Kyoto City Classic One Day Sightseeing Course

If you are visiting Kyoto for the first time, you will want to cover the must see classics. This course is a classic plan that takes in the golden Kinkakuji, the World Heritage Nijo Castle, and the sights around Kyoto Station all in one day. By making good use of buses and the subway, you can move efficiently between sights scattered across the city. There is relatively little walking, so it suits travelers who are not confident in their stamina, as well as families. It is a day packed with the representative beauty of Kyoto.

Course Route

1. 9:00 Start at Kyoto Station　Buy a one day bus and subway pass and set off. Head first to Kinkakuji in the northwest. 2. 9:40 Visit Kinkakuji　A World Heritage temple whose golden pavilion is beautifully mirrored in the pond. The view across Kyokochi pond is one of Kyoto signature scenes. 3. 11:00 Move to and tour Nijo Castle　A castle tied to the Tokugawa family. The nightingale floors that squeak to signal movement and the magnificent wall paintings are the highlights. 4. 12:30 Lunch from Nijo Castle to the city center　Rest with Kyoto cuisine or obanzai home style dishes. 5. 14:00 Head toward Kyoto Station and visit Sanjusangendo　A hall lined with a thousand statues of Kannon, an overwhelming and solemn space. 6. 15:30 Stroll around Kyoto Station　Visit the station building views and Higashi Honganji, and choose souvenirs. 7. 16:30 Finish at Kyoto Station　Enjoy the dining and souvenir shops inside the station to end the course.

Highlights

- The graceful golden form of Kinkakuji reflected in Kyokochi pond - The nightingale floors of Nijo Castle and its lavish wall paintings - The power of a thousand Kannon statues lined up in Sanjusangendo - The futuristic architecture of the Kyoto Station building and the city view from its roof - An efficient classic route covered by bus and subway

Access and Tips

- To Kinkakuji, take city bus route 205 and others from Kyoto Station for about 40 minutes, getting off right at Kinkakuji-michi. - Because you use buses and the subway many times in a day, a one day bus and subway pass is cheaper and convenient. - Tour Kinkakuji and Nijo Castle in the morning and save the busy Kyoto Station area for later to keep things flowing smoothly. - Nijo Castle is right by Nijojo-mae Station on the Tozai subway line. Combining bus and subway speeds up your travel. - Many sites close their gates by early evening, so try to start early.

A Quick Tip

The classic sights are very popular, and Kinkakuji and Nijo Castle in particular get crowded around midday. Aiming for Kinkakuji first thing lets you take relaxed photos and start the day pleasantly. Buses can be caught in traffic at certain hours, so using the subway as well makes timing more predictable and keeps you on schedule.