Tips for Making the most of your time in KYOTO

There are so many things to see and do in Kyoto that even two years would not be enough to see everything. One thing a lot of people I meet regret is spending less time in Kyoto than in Tokyo. Although Tokyo is a much larger city, Kyoto probably offers more in cultural and historically important sites. And if you love Japanese gardens, you will need a few days just to see those. If you are staying central to Kyoto, you will likely find temples and shrines right outside the door. There are reportedly 400 temples and 1,100 shrines in the city so you can find many without even opening a map. That said there are quite a few 'must see' sights. Just make sure to go there right at opening time or just before closing to get a bit of breathing room. One thing is for sure, you will want to pack comfortable shoes because you will be doing a lot of walking! See our tips for getting the most out of a short trip with our two day itineraries below.