1 day itinerary

Time: (before) 8 A.M.

Head to Fushimi inari and arrive BEFORE 8 A.M. We grabbed breakfast and some water from a family mart the day before so we didn’t need to wake up earlier.

Fushimi Inari is a renowned Shinto shrine in Kyoto, dedicated to Inari, the deity of rice and prosperity. Famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates and fox statues symbolizing messengers, it offers scenic trails up Mount Inari.

Fushimi Inari will take 1-3 hours from arrival at the station, depending how far you wish to walk. The shortest route is roughly 30 minutes and many of the cafes are open by time you complete the route. Fushimi inari is serviced by both the JR and Keihan trains, so check which station you’ll be arriving at.

If it’s already crowded, skip the first few toori gates. It’s hard when it’s crowded to avoid being in everbodies photos and you might be there for hours if you’re too polite! Brisk walk (if possible) for 10-20 minutes and it should start to get quieter.

The shortest loop is about 10 minutes but will be very busy.

There’s then a loop of 30 or so minutes which is busy.

There’s then 2 hours to the top, but you can turn back any time. This one gets quieter the further you go.

This is a bit simplified, there’s lots of different routes you can take, and you can spend as much or little time here as you like. However, the further you go the quieter it is!

If you’re unable to walk far or for a longer period of time, try to get there as early as possible to experience less crowds. However, remember it is a mountain and going when there is little to no light comes with risks. So I recommend before sunset/after sunrise.

Once you’ve enjoyed your walk, head back to the train station. Need a quick drink and snack? Cafe vermillion and many other coffee shops are located on the route out, and most open around 9am.

From Inari station (JR), you’ll be getting the Nara line to Uji. Make sure you get the local train, not an express train. Express trains don’t stop at Uji.

Time: 10:40 A.M.

When travelling Japan, you might notice ‘Uji’ Matcha on the menu at cafes. Uji is famous for it matcha, and if you’re a matcha lover, you’re in the right place. Here you’ll find not only a wide range of matcha dishes and drinks, but also beautiful historical buildings!

Time: 11 A.M.

Firstly, head over to byodoin temple.

The temple is roughly 1000 years old and features on the back of the 10 yen coin.

On the way here there will be plenty of cafes and places to grab a snack if you need to!

Entrance fee: 600¥

Time: 12 P.M.

Now let’s plan in some time to eat! I did treat myself to this dessert at Tsujiri Uji main store, and I have 0 regrets. Tsujiri is a historic tea brand from Uji, Kyoto, established in 1860. Renowned for high-quality matcha, it offers traditional teas and modern products like matcha desserts, ice cream, and lattes, blending heritage with innovation.

Time: 1 P.M.

Now let’s plan in some time to eat! I did treat myself to this dessert at Tsujiri Uji main store, and I have 0 regrets. Tsujiri is a historic tea brand from Uji, Kyoto, established in 1860. Renowned for high-quality matcha, it offers traditional teas and modern products like matcha desserts, ice cream, and lattes, blending heritage with innovation.

Time: 1 P.M.

If this isn’t you’re thing, you can check out the observation deck, or even the tales of Genji museum exploring the famous Japanese story written in the 12th century by female writer Murasaki Shikibu.

Time: 3 P.M.

From Uji JR station, it’s time to head back to Kyoto. Take the JR Nara line bound for Kyoto, then change at Tofukuji to the Keihan line bound for Demachiyanagi.

Exit at Kiyomizu-Gojou and prepare for the crowds that you’ve hopefully be able to avoid most of this trip!

Look out for ‘‘No photography’ signs on quiet streets.

Kiyomizu-dera is a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, founded in 778. Known for its massive wooden stage offering stunning city views, it’s named after the nearby Otowa Waterfall, whose waters are believed to grant blessings. The temple also houses the Jishu Shrine, dedicated to love and matchmaking, making it a popular destination for visitors.

Admission fee: 500¥

Time: 5:15 P.M.

Once you’re finished, you have a few options for food, starting with Gion. On your way back down from the temple there will be tonnes of food options that might catch your eye.

If non of these appeal, head down to Kawaramachi, roughly a 25 minute walk from Kiyomizu-dera.

Time: 5:50 P.M.

In Kawaramachi, you’ll find a wide variety of restaurants as well as Nishiki Market, which sells street food (and, as a warning, is also pretty busy).

Kawaramachi is a more modern area of Kyoto, but it’s still worth checking out for cafes and food if you don’t find anything in Gion.

Nintendo Musuem (if you can get tickets): 20 minutes on the Nara line from Uji.

Kyoto Tower: Closes at 9pm so can be done before or after dinner, if you still have some energy left! Take the 205 or 206 city bus, and pay with your transit card (also available digitally).

This concludes our Kyoto Matcha lovers itinerary! Keep an eye out for more Japan itineraries and if you have any questions, please ask!