Higashiyama Half Day

The following is a suggested half day walk for medium paced travelers through Kyoto's best historic districts, Higashiyama and Gion, including a visit to Kiyomizudera Temple. This itinerary can be extended to a full day plan with one or more additions.

Start
Start at Kiyomizudera Temple
Kiyomizudera
Temple with an iconic wooden stage 60 minutes
Visit Kiyomizudera early in the day, if possible, as it tends to be less crowded in the mornings.
Walk
10 minutes
Higashiyama District
Winding streets lined with traditional shophouses 60 minutes
Head down the Sannenzaka stairs onto the shopping streets below. Explore the historic shopping streets of the Higashiyama District. Continue past the Ninenzaka steps towards Kodaiji.
Walk
10 minutes
Kodaiji Temple
Zen temple with impressive gardens 45 minutes
Explore Kodaiji and surroundings
Walk
10 minutes
Kenninji Temple
Kyoto's oldest Zen temple 45 minutes
View the temple grounds of Kenninji.
Walk
5 minutes
Gion
Traditional neighborhood 60 minutes
Explore the old neighborhood along Gion's Hanami-koji street. Cross Shijo Avenue and continue exploring Gion's quieter Shirakawa canal district. Afterwards consider dinner in Gion or Pontocho.
Finish

Recommended Additions

  • Kyoto Half Day Itineraries
    This itinerary can be combined with one of our other suggested Kyoto itineraries to make a full day plan, for example our Philosopher's Path Half Day itinerary.
  • Nishiki Market
    Nishiki Market is a friendly market to explore and try some Japanese food, but beware that most of the shops along the market open relatively late in the morning and close by early evening.
  • Dinner along Pontocho
    Pontocho is one of Kyoto's more atmospheric dining streets, especially during the summer months when many of the restaurants build open air decks for riverside dining. Most restaurants open around 17:00.
  • Dinner in Gion
    Gion is a wonderful, if not pricey, place to experience Kyoto cuisine. Some of the city's most exclusive restaurants can be found in Gion, but there are also plenty of moderately priced establishments.
  • Fushimi Inari Shrine
    Fushimi Inari Shrine intrigues visitors with its thousands of vermilion torii gates. It can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to explore depending on how far you want to walk through the tunnels of torii gates that lead up the mountain behind the shrine.
  • Shopping
    The Higashiyama District is a popular shopping area that has been serving travelers and temple visitors for centuries. There is a large variety of stores selling Kyoto specialties, food, clothes and souvenirs. Or for more modern shopping, check out the boutiques, department stores and shopping arcades along Shijo Avenue.

Questions? Ask in our forum.

Hotels around Kyoto

Read our Kyoto Hotel Guide
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      Ryokan Tori
      Mid-range
      Ryokan Tori is located in Kyoto, 2 km from Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. The property is around 2.3 km from Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace. The property is 3.2 km from Kinkaku-ji Temple and 3.7 km from Kyoto International Manga Museum. All guest rooms in the ryokan are fitted with a kettle. Each room has a shared bathroom, while selected rooms are fitted with a balcony and others also offer a garden view. All rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Guests at tori can enjoy an Asian breakfast. Heian Shrine is 5 km from the accommodation. Itami Airport is 50 km from the property.
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      Ryokan Mugen (Adult Only)
      Luxury
      Mugen is a property that was built 160 years ago, situated in Kyoto, 1 km from Nijo Castle. Every room at Mugen features an en suite shower room, toilet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. Free WiFi is available throughout the entire property. You will find a shared lounge on site and a bar at the annex building. The ryokan also offers bike hire. Imperial Palace is 1.1 km from Mugen, while Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is 1.6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Osaka Itami Airport, 39 km from the property.
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      Guesthouse KYOTO COMPASS
      Budget-friendly
      Located in Kyoto, this traditional Japanese guest house features free Wi-Fi and a free public computer. Shichijo Onmae bus stop is 3 minutesf walk away. A seating area and shared bathroom are provided with each room at Guesthouse KYOTO COMPASS. Free toiletries are provided and blankets are available upon request. Select rooms have a garden view. A shared living area and bicycles are available for guestsf use during their stay at this Kyoto Guesthouse Compass. Access to the shared kitchen is available upon request. The guest house is 4.5 km from Imperial Palace and 2.2 km from Kyoto Station. Nijo Castle and Toji Castle are within a 30 minutesf bus ride away.
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      Yado Kiramachi
      Luxury
      Yado Kiramachi offers accommodation set 600 metres from the centre of Kyoto and provides a garden and a terrace. The air-conditioned accommodation is 600 metres from Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall. The ryokan features family rooms. The units at the ryokan come with a seating area. The units have a coffee machine, a private bathroom and free WiFi, while selected rooms will provide you with a balcony and some have garden views. At the ryokan, all units include bed linen and towels. A bar can be found on-site. Kyoto International Manga Museum is 1.3 km from the ryokan, while Gion Shijo Station is 1.6 km away. Itami Airport is 45 km from the property.
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      Mitsuki Kyoto
      Budget-friendly
      Set in Kyoto, 600 metres from Kyoto International Manga Museum and 1.4 km from the centre, Mitsuki Kyoto offers air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, and a garden. This 2-star ryokan offers full-day security and luggage storage space. The accommodation provides a concierge service and a housekeeping service for guests. The units in the ryokan are equipped with a kettle. There is a private bathroom with bidet in every unit, along with slippers, a hair dryer and free toiletries. At the ryokan, the units are equipped with bed linen and towels. The ryokan serves a vegetarian and vegan breakfast and breakfast in the room is also available. A bar can be found on-site. Nijo Castle is 1.1 km from Mitsuki Kyoto, while Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall is 1.8 km away. Itami Airport is 46 km from the property.
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      Kyo-Anthu Inn
      Mid-range
      Located in Kyoto and within 500 metres of Sanjusangen-do Temple, Kyo-Anthu Inn features a garden, soundproof rooms, and free WiFi. It is set 1.3 km from TKP Garden City Kyoto and provides full-day security. The guest house has family rooms. The guest house will provide guests with air-conditioned units offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Some units also have a well-fitted kitchenette equipped with a microwave and a toaster. At the guest house, all units come with bed linen and towels. Guests at the guest house can enjoy a continental breakfast, and breakfast in the room is also available. Popular points of interest near Kyo-Anthu Inn include Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto Station and Gion Shijo Station. Itami Airport is 44 km away.
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    •
      Hotel Muso
      Mid-range
      Well located in the centre of Kyoto, Hotel Muso provides 3-star accommodation close to Gion Shijo Station and Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall. The property is around 1.8 km from TKP Garden City Kyoto, 2 km from Kyoto International Manga Museum and 2.7 km from Kyoto Station. Providing free WiFi throughout the property, the non-smoking hotel features a hot tub. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Each room has a kettle, while selected rooms come with a kitchen with a microwave, a minibar and a stovetop. Popular points of interest near Hotel Muso include Sanjusangen-do Temple, Samurai Kembu Kyoto and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Itami Airport is 45 km away.
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      Marufukuro
      Luxury
      Marufukuro features free bikes, fitness centre, a garden and shared lounge in Kyoto. Featuring a 24-hour front desk, this property also has a restaurant and a terrace. The property is 1 km from Sanjusangen-do Temple, and within 2.1 km of the city centre. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Selected rooms are equipped with a kitchen with a microwave. Guest rooms include a wardrobe. An American, Asian or vegetarian breakfast is available at the property. Spa and wellness facilities are at guests' disposal during their stay at Marufukuro, including a spa centre and on-request massage treatments. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include TKP Garden City Kyoto, Gion Shijo Station and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Itami Airport is 44 km away.
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      Gallery Nozawa Inn
      Budget-friendly
      Gallery Nozawa Inn offers accommodation in Kyoto, 25 minutes on foot from JR Kyoto Station. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. Every room includes a flat-screen TV and air conditioning. Each room is equipped with a private toilet, and bathrooms are shared. For your comfort, you will find free toiletries and a hairdryer. There is luggage storage space at the property. Guests can sample Japanese-style breakfast featuring seasonal ingredients. There is a public bathhouse located a 10-minute walk away. Nijo Castle is 2.4 km from Gallery Nozawa Inn, while Kyoto International Manga Museum is 2.4 km from the property. Osaka Itami Airport is 36 km away.
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      Toshiharu Ryokan
      Luxury
      Built in the Meiji era and registered as a cultural asset, Toshiharu Ryokan offers traditional accommodation just a 3-minute walk from Gojo Station and 1 subway stop from JR Kyoto Train Station. Massages are available. Guests at Ryokan Toshiharu sleep in Japanese futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor, and have air conditioning. Green tea and a Yukata robe are provided, and some rooms look out on a small garden. The ryokan is 1 km from Higashi Hongan-ji Temple and about a 15-minute walk from Gojo-Ohashi Bridge and the Kamogawa River. Daimaru Department Store is 900 metres away. Although shared, baths are reserved and then used privately in turns. For breakfast, guests can choose to savour a Japanese served at an additional charge.
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Kyoto Restaurants

Recommended in Kyoto
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      Sushi Hayashi
      Sushi
      Awarded One Star in 2024 - A unique sushi restaurant that blends traditional Edomae (Tokyo-style) sushi with Kyoto-style sushi, such as mackerel sushi and steamed sushi, in its courses. The head chef, who trained as a sushi artisan in Switzerland, carefully selects Swiss wines, making them a perfect pairing to enjoy with the meal.
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    • Noguchi Tsunagu
      Japanese (Kaiseki)
      Awarded One Star in 2024 - The sister restaurant of the highly exclusive Japanese cuisine establishment, Kyotenjin Noguchi. While maintaining the culinary essence of the main branch, this kappo-style restaurant incorporates ingredients from the chef’s hometown in the Goto Islands. Its signature dish, Nikusui, is a masterpiece made from carefully prepared, top-quality A5-grade sirloin.
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    • Kamoryori Tabuchi
      Duck dishes
      Within a historic wooden house over 100 years old, savor exquisite dishes crafted with the finest premium brand duck, Kawachi Duck. Raised on feed free from pesticides and delivered fresh every morning, Kawachi Duck is so fresh it can even be enjoyed raw. Indulge in a superb multi-course duck cuisine experience that only a specialty restaurant can offer.
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    • Enyuan Kobayashi
      Tempura
      Awarded One Star in 2024 - Under the skillful craftsmanship of a master chef trained at renowned establishments, this restaurant offers tempura that highlights seasonal ingredients, including richly sweet tiger prawns and their signature sea urchin wrapped in seaweed. Mid-course, the menu also features exquisite simmered dishes and sashimi.
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    • Sushi Rakumi
      Sushi
      Awarded One Star in 2024 - You can savor a creative omakase course that combines refined Japanese cuisine with Edomae sushi, crafted by a highly skilled chef who trained at Japanese restaurants and sushi establishments that have earned three stars. Ingredients are primarily sourced from Kyoto Central Market, with seasonal, high-quality ingredients also procured from Tokyo's Toyosu Market and Yaizu Market in Shizuoka.
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    • Kanamean Nishitomiya
      Japanese (Kaiseki)
      Awarded One Star in 2024 - Sophisticated kaiseki cuisine experienced at a ryokan. Combining tuna with caviar or pairing soba noodles with truffles, the dishes showcase a creative approach that explores unique combinations and flavors. The only establishment in Kyoto affiliated with Relais & Chateaux, where the owner and proprietress draw on their experiences gained abroad to collaborate with chefs in crafting the menu.
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    • Vena
      Italian
      Awarded One Star in 2024 - A restaurant founded by a chef and sommelier born and raised in Kyoto, built on the concept of carefully selected seasonal ingredients and aged Italian wines. In an elegant space adorned with Scandinavian vintage furniture, guests can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine crafted with an abundance of seasonal ingredients unique to each time of year.
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    • Torisho Sai
      Yakitori
      A newly spotlighted restaurant opened in 2024, part of the group of Yakitori Ichimatsu, one of Japan's most renowned yakitori establishments. Housed in a stylishly renovated traditional Japanese home, the restaurant serves yakitori made with Akita’s "Hinai Jidori," one of Japan’s top three premium chicken breeds, aged for about three days to enhance its flavor.
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    • Nakatsuka
      Innovative
      Awarded One Star in 2024 - A one-of-a-kind restaurant where you can enjoy innovative cuisine crafted by the highly skilled Chef Mr. Nakatsuka, who honed his expertise at domestic and international three-star and two-star establishments. The restaurant is themed around "aroma" and features an open kitchen, designed to share the scents of the cooking process with its guests.
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    • Miyawaki
      Japanese (Kaiseki)
      A restaurant with a unique concept of offering traditional Kyoto cuisine in Tokyo, blending authentic techniques with innovative approaches. It is also known for attracting numerous prominent figures from various fields, including renowned Japanese music producers and soccer players.
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Experiences around Kyoto

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      Private Stay at World Heritage Site Ninna-ji With Special Tour and Bewitching Light-Up
      Experience Ninna-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with deep links to the imperial family, like no other through an overnight stay inside the grounds. During a special private tour led by one of its monks, enter some of the oldest surviving temple buildings in all of Japan, such as the Great Hall (a National Treasure), which is normally closed to the public. Then, the grounds are yours for the night - after the sun sets, explore the lit-up grounds and take advantage of the lovingly curated accommodation, a former temple samurai residence (dinner also available as an optional add-on). Finally, refresh yourself by joining the monksf morning service and Dharma sermon, as well as drawing rock patterns.
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      Kiyomizu Ware Pottery Experience at a Century-Old Kiln in Kyoto
      Based in Kyoto, the reputable Shoukoku Kiln, which was established more than 100 years ago, creates exquisite ceramic tableware that high-end ryotei restaurants use for kappo fine-dining cuisine. At this prestigious kiln that preserves tradition while constantly seeking innovation, discover the secrets to long-lasting, high-quality ceramics as you hand-build or paint pottery under the guidance of a skilled artisan who has mastered the art of Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki ceramic ware.
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      Learn the Art of Karesansui Dry-Garden Raking from a Kyoto Master
      Kyotofs Sagano-Arashiyama district is an iconic landmark, beloved by visitors from all over Japan and the world for its harmony of rich natural scenery and historic architecture. Here, the cultural property garden restoration and maintenance organization Sone Zoen – responsible for designing and managing the gardens of famous shrines and temples across Kyoto – runs the gHoganh facility, which offers visitors the chance to experience authentic Zen sand raking in a traditional Japanese house and garden. Find inner tranquility as you contemplate the gardenfs beauty, before experiencing the spirit of Zen and the historic tradition of karesansui dry gardening through sand-raking with a master.
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      Maiko Tea and Entertainment with Behind-the-Scenes Insights at Kyotofs Oldest Geisha District
      Gain valuable insights into Kyotofs historic geisha culture at Umeno, a traditional ochaya banquet house in Kamishichiken, the oldest of Kyotofs five geisha districts. Although ochaya generally turn away new customers, Umenofs proprietress-to-be invites you to watch a maikofs (apprentice geisha) elegant dance and learn about her culture. Then, chat with them over sweets and matcha tea personally prepared by the maiko. After trying a traditional party game and snapping some pictures, hear about Umenofs sustainable practices and enter the dressing room used by its maiko, an extremely rare chance to go behind the scenes.
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      Tea Plantation Tour and Organic Green Tea Tasting in the Birthplace of Japanese Green Tea, Kyoto
      Founded in 1658 in the Kyoto town of Ujitawara – the birthplace of Japanese green tea – the Kaki-i plantation grows tea completely without the use of pesticides. In this experience, visitors can join the 21st generation head of the plantation to tour its fields and see historical sites associated with Soen Nagatani, who first developed the Japanese green tea enjoyed around the world today. If your seasonal timing is right, you can also observe the tea harvest or the processing of the leaf. Finally, enjoy a comparative tasting of 3 to 4 of Kaki-ifs organic teas in a 150-year-old traditional Japanese home, and learn how best to enjoy each.
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