Kyoto · Autumn Maples
Three days in Kyoto when the maples turn. Slow mornings, anchor temple in the early light, leisurely kaiseki dinners.
Breakfast · % Arabica Higashiyama
8:30 AM – 9:30 AMGet there at 9 sharp or the line murders you for 40 min.
Fushimi Inari (early)
10:00 AM – 12:00 PMHike to the Yotsutsuji intersection viewpoint, then turn back. The full summit is overrated.
Train · Inari → Gion-Shijō
12:00 PM – 1:00 PMLunch · Nishiki Market
1:00 PM – 2:00 PMTako tamago, tsukemono, matcha warabi-mochi. Eat standing. No sitting.
Kiyomizu-dera + Sannenzaka walk
2:30 PM – 4:30 PMDon't miss the alley to the south of Sannenzaka — much quieter, same pottery shops.
Coffee · Kurasu Kyoto
4:30 PM – 6:00 PMSingle-origin pour-over. Sit at the bar.
Dinner · Giro Giro Hitoshina
7:00 PM – 9:00 PMReservation locked 6 weeks out. Counter seats. ¥4,800 omakase, do the sake pairing.
Hotel · Nine Hours Kyoto
10:00 PM – 12:00 AMBreakfast at hotel
8:00 AM – 9:00 AMTrain · Kyoto → Saga-Arashiyama
9:15 AM – 10:15 AMSit on the right side for river views.
Bamboo grove (before crowds)
10:15 AM – 12:00 PMBe there by 10:15 or it becomes Disneyland.
Tenryū-ji garden
12:00 PM – 1:00 PMSit on the veranda overlooking the pond. 20 min minimum.
Lunch · Shōraian (yudofu)
1:00 PM – 2:00 PMReservation. The walk in is half the experience.
Ōkōchi Sansō villa
2:30 PM – 4:30 PMWay less visited than Tenryū-ji. Comes with matcha + sweet.
Train back to Kyoto
4:30 PM – 5:30 PMKaiseki dinner · Kichisen
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM3-Michelin, splurge night. Book 2 months ahead.
Breakfast · Walden Woods Kyoto
8:00 AM – 9:00 AMBring a book. The upstairs is the move.
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
9:30 AM – 11:30 AMEarly. Bus 205 from Kyoto Station.
Ryōan-ji rock garden
12:00 PM – 1:30 PMSit on the wooden platform. Don't count the rocks.
Lunch · soba at Honke Owariya
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM560+ years old. Order nishin soba.
Philosopher's Path walk
3:00 PM – 5:30 PMNanzen-ji → Ginkaku-ji direction. ~2km, leisurely.
Tea · Kosoan
5:30 PM – 7:00 PMTucked-away tea house. Sit on the floor, look at the garden.
Dinner · Kyoto Engine Ramen
8:00 PM – 11:00 PMTsukemen, not ramen. Tare is the whole point.
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