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Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan

3 days in Kyoto

Golden temples, geisha districts and serene bamboo groves. Here's how to spend 3 days in Kyoto: a realistic day-by-day plan you can copy and tweak. The best time for this 3 days Kyoto trip is April, May and October. Budget roughly $150/person/day before flights.

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Length
3 days
Best time
April, May, October
~Cost/day
$150
Currency
USD
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Your 3 days Kyoto itinerary, day by day

1

Day 1

09:00
Kyoto Prefecture~$5
Kyoto Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of Honshu. It has a population of 2.58 million and has a geographic area of 4,612 square kilometres (1,781 s
12:30
Itsukushima Shrine (Kyoto)
Itsukushima Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, Kyoto, Japan.
16:00
Central market & street-food lunch~$12
Grab lunch where locals do.
2

Day 2

09:00
Agency for Cultural Affairs~$5
The Agency for Cultural Affairs is a special body of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). It was set up in 1968 to promote Japanese
12:30
Kyoto Gyoen National Garden
Kyoto Gyoen National Garden is a 65-hectare national garden of Japan that was established after the Japanese capital was transferred from Kyoto to Tokyo. It is situated around the
16:00
Kyoto International School~$5
Kyoto International School (KIS), formerly Kyoto Christian Day School, is an international school in Kyoto, Japan, founded in 1957. It serves students from 3 to 16 years old. The s
3

Day 3

09:00
Heian Jogakuin University~$5
Heian Jogakuin University also known at St. Agnes' University, is a private women's college with campuses in Kyoto, Kyoto and Takatsuki, Osaka in Japan.
12:30
St. Agnes Cathedral (Kyoto)
St. Agnes Cathedral is a Christian church located in Kyoto, Japan, and is the diocesan cathedral of the Diocese of Kyoto, which comprises all the Anglican-Episcopal churches and ot
16:00
St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Nishijin, Kyoto
The St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church (カトリック西陣聖ヨゼフ教会) is s a parish of the Roman Catholic Church in the Nishijin district of the city of Kyoto. It is the second oldest Catholic Chur

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What 3 days in Kyoto costs

What this trip costs

$936
Flights$45048%
Stay$13514%
Activities$819%
Food$13514%
Local transport$546%
Shopping$364%
Buffer$455%
$312/day

Estimates for planning, so check live prices before you book.

Have more or less time in Kyoto?

2 days in Kyoto 4 days in Kyoto 5 days in Kyoto 1 week in Kyoto Full Kyoto guide

3 days in Kyoto: FAQ

Is 3 days enough for Kyoto?+

3 days is enough to cover the main highlights of Kyoto without rushing the essentials. The plan above balances the must-sees with time to wander.

What should I do on day 1 in Kyoto?+

Start with Kyoto Prefecture, Itsukushima Shrine (Kyoto) and Central market & street-food lunch. The full first day is mapped out above.

How much does 3 days in Kyoto cost?+

Budget around $150 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and activities), before flights, so roughly $450 per person for 3 days. The cost breakdown above splits it by category.

When is the best time to visit Kyoto?+

The best months to visit Kyoto are April, May, October and November, when the weather suits sightseeing best.

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