Backpacking Kyoto & Osaka: 3-Day Travel Plan

3-Day Backpacking Kyoto and Osaka Itinerary

Day 1: Kyoto's Essential

Our itinerary begins at Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, one of the most popular temples in Kyoto, which is only a 10-minute walk away from Kyoto JR Station. It is best known for its massive 76-meter-long wooden structure, which ranks among the largest wooden buildings in the world.

The temple complex consisted of a vast temple ground surrounded by several wooden structures like Goei-do Hall (Founder's Hall), where you can go inside and pay respect to the Buddha image and Shinran Shōnin, the founder of Shin Buddhism. You can spend around 30 minutes walking around the temple grounds and checking out the interior of the Founder's Hall before we continue our journey around Kyoto.

Next up, we are going to go on an eating spree at Nishiki Market, one of the oldest and most famous food markets in Kyoto, and a great place to explore the culinary delight that is Japanese cuisine.

The market is located inside an arcade, with a narrow street lined with over 100 shops and stalls selling a wide variety of food, including fresh produce, seafood, meat, poultry, dairy products, prepared foods, and souvenirs.

If you want to dive even deeper into the rich Japanese Cuisine, you can also go on a food tour, which will provide you with insights about the local Japanese food as well as the opportunity to sample hidden gems that you might have missed if you were to explore on your own.

After Nishiki Market, we are going to visit Nijō Castle, one of the seventeen remaining historic monuments of ancient Kyoto, and learn a little bit more about the rich history of this old capital.

The castle consists of several palaces, much of which are preserved as museums, and you can go around and witness the Shogun's living quarters and offices, often decorated in the traditional Japanese style with wooden elements, sliding doors, and intricate wall murals of tigers and dragons.

There's even a nice walking trail that will take you up to the top of the castle walls, where you can really appreciate just how expansive the castle is. Expect to spend around 1-2 hours here.

Next up, we are going to visit Yasaka Shrine, a prominent Shinto shrine located in the Gion district where the famous Gion Matsuri - one of Japan's most famous festivals - is held each year.

The shrine is connected via an expansive Maruyama Park, which is a lively place to hang out after you are done at the shrine, especially in the evening when locals come out in droves to socialize with one another.

After visiting Yasaka Shrine, you can make your way south and you will arrive in the old town area of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, two connected charming pedestrian areas. Here, you will find yourself surrounded by some of the most stunning and well-preserved traditional wooden houses, lined up on both sides of the streets.

Around this area, you will find all sorts of stalls housing lovely cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops where you can indulge. The area does attract quite a few tourists, especially in the evening just before sunset, so be sure to brace yourself for it.

By the time you arrive, it should already be late evening, which is perfect timing, as we are right by Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a renowned temple known for its incredible views and an ideal spot to watch the sunset.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple is one of the most famous temples in Kyoto, dating back to 798 when the temple was established. Later on, in the 17th century, the main wooden stage building was added, which became the most distinctive feature of the temple.

One of the most remarkable features of the main stage is that it is entirely constructed from wood without the use of nails, which is mind-boggling. The fact that such a large and intricate wooden structure can stand on its own without relying on nails is truly awe-inspiring.

Also, thanks to its location on the side of a mountain, the temple offers a great vantage point over Kyoto's skyline, making it a great place to watch the sunset. However, be warned that it can be extremely crowded during that time, so brace yourself for it.

After sunset, you can make your way back down to Sannenzaka and visit the Yasaka Pagoda photo spot, where you will be able to capture that iconic photo of Kyoto's winding streets set against the backdrop of the iconic 5-story Yasaka Pagoda.

After you are done, you can then walk back to Yasaka Shrine and spend the night exploring the food scene in Gion District. There are plenty of restaurants around this area, so if you are looking for dinner, make sure to check it out.

If you are in Kyoto in July during Gion Matsuri, one of the biggest and most famous festivals in Japan, the entire Gion District will be transformed into a street-wide party fueled by street food stalls, awesome performances, and a grand parade featuring elaborately decorated floats known as yamaboko.

During the day, you can witness the grand parade featuring floats adorned with traditional tapestries, historical artifacts, and intricate carvings. In the evening, the Gion district comes alive with Yoiyama, a series of lively events that you can see on stages set up all over Gion.

The streets are also lined with food stalls, traditional performances, and illuminated lanterns, creating an awesome atmosphere that will make your trip even more memorable.

I accidentally visited Kyoto during Gion Matsuri, and boy, did I have a hell of a time! From all the street food to the fun and interesting dance and music performances, right from the street, I ended up attending the festival every single night I was there. It was that amazing!

After exploring Gion (or Gion Matsuri), you can retire for the night and prepare for another action-packed day. On the second day of this itinerary, we will explore Greater Kyoto and all it has to offer.

For more things to do in Kyoto, check out:16 Best Things to Do in Kyoto

Day 2: Greater Kyoto

On our second day, we are going to travel up north to check out Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, a mesmerizing bamboo forest where you can capture that iconic shot of yourself amidst the beautiful greenery. Since the place is extremely popular, be sure to brace yourself for the tourist crowds.

Although the Bamboo Forest may be crowded, Arashiyama, the area where the bamboo forest is located, on the other hand, is a delight to explore. The area is surrounded by rivers and forests with an incredible amount of cool things to do, from kayaking around the river to hiking to one of the many viewpoints in the area.

If you're searching for a place to eat in this area, I highly recommend the Sasaya Shokudo Restaurant. They offer some of the most delicious Japanese curry rice I've tasted in Japan, and what's surprising is their affordability, especially located right in the heart of a tourist spot.

Of course, you have to visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) when you are in Kyoto. Even though I prefer the Silver Pavilion over this one, the place is still worth a visit as there is no denying just how photogenic the pavilion is with its brightly colored exterior and the picturesque garden.

Inside, you will find the iconic temple standing right in front of Kyoko-chi, or the Mirror Pond, surrounded by a traditional Japanese rock garden, known for complementing well with the bright yellow exterior of the pavilion.

Golden Pavilion is nice and all, but have you heard about the Silver Pavilion, or Higashiyama Jisho-ji? Exactly, and that is why I highly recommend you check it out right after you are done with the Golden Pavilion.

Since not many people know about this place, you won't have to wade through the tourist crowds as you did at the Golden Pavilion. The temple also has one of the most picturesque Zen gardens you will see in Kyoto, with beautiful ponds, sand mounds in the shape of Mount Fuji, and more.

There is also a nice walking path that will take you through the garden and up to a great vantage point, where you can truly appreciate the garden as well as the temple's surroundings from above.

From the Silver Pavilion, you can walk south along the canal and you will be right on the Philosopher's Path, a stunning walkway that winds alongside a beautiful canal extending from Ginkakuji Bridge all the way to here.

The walkway is covered in trees, making it even more beautiful during the cherry blossoms in spring and autumn. The walkway will lead you along the backstreets of a quiet neighborhood in Kyoto, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in the city and experience life as it is for the local people, away from the tourist crowds.

Along the way, you will pass by many small temples and shrines that you can also check out, like Hōnen-in Temple and Reikan-ji Temple. Furthermore, there are more temples and shrines that will keep you occupied for a few hours. Additionally, you will find a few cafes and restaurants where you can indulge yourself as you make your way along the canal.

Right at the end of the Philosopher's Path, you will find Eikandō Temple, another beautiful temple with stunning gardens, ponds, and a historic structure you can stroll around in.

Eikandō Temple is particularly famous for its autumn foliage, with its massive garden filled with trees and beautiful ponds, dotted with shrines, stone bridges, and statues that you can check out.

After you are done at Eikandō Temple, you can then take the bus west and check out Heian Jingu, a Shinto Shrine built in 1895 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the founding of Kyoto and Emperor Kanmu, who moved the capital of Japan to Kyoto from Nara during the Heian period.

From the moment you step through the imposing gates, you will be blown away by the sheer grandeur of Heian Jingu Shrine. As you enter, you will find yourself in an expansive temple ground with the main hall, Ōkiden, located right at the center, flanked by two beautiful Chinese-style white-vermilion shrines with gorgeous green-tiled roofs.

By the time you arrive at this temple, it should already be late evening. Since the temple is quite extensive, you can expect to spend around 30 minutes to an hour exploring it before we continue our journey to our last destination of the day: the iconic Fushimi Inari Taisha Temple.

Even if the sun is down, there are still cool things to do in Kyoto. One of my favorite things to do at night here is to walk around Fushimi Inari Taisha temple, where the iconic lines of Torii gates are located.

Inside the temple, you will find Senbon Torii, a pathway lined with thousands of vibrant red torii gates, which are the most famous feature of the temple. The gates will lead you through the wooded forest all the way up to the summit of Mount Inari, where you can enjoy the view of Kyoto from above and pay your respects to the many shrines up there.

You do not have to hike all the way to the summit, and I wouldn't recommend doing so after sundown, as it can get quite dark. That said, you can still explore the temple grounds, which remain illuminated by streetlights throughout the night.

After exploring Fushimi Inari Taisha, you can return to your accommodation and retire for the day. Again, if you happen to be there during the Gion Matsuri, consider spending another night enjoying the vibrant performances around the Gion District. The street events and performances change nightly, so be sure to keep an eye out for them.

Day 3: Osaka

Last but not least, on our third and last day of this itinerary, you can take a day trip and visit Osaka, the second largest city in Japan and the food capital of the country.

Osaka is located only a 30-minute train ride away, and you can spend the first half of the day exploring the beautiful park surrounding Osaka Castle. The park is huge, and you can expect to spend around 2 hours just visiting the castle alone.

In the evening, you can explore the Dotonbori district, the famous area where neon signs, particularly the iconic Glico running man sign, are located. The place is especially beautiful at night with all the neon signs turned on, so be sure to visit Dotonbori after sundown.

You will also find yourself surrounded by crisscrossing streets, full of colorful signs featuring gigantic sculptures of all kinds of food, from a huge red octopus to a massive takoyaki ball, trying to entice you to eat. I mean, who could say no to a food stall with a massive takoyaki ball hovering over your head?

There are so many cool restaurants you can check out around this area, so be sure to spend some time and explore Dotonbori. If you like all-you-can-eat grill meat restaurant (Yakiniku), I highly recommend you check out Yakiniku Rikimaru Nanba. Just be sure to get your queue card beforehand, as you might have to wait a while to get a table.

You can easily travel between Osaka and Kyoto via either the local train or JR train, which runs every 15 minutes and takes about 30 minutes to reach your destination. Enjoy the lights and aroma of delicious street food at Dotonbori until late at night before taking the train back to Kyoto, concluding the day and thus completing this 3-day Kyoto-Osaka itinerary. Congratulations!

When to Visit Kyoto?

The best time to visit Kyoto is between September and November when the weather is not too humid or cold, and you have a higher chance of clear days.

If you don't mind the heat, you can also visit Kyoto during the summer, where you will find many festivals and events taking place.

To make your Kyoto trip even more memorable, try to align your days with Gion Masturi, one of the best festivals in Japan that often takes place in the Gion District of Kyoto in July. You can check out Kyoto's upcoming Gion Matsuri event here.

How to Get to Kyoto?

With a JR Pass, which is a train pass I recommend if you plan to travel all over Japan, you can easily travel between big cities like Tokyo and Kyoto with the Shinkansen bullet train in less than 2.5 hours. The train leaves from Tokyo and Shinagawa JR Stations, which are both easily accessible via the city's metros.

If you do not have the JR Pass, it would cost you between 4500 and 8500 JPY to ride on the Shinkansen between the two cities. The price of the train will depend on the train you take. For example, Hikari, Kodama, and Sakura trains are cheaper than Nozomi trains. They are both bullet trains, but Nozomi goes a bit faster and stops at fewer stations.

Personally, I found the speed of Hikari/Kodama/Sakura trains plenty enough to get around Japan easily, and I didn't find the need to upgrade to faster trains.

The Shinkansen trains rarely get booked out unless it's during the public holidays or New Year's, so unless you are traveling during that time, you do not have to worry about reserving your seat in advance.

For convenience, you can get the JR Pass especially if you plan to travel for at least 7 days around Japan. You can use the pass and just show up, and you can get on any Hikari/Kodama/Sakura trains as many times as you like within the activation period (7, 14, 21 days, etc.). No need to fiddle with the ticket machine every time you want to get on one.

You might save money if you buy the Shinkansen tickets separately and limit your trip to only 3-4 long-distance trips, but if you plan to travel more and value time and convenience over a price hike, getting the JR Pass is still a pretty good option for you. You can get the JR Pass here.

Tips: Get the Klook Value Pass instead of JR Pass to travel across Japan and save up to 130 USD!

How to Get Around Kyoto and Osaka?

The most convenient way to get around Kyoto and Osaka is to use their train and bus systems, which will allow you to visit every single tourist attraction I listed here and more.

For this itinerary, I highly recommend you buy the Kansai Thru Pass. You can buy the Kansai Thru Pass, so you can have unlimited access to trains and metros in both Kyoto and Osaka for free. Be sure to get the 3-day one, so you can use it for the whole duration of this itinerary.

You can also buy a prepaid IC card, which can be bought from any JR Station (Suica card) or Non-JR Station (Pasmo Card) in most major cities around Japan. You can use it on trains, buses, and even buy stuff in convenience stores like 7-11 or Family Mart across Japan's major cities, including Kyoto and Osaka. All you have to do is fill up the card with money and tap on the machine when you enter and exit the platform.

Keep in mind that the IC Card doesn't save you money like buying train passes, but it does save you time by not having to fiddle with the ticket machine every time you want to travel.

Tips: If you are a train pass holder like JR Pass and want to only see train routes that you can use with a JR Pass, try NAVITIME app. You can filter train routes based on the train pass you hold. Highly recommended.

How Much Money Do I Need For Kyoto and Osaka?

From this 3-day itinerary, we can calculate approximately how much money you will be spending here as follows:

Accommodation: For four nights, you can expect to pay a minimum of 100 USD for accommodation.

Food: For 3 days, you can expect to pay around 90 USD for food at regular restaurants.

Transportation: For this itinerary, you can use the Kansai Thru Pass, which costs around 4,380 JPY (29.55 USD), and you can travel all over Kyoto and Osaka with it.

Activities: Depending on how much you want to follow my itinerary, you can expect to pay around 3,800 JPY (25 USD) for activities, including entry tickets, and more.

Total budget for 3 days in Kyoto and Osaka: $299 USD

What to Pack for Kyoto and Osaka?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Kyoto, Japan:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: For buses, I always go with 12Go when traveling in Kyoto, Japan while for trains, JR Pass is my go-to place to book all my train travels in advance.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Klook is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Japan

Looking for more information for your trip to Japan? Here are a collection of articles about Japan that you might find useful:

• For a complete Japan itinerary, check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Japan Itinerary.
• Visiting Japan for the first time? Here are a few things I wish I knew before visiting Japan: 13 Important Things To Know Before Visiting Japan.
• Looking for a complete list of things you shouldn't miss when you are traveling in Japan? Check out: 16 Best Things to Do in Japan.
• Want to climb Mount Fuji? Here is a complete guide on how to and not to climb Mount Fuji for a real-life experience.
• What is it like to climb Mount Fuji during a super typhoon? Here's A Backpacking Travel Guide to Mt Fuji and Kawaguchiko.
• Looking for a complete travel guide to Tokyo? Check out: 14 Best Things to Do in Tokyo.
• For a complete itinerary of Tokyo, check out: 3 Days Backpacking Tokyo Itinerary.
• Another awesome place to visit in Japan for a great view of Mt. Fuji is Hakone. Here are the 9 Best Things to Do in Hakone.
• A day trip to Hakone from Tokyo is possible, but you need to be smart with your time. Here is a complete One Day Hakone Itinerary From Tokyo.
• Planning to visit Nikko soon? From hiking to best temples to visit, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Nikko.
• Kyoto, the old capital city of Japan, is a one-of-a-kind city that you should not miss. Here are the 16 Best Things To Do In Kyoto.
• There are more to Hiroshima than the war memorial. Here are the 13 Best Things to Do in Hiroshima.
• Want to go off the beaten path in Japan? What about exploring Kyushu island? Here is a 3-day road trip itinerary for Kumamoto and Aso.
• Not convinced by my words about Japan? Watch these videos: Just Japan and Japan Day & Night travel videos.
• Wondering where to go after Japan? How about hopping over to China or visiting the islands of Taiwan or Hong Kong?
• For all articles about Japan, visit the Japan Travel Guide page.
• Looking to travel to East Asia? Check out all my articles about East Asia here: East Asia Travel Guide page.
• You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.