Kyoto 1-day itinerary

Start at Fushimi Inari Taisha by 6:30am — the tunnel of 10,000 vermillion torii gates is nearly empty at this hour. Walk the first 30 minutes up Mount Inari for stunning city views, then descend and bus to Kiyomizu-dera (¥400). The wooden terrace jutting out over the hillside is breathtaking. Walk down through the preserved lanes of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, lined with tea houses and ceramic shops.

Bus to Kinkaku-ji (¥500) — the Golden Pavilion reflected in its mirror pond is one of Japan's most iconic images. Then taxi or bus to Arashiyama for the bamboo grove — towering green stalks creating a natural cathedral. The grove is small but unforgettable. Cross Togetsukyo Bridge and lunch at a riverside restaurant — yudofu (simmered tofu, a Kyoto specialty) for ¥1,500–2,000.

Walk through Gion at dusk — the wooden machiya along Hanamikoji Street glow warmly and you may spot a maiko (apprentice geisha) hurrying to an evening engagement. Cross to Pontocho alley — a narrow lane of restaurants perched above the Kamogawa River. In summer, restaurants extend wooden platforms (kawadoko) over the water. Even on a budget, obanzai (Kyoto home-cooking) sets run ¥1,500–2,500.