Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion Kyoto

Itinerary: 3 Days in Kyoto for First Time Visitors

Kyoto is one of Japan’s most awe-inspiring cities, and one of the most unique travel destinations in the world. This guide is an itinerary for 3 days in Kyoto for first time visitors, based on our most recent trip. This 3-day Kyoto itinerary includes UNESCO World Heritage List sites like Kinkakuji-Temple (Golden Pavilion), Ginkaku-ji Temple (Silver Pavilion) and Tenryu-Ji, the red gates of the Fushimi … Continue reading Itinerary: 3 Days in Kyoto for First Time Visitors

itsukushima shrine miyajima

10 Days in Japan Itinerary: Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima & Miyajima

For our second trip to Japan, 10 days in Japan was the perfect amount of time to discover so much more of the country. We spent 10 days in Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Miyajima, which were jam-packed with iconic Japanese sights, cities and experiences.  This itinerary for 10 days in Japan includes some of the most beautiful temples in Kyoto, four Japanese castles & palaces … Continue reading 10 Days in Japan Itinerary: Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima & Miyajima

Kyoto

Kyoto Travel Guide for First Time Visitors (2026)

Kyoto is one of the most spectacular cities in Japan, and one of the most unique travel destinations in the world.  This Kyoto travel guide is based on my own experiences in Kyoto, and is designed as an easy-to-digest introduction and travel guide for first time visitors to Kyoto. I hope this first timer’s guide to Kyoto helps you find your bearings, and find the … Continue reading Kyoto Travel Guide for First Time Visitors (2026)

crowds in kyoto

How to Avoid the Crowds in Kyoto: 5 tips for beating the crowds & maximising your visit

Kyoto has made headlines in recent years for becoming unbearably overcrowded, with more than 75 million visitors now visiting the Kyoto prefecture every year. Kyoto is a spectacular city, but without some careful planning, the crowds could define your visit. After my own recent trip to Kyoto, I’ve written this guide on how to avoid the crowds in Kyoto, and how to plan your Kyoto … Continue reading How to Avoid the Crowds in Kyoto: 5 tips for beating the crowds & maximising your visit