Six Days in Kyoto - Day Two - Beauty of Defect

Welcome to your day two in Kyoto! Today is again another busy day visiting all the beautiful temples in Kyoto. The time to begin with today’s itinerary is rather early at 6:30am, but trust me, you will not regret it.

Kiyomizu-dera 清水寺

As one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, I’d highly recommend you to visit this temple if you have the time. If you’re looking for a special someone, remember to visit the Jishu Shrine behind its main hall. It is a lovely shrine dedicated to the deity of love and matchmaking.

Starting from Kyoto Station, take the Kyoto City Bus 100 or 206. After about 15 minutes, you’ll reach Kiyomizu-michi or Gojo-zaka bus stop. Walk uphill for ~10 minutes to reach Kiyomizu-dera.

For city bus 100, you will stop at Kiyomizu-michi; for city bus 206, you will stop at Gojo-zaka.

The main reason for visiting this temple so early in the morning is to avoid the crazy crowd. Not only the tourists are crazy about this breathtaking temple, local schools often organise school trips and congest this place with thousands of students.

Arriving at slightly before 7:00am, I had the privilege of taking in all the beautiful sceneries alone. As I finished exploring the temple and walked towards the garden, I looked back and saw the crowd squeezing past one another.

At the base of the temple lies the Otowa Waterfall that has three streams allowing visitors to drinks from. Each stream represents a benefit if you drink from it – longevity, educational success, and luck at love. You are to choose your preferred stream wisely and discouraged to drink from all three.

Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka 産寧坂 & 二年坂

As you exit the temple, stroll along the two preserved streets with local shops called Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka, towards the park called Maruyama-koen (円山公園) to enjoy the greenery.

Yasaka (Gion) Shrine (八坂神社) is a shrine that is always open (with free admissions) and located beside Maruyama-koen. This shrine celebrates probably the most famous summer festival ‘Gion Matsuri’ in Japan – it lasts for the whole of July!

Nishiki Market 錦市場

Next, it’s time to head to Nishiki Market for some lunch! Take a bus from your location (or simply walk) and stop at Shijo Kawaramachi, then walk for a few minutes to reach the market.

If you need help with the bus, check out this post on how to use the app Arukumachi Kyoto.

Nishiki Market is so lively that you can feel the energy from the moment you set foot into the street. Even if you’re not buying anything, just walk down the streets and be prepared to be amazed by all the things you see!

Tofuku-ji 東福寺

After visiting the market, walk to Gion-Shijo subway station and head to Tofuku-ji via the Keihan Main Line. It takes only ~5 minutes (¥150) to reach Tofuku-ji station, and then proceed to walk ~10 minutes towards the temple. Signs are available at the station so you will not be lost.

Tofuku-ji is a serene temple with very few visitors. If you’d like to experience the serenity and beauty of the brown-and-white architectures, you must drop by!

Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine 伏見稲荷大社

After exploring Tofuku-ji, take the same route back to Tofuku-ji station. Then, take the JR line towards Inari Station, it takes only ~4 minutes (¥140).

Exit the station and follow the street lined with bustling shops and food vendors that will dazzle you! Soon after, you will soon find yourself at the base of Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine!

Fushimi-Inari is the most important shrine dedicated to the Shinto God of Rice, Inari. Famous for the thousands of vermilion torii gates, these gates lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Inari mountain. Challenge yourself by climbing as far up the mountain as possible, relax a little and pray at each stop along the way up.

It took me about 1 hour to climb up and back down at a slow pace. I had chosen an evening time to visit Fushimi-Inari as the colours of sunset and torii gates were simply a matchmake in heaven. They were so magnificent and breathtaking from the top of the mountain. Plus, in summer, you can avoid the crowd and not sweat too much from climbing under the hot sun!

Dinner

To go back to your hotel, take the same route back to the station. Then, take the JR line back towards Kyoto Station. Get your dinner fixed from one of my recommendations here before returning to have a good rest for the next day! You can also follow my itinerary for day three here, where I will be exploring the Arashiyama (bamboo grove) area.

*Note: The subway/train usage did not exceed the Day Pass’ value (>¥750), so I only tap in and out with the IC card. The only pass I have bought was the Kyoto 1-Day Bus Pass (¥500) for the bus trips.

Details of the temples for today:

Kiyomizu-dera 音羽山清水寺

Hours:
6:00am – 6:00pm (no closing days)
Fees:
¥300 / adult

Nishiki Market 錦市場

Hours:
9:00am-5:00pm (some shops closed on Wednesday/Sunday)
Fees:
Free

Tofuku-ji Temple 臨済宗大本山東福寺

Hours:
9:00am-4:00pm (April to October)
8:30am-4:00pm (November to early December)
9:00am-3:30pm (early December-March)
(no closing days)
Fees:
Grounds: Free
Hojo garden:¥400 / adult
Tsutenkyo and Kaizando:¥400 / adult