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Walk through vermillion torii gates at Fushimi Inari, get lost in Arashiyama's bamboo forest, and witness the grace of geiko in Gion.
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Start early at Fushimi Inari Shrine (6 AM is magical — virtually no crowds). Walk through the 10,000 vermillion torii gates up Mt. Inari. Afternoon at Kiyomizu-dera (iconic wooden stage with panoramic views). Walk down through the charming streets of Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka. Evening stroll through Gion to spot geisha.
Morning at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (arrive before 8 AM). Visit the stunning Tenryu-ji Temple garden. Cross the Togetsukyo Bridge. Afternoon: head north to Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) — the gold-leaf covered temple reflecting in its mirror pond. End at Ryoan-ji for its famous zen rock garden.
Morning day trip to Nara (45 min by train). Meet the friendly bowing deer and see the massive Todai-ji Temple housing a 15m bronze Buddha. Return to Kyoto and visit Philosopher's Path — a gorgeous canal-side walk lined with cherry trees. End at the stunning Tofuku-ji Temple (spectacular in autumn).
$40-70/day
Hostels, temple entry (¥400-600), konbini meals, bus pass
$100-180/day
Business hotel/ryokan, restaurants, tea ceremony, taxi
$300+/day
Traditional ryokan, kaiseki dinner, private geisha experience
A minimum of 2 days covers the main highlights, but 3-4 days is ideal to explore at a relaxed pace, including day trips to Nara or Uji. Kyoto has over 2,000 temples and 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The fastest option is the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station — just 2 hours 15 minutes on the Nozomi (¥13,320 one-way). Budget alternative: overnight highway bus (¥3,000-5,000, 7-8 hours).
Cherry blossoms in Kyoto typically bloom between late March and mid-April. The peak (mankai) usually occurs around April 1-7, but this varies each year. Popular viewing spots include Maruyama Park, Philosopher's Path, and Arashiyama.
Yes! The Gion district is the best place to spot geisha (called geiko in Kyoto) and maiko (apprentice geisha) around 5:30-6:00 PM when they walk to evening engagements. Please be respectful — don't chase or grab them for photos.
Absolutely! Kyoto in autumn (mid-November to early December) is arguably even more beautiful than cherry blossom season. The maple leaves create stunning red and orange canopies at temples like Tofuku-ji, Eikando, and Kiyomizu-dera.
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