Japan Itinerary 3: Top Spots to Visit in Kyoto

Here’s a two-city adventure covering Kyoto’s serene temple trails and the iconic sights of Japan 🌏✨ The best part? Kyoto’s stunning shrines are all in one easy-to-navigate district, perfect for temple-hopping and soaking up that zen energy!

Top Spots to Visit in Kyoto:
⛩️ Senbon Torii (Thousand Torii Gates) – 68番地 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-0882, Japan (Open 24/7). This magical tunnel of orange gates is Instagram gold at sunrise—beat the crowds by going early.
🛤️ Fushimi Inari Taisha – Right next to Senbon Torii! Temple and nature vibes collide. Grab street food at the base.
🌸 Araki Shrine – 12-3 Fukakusa Kaidoguchicho (Open 09:00–17:00). Smaller, less-touristy, and perfect for quiet contemplation.
👘 Kyotokimonorentaru Aiwafuku Fushimiinariten – 35-3 Fukakusa Ichinotsubocho. Rent a kimono here—trust me, it’s the ultimate Kyoto photo op!
🍃 Komyo-in Temple – 15 Chome-809 Honmachi (Open 07:00–17:00). A zen garden escape with almost no crowds.
Other hidden gems worth exploring: Tōfuku-ji, Unryu-in, Sennyū-ji (Mi-tera) Temple, and Shōrin-ji Temple.

Kyoto Tips:
- Most top temples are clustered in Southern Higashiyama/Fushimi—walk between them or use Kyoto’s super-reliable buses.
- For photos: arrive early, especially at Fushimi Inari and Senbon Torii.
- Dress code: Wear comfy shoes for shrine steps.
- Street food alert: Try yakitori skewers and inari sushi at temple stalls!

Getting Around: Get an IC card (like ICOCA) for effortless Keihan Line/subway rides. Taxis are rare—plan for public transit or walking.

Don’t forget: Temples close by 5pm, so start your day early!

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