker expenses JPY 2,700 Transport — Includes train and bus fares/passes listed above. JPY 2,500 Accommodations — Per night in a budget hostel dorm JPY 5,000 Food — JPY 2,500 per day inexpensive meals budget x 2 days. JPY 12,850 Sub-total — Including activities & expenses above. Approximately PHP 6,139 / USD 116 / SGD 159. Or, a daily budget of JPY 6,425 / PHP 3,069 / USD 58 / SGD 80. JPY 2,650 Activities — Admission tickets/entrance fees on selected activities above. JPY 10,200 Total — Excluding attractions/activities & flights. Including accommodations, food & transport. Approximately PHP 4,873 / USD 92 / SGD 126. Or, a daily budget of JPY 5,100 / PHP 2,436 / USD 46 / SGD 63. I’ve included backpacker budget estimates for food & accommodations to give you an idea of how cheaply you can do the trip. If you have money to splurge on hotels, food, and luxuries, simply use the expenses posted to calculate your own budget. Other expenses JPY 1,067 Japan local 4G/4G SIM card — 1GB data for 6 days & up. Japan airport pick-up.Book discount here JPY 500 Japan pocket WIFI hotspot — Per day device rental.Book discount here Japan travel insuranceBook online Kyoto Itineraries & Travel Blogs More travel tips coming once the detailed Kyoto travel guide is out. In the meantime, feel free to check out my Pinterest board and list of helpful Kyoto travel blogs below for inspiration. https://www.pinterest.ph/detourista/kyoto-travel-guide-blog/ https://www.pinterest.ph/detourista/japan-travel-guide-blog/ Follow updates on Pinterest@detourista. 1 Day Itinerary What to do in Kyoto, Japan in 1 day (24 hours or less). Visit One Day in Kyoto, Japan: A Complete Itinerary – Treksplorer Visit Kyoto – 1 Day Itinerary – Travelling with Kids – Family Travel Blog – Our 3 Kids V The World Visit Japan Travel Blog: 1 day in Kyoto – Anj Fernando Visit 1-Day Kyoto Cherry Blossom Walking Itinerary – Travel Caffeine 2 Days Itinerary What to do in Kyoto, Japan in 2 days (48 hours or less). Visit 2-Day Kyoto Highlights Itinerary – Travel Caffeine Visit Kyoto 2 Days Itinerary – Best City Highlights in 48 Hours – The Blessing Bucket Visit How to See Kyoto in 2 Days – Kollecting Koordinates 3 Days Itinerary What to do in Kyoto, Japan in 3 days. Visit What To Do In Kyoto – A 3 Day Kyoto Itinerary – Nerd Nomads Visit Kyoto Travel Guide (Budget + Itinerary) – The Pinay Solo Backpacker 4 Days Itinerary What to do in Kyoto, Japan in 4 days. Visit Kyoto Itinerary – A Perfect 4 Day Itinerary for First Timers – High Heels And A Backpack 5 Days Itinerary What to do in Kyoto, Japan in 5 days. Visit An Epic 5 Day Kyoto Itinerary – You Could Travel 6 Days Itinerary What to do in Kyoto, Japan in 6 days. Visit Kyoto: Our 5-night, 6-day Itinerary – The Cultivated Mother 1 Week Itinerary What to do in Kyoto, Japan in 1 week (7 days or more). Visit The Best 7 Day Kyoto Itinerary for Any Traveler – Viahero Visit A 7-Day Kyoto Itinerary for Active Families with Young Kids – Family Can Travel https://www.pinterest.com/detourista/best-of-detourista/ Don’t Stop Here Did you find this travel guide helpful? Share your Kyoto experience & tag #detourista. Follow trip updates on: Instagram, Facebook & Pinterest. Check out these pages for more travel inspiration beyond Kyoto: Japan Itinerary + Travel Guide Osaka Itinerary + Travel Guide Shirakawa-go Itinerary + Travel Guide Mount Fuji Itinerary + Travel Guide Don’t leave yet. There’s more! 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