I will create an itinerary for you. Just in case I send you my recommendation. So please choose 4 to 5 places in my recommendation for one day. Or please let me know where else you want to go. If you want to go around Kyoto slowly, you can choose 4 places. Depending on the location you choose, you can visit 5 locations if they are close to each other.
Please refer to these places I recommend as:
Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji)
This is a shining golden temple where the main building is partly built of real gold and is a very famous location.
Ryoanji temple. This temple is the best example of the Japanese dry rock garden “Karesansui ” . It’s a Zen garden. Queen Elisabeth ll was really keen to see this garden where she paid a visit here in 1975. It’s very close to the Golden Pavilion.
Arashiyama bamboo forest.
As you know this location has a very nice bamboo grove.
Arashiyama Monkey Park
At Mt. Iwata, you can see more than 100 wild monkeys up close. However, it takes 20 minutes to climb and 20 minutes down hill because it is on the top of the mountain.
Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
There are 1,200 Rakan statues here, and their appearance is very unique and various, such as tennis players, baseball players, and guitar players.
Adashino Nenbutsuji
Located next to Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple, this temple has a small bamboo forest that is less crowded with tourists, making it the perfect place for those wanting to quietly take the perfect bamboo forest photo.
Nijo Castle
Syougun (like a general) built this castle and it is a historical place.
This castle built in 1603. This is the place where you can see the largest castle architecture in Kyoto.
Nishiki Market
We call this small street the kitchen of Kyoto.
There are lots of shops selling food and souvenirs on this street.
Silver pavilion
This temple was made by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa. He is the 8th Shogun of the Ashikaga line. He really likes moon viewing. So he made a Mt. Fuji and ocean by sand inside this temple. Because he wants to see the moon with Mt. Fuji and ocean. There is a Philosopher’s Path next to the Silver pavilion.
Enkoji temple
This temple does not have a parking lot, so there are few tourists and you can enjoy the garden in silence.
It has the only Zen garden in Kyoto that features a dragon.
There is a bamboo grove within the temple grounds, making it the perfect place for those who want to quietly enjoy the bamboo forest.
Heian Jingu shrine
This shrine was built on the occasion of the 1100th anniversary of the capital’s foundation in Kyoto.
Surrounded by look-out towers with a large ritual hall directly ahead. Heian Shrine’s Shin’en Garden. The torii gate leading up to the Heian Shrine is actually one of the largest in the country, towering overhead at a height of about 24 meters.
Gion Shirakawa
Here you can see the old streets of Kyoto. In addition, the cobbled streets and the weeping willow trees are wonderful. You can see this place in about 20 minutes.
Yasaka District
Yasaka means eight slopes. There are eight slopes, including Ninenzaka and Sannennzaka. Kiyomizu slope is the way to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. View overlooking Yasaka Tower is said to be the most Kyoto-like scenery.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
This is the most iconic place in Kyoto city and is a tremendous sightseeing environment, although it is always crowded.
Sanjyusangen-do Temple
There are 1001 eleven-faced Senju Kannon statues here. The view is overwhelming and overwhelms the viewer.
Unryu-in temple
This temple is always a very silent and calm place, not too many people. This is recommended if you want to enjoy the Japanese garden slowly and quietly. You can enjoy matcha and sweets while watching the garden quietly.
Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
Gekkeikan is the second largest brewery in Japan.
If you visit here, you can learn about the history of Gekkeikan, how sake is made, and the equipment used to make it. And you can do a lot of great sake tastings.
And Fushimi inari shrine.
This is the headquarters for all of the Japanese inari shrines. There are many red Torii gates and consists of a very narrow passage up the mountain.
Please let me know where you want to go.
The number of places we can visit on the day depends on the location of the neighboring places and walking speed.
