Budget

2 days in Kyoto: a complete guide

by Bucketlistly · 2 days · Updated 22 Oct 2026 · $53 est. for priced items

Higashi Hongan-ji, Nishiki Market, Nijo Castle and sunset in Higashiyama, then the bamboo grove, both pavilions, the Philosopher's Path and Fushimi Inari by evening.

Read the full guide on bucketlistly.blog

Where you'll go

In your cart

Pins are approximate. Tap one for the exact spot in Google Maps.

Day 1 ~40 min on the road

Day 1 route in Google Maps

1TUNE STAY KYOTO
Creator's top pick. Or Piece Hostel Kyoto or Candeo Hotels Kyoto Karasuma Rokkaku.
Stays · 1 night
$33from, per night (date-dependent)Typical price · kayak.com
Find on Booking.com
2Higashi Hongan-ji
10 min walk from Kyoto Station; about 30 min
Same spot as the last stop
Experiences
Price not listed
3Nishiki Market
100+ shops; consider a food tour
~5 min drive from the last stop · 2 km
Food
FreefreeTypical price · saltinourhair.com
Website
4Nijo Castle
1–2 hrs; walk the trail up the castle walls
~5 min drive from the last stop · 3 km
Experiences
$5.05800 JPY per adultTypical price · nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp
Find on GetYourGuide
5Yasaka Shrine
Connected to Maruyama Park; lively in the evening
~10 min drive from the last stop · 4 km
Experiences
FreefreeTypical price · willflyforfood.net
6Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka
Crowded before sunset
~5 min drive from the last stop · 1 km
Experiences
Price not listed
7Kiyomizu-dera
Sunset spot but extremely crowded then
~5 min drive from the last stop · 1 km
Experiences
$3.16500 JPY per adultTypical price · saltinourhair.com
Find on GetYourGuide
8Yasaka Pagoda
Photo spot after sunset
~5 min drive from the last stop · 1 km
Experiences
$2.53400 JPY per adultTypical price · saltinourhair.com
Find on GetYourGuide
9Gion
Dinner; Gion Matsuri in July
~5 min drive from the last stop · 1 km
Food
Price not listed

Day 2 ~1 h 15 min on the road

Day 2 route in Google Maps

1Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Crowded; explore wider Arashiyama
Experiences
FreefreeTypical price · willflyforfood.net
Website
2Kinkaku-ji
Still worth a visit, but the creator prefers the Silver Pavilion.
~20 min drive from the last stop · 8 km
Experiences
$3.16500 JPY per adultTypical price · saltinourhair.com
Find on GetYourGuide
3Ginkaku-ji
Fewer crowds, Zen garden, viewpoint
~20 min drive from the last stop · 9 km
Experiences
$6.321,000 JPY per adultTypical price · shokoku-ji.jp
Find on GetYourGuide
4Philosopher's Path
Best in cherry blossom and autumn
~5 min drive from the last stop · 1 km
Experiences
Price not listed
5Eikan-do
At the end of the path; autumn foliage
~5 min drive from the last stop · 1 km
Experiences
Price not listed
6Heian Jingu
30–60 min
~5 min drive from the last stop · 1 km
Experiences
Price not listed
7Fushimi Inari Taisha
Evening visit; don't hike to the summit after dark
~20 min drive from the last stop · 8 km
Experiences
FreefreeTypical price · saltinourhair.com

This is a summary of Bucketlistly's itinerary. Their guide has the photos, stories and tips that don't fit here.

Read the full guide on bucketlistly.blog

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