Visit Kyoto’s iconic shrine famous for thousands of vermilion torii gates; the main shrine grounds are open 24 hours so you can walk part of the trail in the afternoon light to avoid midday crowds.
Try kitsune udon or inari sushi from a vendor near the station or 'Inari area' restaurants — quick, local, and convenient before your shrine walk (many eateries open from ~11:00).
Take the JR/Keihan lines or a taxi toward Kiyomizu-dera; travel time ~20–30 minutes from Fushimi Inari depending on route — this positions you for late-afternoon light over Kyoto.
Explore the historic hillside temple with panoramic wooden stage views over Kyoto and the atmospheric Ninenzaka/Sannenzaka streets; typical opening is around 6:00–18:00, so arrive before closing for full access.
Walk (or short taxi) to this long hall that houses 1,001 life-size Kannon statues — a striking and contemplative stop with usual hours ~8:30–17:00, so plan to arrive before late afternoon closing.
Stroll through Nishiki Market for sample-style snacks (seafood, pickles, yakitori) and then choose a small izakaya or sushi spot in the Kawaramachi/Pontocho area for dinner; most market stalls operate ~9:00–18:00 while restaurants stay open later.
After dinner, walk the lantern-lined Pontocho alley or through Gion for a bit of atmospheric evening Kyoto — shops and streets remain pleasant after dinner even if temples are closed.
If you prefer a sit-down dinner, book a kaiseki (multi-course) or yakitori restaurant in Pontocho/Kawaramachi — many seats are available into the evening but reservations are recommended for kaiseki.
Start early with breakfast at a hotel or a nearby café/konbini — for a classic Kyoto café try Inoda Coffee (main branches typically open ~7:00), or grab an onigiri/coffee to eat on the go before Arashiyama.
Arrive early to walk the famous bamboo grove before the bulk of tour groups — the public path is open 24 hours but early morning gives the best light and fewer people.
Catch the Sagano Romantic Train (Torokko) from Torokko Saga to Torokko Kameoka for a scenic ride along the Hozu River; trains typically start around 9:00–9:30 and run into the afternoon, so check the seasonal timetable and reserve if possible.
After the torokko ride, return to Arashiyama (JR or local transport) to visit small temples, shops, or the riverside area and prepare to head north to Kinkaku-ji.
Enjoy lunch near Kinkaku-ji — try a local yudofu (tofu) restaurant or soba shop along Kinkakuji-michi; most restaurants open for lunch from ~11:00–14:00.
See the shimmering Golden Pavilion and its reflective pond; Kinkaku-ji is open roughly 9:00–17:00, so an early afternoon visit avoids the largest crowds and gives excellent photo light.
Finish at Nijō Castle to walk the historic gardens and ornate Ninomaru Palace with its famed nightingale floors; typical opening hours are about 8:45–17:00 (last entry earlier), so plan to arrive in the mid-afternoon.
Celebrate a compact Kyoto visit with dinner in Pontocho or Kawaramachi — choose from yakitori, sushi, or a casual kaiseki depending on appetite and reservations; many restaurants are open late into the evening.
If you have time before onward travel, take a short evening stroll along the Kamo River or pick up last-minute souvenirs in the central shopping streets.