Higashiyama Half Day to One Day Model Course

Higashiyama, one of Kyoto leading sightseeing areas, runs from Kiyomizudera down to Gion along stone slopes lined with old townscapes, making it a delight to explore on foot. Temples, machiya townhouses and sweet shops are packed close together, so even half a day is rewarding, while a full day lets you savor it at leisure. Because there are many slopes, starting at Kiyomizudera lets you head naturally downhill. Take a relaxed walk through scenery that feels truly like Kyoto.

Course Route

1. 10:00 Visit Kiyomizudera　From Kyoto Station, take city bus route 86 or 206 and get off at Kiyomizu-michi, then walk about 10 minutes up the slope. Admission is about 500 yen, the gate opens early at 6 am, and it is emptiest in the early morning. The view of the city and mountains from its wooden stage is breathtaking. 2. 11:00 Walk down Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka　Charming stone slopes lined with townhouses and souvenir shops. The walk is free, so wander down slowly, stopping along the way. 3. 11:40 See the Yasaka Pagoda (Hokanji)　A five story pagoda rising at the end of a lane. Viewing it from outside is free and it is a popular spot for a classic Higashiyama photo (interior viewing is limited by hours and conditions). 4. 12:00 Lunch in the Higashiyama area　Rest with yuba, Kyoto cuisine or a machiya cafe. 5. 13:30 Drop by Kodaiji and Entokuin　Temples connected to Nene, with admission of 800 yen for Kodaiji and 500 yen for Entokuin (or 1,200 yen for the two-temple combination ticket), beautiful gardens and a quiet atmosphere. If you have time, a combined ticket with Entokuin is handy. 6. 14:30 Walk Nene no Michi to Yasaka Shrine　Pass along the stone path and pray at Yasaka Shrine, long loved as the guardian shrine of Gion. Visiting the grounds is free. 7. 15:30 Stroll Gion and Hanamikoji　Walk the atmospheric street lined with teahouses and townhouses to feel the spirit of Kyoto. Much of it is private property, so be mindful of photography manners. 8. 16:30 Rest on Shijo Street　Enjoy sweets and souvenirs to round off the course.

Highlights

• The sweeping panorama of Kyoto city from the stage of Kiyomizudera
• The old townscape of machiya houses along Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka
• The symbolic figure of the Yasaka Pagoda rising at the end of a lane
• The calm walking paths around Nene no Michi and Kodaiji
• The distinctive mood of Hanamikoji in Gion, lined with teahouses

Access and Tips

• From Kyoto Station, take city bus route 86 or 206 to Kiyomizu-michi or Gojozaka, then walk about 10 minutes. When buses are crowded, consider a taxi.
• If you use buses and the subway many times in the city, the Subway and Bus One Day Pass (1,100 yen for adults) is handy. The former Bus One Day Pass ended use at the end of March 2024.
• Kiyomizudera opens early at 6 am, and earlier hours are emptier and make the slopes easier to photograph.
• Starting at Kiyomizudera lets you head downhill, which is easier on your legs. The total walk is about two to three kilometers, and with many slopes and stone paths, comfortable shoes are best.
• For a half day, go from Kiyomizudera to Yasaka Shrine. For a full day, extend into Gion and the nearby temples.

Practical Travel Notes

• Rough total time　The half day plan from Kiyomizudera to Yasaka Shrine takes about three to four hours, while the full day plan including Gion and Hanamikoji runs about six to seven hours. This area is toured almost entirely on foot.
• Best season and start time　The cherry blossoms of spring and the autumn leaves are especially popular, but that also brings intense crowds. In any season, an early start near the Kiyomizudera opening at 6 am is most comfortable.
• Avoiding crowds　Higashiyama is among the most crowded areas in Kyoto. Visiting Kiyomizudera early in the morning and working down toward Gion in the afternoon helps you avoid the throngs.
• Budget sense (rough figures)　Kiyomizudera 500 yen plus Kodaiji 800 yen puts total admission around 1,300 yen. Yasaka Shrine, viewing the pagoda from outside, Nene no Michi and Hanamikoji are all free to walk (all rough estimates within what could be confirmed).
• Rainy day or stamina friendly tweaks　Stone slopes get slippery in rain, so on wet days wear good shoes and allow extra time. If the slopes are hard, keep Kiyomizudera short and center on the downhill from Ninenzaka to Yasaka Shrine. In the evening Gion lights up for a different mood.

A Quick Tip

Higashiyama is a very crowded area. To avoid the crowds, visit Kiyomizudera early in the morning and work your way down toward Gion in the afternoon. In the evening Gion lights up, offering a different mood from daytime. If you have time, a walk along Hanamikoji at night is well worth it.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• What this course assumes: About 3-4 hours for the half-day plan from Kiyomizudera to Yasaka Shrine, or 6-7 hours for the full-day plan that also takes in Gion. The total walking distance is around 2-3 kilometres, as this is almost entirely a walking course.
• Opening hours and closing days: Kiyomizudera opens its gate at 6:00 and closes at 18:00 (18:30 from July 1 to August 31). During the special spring, summer and autumn evening openings the gate closes at 21:30 (reception ends at 21:00). The amulet office and the office issuing goshuin open from around 8:00. Kodaiji is open 9:00-17:30 (reception ends at 17:00), with extended hours during special evening opening periods. Worship in the grounds of Yasaka Shrine is free of charge.
• Guide to costs: Kodaiji costs 800 yen for adults and 400 yen for junior and senior high school students, or 700 yen for groups of 30 or more, and a discounted combined ticket for Kodaiji and Entokuin costs 1,200 yen. At Kodaiji, elementary school children and younger are exempt from the admission fee when accompanied by an adult guardian (at least one adult guardian is required for every 5 children or elementary school students). Kiyomizudera charges a separate admission fee (around 500 yen for adults).
• Access: From JR Kyoto Station take city bus route 206 or 100 and get off at 'Gojozaka', then walk 10 minutes. From Keihan Gion-Shijo Station take city bus route 207 and get off at 'Kiyomizu-michi', then walk 10 minutes. From Keihan Kiyomizu-Gojo Station it is about a 25-minute walk.
• Parking: There is no parking in the grounds of Kiyomizudera. You will need to use nearby short-stay parking lots or Kyoto municipal parking, but public transport or a taxi is recommended in busy periods. The Kodaiji parking lot offers a parking discount for temple visitors, and bus parking requires an advance online reservation.
• What needs to be reserved: No reservation is needed for an ordinary visit. If you wish to take a group photo at Kiyomizudera, you must notify and apply to the temple's photography office in front of the Niomon gate (open 8:00-16:30).
• Points to note: Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka are steep stone-paved slopes that become very slippery in the rain. Wear comfortable shoes and allow yourself plenty of time. Many of the alleys running east off Hanamikoji are private roads, with signs prohibiting photography without permission. On busy slopes and paved streets, refrain from setting up selfie sticks and tripods. Surveys and interviews with visitors are in principle prohibited within the grounds of Kiyomizudera.

Note: There are only two approach routes into Kiyomizudera: up Kiyomizuzaka in front of the temple to the Niomon gate, and up Chawanzaka and along the emergency access road. Map apps sometimes direct you along routes that cannot be used to enter, so take care.

(Sources: Kiyomizudera official website, Kodaiji official website. As of July 2026)