What to do on your first day in kyoto
If you are new to Kyoto, there are things you should do before looking for hidden gems. So where you should go on your first day in Kyoto?
Unhidden gems are very abundant in Kyoto! You will not be able to visit all the places you want to visit in just one day, regardless of whether they are on the World Heritage List or not.
Among them, Kiyomizu Temple, Fushimi Inari with its famous Senbon-Torii gate, Kinkakuji Temple (golden pagoda), and Arashiyama area are exceptional. Of course, you are planning to include these places in your itinerary.
For the first day in Kyoto, I recommend a one-day bus tour. Riding the tour bus will give you a good idea of the location of the major spots. Keep Google Maps displayed on your phone. You will be able to see where the places you will visit the next day and beyond are located.
There are many tours available, but this is the one I recommend the most, and in fact, the one most highly rated by tourists. This tour includes a Japanese buffet lunch in Arashiyama.
Kyoto: Full-Day Best UNESCO and Historical Sites Bus Tour
Fushimi Inari is located in the southeast corner of Kyoto. Arashiyama is located in the northeastern mountainside of Kyoto. This bus will take you to all the important spots without wasting your time. You will also be accompanied by a professional guide, so you will get all the information you need for your first day in Kyoto from your guide. The guides are friendly, so it is a good idea to ask them a lot of questions.
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What about the second day and beyond?
After the second day, we suggest you decide where to visit according to your interests. There are some outstanding World Heritage sites, such as the Phoenix Hole of Uji Byodoin Temple. If you want to enjoy matcha in a garden with few foreign tourists, I would recommend Myoshinji Temple and its precincts, Taizo-in. If you are interested in old Buddhist statues, Toji Temple, Ninnaji Temple, and Koryuji Temple are must-visits.
If you are not sure where to go or how to get there, hire a Kyoto-based guide. A list of Kyoto guides can be found here.
There are two types of guides: Japanese and non-Japanese. I would recommend a senior Japanese guide. Foreign guides know the places that foreigners like to visit, but often do not have much experience in other areas. A senior guide will not only show you the places, but will also tell you about seasonal events and what they mean to the citizens of Kyoto.