Next stop: Kyoto. A quick 30-minute ride on the Shinkansen took us to Tsurega, where we transferred onward. We’ve become so mindful of the time here—Japan Rail waits for no one! Public transportation is convenient, timely, and frequent. Honestly, TTC riders would love it here .
It rained a little en route, but by the time we arrived the sun was shining. Getting from one destination to another does take a chunk of time, but we’ve learned to appreciate those moments—watching daily life unfold, taking in small details, and noticing how much pride there is in order and cleanliness. One thing that surprised us: garbage cans in public spaces are few and far between. Carrying small “doggie bags” for trash has been a lifesaver. Honestly, I think they’re onto something—imagine how much less overflowing garbage we’d see back home if we all did the same! But, let’s talk about the beauty of Kyoto instead.
Day 1: Southeast Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Our first stop was one of Kyoto’s most iconic sights: Fushimi Inari Taisha, the Shinto shrine famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates. The trails wind up the sacred Mount Inari, and while we optimistically called it a “stroll,” it was a real workout in the heat! Still, it was worth it—peaceful stretches of trail framed by glowing red gates and that unmistakable sense of walking somewhere sacred.
On the way back, we stumbled upon a food court–style eatery where everyone found something delicious to eat. Another reminder that in Japan, even the simplest meals are fresh, thoughtful, and oh so good.
By the end of the day, we were happily tired (albeit very sweaty ). Another fabulous day in Japan despite hiking in 28°C heat with 35°C humidity. If we could choose another season it definitely would not be July! Let’s just say the post-hike shower was extra satisfying.
Day 2 – Downtown and West Kyoto
After a full first day of exploring Kyoto’s temples and streets, we set out the next morning ready to discover even more. Other iconic landmarks in tucked-away corners, Day 2 day-tripping adventures showed us another side of the city.
Here are the highlights:
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
We started early to beat the crowds and made our way to Arashiyama’s famous Bamboo Grove. Even in midsummer, it wasn’t too packed since it was a weekday. The grove itself is shorter than I expected, but the soaring bamboo still felt magical.
Tenryu-ji Zen Temple & Sogenchi Garden
Just nearby, we visited Tenryu-ji, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its Zen garden was one of the most peaceful places of our trip—a thoughtful mix of pond, rocks, seasonal flowers, and that quintessential raked gravel.
Togetsu-kyo Bridge & Iwatayama Monkey Park
Crossing the Rising Moon Bridge led us to the Monkey Park. The 20-minute uphill trek felt extra long in the heat, but rest stops along the way helped. At the top, monkeys wandered freely, and while you can feed them (from inside a building, through a mesh screen), the rules are clear: no eye contact, no getting too close!
Nishiki Market
Naturally, the day called for shaved ice. Mango and matcha are our family flavour of choice, and they were the perfect cure for the heat. The best way to cool down! Later, we headed to Nishiki Market. We didn’t make it far—it was our first real shopping opportunity and we got distracted—but we managed to enjoy a casual street-food dinner of fresh sashimi from a seafood vendor. Ah, we were happy.
Day 3 – Southern Higashiyama
This is where it really helps to keep track of our journey. With tomorrow taking us to our next destination, it feels good to pause and look back—remembering the beautiful sights we’ve already experienced. It’s hard to choose a single favourite just yet, but here are a few highlights from our third day in Kyoto.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Perched on a hillside, Kiyomizu-dera offers beautiful views of Kyoto. The walk up is a little steep, but the streets leading there are lined with shops, snacks, and souvenir stalls much to my daughter’s delight. Many visitors rent kimonos for photos against the backdrop of temple gates and city views—it really is picture-perfect.
Gion (Geisha District)
By day, Gion is relatively quiet, with traditional wooden buildings giving you little glimpses of a slower, more traditional time. By night, it comes alive. We enjoyed a meal here one evening and wandered the narrow streets, imagining what lies behind the closed sliding doors and lantern-lit streets.
A Taste of Kyoto: Food Highlights
Japan really is foodie heaven. Some of our favourite bites:
Shaved ice (mango & matcha) – refreshing lifesavers in the heat
Candied fruit or Tanghulu is actually a traditional Chinese snack but is also very popular in South Korea and Japan. We had the strawberries. (lighter than a candy apple, also done with grapes!)
Tako tamago is a Japanese street food consisting of a baby octopus with a quail egg inside (we skipped those )
Fresh sashimi & crispy tempura
Black sesame & matcha ice cream
Tamagoyaki is a fusion-style Japanese omelette – filled with rice and topped with beef & gravy
Seafood doria, a shrimp & scallop casserole
Karaage chicken, plus mochi-style pastries with fruit filling
There was so much more we wanted to try, especially the sweets. Some are too pretty to eat!!
Side Trip to Kobe
We also squeezed in a day trip to Kobe. Why? Food, of course—and it was worth it!
Kobe Beef
This was the sole reason for visiting like any foodie must—to enjoy the tender, melt-in-your-mouth Kobe beef . It’s a splurge, but here’s our tip: skip breakfast and go for an early lunch. You’ll beat the rush and prices are slightly more forgiving than dinner.
Chinatown
Afterward, we wandered through Kobe’s Chinatown. The mango milk ice was a treat, though the Peking duck looked better than it tasted. Still, the bustling atmosphere made it a fun stop.
Food Halls & Pudding
We ended the day at a department store food hall—an experience in itself. The displays were stunning, the produce looked like art, and the convenience foods were honestly too good to pass up. We picked up some famous Kobe pudding and laughed at how impossible it would be to want to cook here with all these ready-to-eat meals around.
Check out my post on our side trip to Nara as well.
That’s three full days of Kyoto magic (plus Kobe on the side). If there’s one thing we learned, it’s that Kyoto has so many sides to discover. You can spend a week here and still feel like you’ve only just scratched the surface.
Travel Tips
Best Season to Visit: Spring (March–April) brings cherry blossoms and a festive atmosphere, while autumn (October–November) offers stunning fall colors in the temples and gardens. Summer can be hot and humid, and winter is quieter but magical in its own way.
Food to Try: Kyoto is known for kaiseki (traditional multi-course meal), matcha sweets, and yudofu (tofu hot pot) near temple areas. Don’t miss fresh-made street snacks at Nishiki Market — like taiyaki (fish-shaped cakes with filling) or skewered yakitori.
Temples & Shrines: There are over 1,600 temples and shrines, so don’t try to see them all! Mix the iconic stops (like Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari, and the Golden Pavilion) with a few quieter, hidden gems. Temples and gardens open early — going in the morning gives you the best chance at enjoying them without heavy crowds.
Pacing Your Days: Kyoto days can get full quickly. Leave room for wandering small side streets, sipping tea in a café, or pausing at a quiet garden—you’ll appreciate the slower moments just as much as the big sights.
