Visiting Kyoto and looking for what to eat in Kyoto? Here is the top must-eat food that you shouldn’t miss when visiting Kyoto.
Kyoto is world-famous for its historical stunning shrine and beautiful garden. If you come to Kyoto, you will want to try their local food. Compare with Osaka which is famous as Japan’s kitchen, Kyoto food is more focused on traditional local dishes. Kyoto is known for its clean water. Consequently, Kyoto is famous for Tofu, Sake, and Soba which required good quality water to produce.
Added, one of the important tips for your Kyoto food hunt trip. It is important to look for accommodation for your food trip. Some people only plan for a day trip from Osaka to Kyoto. But it is a better idea to stay in Kyoto for 2 to 3 days to explore the beauty of Kyoto and also Kyoto food hunting. For a smart traveler, consider staying nearby Kyoto station for easy getting around. We recommended Daiwa Royal Hotel Grande Kyoto with a great-sized room and tons of restaurants and shops within walking distance.
In this food post, I will introduce you to the top must-eat food in Kyoto. Most of the food is very extraordinary and only can be found in Kyoto. Make sure to give this food a try when visiting there.
There are definitely heaps of traditional Japanese foods on offer, as well as local specialties in Kyoto. Here is some of the recommendation Kyoto’s best food if looking for what to eat in Kyoto.
Top Must Eat Food in Kyoto:
Kyoto Fire Ramen
Nishin Soba
Kyoto Ramen
Handwoven Teori Sushi
Yudofu
Kyoto Style Sushi
Green tea dessert
Japanese street food
Japanese Dessert (Mont Blanc Chesnut dessert)
What is Kyoto famous food?
Kyoto is famous for its traditional style of Japanese cuisine with a long history. Kyoto cuisine has its unique characteristic of using seasonal ingredients without over-flavoring the dish when eating.
What should I eat in Kyoto?
Tofu is almost synonymous with Kyoto cuisine. Almost every shop and restaurant will serve tofu as part of their meal.
Where To Eat Cheap in Kyoto?
One of the best places to eat cheap in Kyoto is at Nishiki Market with loads of great street foods, Kyoto snacks, and more.
Kyoto Fire Ramen
Our top 1 must-eat food in Kyoto is the Menbakaichidai Kyoto fire ramen. This flaming ramen is an extraordinary dining experience where the ramen burning right in front of you. Located nearby Nijo Castle within 10 minute walk, Menbakaichidai is very popular among visitors. People are coming here to try on ramen on fire. While the shop is very small with only can for 12 people. So expected to wait in line.
I visited Fire Ramen Menbaka during my 3 days Kyoto itinerary. There were about 30 minutes of waiting time for this hot bowl of ramen. Clear instruction and safety rules required you to follow to try on the flaming Kyoto ramen. It was amazing when the staff pour the flaming oil into your ramen. Truly a memorable dining experience in Menbakaichidai.
Kyoto Travel Tips: When looking for the best price and biggest selection of hotels in Kyoto check prices for Kyoto Best Hotel from Booking.com. We found they are the best option and have a great cancelation policy. We recommended staying nearby Kyoto station for easy getting around. The Daiwa Royal Hotel Grande Kyoto is in a great strategic location with 5 minutes walk from Kyoto Station. Great sized room, and tons of restaurants and shops within walking distance.
Nishin Soba
One of Kyoto’s specialty cuisine is Nishin soba. It is a local herring fish soba noodle dish with flavored soy sauce broth. The herring fish was perfectly smoked with sweet and salty tastes. It is a very unique Kyoto-style soba noodle that you can’t simply find it anywhere. A representative specialty of Kyoto!
Matsuba Soba is the oldest and most famous Nishin soba restaurant in Kyoto. It is said is the inventor of Nishin soba and is highly recommended by locals.
The main store of Matsuba Soba is located beside Minamiza Theater. It is easy to find at Kawaramachi downtown. Alternatively, you can try the Nishin soba at Matsuba Kyoto Station.
The handmade soba noodles from Matsuba with different structures compared to ramen. The Nishin soba was delicious and the taste was exceptional. Added, warm service by lovely staff to make you feel at home.
How to get to Matsuba Soba Main Store: From Kyoto station, take the Kyoto City Bus to “Shijo-kawaramachi”. Next, 5 minutes walk will get you to Matsuba.
Best Nishin soba in Kyoto, Matsuba:
Address: 192 Kawabata-cho, Shijo-ohashi Higashi-iru, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto.
Operating Hour: Daily 11:00 to 21:30
Price: Approximate 1400 yen.
Kyoto Ramen
Ramen is the typical Japanese noodle with different types of broth and is topped with a variety of meat and vegetable. No doubt, ramen is one of the most popular dishes in the whole of Japan. While each city has its local recipe and sure Kyoto has its version of Kyoto ramen.
We got our taste of Kyoto ramen in Kyoto Ramen Koji on the 10th floor of Kyoto station. It is home to eight ramen specialties from Hakata, Sapporo, Fukushima, Tokyo, Toyama, Tokushima, Kyoto, and Osaka.
For sure, we decided to try on Masutani ramen shop which origin in Kyoto. This ramen store was established in 1948 and it is the birthplace of ramen in pork back fat soy sauce. The broth was very flavorful and tasty. Of course, there is a wide variety of Kyoto ramen shops to try during your trip. Make sure to try on a hot bowl of ramen in Kyoto.
Kyoto Ramen Koji
Address: Kyoto, Shimogyo, Karasuma-dori, Shiokoji-Sagaru, Higashi-Shiokojicho 901, Kyoto Station building 10F
Operating hour: 11:00 to 22:00 (Last order 21:30)
Price: less than 1000 yen for a hot bowl of ramen.
Handwoven Teori Sushi
The new kind of sushi style called tengiri-zushi has a unique artistic twist between traditional and modern sushi. The handwoven sushi is kind of like a de-constructed meal. You’re free to DIY and make your own Teori sushi according to your desire.
AWOMB Kyoto
The AWOMB Karasuma Honten is the origin of this hand-woven sushi. The unique sushi-style platter set meal comes with fresh local obanzai, where you can roll your own sushi with nori (seaweed), obanzai, and rice of your own choice. But what is so overwhelming is the obanzai and condiments were served in a beautifully arranged tray for you to make your own sushi. What’s an eye feast dining experience in Kyoto!
Apparently, there is a total of 4 shops in Kyoto. We visited the AWOMB Karasuma Honten, located about 30 minutes away from downtown. From our hotel, Daiwa Royal Hotel Grande Kyoto, we took the train to Shijo Station and walked to the AWOMB Kyoto. It was about 7 minutes walking distance to the shop. Be sure to book in advance, as very limited table capacity. Feel free to read on our Kyoto food blog at AWOMB Kyoto.
Operating hours: Lunch 12:00-14:00 LO, Dinner 18:00-20:00 LO
Price: The supreme set comes with 3,000 yen
Yudofu
One thing listed as a must-try in Kyoto is yudofu. It is boiled tofu that places in a hot pot with vinegar sauce. Sound simple right? Don’t underestimate these simple dishes as it need clean water and quality soybean to process good tofu. Kyoto has met all of its criteria. Moreover, it was used to be vegetarian cuisine for Buddhist monks.
For the best place for you in Kyoto, most people will vote for Yudofu Sagano. It is famous for tofu kaiseki in Arasihayama. Enjoy the traditional Japanese garden during your yudofu kaiseki meal. If you love tofu, you’ll sure enjoy eating here. A great tofu dining experience in Arashiyama in Yudofu Sagano.
I am not a fan of tofu. Since yudofu is one of the most eaten food in Kyoto, we decided to try the tofu dishes in Tofu Chaya Sagatofu Sanchu. It is a cabin kiosk on the main street of Arashiyama, selling various kinds of tofu dishes.
While the price is relatively cheap at about 500 yen for one dish. However, don’t underestimate its popularity. A lot of locals were queuing for the tofu dishes. All of us ordered a bowl of soba and the yudofu at Tofu Chaya Sagatofu Sanchu to try.
The yudofu was so soft like melted in your mouth. And I can’t imagine that it was delicious. It changes my image of the traditional tofu dish. So be sure to try it for yourself. A popular shop in Arashiyama if you are looking for the best cheap eats in Arashiyama.
Tofu Chaya Sagatofu Sanchu (嵯峨豆腐 三忠)
Address: 2-1 Sagatenryuji Tateishicho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8375, Japan
Price: Ranging from 300 yen to 700 yen depending on the item.
Kyoto Style Sushi
For authentic Kyoto-style sushi, Izuju Sushi is one of the must-try tastes the Kyoto. Located nearby Yasada Shrine, Izuju Sushi is a quaint century-old sushi restaurant in Kyoto. Compare with the regular nigiri sushi, sushi in Izuju is prepared differently. Their sushi rice is marinated with vinegar. So the taste will be different from this traditional Kyoto-style sushi. It has a stronger burst of flavor when tasted.
Limited tables available and long queue especially during peak hours. While most of the customers are takeaway for a picnic. So the queue moves very fast. Please be sure to write down your name on the reservation list. The staff will be called you according to the running number.
If you’d like to have normal sushi, then this restaurant is not for you. However, if you’d like to feel and taste the authentic Kyoto sushi, this is the perfect restaurant for you.
Izuju Sushi Kyoto:
Address: 292 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0073, Japan
Operating hour: Daily from 10:30 to 19:00. Closed at Wednesday.
Green Tea Dessert
Located 30 minutes from Kyoto, Uji is the birthplace of Japanese green tea. So, no surprise that Kyoto has tons of green tea specialty stores selling kind of match products. Matcha lovers don’t miss the opportunity to try as much as possible.
Among them, Tsujii Gion is one of the must-try desserts in Kyoto. It is a popular dessert cafe in Kyoto, specializing in green tea and matcha. Most importantly, Tsujiri uses the top-notch green tea from Uji. It gained its popularity by serving various kinds of sweets. For example shaved ice, cake, jelly drinks, green tea noodles, and more. Moreover, their hojicha parfait is the best selling, especially during summer.
We originally planned for afternoon tea at Tsujiri. However, the line was so long. While this dessert shop has many branches in Japan and even oversea, we ended up giving up and proceeded with our Kyoto itinerary. So for those who want to try on the dessert in Tsujiri, please be ready for the queue..
Tsujiri Gion Kyoto
Address: 573-3 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0074, Japan
Operating hour: Daily from 10:00 to 19:30 or 20:00
Japanese Street Food
Last but not least, remember to try on Japanese street food in Kyoto. While the Nishiki Market is the most popular food market in Kyoto. It is a narrow street filled with more than a hundred food stores and restaurants.
With over 100 vendors selling everything from fresh seafood to traditional Japanese sweets, you can find something to eat here. So, this is one of the great places to sample as much as possible Japanese street food in Kyoto.
Moreover, we also recommended street food hunting in Arashiyama street. There has a variety of snack food on the busy street of Arashiyama. We tried fried chicken, takoyaki, matcha ice cream, mochi, and various street food. A great place to sample Japanese snack food.
Japanese Dessert
Treat yourself to a traditional Japanese dessert when visiting Kyoto! The charming city has many dessert shops and cafes are offering dessert in traditional setting. There are many Japanese dessert you can try in Kyoto but one can’t miss the chance to try it the Mont Banc.
In Japan, Mont Blanc is made with a pureed, sweetened sponge cake base, topped with layered rich chestnut cream. The pressed chestnut cream is generously topped with long piped strings into a mountain shape. This desset is particular popular in Kyoto!
Kyoto’s best Mont Blanc from Waguri Senmon Saori – This little gem is a popular dessert place in Kyoto and is known for its Mont Blanc Chesnut dessert using the waguri (Japanese chestnut). Their desserts are served delicately and carefully that all look like pieces of art.
Waguri Senmon Saori (和栗専門 紗織 さをり) Address: 170-1 Izumiyacho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto. Business Hours: Daily from 10:00 to 18:00 (Last order at 17:30)
Kyoto Travel Guide
This top must-eat food in Kyoto is part of our Kyoto travel blog. For travel tips to Kyoto, check out our Kyoto travel guide below. We have included the 3 days Kyoto travel itinerary, food review, and transportation guide. Happy travel to Kyoto!
Read through our Osaka food post and review to decide on the best Okonomiyaki in Osaka. The top 3 best Okonomiyaki in Osaka are Kiji, Fukutaro, and Mizuno.
Okonomiyaki is one of the best delicacies of Osaka. One couldn’t resist the try on this Osaka specialty when visiting here. Okonomiyaki is a kind of savory pancake. The main recipe is made from eggs, flour, grated yam, and shredded cabbage. You can add different ingredients to make your flavor of Okonomiyaki. For example pork, squid, shrimp, beef, seafood, and more.
Osaka is known for the best okonomiyaki in Japan. This local specialty is always one of the must-eat food when visiting Osaka. However, there are so many okonomiyaki shops. I am sure you’d find it difficult to decide where to eat the best okonomiyaki. I tried on a few Okonomiyaki restaurant in Osaka. All are very delicious and unique by its taste. Still, it is very hard to judge for the best okonomiyaki in Osaka.
Looking at this common question. We listed the top 3 Okonomiyaki restaurant in Osaka to ease on your Osaka food hunt. All are highly recommended by locals.
1. Kiji: Local’s Favorite Okonomiyaki in Osaka
First of all, we recommended Kiji (きじ 本店) as one of our top 3 best okonomiyaki in Osaka. Kiji is a popular little shop located at the quaint basement of Umeda sky building. There is no sign to point you to this best Okonomiyaki shop in Osaka. However, there is always a line in front to try on their okonomiyaki.
Okonomiyaki from Kiji
Kiji only served okonomiyaki and yakisoba. You can choose from seafood, beef or pork. Besides, depend on where you are seated. You can choose to seat at the counter bar or table. The chef is cooking at the hotplate in front of the bar seats. Next, it will be transferred and keep warm at your hotplate build at the table.
Eating in Kiji is an enjoyable moment. The staffs were super friendly and attentive even when they didn’t speak English very well. They try their best to explain if you have any questions.
The Okonomiyaki served in Kiji was flavorful and filling. It is well deserved for the best Okonomiyaki in Osaka with its reputation. Moreover, Kiji is listed in the Michelin Guide Kyoto/Osaka 2017 Bib Gourmand. So expected to wait especially during peak hour. A must try in Osaka.
Operating hours: Daily from 11:30 to 21:30. Closed on Sunday.
How to get to Kiji: It is located inside the basement of the Umeda Sky Building. To get there, there is within walking distance from Osaka station.
2. Fukutaro: Okonomiyaki or Negiyaki?
Secondly, Fukutaro (福太郎) is one of the top three must-try Okonomiyaki restaurant in Osaka. Fukutaro is an Okonomiyaki-specialized restaurant in Osaka, especially in the Namba area. It is located within 5 minutes’ walk from Namba station from Midosuji Line. So it is easy access to the shop.
We visited Fukutaro in the early evening during our 2 days in Osaka. However, there already have people line up and waiting for their table to try on the Okonomiyaki. Added, friendly reminder for those who want to try okonomiyaki in Fukutaro. Remember to write down your name and party on the waiting list.
Okonomiyaki from Fukutaro
Compare with Kiji and Mizuno, Fukutaro is slightly bigger and can fit for 20 to 25 people. The preparation of Okonomiyaki is in the middle of the shop with customers seated surround the square counter. It will be cooked and then served on the hot plate in front of you.
We had our best seated close to the cooking hotplate. The okonomiyaki was being made in front of us. We were able to watch all the cooking processes of okonomiyaki before served to all the customers. While the chef was cook all the Okonomiyaki orders while you watch. It was a truly amazing experience.
Aside from the regular okonomiyaki, Fukutaro is particularly popular for its Negiyaki with lots of green onions in place of cabbage. We ordered Negiyaki, Yakisoba, and Okonomiyaki to try on different varieties. All of us agree that Negiyaki was the best choice we made. It is slightly thinner compare with regular Okonomiyaki. But it has some freshness taste, probably due to the green onion.
All in all, eating Okonomiyaki in Fukutaro is a great dining experience. Reasonable price for a tasty meal with a great atmosphere in Osaka. Side note, Fukutaro also listed in the Michelin Guide Kyoto/Osaka 2017 Bib Gourmand.
Top 2 Okonomiyaki in Osaka: Fukutaro
Address: 2 Chome-3-17 Sennichimae, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0074, Japan
Operating hours: Weekday from 17:00 to 23:30 and weekend from 12:00 to 23:00
How to getting to Fukutaro: 5 minutes’ walk from Namba station.
3. Mizuno: Michelin Star Okonomiyaki in Osaka
Lastly, Mizuno (美津の) is the Michelin star Okonomiyaki restaurant in Osaka. It has been awarded 4 consecutive years of Osaka Michelin guide since 2016. The shop is located nearby Dotonburi and easy to drop by while you are at Dotonburi.
Prepare to wait in line especially in peak hour to try on this best Okonomiyaki restaurant in Osaka. Similar to most of the traditional Japanese restaurant. Mizuno is a small restaurant with limited seats. However, the queue moved pretty fast. The staff will take your orders in advance while waiting in line. Meanwhile, the kitchen was ready to start preparing your order as soon as you’re seated.
Wide menu with multiple types of okonomiyaki available for you to choose on. Additionally, you can also opt for more or less sauces, spring onions, and flakes. Due to the extra popularity, you are not allowed to add on any other orders. Added, take note that the minimum one dish per person.
Okonomiyaki from Mizuno
The okonomiyaki served from Mizuno is tasty and with decent quality. As per what we had expected, the flavors are amazing and melt in your mouth. Added, the price was reasonable for the Michelin star restaurant dining experience in Osaka.
Due to the efficient ordering, we finished our meal within 40 minutes. However, the service may not as good as other Japanese restaurants due to its popularity. That is to say, we take this as one of the food tour adventures in Osaka. In short, Mizuno one of our favorites, and must eat while we were in Osaka.
Top 3 Okonomiyaki in Osaka: Mizuno
Address: 1 Chome-4-15 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071, Japan
Operating hours: Daily from 11:00 to 22:00.
How to get to Mizuno: 5 minutes’ walk from Namba station.
Conclusion: Best Okonomiyaki in Osaka
All in all, eating okonomiyaki is an inexpensive meal in Osaka. The top three Okonomiyaki restaurants above are highly recommended if you look for what to eat in Osaka. All the shops are very popular among locals and visitors. Don’t be discouraged by the line of people, the wait is worth it!
Meanwhile, this okonomiyaki food review is part of my travel post during my Kansai trip. We truly enjoy the sightseeing itinerary and food tour to Osaka, Kyoto, Uji, and Nara. If you are interested, continue to read on my travel itinerary below. Happy travel and food hunting in Osaka!
In this blog post, I will show you where to look for Agoda promo code and how to apply the Agoda promo code into your hotel deal. There is some tricks that you need to follow to get the Agoda discount code. Otherwise you won’t be able to use the promo code.
Agoda is one of the best hotel reservation website for worldwide. It is a reliability accommodation booking website when you are looking for place to stay in local or international. There are thousands of properties with special hotel deal available in their website.
However, did you know you can get more discount with special promo code from Agoda? Agoda start begin aggressive on the hotel booking by distribute discount code to specific channel. This promo code or sometimes people classify as coupon code or hotel deal. It required specific step in order to apply at specific link.
Here is the step-by-step guide on how to get and apply Agoda promo codes!
Step-by-Step Guide: How To Get Agoda Promo Code
1. Visit the Agoda Website here! Make sure to click on it else the promo code will not activate.
2. Click On Agoda Today’s Deal on the Agoda page.
You should see discounted hotel on specific city or country. These are the promo that applicable promo code offer by Agoda during certain period.
3. Click on the “Get Coupon” from the Agoda hotel deal. And you will see the promo code offered from Agoda. Just copy the Agoda voucher code.
4. Next, it’s time to search for your best hotel. Just do this as usual by enter destination, city or a specific hotel on your travel date. For example, i am looking for the best hotel deal from HongKong.
5. Find the best hotel that suit your budget and preference. Then choose your room and click “BOOK NOW”.
6. Check on your booking detail and filled in the guest information.
7. You will find the separate box on the right side of your booking detail. This is where to enter the Agoda promote code that you had copied. If there is no separate box to key in the promo code, mean this hotel does not allow for further discount.
8. Apply your Agoda Promo Code and enter.
9. Check your Agoda discount is correct as per desired. The discount value is only applicable for hotel stay and not include the service charge and tax.
10. Proceed to Payment.
Best Agoda Promotion Code
So far, the best promo code offer by Agoda is 10%. This special discount promotion is the best coupon code compare with previous of 5% to 8%.
If the promo code does not able to apply, that is because the coupon does not allocated for your country or visited country. What you need to do is activate it follow as per proper step.
Step 1: Click on Agoda Website here! Step 2: Activate the Agoda Promo Code as per below step. Step 3: Select your hotel and applied it into dedicated box. That’s it!
Agoda Promo Code
Please take note that voucher code can only be used in the PC version of Agoda website. It is not applicable on Agoda mobile version or mobile app. Added, these Agoda Promotion Codes are not valid for ‘book now pay later’ or ‘book now pay directly at hotel’ bookings.
So, don’t forget to book your next travel accommodation using Agoda discount code for your hotel stay. The 10% Agoda discount might sound little compare with existing 8% or 5% Agoda promo code. But it make big different if you are booking for the whole travel date.
Be a smart traveler and save more with the best hotel deal. Happy travel!
Looking for what to do in Kyoto for 1-day, 2-days, or 3-days? This Kyoto travel guide blog will tell you everything you need to know to plan your trip with all the highlights and important sights when visiting this wonderful city. The best way to explore!
Kyoto is an amazing city in Japan. This wonderful city is full of historical charm and Japanese culture. Kyoto has many historical shrines and a natural hidden gem. There are so many things to do and see in Kyoto awaiting you to discover. I have been visiting Kyoto a few times but never felt enough. Kyoto delighted me with its beauty in different seasons.
However, sometimes it might be confusing when planning what to do in Kyoto, especially for first-time visitors. Here’s our Kyoto travel guide on what you can eat and do in Kyoto for 1, 2 to 3 days! You can easily arrange and DIY your version. But bear in mind most of the attractions are not located nearby. So please allocate some traveling time if you are planning to get around. Additionally, Kyoto is full of tourists which might also require more time when visiting.
If you’re visiting Kyoto for the first time, then this comprehensive Kyoto travel guide will tell you all you need to know to plan your trip. This Kyoto travel blog can give you some ideas when planning your Kyoto itinerary. Please feel free to modify and adjust based on your preference. Travel at your comfort level and leisure. Discover the best attractions and fully utilize your trip for 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, or even 1 week in Kyoto.
If you’re planning to visit Kyoto, keep in mind that it’s a popular tourist destination and can get quite crowded during peak season. Exploring all the sights in one day might be challenging, as traveling between different attractions can take time.
To make the most of your day in Kyoto, we recommend picking a few of the most stunning and memorable attractions that you’re interested in. Instead of rushing to see everything, it might be better to slow down your pace and spend less than half a day exploring only one spot. This will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the experience and truly appreciate the beauty of each attraction you visit.
Travel Tips: When looking for the best price and biggest selection of hotels in Kyoto check prices for Kyoto Best Hotel from Booking.com. We found they are the best option and have a great cancelation policy.
How To Get To Kyoto
Haruka Limited Express
If you’re traveling to the Kansai region of Japan and your itinerary includes Kyoto, the nearest international airport is Kansai International Airport (KIX). The most popular options for getting to Kyoto or Osaka, which is another common destination in the area, are by train or bus.
From Kansai International Airport to Kyoto:
The easiest and fastest option is taking the Haruka Limited Express from JR West. The Haruka Limited Express will take you directly from Kansai Airport to Kyoto Station. Klook offers discounted Haruka tickets for the Haruka Limited Express, so it’s definitely worth considering.
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option and don’t mind a slightly longer travel time, you can take the Kansai Limousine Bus. This is also a great option if you have a lot of luggage, as you can sit back and relax during the journey. (Check price for Kansai Limousine Bus from Klook)
From Osaka to Kyoto:
If you’re traveling from Osaka to Kyoto, there are up to four different train companies running this popular route. The best option for you will depend on where you’re departing from and where you’re headed next in Kyoto.
Tokaido Shinkansen: from JR Shin-Osaka to JR Kyoto Station
JR Rapid Train: from JR Osaka/Shin-Osaka Station.
Keihan Main Line: from Osaka (Yodoyabashi Station) to Sanjo Station in Central Region.
Hankyu Main Line: from Osaka (Hankyu Umeda Station) to Kawaramachi Station in Central Region.
From Tokyo to Kyoto:
If you’re planning to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto, the Shinkansen bullet train is the fastest and most convenient way to get there. However, the fare can be quite expensive if you’re traveling one-way. To save on transportation costs for round-trip travelers, consider getting the Japan Rail Pass.
On the other hand, if you’re on a budget, taking a highway bus is a cheaper alternative. Keep in mind that bus fares vary depending on the season, time of day, and comfort level, so be sure to check prices before booking your trip.
Kyoto Station serves as the primary transportation hub connecting Shinkansen, local trains, subway, and buses, making it easy to navigate the city.
While some of the attractions in Kyoto are accessible by train or bus, walking is the best way to explore the city. Although, if you have a packed itinerary, taking the bus or train can save time and energy.
For those traveling with a larger group or elderly companions, taxis are also an option, with reasonable fares available throughout Kyoto.
How Many Days for Kyoto itinerary
If you’re wondering how many days to allocate for your Kyoto itinerary, I would suggest planning for at least 3 days to explore the city’s many top attractions, historical temples, and shrines. However, if you’re limited on time, it’s still possible to see the major sites in just 1 or 2 days. Some travelers even choose to visit Kyoto as a day trip from Osaka.
If you have an extra day to spare, I highly recommend taking a day trip to Nara and Uji – two nearby cities that are home to some of Japan’s most stunning cultural and natural landmarks. And if you’re planning your trip during the cherry blossom or fall foliage season, consider adding an additional day to your itinerary. Trust me, the view of Kyoto during full bloom is simply breathtaking.
Also, don’t forget to include some must-see spots during cherry blossom season, such as the Philosopher’s Path, Nanzenji, and Keage Incline. These attractions offer some of the most picturesque views of the city during this time of year.
Best Hotel to stay in Kyoto
Hotel Resol Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo
One of the important decisions when planning your Kyoto trip is to decide where to stay in Kyoto. There are many best budget hostels, mid to luxury hotels, or unique Ryokan in Kyoto. Depending on your budget and preference.
Some people choose to stay near the station for easy getting around. The Downtown Kawaramachi and Gion are the best areas to experience the Japanese old town and are nearby to major attractions in Higashiyama District. We have shortlisted a few best hotels in different budget ranges if you are looking for an accommodation guide to stay in Kyoto.
High-Range: Daiwa Royal Hotel Grande Kyoto is located a 5-minute walk from Kyoto station. It is a 4-star reputation Japanese chain hotel with Japanese standards. Clean with great-sized room for solo, couples, and family. 24-hour service desk and professional staff.
High Range: Hotel Keihan Kyoto Ekiminami is located right opposite the Kyoto station with a nearby overnight car park at a discount rate. Comfortable room with excellent amenities. A simple good breakfast is included for your stay!
Budget: Pieces Hostel Kyoto, is one of the best budget stay hotels near Kyoto station. It is conveniently located nearby within walking distance of Kyoto Station. Most importantly, this designer hostel with extremely reasonable price!
Best hotel in Kyoto Downtown Kawaramachi:
High-Range: Hotel Resol Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo is one of the popular picks in Kyoto. You will fall in love with this cozy hotel once you walk in. The environment is so tranquil with various styled rooms available. Most importantly, this beautiful historic hotel is offering rooms at a reasonable price.
Mid-Range: Travelodge Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi is another great budget choice to stay in Kyoto. This nearly open hotel is perfectly situated next to the Gion Area. You can walk to many places like Nishiki market, convenience stores, restaurants, and main shopping malls. The nearest subway station is about 8 minutes walk.
Budget: Pieces Hostel Sanjo is your best hostel stay in the Kyoto downtown area. Similar to its sister hostel near Kyoto station, it is a great budget hotel that offers excellent value for your money. Extremely popular. Remember to book early to secure your stay.
3 Days Kyoto Itinerary
Kyoto itinerary Travel Blog
For first-timers, we highly recommend exploring the Southern Higashiyama Sightseeing District (Kiyomizudera), seeing the incredible Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, and a relaxing stroll in the Western Kyoto (Arashiyama) area. Most of the places to visit in Kyoto require about half a day. You can allocate the time and freely adjust the Kyoto itinerary based on your interest.
Below Kyoto itinerary below will mainly focus on the must-see attractions in Kyoto. We will start with giving an overview of things to do in Kyoto in each district and then proceed to a deeper explanation of how to plan your Kyoto itinerary for 3 days.
Day 1 Kyoto itinerary (Explore Southern Higashiyama District)
Dinner in Menbakaichidai (Flaming Kyoto Fire Ramen)
Day 3 Kyoto Itinerary
Day trip to Nara or Uji
Don’t forget to continue to read our Kyoto itinerary planning below which includes what to do and food to eat during the trip.
Kyoto itinerary Bonus Tips: We included the things to do in Kyoto during Cherry Blossom viewing if you are visiting Kyoto in April!
Kyoto Travel Tips: Kyoto Travel Tips: Kyoto is extremely amazing in April when sakura in full bloom. Make sure to plan ahead and book your accommodation!
Arrived Kyoto
We arrived in Kyoto and checked in at our hotel near Kyoto station. The Kyoto station is an important transportation hub to visit Kyoto. You can find everything you need such as clothing, food, and household goods. If you have having rush itinerary, we recommend staying nearby Kyoto station to easily get around.
During our recent trip to Kyoto, we had the pleasure of staying at Hotel Keihan Kyoto Ekiminami. The hotel’s location, right opposite the Kyoto station, was incredibly convenient for getting around and exploring all that Kyoto has to offer. However, due to its popularity among travelers, it can be difficult to secure a room. To avoid disappointment, I recommend reserving your room as early as possible, especially if you’re interested in taking advantage of early bird promotions.
Once checked in, we were headed for a bowl of tasty hot ramen at Kyoto Ramen Koji. The Kyoto Ramen Koji is located inside the Kyoto Station building at level 10F. This ramen street are home to eight ramen specialties in Japan which is Sapporo, Fukushima, Tokyo, Toyama, Osaka, Kyoto, Tokushima, and Hakata.
Dinner at Kyoto Ramen Koji
We chose the Masutani ramen which originates from Kyoto. This ramen store was established in 1948 and it is the birthplace of ramen in pork back fat soy sauce! It is famous and known as one of Kyoto’s tastiest traditions of ramen.
To taste the best ramen from Kyoto in Masutani, required some waiting time. There was a line of people waiting for their bowl of ramen. Luckily the queue is more quick and fast and only waits for less than 20 minutes. We choose the char-siu ramen with a slow-boiled egg about ¥1,000. The pork back broth was very flavorful but not heavy. We left with very full and happy tummies. The ramen tasted so much better in Japan.
Kyoto Ramen Koji
Address: Kyoto, Shimogyo, Karasuma-dori, Shiokoji-Sagaru, Higashi-Shiokojicho 901, Kyoto Station building 10F
Operating hours: 11:00 to 22:00 (Last order 21:30)
How To Get to Kyoto Ramen Koji: Located right at the Kyoto Station building. Level 10F.
Illuminated Grand Stairway at Kyoto Station
After our fulfilling meal, we continued wandering around the Kyoto station.
Kyoto Station is one of Japan’s largest buildings. It is not only the Kyoto main transportation hub for Shinkansen, trains, subway, and buses. Here you can also find a shopping mall, hotel, movie theater, Isetan department store, and several local government facilities at this building. Sometimes, I also feel it is easy to get lost in this busy building.
However, don’t forget to take a photo at the illuminated Grand staircase at Kyoto Station. There are a total of 15,000 LEDs installed on the staircase at the 171 stair step in Kyoto station. It was beautifully illuminated by different designs that represent the four seasons of Kyoto. A quick stop for a photo.
Kyoto Station Building Grand Stairway
Operating Hour: From 3:00 to 22:00, may vary depending on the season
Have some Japanese Snack
There are so many Japanese snacks and desserts.
Even though we had a full meal, we still couldn’t resist trying one. The Beard Papa’s cream puff caught our attention. It was located near the JR Shinkansen entrance at Kyoto Station. We brought one cream puff to try on. It was so delicious! Besides, you also can get the famous 555 Horai butaman, a simple Chinese pork bun at Kyoto station. A lot of locals were queuing to buy their pork buns
Day 1: Visit Kyoto Southern Higashiyama District
Assuming you’ve arrived in Kyoto, it is advised to start your Kyoto itinerary in the morning. You’ve had one full day to spend in the city. We’ll suggest seeing some of the most stunning historical attractions in the town. We recommended focusing on the important sights in the Southern Higashiyama district and visiting the world-famous spectacular wooden building Kiyomizudera. One of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.
First up, we started in Kyoto with a good breakfast at Hotel Keihan Kyoto Ekiminami. Our stay included breakfast. There are simple Japanese and Western-style breakfasts for you to start your day.
Next, we were heading for the Kiyomizudera, the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This popular attraction is always good to visit in the morning to avoid the crowd.
Kiyomizudera is a world-famous historical important sight in Southern Higashiyama. It is listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world. The spectacular wooden building was built with 139 pillars without using one single nail.
From Kyoto station, we took the Kyoto city bus and got off at the Gojozaka stop. A single way of bus ride costs ¥230.
There is a leisurely 15-minute walk from Gojozaka bus station to the temple. The picturesque shopping streets lined along the way up. We decided directly to Kiyomizudera and come back here for a leisure walk.
Remember, the best view of Kiyomizudera is from the viewing platform at Okunoin Hall which is diagonally opposite the main temple. Besides, don’t forget to check out the legendary stone at the Jishu shrine. Just play the mini-game by closing your eyes and walking straight to another stone located on the opposite. Japanese believe that you can find your loved one near future.
How to get to Kiyomizudera: From Kyoto station, take the Kyoto bus (#206) or (#100) and get off at the Gojozaka stop. Bus fare ¥230. For larger groups, you can consider taking a taxi as the fare is about ¥1,500 from Kyoto station.
Wandering At Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka Slope
After the visit to Kiyomizudera, take the exit via the front of the temple and walk down Matsubara-dori Street. Next, we spend our time wandering around the busy shopping street in ninenzaka and sannenzaka slope. The lovely preserved district and iconic street in Kyoto.
You can easily spend the whole afternoon wandering around. This is where you can find various types of souvenir shops, desserts, cafes, and restaurants around this busy street here. Have your lunch or refreshment here before proceeding to the next stop. Although the whole area is a bustling riot with commerce. But, trust me, you will enjoy this Kyoto’s must-see attractions and experience them.
While it is almost afternoon, the street was full of visitors and much more crowded compared to the morning. Have some refreshments here before heading to our next destination.
We slowly walked toward Yasaka Pagoda (八坂の塔). This picturesque 5-story Buddhist pagoda temple is one of the recognizable landmarks in the Higashiyama district. The walking journey from ninenzaka and sannenzaka to Yasaka pagoda took about 30 minutes.
We did not take the visit inside the pagoda. Instead, we took some beautiful photos from the outside. A must-see in Kyoto itinerary.
Lunch at Nishiki Market
Nishiki Market
Next, we headed to the Nishiki market (錦市場) for a quick lunch. The Kyoto Nishiki market is a local market that sells Japanese local products. It is a narrow shopping street with hundreds of shops and restaurants lined along the street. A great place for lunch if you are looking for what to eat in Kyoto.
There were lots of different street foods such as croquettes, wagyu skewers, doughnuts, and more. We enjoyed our sushi lunch at an unknown food staff in the Nishiki market.
Our next stop was heading to the Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社).
The location is easily accessed by a local JR train from Kyoto station. It is only 2 stops away with 6 minutes train ride. So, for easier transport arrangements, we took the bus back to Kyoto station and then took the JR train to Fushimi Inari.
When in Kyoto, one must visit their world-famous historical shrine. This incredible Shinto shrine is famous for its arcades of vermillion torii gates. The best way to appreciate the beauty of the shrine is by walking up the hill, through the torii gate. Imagine walking under thousands of eye-catching torii with amazing views along the walk.
From the station, follow the navigation, and you can easily walk to the entrance of the Fushimi Taisha shrine with the first torii (gate) welcoming your visit. Passing and walking up through the major street, you’ll shortly get to the main precinct of the shrine.
A visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine can be as short as an hour or as long as half a day. You can stop halfway and return to the base whenever you like. However, try to go as far as possible as there will be less crowded and fewer people. The best way to feel more tranquil is with magnificent red torii gates. We spent around 2 hours at Fushimi Inari Shrine and took a lot of amazing photos here.
From Kyoto station to Fushimi Inari Shrine: By JR Nara line to Inari Station. A 3-minute walk from the station.
If you are not tired, you can plan to have your dinner or spend your night in the downtown Gion district. You may spot the geisha passing by if you are lucky.
Day 2: Western Kyoto, Arashiyama
On the next day of the Kyoto itinerary, heading to Arashiyama in western Kyoto on the second day.
Various transportation is available to get to Arashiyama. The Sagano Scenic Train ride is the best option to mesmerize the natural beauty in Arashiyama. We enjoyed our Sagano scenic ride to enjoy the mountain view of the Japanese village.
Next, we spend our whole morning wandering around in Arashiyama. In the late afternoon, we were headed to Kinkakuji, the golden pavilion. Last but not least, we had an extraordinary dining experience in Menbakaichidai: flaming Kyoto fire ramen.
The Sagano Scenic Railway (嵯峨野観光鉄道) is also known as Sagano Romantic Train or Sagano Torokko. This sightseeing train runs between Arashiyama and Kameoka, riding along the Hozugawa River. It is one of the popular activities, especially during cherry blossoms in spring and fall foliage in autumn.
We bought the Sagano Scenic Railway ticket before we arrived in Kyoto. You opt to choose the upstream direction from Kameoka to Saga Torokko station or the downstream direction from Saga to Kameoka Torokko based on your Kyoto itinerary planning.
The scenery was amazing with a scenic train run along the Hozugawa River. Besides, you may also opt for the Hozugawa River Boat ride with 1 to 2 hours of scenic boat ride..
Operating hour: 9:00 to 16:00 (until 17:00 on busy days)
Close: every Wednesday except national holidays, spring and summer holidays, and autumn foliage season. Not operate during winter from Dec 30 to the end of Feb
Good News: Sagano Romantic Train Ticket is available in Klook now! And travelers does not required rush for train ticket once reached Japan. Book Sagano Romantic Train Ticket through Klook and avail of a ticket to ride the famous Sagano Romantic Train in Kyoto! Paid for convenience and secure your ticket to avoid disappointment.
Leisure Walk in Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Once you arrive, there are many things to do in Arashiyama. For example, make your visit to the famous bamboo forest, pray in Nonomiya Shrine, visit Tenryu-ji Temple, and other sightseeing attractions. Enjoy your half-day trip to Arashiyama.
No doubt, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is one of the top sights in Kyoto. It is one of the must-visit when looking for things to do and see in Kyoto. Enjoy the walk with soaring stalks of bamboo aside along the path.
How to get to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest: 5 minutes walk from Arashiyama Torokko station.
Pray at Nonomiya Shrine
Continue wandering around Arashiyama Grove. Following the directions, we walked to Nonomiya Shrine.
The Nonomiya Shrine (野宮神社) is a small Shinto shrine located in the Arashiyama bamboo grove. Locals and visitors come to pray for their love life. So don’t forget to pray at Nonomiya Shrine if you are visiting Arashiyama.
There are a few other attractions in Arashiyama worth spending some time here. For example, visit the Tenryu-Ji Temple, a leisure walk at the Arashiyama shopping street, and Togetsu-Kyo Bridge. We spend almost half a day in Arashiyama before proceeding to Kinkajuji.
Next, heading to Kinkakuji, the golden pavilion in the late afternoon. It is a Zen temple covered in gold leaf with golden shiny color. Perfectly situated aside a lovely lake and a Japanese garden. This stunning view makes it one of the top attractions to visit in Kyoto.
From JR Arashiyama station, we took the JR train from Saga-Arashiyama station to Emmachi station. Next, we transferred to a bus ride (#205) to Kinkakuji.
Kinkakuji or Golden Pavilion is a unique gold shinny color temple. It is perfectly situated aside from a lovely lake and a Japanese garden. The reflection of the temple was so picturesque and stunning.
Our day ended with the flaming Kyoto fire ramen at Menbakaichidai. Menbaka is a small ramen store that only can fit 12 people. But it is very popular among visitors for an extraordinary culinary experience. The fire ramen burning right in front of you.
For those who love traditional Japanese broth ramen, Menbakaichidai might not be your food choice. However, we love and enjoy the entertaining and unique dining experience of Kyoto fire ramen. Make sure to put this flaming Kyoto ramen into your Kyoto itinerary. One of the must-try when visiting Kyoto.
Lastly, spend day 3 in Kyoto on a day trip to Nara and Uji. It depends on your itinerary. It is doable to spend the whole day visiting both places in one day. However, if you travel in leisure, I would opt for Nara compared with Uji.
Despite the historical visit to Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga Grand Shrine, or some other ancient building in Nara. The free-roaming deer is one of the major attractions in Nara. I enjoy my time wandering around in Nara Park with deer encounters. Don’t forget to try the local specialties of Kamameshi when visiting Nara.
While Uji is famous for its traditional green tea and historical shrine. Uji is not renowned for world-famous shrines like Kyoto. Instead, it is a great place to see the rural side of southern Kyoto Prefecture with a locality surrounded. Come try the best matcha green tea at Uji.
Kyoto is an excellent city to visit and you can easily more than 3 days wandering around the city. But if you are looking for something beyond the city, there are many different places as a half-day excursion or full-day trip can be planned for your trip to Kyoto.
There are many awesome day trips from Kyoto and here are some of them.
Kurama and Kibune
The Kurama (鞍馬) and Kibune (貴船) are two beautiful small villages nestled in the hills north of Kyoto. Hiking through these two villages through the lush forest is one the most popular things to do in Kyoto. The hike offers a perfect opportunity to explore the tranquility of a Japanese village. It takes about two to three hours to complete.
Located in the Northern Kyoto Prefecture, Amanohashidate (天橋立) is a popular visit place to enjoy the scenic view with a laid-back vibe. This place is renowned for its scenery, consisting of nearly 8,000 pine trees covered on a sandbar that spans across Miyazu Bay. The view is breathtaking and unique.
The trip to Amanohashidate from Kyoto is over two hours away and makes for a scenic day trip from Kyoto.
Kyoto Travel Tips: The transportation costs to Amanohashidate are extremely expensive and easily cost you more than ¥5,000 for a round-trip journey. As a smart traveler, it is advised to fully utilize the Japan transport pass to save the transportation fee. The popular JR Kansai Wide Area Pass is covered for this trip!
Ine Fishing Village
Ine Fishing Village (伊根の舟屋) is a seaside village in the “Kyoto by the Sea” area. This charming village is known for its picturesque Funaya, or boat houses, which have been around since the Edo period. You can couple your visit to historical Ine Funaya when visiting the stunning Amanohashidate.
One thing I can guarantee about Kyoto is that you will eat well. Kyoto is renowned for its traditional Japanese cuisine and local specialties, so don’t miss the chance to all the great food. Here are some of the recommended places to eat in Kyoto:
Matsuba Soba – The oldest and most famous restaurant that has been serving some of the city’s best Nishin soba. Nishin Soba is a local herring fish soba noodle dish with flavored soy sauce broth. One of Kyoto’s specialty cuisines.
Yudofu Sagano – famous for tofu kaiseki in Arasihayama. Enjoy the traditional Japanese garden during your yudofu kaiseki meal.
Kyoto Yakiniku (BBQ) from Hiro Shoten – one of the few best yakiniku barbecue restaurants serving the Wagyu (Japanese beef) BBQ in Kyoto without breaking the bank.
We’ve visited Kyoto many times in different seasons. The cherry blossom trip is one of the most memorable trips for us. Kyoto is covered in a pinky umbrella and you can even smell the sakura in the air. We were spending more money during our cherry blossom trip in April but with no regret.
Best Place for Kyoto Cherry Blossom Viewing (April):
Philosopher’s Walk
Keage Incline
Kyoto Travel Tips: One of the biggest challenges in visiting Kyoto during the Sakura season is finding the best hotel stay in Kyoto. Many rooms were already booked during January to secure their room in April. My sincere advice is to reserve your rooms as early as possible!
During one of our Kyoto trips in April, we took the JR Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto. We arrived in Kyoto in the afternoon and successfully checked into our accommodation near the Kyoto station. Next, we are ready to out for our Kyoto cherry blossom itinerary!
If you are coming to Kyoto during the cherry blossom, don’t forget to visit the Philosopher’s Walk (哲学の道). On a normal day, the Philosopher Walk is only a pedestrian path with cherry trees lined along the canal in Kyoto. But do you know that Philosopher Walk is one of the best spots for hanami viewing during cherry blossom season in Kyoto?
Our Kyoto visit is during early April and it is the best time for cherry blossom. For sure we won’t miss out on this best time to enjoy the amazing stroll along with the sakura canopy. The view was amazingly beautiful with a sakura tree densely lined along the Philosopher’s Path. One of the must-visit in Kyoto during cherry blossom season.
How to get to Philosopher’s Walk: Get off at Ginkakuji or nearby by Kyoto city bus (#5), (#17), (#100) at ¥230 from Kyoto station.
Keage Incline
The Keage incline was a defunct railway track near the Keage station. But it is extremely popular among locals and visitors during the Sakura season. Keage Incline is rated as one of the best Sakura viewing spots in Kyoto. So for sure, we won’t miss out on this opportunity during April.
From Philosopher’s Walk, we took a slow walk toward to Keage incline. Together with Nanzenji, the journey from the Philosopher’s Path to Keage incline is one of the best walking itineraries during cherry blossom. It was a pleasant walk of about 30 minutes with Sakura along the journey.
Unfortunately, the rain started during our halfway. So it took us longer than we expected to get there. When we reached the Keage incline, we were so impressed by the amazing view. The view at the Keage incline was stunning even after rain. It was so fantastic with cherry blossom-lined along the way with an unused track in the middle. Thanks to the rain, it was less crowded at Keage incline. So we can enjoy and take the best shot with Sakura. Worth it even though we were getting wet by the rain. A must-visit during cherry blossom season.
How to get to Keage incline: Take the Tozai subway line to Keage station, exit #1. Alternatively, you can choose to combine your walk with Philosopher’s Walk and Nanzenji Temple. Just like what we did!
From Keage incline, we took the subway from Keage station back to Kyoto station.
Final Tips: Planning Kyoto Itinerary
All in all, I have outlined above suggested 3 Days in Kyoto to explore Kyoto at a slower pace. It is impossible to see all the attractions in one day. Bear in mind that traveling time is required from one to another spot. It is always best to put two to three major sightseeing spots per day. Our recommended Kyoto itinerary travel route takes you through Kyoto’s main sightseeing attractions with ease of transport and follows the district allocation.
What is the must-visit attraction in Kyoto for first-time visitors? It depends on your interests. For first-time visitors, we are highly recommended for Arashiyama, the incredible Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, and the Southern Higashiyama Sightseeing District.
What To Do in Kyoto In 1 Day? If you only have one full day in Kyoto and would like to fully utilize your day for the most stunning and memorable spot. We recommended visiting Kiyomizudera Temple, Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine, and Arashiyama for 1-Day in Kyoto.
Is Kyoto worth visiting? Kyoto should definitely be on your list when planning your trip to Japan. It has the most beautiful shrines and temples with cultural sights and attractions. One of the must-visit destinations when exploring the country.
Overview: Kyoto Travel Guide
Overall, this is how we plan and visit for 3-Days in Kyoto. We really enjoyed and had fun during our visit to Kyoto. There are many things to do and see in Kyoto. From the historical shrine, modern architecture, extraordinary food, and traditional Japanese cuisine.
We hope this simple and easy Kyoto itinerary travel blog will help to plan your Kyoto itinerary in 1, 2, or even 3 days. It’s unlikely that everything will appeal to you, especially in different seasons. Just pick your favorites into your itinerary. You’re just about ready for your trip.
If this sounds like you, this may be your perfect Kyoto itinerary. Happy travel to Kyoto!
Continue to Read on Kansai Japan Travel
Overall our detailed Kyoto journey for 3-Days Kyoto itinerary is listed below:
