Temples & Tea
Three days that start before the crowds and end in lantern light, from ten thousand torii to a single bowl of matcha.
3 days · moderate ($900 - $1,400) · Best in Late March - April or mid November
Kyoto rewards the early riser. Its most photographed places are quiet at seven in the morning and shoulder to shoulder by ten, so this plan front-loads the famous sights and keeps the afternoons for markets, gardens and tea. Each day stays in one part of the city, which means less time on buses and more time on foot. Most temples charge a small entry fee, usually between three and five dollars, and the shrines are free.