✨Ultimate #Kyoto 3-Day Itinerary 🇯🇵 | Kiyomizu-dera, #Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari & #Nishiki Market
We start our journey at Kyoto Station. The iconic Kyoto Tower greets us! We’re taking a taxi straight to the hotel. We’ll quickly check in and then head out for dinner. This is where we’re staying — HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO. Absolutely beautiful — it already feels like a retreat. Check-in done — now we need to hurry to the restaurant as we’re running a bit behind schedule. When visiting Kyoto, indulging in the legendary Kobe Beef is a must. Tonight, we’re dining at one of Japan’s top teppanyaki destinations — Kobe Beef Steak Mouriya Gion (神戸牛ステーキレストラン モーリヤ). Nestled in the heart of Kyoto’s historic Gion district, Mouriya is renowned for its refined atmosphere and certified A5-grade Kobe beef — expertly grilled right before your eyes. Our first Kobe Beef dish: the A5 Kobe Beef Filet. Next up: the A5 Kobe Sirloin. Finally, the Wagyu Filet — another premium beef, buttery and soft with a luxurious texture. Dinner was amazing — we’re absolutely full and satisfied. We’ve just arrived back at HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO. Time to relax and rest before an early start tomorrow. Good morning. Awaiting our taxi for the day’s adventures. Hotel was built on the former site of the Mitsui family residence, over 250 years of history. TIP: To avoid Kyoto’s tourist crowds, visit attractions as early as possible. The streets are nearly empty at this hour. It’s just after 6:15 AM, and we’ve arrived at Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺), one of Kyoto’s most iconic temples, founded in 778. In the early morning stillness, the whole place feels calm, sacred, and almost dreamlike. The view is spectacular, especially in the morning light. The temple’s name means ‘Pure Water Temple,’ deriving from the Otowa Waterfall within the complex. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and famous for its massive wooden stage that overlooks Kyoto’s forested hills. Experiencing Kiyomizu-dera in this tranquil morning light is unforgettable—a moment to pause and reflect. Let’s go explore Kyoto’s historic streets, rich with tradition and charm. This is the Yasaka Shrine — one of Kyoto’s most famous and vibrant shrines, situated at the edge of Gion. Dating back to 656, it’s known for its bright vermilion gates, paper lanterns, and its central role in the Gion Matsuri festival. At this early hour, the shrine is peaceful — a rare, serene moment in a usually bustling locale. Feeling hungry. Time to return to the hotel for breakfast. We’ve chosen the traditional Japanese breakfast. We preordered wagashi (traditional Japanese confections) from Shōgetsu (嘯月), a renowned confectionery shop operating since 1916. Shōgetsu is celebrated for its exquisite, seasonal creations, crafted using time-honored techniques and meticulous attention to detail. We’re in the heart of Kyoto, stepping into the serene world of Kodaiji Wakuden. A kaiseki restaurant renowned for seasonal elegance and Kyoto’s culinary traditions. On the way to Nishiki Market, we cross the Kamo River — one of Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks. A street singer performs in the background, adding to the atmosphere. It’s the perfect place for a peaceful stroll. As we step into Nishiki Market, we enter a world of color, scent, and flavor that’s been a part of Kyoto’s heart for over 400 years. Often called “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” this narrow, bustling street is home to more than 100 shops and stalls each specializing in something deeply local, deeply seasonal, and deeply delicious. There’s so much to see — and taste. From freshly grilled skewers to delicate wagashi sweets, crunchy pickles, and hand-crafted knives, every step brings something new. What makes Nishiki special isn’t just the food — it’s the atmosphere. You can feel the connection between tradition and modern life in every corner. We are going to try this place called, Sawawa. It’s well-known for offering a wide range of matcha-based treats Their matcha warabi mochi is awesome — soft, chewy, and covered in rich green tea powder. It melts in your mouth and gives just the right balance of sweetness and matcha bitterness. A must-try Kyoto treat! At Nishiki Ichiha, we stop for a quick bite. Their custard-filled taiyaki is warm, creamy, and perfectly crispy on the outside. We make a quick stop at Issen Yoshoku, famous for its one-of-a-kind retro vibes and only one item on the menu. A savory okonomiyaki-style dish packed with green onions, egg, and sweet sauce. It’s cheap, tasty, and full of character — just like the shop itself! Here is our next stop. Itoh Kyuemon has been delighting matcha lovers since 1860, and their dedication to authentic Uji matcha flavors really shines through in every cup and dessert. Their tea is grown and harvested in Uji, a region celebrated for producing the finest Japanese green tea. It’s been amazing exploring Kyoto. Now it’s time to wind down, relax, and call it a day. We start the day by visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha, another Kyoto’s most famous and visually stunning shrine. This shrine is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice, agriculture, and prosperity — and it’s visited by millions every year. Foxes are sacred messengers of Inari, so you’ll see lots of fox statues holding keys in their mouths — symbolizing the keys to the rice granaries. The shrine was founded over 1,300 years ago, making it one of Japan’s oldest. The main shrine building is beautiful, but many visitors come here for the hike through the Senbon Torii — that means ‘thousands of torii’. Fushimi Inari is best known for its thousands of vibrant vermilion torii gates, which create mesmerizing tunnels along the mountain trails. These gates aren’t just decorative — each one is donated by individuals or businesses, often as a gesture of thanks for prosperity or good fortune. The trail leads all the way to the summit of Mount Inari, about a 2–3 hour round trip hike if you take your time. Along the way, you’ll find smaller shrines, statues of foxes, and quiet spots perfect for reflecting. After the long hike, we are rewarded with stunning views over Kyoto city below. It’s a peaceful way to experience both nature and spirituality combined. Tucked away in the heart of Kyoto, HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO offers not just luxury, but a true immersion into traditional Japanese beauty — and nowhere is that more evident than in its garden. Designed around the concept of harmony with nature, every detail — from the flowing water to the carefully placed stones — reflects centuries of Kyoto’s refined landscaping tradition. We’re on our way to Tenryu-ji, one of Kyoto’s most important Zen temples, located in the scenic Arashiyama district. Look at the number of tourist! Founded in 1339, Tenryu-ji is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the head temple of the Rinzai Zen school of Buddhism. This temple offers a perfect blend of history, spiritual calm, and breathtaking nature. What you see today is a result of centuries of rebuilding — after fires, wars, and time. The highlight here is the Sogenchi Garden, a masterpiece of landscape design by the legendary garden artist Muso Soseki. It’s one of the oldest surviving Zen gardens in Japan — and it hasn’t changed much in over 600 years. The garden is designed to perfectly frame the natural beauty of the Arashiyama mountains in the background, creating a seamless connection between the temple and the surrounding nature. It’s peaceful, meditative, and timeless. Tenryu-ji also serves as a perfect gateway to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove There’s something surreal about this place. As you walk through, the sound of the wind brushing through the bamboo creates a natural music — calm, rhythmic, and completely mesmerizing. It’s hard to believe this is just a few minutes away from Tenryu-ji. The atmosphere shifts entirely — like stepping into a different world. TIP: If you can, come early in the morning to avoid the crowd. Also, that’s when the light is soft, the path is quieter, and you can truly feel the serenity of this space. Photos don’t do it justice. You really have to be here — to walk slowly, breathe deeply, and just take it all in. The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is more than just a backdrop — it’s an experience. One that captures the quiet beauty and spiritual rhythm of Kyoto. This is Togetsukyo Bridge, one of Arashiyama’s most iconic landmarks. The name means ‘Moon Crossing Bridge’, inspired by the way the moon once appeared to glide over it during the night. Spanning the Katsura River, this bridge has been part of Kyoto’s history for centuries. The current version was built in the 1930s, but the original dates all the way back to the Heian period. We will grab a quick bite to eat here. This is our last stop in Kyoto. Nijo Castle is a place that once echoed with the footsteps of shoguns, and still holds the quiet power of Japan’s feudal past. This castle was built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo period. It’s more than just a fortress — it’s a symbol of power, art, and politics. As our time in Kyoto comes to an end, we’re treating ourselves to a final, unforgettable meal at Toki — a modern Japanese restaurant that blends tradition with creativity. Every dish here is a work of art — delicate, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in Kyoto’s culinary philosophy. As we end our journey here, there’s no better way to say goodbye to Kyoto than with a meal like this — serene, soulful, and unforgettable. Thank you so much for watching. If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment — we’d love to hear your favorite part of the trip.
Join us on an unforgettable 3-day journey through Kyoto, Japan! From iconic temple and shrine like Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari Taisha to delicious Kaiseki meals at Kodaiji Wakuden, this travel vlog video captures it all. We explore early morning historic streets (Sannenzaka → Ninenzaka → Ichinenzaka → Yasaka Pagoda), local Nishiki Market, and even try A5 Kobe beef at Mouriya Gion.
📍 Itinerary Highlights
• Kiyomizu-dera & Yasaka Pagoda at sunrise
• Strolling Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka, and Nishiki Market
• Kaiseki cuisine at Kodaiji Wakuden
• Fushimi Inari’s thousand torii gates
• Tenryu-ji & Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Togetsukyo Bridge
• Kobe Beef dinner
• Local street food spots: Issen Yoshoku & Itoh Kyuemon
• Luxurious stay at HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO
🛏 Hotel: HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO
🍽️ Food Stops: Mouriya Gion, Shogetsu, Kodaiji Wakuden, Issen Yoshoku, Toki
📍 Landmarks: Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, Nijō Castle
📅 Day-by-day itinerary included in the video!
🎥 Shot in 4K | 🕰 Time stamps below
👇 Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:32 Day 1 – Kobe Beef
02:20 Day 2 – Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺)
03:58 Day 2 – Sannenzaka → Ninenzaka → Ichinenzaka → Yasaka Pagoda (八坂神社)
09:15 Day 2 – Kodaiji Wakuden (和久傳)
10:15 Day 2 – Nishiki Market (錦市場)
15:05 Day 3 – Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社)
20:20 Day 3 – Tenryu-ji (天龍寺)
23:00 Day 3 – Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (嵐山竹林の小径)
25:00 Day 3 – Nijō Castle (二条城)
25:40 Day 3 – Dinner at Toki
💬 Comment your favorite Kyoto spot!
👍 Like, 🔔 Subscribe, and 📲 Share with fellow travelers!
#KyotoVlog #JapanTravel #KyotoItinerary #KobeBeef #FushimiInari #Arashiyama #JapaneseFood #LuxuryJapan #KyotoFoodTour #kyoto #food #travel #travelvlog #itinerary #nishikimarket
📅Full Itinerary:
🗓 Day 1 – Arrival & Kobe Beef Dinner
5:30pm – 5:45pm | Check-in: HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO
5:45pm – 6:00pm | Taxi to: Kobe Beef Steak Mouriya Gion
6:00pm – 7:30pm | Dinner at Mouriya Gion (神戸牛ステーキレストラン モーリヤ)
7:30pm – 8:00pm | Back to hotel
🗓 Day 2 – Kyoto & Kaiseki Cuisine
5:30am – 6:00am | Taxi Ride
6:00am – 6:30am | Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺)
6:30am – 7:45am | Sannenzaka → Ninenzaka → Ichinenzaka → Yasaka Pagoda
7:45am – 8:00am | Yasaka Shrine (八坂神社)
8:00am – 8:30am | Return to hotel
8:30am – 9:30am | Breakfast
9:30am – 10:00am | Taxi to Shogetsu
10:00am – 10:30am | Shogetsu (嘯月) treats
10:30am – 11:00am | Back to hotel
11:30am – 12:00pm | Taxi to Kodaiji Wakuden
12:00pm – 1:30pm | Lunch at Kodaiji Wakuden (和久傳)
1:30pm – 2:00pm | Walk
2:00pm – 3:00pm | Nishiki Market (錦市場)
3:15pm – 3:45pm | Issen Yoshoku (壹錢洋食)
4:15pm – 5:00pm | Itoh Kyuemon Gion Shijo / Sabo (伊藤久右衛門)
5:00pm – 5:30pm | Return to hotel
7:30pm – 8:30pm | Onsen experience
🗓 Day 3 – Fushimi Inari & Arashiyama Adventure
5:45am – 6:15am | Taxi Ride
6:15am – 7:45am | Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社)
7:45am – 8:15am | Back to hotel
8:15am – 9:15am | Breakfast
10:00am – 10:30am | Taxi to Tenryu-ji (天龍寺)
10:30am – 11:00am | Tenryu-ji Temple
11:00am – 12:00pm | Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
12:30pm – 12:45pm | Togetsukyō Bridge (渡月橋)
1:00pm – 2:30pm | Lunch at Arashiyama Daizen (嵐山 大善)
2:30pm – 3:00pm | Taxi to Nijō Castle
3:00pm – 3:30pm | Explore Nijō Castle (二条城)
3:45pm – 4:15pm | Back to hotel
5:30pm – 7:00pm | Dinner at Toki
🗓 Day 4 – Departure
3:15am – 3:45am | Check-out
4:00am – 5:30am | Taxi Ride to Kansai International Airport (KIX)
✈️ Thanks for watching!
Music Credits
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Orchestral by Makai Symphony
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