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Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan

5 days in Kyoto

Golden temples, geisha districts and serene bamboo groves. Here's how to spend 5 days in Kyoto: a realistic day-by-day plan you can copy and tweak. The best time for this 5 days Kyoto trip is April, May and October. Budget roughly $150/person/day before flights.

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Length
5 days
Best time
April, May, October
~Cost/day
$150
Currency
USD
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Your 5 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
4

Day 4

09:00
Kinmon incident~$5
The Kinmon incident , also known as the Hamaguri Gate Rebellion , was a rebellion against the Tokugawa shogunate in Japan that took place on 20 August [lunar calendar: 19th day, 7t
12:30
Marutamachi Station~$5
Marutamachi Station is a train station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line in Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan.
16:00
Jurakudai~$18
The Jurakudai or Jurakutei (聚樂第/聚楽第) was a palace constructed at the order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in Kyoto, Japan.
5

Day 5

09:00
Seimei Shrine
Seimei Shrine is a Shinto shrine that is located in Kyoto, Japan. It is dedicated to the onmyōji Abe no Seimei.
12:30
Revolt of Ashikaga Yoshiaki~$5
The Revolt of Ashikaga Yoshiaki or better known as Nobunaga Encirclement (信長包囲網) took place in 1573 and was led by Ashikaga Yoshiaki, the 15th Shogun of Japan and its last Shogun f
16:00
Sentō Imperial Palace~$18
In Japan, the Sentō Imperial Palace traditionally does not refer to a single location, but to any residence of retired emperors. Before Emperor Akihito abdicated in 2019, the last

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What 5 days in Kyoto costs

What this trip costs

$1,305
Flights$45034%
Stay$27021%
Activities$13510%
Food$22517%
Local transport$907%
Shopping$605%
Buffer$756%
$261/day

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

Have more or less time in Kyoto?

2 days in Kyoto 3 days in Kyoto 4 days in Kyoto 1 week in Kyoto Full Kyoto guide

5 days in Kyoto: FAQ

Is 5 days enough for Kyoto?+

5 days is a comfortable amount of time to explore Kyoto, with room for day trips and a slower pace. 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 5 days in Kyoto cost?+

Budget around $150 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and activities), before flights, so roughly $750 per person for 5 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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