Kyoto is the image of Japan that you dream of discovering: centuries-old temples, narrow streets lined with wooden houses, Zen gardens bathed in light... Yes, it's magnificent. But it's also very touristy. It was only at sunrise, when the city was still asleep, that we could really feel the serenity of the place and capture the essence of Kyoto. In our next article, we'll tell you about our best moments, our tips for enjoying this city in a different way and our favourite places to explore at dawn.

Day 1 • Higashiyama & Gion

On our first day, we opted to explore the iconic districts of Higashiyama and Gion by bike. Our hotel reception pointed us in the direction of the nearest bike hire company (there are bikes all over Kyoto), as it's a relatively flat city that's easy to explore by bike. This gave us total flexibility to explore the picturesque streets and famous sites at our own pace. A word of advice: be sure to get lost in the narrow streets, as this is where you'll often discover the city's hidden treasures.

Ginkaku-ji

Our itinerary began with an iconic visit to Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion, surrounded by tranquil Zen gardens. The understated elegance of this temple, with its refined architecture and meticulously landscaped moss gardens, provided the perfect introduction to Kyoto's rich culture.

Honen-in & Philosophers' Path

We then cycled to Honen-in, a hidden treasure in the heart of the greenery, and took the Philosophers' Path. Stop off at café Pomme for a homemade cake and a cup of coffee while chatting to the friendly owner.

Nanzenji & Nanzen-ji Sammon Gate

We continue on our way to Nanzen-ji Sanmon Gate, an imposing and majestic structure that stands at the entrance to the Nanzen-ji temple complex in Kyoto. This monumental gate impresses with its imposing size and architectural elegance. We pause here for a moment, trying to capture its grandeur as best we can.

Chion-in

We cycle past Chion-in, one of Japan's largest temples and famous for its impressive Sanmon Gate, one of the largest in the country.

Gion

Here we are at last in the famous Gion district, with its narrow streets and traditional charm... but by the end of the day, the crowds are thick. It's decided, we'll make an early return to discover its traditional machiya with hardly anyone around.

Kiyomizu-Dera

The day ends with a visit to Kiyomizu-dera, above the Gion district, offering a panoramic view of Kyoto from its wooden terrace.

Kamo-gawa

We turn back towards our hotel to return our bikes. Our route takes us along the banks of the Kamo-Gawa. The atmosphere changes completely: the calm of the banks, the soothing murmur of the river and the evening lights... it's good to get away from the hustle and bustle of Gion.

Day 2 • Fushimi Inari & Marché de Nishiki

On this 2nd day, we're off to discover 2 of Kyoto's most emblematic landmarks: Fushimi Inari & the Nishiki Market.

Fushimi Inari

Fushimi Inari is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto deity of rice and prosperity. Its origins date back over a thousand years, when the powerful Hata no Irogu clan built the shrine in honour of the deity. Since then, Fushimi Inari has become Japan's most important shrine dedicated to Inari.

The climb up the hill is accompanied by a lively crowd of visitors, all captivated by the scarlet torii. However, as we progress towards the top of the mountain, the bustle of the crowd gradually diminishes. The higher up we go, the more alone we are with the majestic torii towering around us and a beautiful forest that is still green in early October.

Café Vermillon, which serves excellent coffee and delicious pastries, is perfect for a break after exploring the sanctuary.

Marché de Nishiki

We ended our day at the Nishiki Market. This proved to be the perfect opportunity to immerse ourselves in a variety of flavours. From grilled eel kebabs to oyster tastings, freshly prepared sushi and local delicacies, our taste buds loved it.

Day 3 • Nara

For our third day, we decided to take a side trip to Nara, about 1 hour by train from Kyoto. On the outskirts of Nara Park, we were greeted by sacred deer roaming freely. It's quite a sight to see these creatures, an integral part of the region's cultural heritage, living there amongst the tourists.

The Todai-ji, an impressive Buddhist temple, is our second point of interest. This gigantic structure houses a monumental statue of Vairocana Buddha.

Wandering through the park's ancient tree-lined alleys, we came across Kasuga Taisha, a Shinto shrine with moss-covered stone lanterns and deer playing hide-and-seek. You'll need a bit of patience to manage to capture some pretty pictures.

Day 4 • Sagano

Arashiyama

The fourth day started early, perhaps a little too early, but the idea was to discover Arashiyama without the usual crowds. We weren't the first to hit the trails and the rather overcast weather played tricks on us to capture the bamboo forest in the early morning darkness. But as usual, with a little patience, we managed to get the images we wanted of this magnificent little bamboo forest.

Unlike the majority of tourists, we're moving away from Arashiyama to quietly discover Sagano, with its typical, peaceful streets. It's as if every step we take takes us a little further away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist trade and into the peaceful authenticity of this district.

Adashino Nenbutsuji

We spent the day exploring Sagano, starting with Adashino Nenbutsu-ji. Set in the hills, this is a unique Buddhist temple imbued with a serene atmosphere. On arrival, you are greeted by a fascinating array of thousands of stone Jizo statues. The paths to the temple wind through a mini bamboo forest, which is much less touristy than Arashiyama... we're alone here and we're enjoying it.

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji

The day continued with a visit to Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, a Buddhist temple housing a remarkable collection of Jizo statues with a variety of expressions. Each of these statues has its own character, making for a truly enjoyable discovery.

Day 5 • Gion & Kinkaku-ji

Gion

The fifth and final day also gets off to an early start, with an early wake-up call to explore the Gion district at sunrise. The district reveals itself in a different way at this early hour, with a peaceful, authentic beauty. The atmosphere is calm, but already several photographers share the same idea as us. As we stroll through the quiet alleyways, we even witness a marriage proposal, which is very Instagrammable...

Kinkaku-ji

After breakfast, we set off for the Golden Pavilion, Kyoto's most famous landmark. It's already quite busy, but despite the large number of visitors, it's still surprisingly easy to capture the magnificent silhouette of the pavilion, reflected almost perfectly in the tranquil waters of the pond.

Daitoku-ji : Ōbai-in & Daisen-in

We then head to Daitoku-ji, exploring the Ōbai-in and Daisen-in temples within this complex. We are captivated by the unique atmosphere of these places, unfortunately no cameras are allowed inside. It is perhaps this restriction that helps to preserve their charm and tranquillity, avoiding mass tourism. These temples offer a wonderful final immersion in Kyoto's spiritual history before we leave, and just before we make a final stop at the Nishiki market, ending our stay in Kyoto on a delicious gourmet note.

Where to sleep | where to eat in Kyoto

We stayed at the Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier located on the Kamo-gawa river. Its location is very central and convenient, allowing us to explore the whole of Kyoto. The rooms are pretty and comfortable. We recommend it without hesitation.

For a Kaiseki meal, head for Another C! Sit at the counter and watch as the chef juggles each dish in front of you. Kaiseki is a traditional Japanese culinary experience that takes you through several artistically presented dishes, each showcasing unique flavours and textures. A real treat for lovers of Japanese cuisine.

In and around the famous Pontocho alleyway, you'll find a host of small restaurants. It's a real paradise for food lovers. The picturesque atmosphere of this alleyway adds a special touch.

For beer lovers, just a short walk from our hotel is the place to discover the delicious beers of Arashiyama Brewerey.

• また必ず来るよ •

→ Here are some tips to facilitate your trip

Download Google Maps offline maps on your phone before you leave. It's super convenient if you don't have access to network.
Purchase an e-SIM card from Holafly for unlimited mobile data connection in Japan.
If you plan on driving, make sure to have an international driving permit and a translation in Japanese.
Use the website Japan Transit Planer to check all possible transportation options with their connections. If you have a JR Pass, click on the tab at the top right under "Rail Pass search" to only show routes included in the JR Pass.
Create an account on the Visit Japan Web website to complete your administrative and customs procedures. You'll receive 2 QR codes that will greatly facilitate your entry into Japanese territory after a long, tiring flight.
Purchase the Suica card, a prepaid smart card that allows you to use most public transportation (subway, trains, buses, monorail). The card is debited for each trip or purchase by simply touching it to the Suica card reader. There's also the Pasmo card available.

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