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
Top rated in Kyoto
powered by
Budget:
    •
      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.
      View on Booking.com
      9.9Booking.com
    •
      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. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 46 km from the accommodation.
      View on Booking.com
      9.9Booking.com
    •
      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.
      View on Booking.com
      9.8Booking.com
    •
      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.
      View on Booking.com
      9.8Booking.com
    •
      Guesthouse Engawa
      Budget-friendly
      Located within 600 metres of Kiyomizu-dera Temple and 1.3 km of Sanjusangen-do Temple, Guesthouse Engawa provides rooms with air conditioning and a shared bathroom in Kyoto. It is situated 1.7 km from Gion Shijo Station and features luggage storage space. This 2-star guest house offers private entrance. The units in the guest house are equipped with a kettle. Featuring a shared bathroom with a shower and slippers, units at the guest house also offer free WiFi, while selected rooms come with a balcony. The units are equipped with heating facilities. Guests can also relax in the garden. Samurai Kembu Kyoto is 2.1 km from the guest house, while Shoren-in Temple is 1.8 km away. Itami Airport is 45 km from the property.
      View on Booking.com
      9.8Booking.com
    •
      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.
      View on Booking.com
      9.8Booking.com
    •
      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.
      View on Booking.com
      9.8Booking.com
    •
      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.
      View on Booking.com
      9.7Booking.com
    •
      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.
      View on Booking.com
      9.7Booking.com
    •
      Guesthouse HANA Nishijin
      Mid-range
      Situated in Kyoto, 300 metres from Kitano Tenmangu Shrine and 3 km from the centre, Guesthouse HANA Nishijin features air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, and a garden. This 3-star guest house offers a shared kitchen and private check-in and check-out. The guest house has family rooms. At the guest house, each unit has a desk. Some accommodation includes a balcony with garden views, a fully equipped kitchenette and a private bathroom with bath. At the guest house, units are fitted with bed linen and towels. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Kinkaku-ji Temple is 1.6 km from the guest house, while Nijo Castle is 2.5 km from the property. Itami Airport is 48 km away.
      View on Booking.com
      9.7Booking.com
    See more on Booking.com

Experiences around Kyoto

Top rated in Kyoto
powered by
Page last updated: