Fall Itinerary: Kyoto 4 Days
Experience the Beauty of Fall Foliage and Culinary Delights in Kyoto
Kyoto is renowned for its stunning fall foliage, and the best time to visit is from November to early December. Autumn is also the season for delicious food, making it the perfect time to enjoy both nature and cuisine. In this blog, we introduce a 4-day sample itinerary for an unforgettable fall trip to Kyoto!
Day 1: Kameoka & Arashiyama
10:30 AM: After arriving at Kyoto Station, store luggage and take a train to Kameoka.
11:30 AM: Enjoy the fall foliage from a boat on the Hozu River, traveling from Kameoka to Arashiyama.
1:00 PM: Have a late lunch in Arashiyama, savoring the local specialty, yudofu (boiled tofu). After lunch, stroll around Arashiyama before taking the train back to Kyoto city.
5:00 PM: Check into the hotel. Hotel suggestion: OMO5 Kyoto Sanjo by Hoshino Resorts for a casual and affordable option.
7:00 PM: Enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant specializing in obanzai (Kyoto-style home cooking).
Hozugawa River Boat Ride
📍2 Shimonakajima, Kameoka, Kyoto, 621-0005
A scenic boat ride cruises from Kameoka to Arashiyama. Especially in fall, you can enjoy the fall foliage from the boat, highly recommended!
Yudofu lunch at Matsugae
Kyoto obanzai dinner at Oryori Menami
📍96 Nakajimacho, Nakagyo Ward, Nakajimacho, Kyoto, 604-8004
Obanzai refers to Kyoto home-style dishes made with local ingredients and served on small plates, allowing diners to enjoy a variety of dishes unique to Kyoto in small portions.
Day 2: Uji Sightseeing
10:00 AM: Take a train to Uji, a town famous for its tea.
11:30 AM: Enjoy a delicious lunch at a popular Uji restaurant, indulging in a wagyu beef steak bowl.
1:30 PM: Visit Byodoin Temple and enjoy the fall foliage.
3:00 PM: Treat yourself to matcha and dessert at the famous tea shop, Nakamura Tokichi Honten.
5:00 PM: Return to Kyoto city and toast with a locally brewed craft beer.
6:30 PM: Have dinner at a kappo restaurant where you can enjoy seasonal ingredients and delicious sake. Afterward, take a stroll through the streets of Gion before returning to your hotel.
Byodoin Temple
Beef steak bowl from Nikuya Kurokawa
📍82-3 Uji Satojiri, Uji, Kyoto, 611-0021
Matcha & green tea parfait from Nakamura Tokichi Honten
Locally brewed craft beer from Kyoto Beer Lab
Kappo dinner & local sake (Japanese rice wine) at Kappo Bar Doi
Day 3: Exploring Daitoku-ji and Nishiki Market
10:30 AM: On the third day, venture slightly outside the city center to Daitoku-ji. Enjoy matcha and sweets at a teahouse within the temple grounds and take a peaceful stroll around the temple.
1:00 PM: Have lunch at a ramen shop near Nishiki Market, trying a unique Japanese-style ramen. After lunch, explore Nishiki Market and pick up some souvenirs.
4:00 PM: For the last night, indulge in a stay at the luxurious Park Hyatt Kyoto. After checking in, enjoy a cocktail at the hotel bar while watching the sunset.
5:30 PM: Visit Kiyomizu-dera to see the night-time illumination of the fall foliage.
7:00 PM: On the way back from Kiyomizu-dera, stop by near Yasaka Shrine to take out Kyoto specialties like saba (mackerel) sushi and other delicacies to enjoy at the hotel.
Daitokuji Temple
Nishiki Market
📍609 Nishidaimonji-cho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8055
Nishiki Market, located in the heart of Kyoto, is a bustling traditional market known as "Kyoto’s Kitchen."
Park Hyatt Kyoto Bar KOHAKU
📍360 Masuyacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0826
Matcha break at Kouroan tea shop
📍17-1 Murasakino Daitokujicho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8231
Wagyu motsu ramen from Sugari
📍178 Chigiriyacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8133
Saba (mackerel) sushi from Izuju
📍292-1 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0073
Fall foliage illumination at Kiyomizu-dera temple
📍1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862
The illumination usually takes place from mid-November to end of the month, offering a magical way to experience the beauty of autumn in Kyoto.
Day 4: A Relaxing Morning in Kyoto
8:00 AM: Start your day early with a visit to the unique Starbucks on Ninenzaka, located in a traditional Kyoto-style house, and enjoy a morning coffee.
9:00 AM: Return to the hotel for a traditional Japanese breakfast. At Park Hyatt Kyoto, you can enjoy a Japanese breakfast prepared by the long-established Kyoto restaurant, Kyo Yamatoya.
12:00 PM: After checking out, take a stroll around the Kodaiji Temple area and shop some souvenirs before taking a taxi to Kyoto Station.
1:30 PM: Relish Kyoto-style gyoza at a popular gyoza restaurant. Although not widely known, Kyoto is home to many famous gyoza shops and is known as a gyoza hotspot.
3:00 PM: Board the Shinkansen and return home.
Starbucks Coffee Kyoto Ninenzaka
📍349 Masuyacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0826
The Starbucks on Ninenzaka is so unique but busy spot. Definitely recommend visiting in the early morning!
Breakfast at Park Hyatt Kyoto
Gyoza from Mister Gyoza
📍42 Karahashi Takadacho, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8464
Mister Gyoza is a Chinese restaurant serving local community in Kyoto for decades. Their dumplings are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, making them a local favorite.
A fall trip to Kyoto is all about soaking in the vibrant colors and savoring the delicious flavors of the season. Whether you’re cruising down the Hozu River, enjoying a cozy cup of matcha in a traditional teahouse, or treating yourself to a luxurious night at the Hotel, each day in Kyoto is filled with unforgettable moments. Kyoto has a way of blending its rich history with modern culture, making it a place where you can enjoy the best of both worlds. So as you plan your visit, get ready for an adventure that’s as beautiful as it is delicious!
Kyoto 4-Day Fall Itinerary: Best Fall Foliage & Culinary Delights