Quick answer

Do Arashiyama's bamboo forest early, see Fushimi Inari in daylight (evening is atmospheric but dark), and walk Gion in the evening. Kyoto is also a good base for Nara and Amanohashidate.

We reached Kyoto by bus from Kanazawa, and our suitcase was already waiting at the hotel thanks to luggage forwarding.

The short version:

  • Arashiyama Bamboo Forest → our first stop in Kyoto.
  • Fushimi Inari → we went in the evening, then came back the next morning to see it properly.
  • Gion → an evening walk after our day trip to Amanohashidate.
  • Kyoto as a base → for Nara and Amanohashidate.

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Tall bamboo on both sides of the path, and the light filtering through. It’s popular and gets busy, so go as early as you can.

Fushimi Inari: go in daylight

Fushimi Inari is famous for its thousands of orange torii gates running up the mountain.

We first went in the evening. It was already dark and fairly late, so we decided to come back the next morning to see it properly.

My advice: evening is atmospheric, but you’ll miss the colours. Go in daylight, ideally early, before the crowds build up.

Gion in the evening

After a long day out to Amanohashidate and Ine, we came back to Kyoto and explored Gion. Old wooden streets and lanterns, and a calmer feel in the evening.

Where we ate

Soniya Indian Nepali Restaurant → good food, okayish ambience, and not a very big place. Reliable for a vegetarian meal.

Kyoto Soniya Indian Nepali Restaurant Good food. Small place with an okayish ambience. Open in Google Maps

Shrines and temples

Kyoto has both shrines and temples, often close together. Fushimi Inari is a Shinto shrine (hence the torii gates). Here’s how to tell them apart.

We didn’t get to these, but they’re on most Kyoto lists:

  • Kiyomizu-dera → a hillside temple with a large wooden stage and city views. Very busy at peak hours.
  • Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) → a gold-covered pavilion reflected in a pond.
  • Tenryu-ji → a Zen temple and garden right next to the bamboo forest in Arashiyama.
  • Nishiki Market → a long covered food market in central Kyoto.
  • Philosopher’s Path → a quiet canal-side walk, especially pretty in spring.

How I’d plan it

  • Arashiyama → early morning.
  • Fushimi Inari → daylight, early.
  • Gion → evening.
  • Keep one day for Nara, and one for Amanohashidate if you have the time.