What you'll do
Day 1
You've arrived in Kyoto! I would highly suggest you base yourself in the Good Nature Hotel Kyoto because it truly has it all: spacious rooms, a great location as well as vegan food. Drop off your luggage and start exploring!
Good Nature Hotel Kyoto
hotel
Vegan and sustainable hotel in Kyoto
I stayed at Good Nature Hotel Kyoto with friends and it is a fantastic place to stay if you're visiting Kyoto! It has a super central location, you can basically walk anywhere! Restaurants, shopping and sightseeing are plenty nearby. The best part was how spacious and comfortable the rooms were, we had plenty of space in a -person room.
The hotel offers vegan breakfast as well as dinner, but we did not try it as it was pretty expensive (4000-6000 for dinner). If you try it I would love to hear your feedback!
I highly recommend to make your way to Gion early in the morning - from Good Nature Hotel Kyoto where I stayed at it's only a short 5-10min walk. Grab a coffee, pass by the traditional Tatsumi bridge for that perfect IG photo and soak up the authentic atmosphere of the Gion district. I absolutely love to wander around here, enjoy the blossoms in spring and people watch. Gion is also great to wander around at night when the cherry blossoms are illuminated!
Gion Tatsumi Bridge
photospot
Memoirs of a Geisha bridge
Gion Tatsumi Bridge is by no means a hidden gem, but it is my favourite photo spot in Kyoto for cherry blossom season!
I just love how you get the traditional Kyoto architecture with the beautiful cherry blossom trees.
Located over the Shirakawa canal, this bridge offers a picturesque view of the surrounding area, especially when the lanterns light up at night. I highly recommend to get here super early when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom - or you could try lunch time, which is when I managed to get these pictures! (I only had a 30 second window of no people though 😅)
If you get hungry, I highly recommend to grab a pastry or a sandwich on the way from Sizuya. You could visit Yasaka Shrine as the café is just next to it, however, I highly recommend to come back here in the evening.
From here, it takes about 10-12mins to walk to the famous quarters of Ninenzaka as well as Sannenzaka. If you want to take pictures, you might want to head here as early as possible (around 5am honestly) and/or stay at Saka Hotel Kyoto for prime access to the area. I personally have seen this same shot so much that I did not bother to get this shot myself. There is a lot to explore in this area, so I recommend to really take your time to walk around, check out the shops, visit one of the many temples or shrines in this area, grab lunch or a snack and just overall don't rush it too much. You can find some of my highlights further down on this day but my main tip would be to take your time!
Saka Hotel Kyoto
hotel
Best location in Kyoto
Saka Hotel Kyoto has one of the best locations in Kyoto if your main goal is to hit all the iconic sights of Kyoto! Just around the corner of Ninenzaka and Kiyomizudera, you are right in the middle of it. Beds are super comfortable while the rooms are a mix of traditional and modern Japanese design.
For an additional fee of 4000¥ you can book their private onsen that you can also use if you have tattoos!
Ninenzaka
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Iconic street in Kyoto
Possibly the most famous street in all of a Kyoto! Prepare to get here at 5am if you hope of getting an empty shot with the pagoda in the back (as you can see on the picture, I was not in the mood for that early wake-up call.) Make sure to visit the famous traditional Starbucks here and buy some souvenirs in the small shops.
A myth tells that if you slip and fall on Ninenzaka, you will be dead in 2 years, so tread very carefully!
Ninenzaka photo location
Sightseeing
Traditional charm in Kyoto streets
Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka are perfect for capturing that classic Japanese vibe!
Lined with charming wooden houses, souvenir shops, and cozy cafes, the traditional streets in Higashiyama offer a glimpse into old-world Japan.
Getting hungry? Okutan Kiyomizu is the oldest tofu restaurant in Kyoto and an absolutely stunning tranquil retreat from the busy streets of Ninenzaka. The perfect spot to recharge and enjoy a vegan lunch!
Okutan Kiyomizu
restaurant
Oldest tofu restaurant in Kyoto
Okutan Kiyomizu is the oldest and definitely most authentic tofu restaurant located in the Gion, Kiyomizu-dera and the best part? All dishes are vegan!
It offers a cozy and comfortable atmosphere with tatami seating and beautiful views making you feel like you are sitting in a Zen Garden.
With its beautiful scenery and secluded location, Okutan Kiyomizu is a hidden gem absolutely worth checking out on your next Kyoto trip.
If you're a Ghibli fan, you do not want to miss the Ghibli Store here - it is the prettiest most detailed store I have seen so far! Walk through Totoro's forest before you reach the actual store, I really loved this one so much.
Ghibli Studios Shop Kyoto
shop
Cutest Ghibli shop
Donguri is the official Ghibli merchandise shop in Kyoto and definitely my favorite out of all the Ghibli stores I have visited so far. The level of detail is incredible with different themed corners, a walk through Totoro forest and some merchandise I haven't seen in other stores! This is definitely worth a visit even just to see the decorations as they really went all out on this one!
Another thing that is pretty easy to miss while walking through Ninenzaka is Yasaka Koshin Shrine which is so so fun! It is small, and a popular spots for taking pictures, but you should make sure to see it when you are in the area. Write a wish on one of the colorful cloths!
Yasaka Kōshin-dō Temple
Sightseeing
Kyoto’s tiny, colorful temple
One of the most fun temples you'll ever see! 🌈 Balls of bright fabric called kukurizaru are this temple’s main attraction. They hang everywhere, even on numerous garlands inside the temple, and create gorgeous, colorful walls.
The kukurizaru replace the ema (the classical wooden tablets on which wishes are written) While this temple is small, it is very popular due to its unqiue features and location just off of Kiyomizudera, so you're rarely alone here.
Cafe & Bar Maru ＠恵花 Gluten free
bar
Cozy gluten-free bar in Kyoto
Cafe & Bar Maru ＠恵花 is a cozy gluten-free bar in Kyoto that offers a unique dining experience. With a dedicated gluten-free menu, this spot is perfect for those with dietary restrictions or looking to try something new. There are also vegan options to choose from! I found the food super delicious and this spot is definitely waiting to be discovered yet!
In the evening, after dinner, I recommend to return to Yasaka Shrine. This shrine truly comes alive at night for me when the plethora of lanterns are lit. The best part - it is pretty much completely empty at night! I loved enjoying this shrine all to myself with the serene atmosphere at night.
Yasaka Jinja
Sightseeing
Shinto shrine in Kyoto
One of my favorite shrines in Kyoto! ⛩️ I highly recommend to ignore this shrine during the day and head here at night! We went around 9pm. This shrine is absolutely beautiful lit up at night and without the masses during the day!
If you're up for grabbing a drink, RUTUBO is an amazing cute little bar that we found in Gion! We loved the decorations outside and popped in. Staff was super friendly, the snacks were amazing and drinks generous. Overall, one of my favorite bars for a relaxed atmosphere.
RUTUBO
bar
Hidden gem izakaya
My favourite izakaya in Gion that has it all - cosy eclectic atmosphere, tasty food and all the good drinks! I found this by chance one evening, went inside and had such a good time! The inside is very unique and there are some vegetarian and vegan options available on the menu. This izakaya is more like a bar and super laid back so you can spend some relaxed hours here.