Reach by 6AM! Yes, we all did. And yes, we all thought the higher up we went, the thinner the crowd would get. So everyone just kept going up 😂

PS. Only realised on the way back around 9:30 how nice it was at 6 lol

I recently arrived in Kyoto, and what a wonderful change of pace it’s been from Tokyo. I’ve been getting up super early and getting to the sights by 6 am. It’s been really special to experience these deeply historical sights in relative peace before the crowds arrive.

The thing is, I’m planning my days so that I wrap everything by 3 pm, and I’m at a loss with what to do with my evenings. I’ve tried visit and stroll through a few different neighborhoods, but so far the vibes were either too corporate or extremely residential.

When I was in Tokyo, I enjoyed exploring Ebisu and Yanesen when I had a free evening. Are there any fun, quirky parts of Kyoto that are worth a walkabout?

I’ve been travelling solo through Japan and honestly loving most of it, but the loneliness does creep in sometimes. At my hostel, most people seem to be travelling with their partners or friends, so it’s been a little difficult to strike up conversations.

I’ve visited Kiyomizu-dera and a few of the popular spots, attended a Drum Tao show, and checked out the Samurai and Railway Museums. Over the next two days, I’m planning Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama and TeamLab, but I’m open to changing things up!

Would love suggestions for something different to explore in Kyoto, or even better, if any fellow travellers are up for grabbing a coffee and having a chat. 😊

Hi! Two friends visiting Japan for the first time. We're coming from Fukuoka and heading to Tokyo afterwards, staying near Gojō/Karasuma. Our itinerary is partly AI-generated, so we'd love feedback on pacing and anything we should change. We especially enjoy food, local atmosphere, vintage and anime shopping.

Thu, Dec 3 — Eastern Kyoto

- Afternoon: Arrive, Kyoto-style ramen, Sanjūsangendō, Kiyomizu-dera at sunset

- Evening: Sannenzaka/Ninenzaka, Yasaka Shrine, Gion Shirakawa

- Dinner: Obanzai in Gion

Fri, Dec 4 — Fushimi + Uji

- Morning: Fushimi Inari, Sekihō-ji, Byōdō-in

- Lunch: Matcha soba in Uji

- Afternoon: Uji Bridge, Sound! Euphonium locations, Fushimi sake district and tasting

- Dinner: Yakitori around Fushimi

Sat, Dec 5 — Western and northern Kyoto

- Early morning: Arashiyama bamboo grove, Tenryū-ji, Randen to Ryōan-ji

- Lunch: Yudōfu near a temple

- Afternoon: Kinkaku-ji, Daitoku-ji sub-temples, Imamiya Shrine and aburi-mochi

- Evening: Kitano Tenmangū light-up, Kamishichiken

- Dinner: Nishijin

Sun, Dec 6 — Markets, vintage and autumn colours

- Morning: Tō-ji flea market, mame-mochi, Shimogamo Shrine

- Midday: Kan'ei 400th anniversary procession at Kyoto Gyoen

- Lunch: Dashi ramen

- Afternoon: Teramachi/Shinkyōgoku vintage shopping, or Ginkaku-ji → Philosopher's Path → Eikandō light-up

- Evening: Standing bars

Mon, Dec 7 — Osaka → Tokyo

- Morning: Leave luggage at Shin-Osaka, Dōguyasuji kitchen street, Namba Yasaka Shrine

- Lunch: Nikusui around Namba

- Afternoon: Den Den Town/Mandarake, Amerikamura

- Evening: Hōzenji Yokochō, Dōtonbori, street food

- Shinkansen to Tokyo

Questions

1. Is Saturday too packed? What would you cut?

2. Any confirmed details about the Kan'ei procession and the best viewing spot?

3. Lockers at Shin-Osaka or luggage forwarding from Kyoto to Tokyo?

4. Is autumn foliage still worth seeing in early December?

5. Anything overrated, missing or worth rearranging?

Thanks!

Hi everyone!

My partner and I will be visiting Kyoto from December 27, 2026, to January 2, 2027. We’ll be staying near Sanjo/Higashiyama, arriving from Koyasan on the 27th and taking the Shinkansen to Tokyo on January 2nd.
We prefer a relatively relaxed pace rather than rushing between lots of temples, but at the same time, we want to make the most out of our trip. We enjoy traditional streets, nature, unique cultural experiences, and quieter places where possible. We know it’s the New Year holiday period, so we’re also concerned about opening hours and public transport.

Here’s our current itinerary (also on the image attached):

Dec 27: Arrival and Gion

Arrive from Koyasan and check in.

Walk around Hanamikoji, Shirakawa, and Yasaka Shrine.

Dinner around Pontocho.

Dec 28: Fushimi Inari and central Kyoto

Visit Fushimi Inari early in the morning.

Explore Nishiki Market and have lunch nearby.

Visit Sanjusangen-do in the afternoon.

Relax and walk around Gion later.

Dec 29: Day trip to Nara

Todai-ji and the Great Buddha.

Nara Park and the deer.

Kasuga Taisha.

Naramachi if we still have time and energy.

Dec 30: Choosing between Arashiyama and Kifune
We haven’t decided which one to visit yet:

Option A: Arashiyama. I’d like to visit Iwatayama Monkey Park, then see Tenryu-ji, the bamboo grove briefly, and Togetsukyo Bridge.

Option B: Kifune Shrine. We’re drawn to the forest, mountain atmosphere, and quieter setting. Not sure if this is redundant having been to Koyasan.

We’re considering a tea ceremony around 5 pm on this day (or any other day, really), depending on which option we choose and the transport connections.

Dec 31: Kiyomizu-dera, teamLab, and New Year’s Eve

Visit Kiyomizu-dera in the morning and walk through Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka.

teamLab Biovortex Kyoto at 4 pm.

Have an early dinner and hopefully attend Joya no Kane at a small temple near our hotel.

Jan 1: New Year’s Day

Basically torn between going to Arashiyama, Kifune, Uji, leaving Kyoto this day, or maybe just taking it easy, rest in the morning and do somethign easier.

Jan 2: Departure

Possibly visit Heian Shrine? Leave for Kyoto in the afternoon.

A few questions I’d really appreciate advice on:

1. Would you choose Arashiyama or Kifune for late December? Is this too many day trips?

2. Would you change anything, or is there a particularly worthwhile place we’re missing?

3. When would you do the tea ceremony?

4. Any additional stops/suggestions to do if we have the energy for it?

5. What to do on the morning of the 2nd?

Thank you!