One Day in Kyoto: Your Ultimate Itinerary from Fushimi Inari to Uji

Last Updated on 01/10/2026 by Mayi

Spend your Morning Journeying Through the Torii Gates

After a lovely day visiting a few temples the previous day, I headed to see the torii gates of Fushimi Inari Taisha. I’d heard that Fushimi Inari Taisha was one of Kyoto’s most famous and visually striking shrines, so I was very curious to see the thousands of vermilion gates. I can just say that I was pleasantly surprised.

I got off the train at Inari and had no problem finding the shrine; I just followed the crowd of people. I got off the train at Inari and had no problem finding the shrine; I just followed the crowd of people. Fushimi Inari is popular with both Japanese visitors and foreign tourists, although for different reasons. Japanese come to pay their respects, while tourists come because it’s an iconic landmark of Japan. I noticed there were more Japanese people than tourists, possibly due to the large number of schoolchildren. Join me on my journey through the Torii gates.

Fushimi Inari should be on every Japan travel itinerary. If you want to learn how to visit beautiful places in Japan, including Fushimi Inari, check out this Japan Itinerary 14 Days.

One Day in Kyoto Itinerary – Take a Day Trip to Uji

After enjoying the sightseeing, I went back to my hotel to freshen up before meeting my friend Noriko for another amazing experience.

If you only have one day in Kyoto, I would recommend doing some off-the-beaten-path activities. Noriko and I decided to go to Uji, a small city located between Kyoto and Nara. Uji (宇治) is famous for its World Heritage sites like the Byodoin Temple, Ujigami Shrine, and the Tale of Genji. However, what really stands out about Uji is the quality of its green tea.

We drove to Uji, but if you’re travelling by train from Kyoto, it’s about a 20-30-minute trip to either JR Uji or Keihan Uji. If you’re travelling from Inari Station, just take the JR Nara Line to Uji.

Discovering Uji’s Byodoin Temple

After finding a place to park our car, we walked over to the Uji-bashi Bridge. It’s one of the oldest bridges in Japan. The end of the bridge takes you to Byodo-in Omotesando Street. However, instead of exploring the shopping street, we headed first to the magnificent Byodoin Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple’s Phoenix Hall is depicted on the back of the Japanese 10 yen coin. We strolled through the beautiful gardens and marvelled at the temple’s exquisite architecture. You can also join a green tea tour, including a temple visit.

Lunch in Uji

After visiting the Byodoin Temple, we were ready for lunch. Uji is famous for its green tea, so we decided to have a meal at a local restaurant where the dishes and desserts are infused with the rich flavours of matcha. As we walked around, we noticed many shops selling matcha-related foods, such as “dango” dumplings, noodles, ice cream, and even doughnuts. We stopped by a lovely restaurant to try matcha soba and had matcha ice cream for dessert.

If you have time, consider trying a tea ceremony. As the town of green tea, no visit to Uji would be complete without experiencing a traditional tea ceremony. Head to the Taihoan Tea House to participate in ceremonial tea preparation and tasting and gain a deeper appreciation for the art and culture of Japanese tea.

Stroll Along Uji River & Cormorant Fishing

After enjoying a pleasant walk around the shopping street, we continued by taking a leisurely stroll along the scenic Uji River. The views were picturesque. We then headed to the meeting point for our pre-booked experience: Cormorant fishing.  For more information about the experience, please check here. If cormorant fishing isn’t for you, you can opt for a short riverboat cruise instead to see the area from a different perspective.

Back to Kyoto

After our river experience, we returned to Kyoto. We strolled through the historic streets lined with traditional wooden machiya houses and stopped at a restaurant to savour a sumptuous kaiseki (multi-course) dinner. If you prefer a more casual dining experience, there are plenty of eateries offering local dishes to choose from.

After a full day of exploration, I thanked Noriko for the lovely day and headed back to my accommodation to relax and reflect on the amazing sights and experiences of the day.

---

This one day itinerary in Kyoto offers a perfect blend of spiritual exploration, cultural immersion, and culinary delights, ensuring you get the most out of your visit to Kyoto and Uji. Enjoy your journey through this timeless part of Japan!

Thanks for reading our one day in Kyoto itinerary. If you’ve visited Fushimi Inari or Uji, we’d love to hear about your favourite experiences. Share below.

Travel Tips and Resources

Here are some of my favourite travel tips and resources.

• Flights: I’m all about snapping the best deals when it comes to booking flights. Therefore, I use Google Flights and Skyscanner to get the best deals each time. I use AirHelp to receive compensation for delayed and cancelled flights.
• Trains: I love using Trainline to book trains within Europe.
• Accommodations: Booking.com and Agoda are my favourite sites for great hotels and private home deals. They both offer a wide range of hotels, including luxury accommodations and private homes.
• Car Rentals: When it comes to travelling to remote destinations, renting a car is ideal, for these, I love renting cars through Discover Cars. They offer some great options for affordable rentals, and their customer service is one the best.
• Tours and Experiences: Visiting a new place also means getting to experience and do many things. I usually book tours via GetYourGuide, Tiqets, or TripAdvisor. If you like doing things solo, WeGoTrip offers audio tours and excursions.
• Travel Insurance: It is not recommended to travel without proper travel insurance. I always travel with one. Use VisitorsCoverage to compare and get the best travel insurance policy for you.

Like the article? Pin for later!

Written by

Mayi

Mayi is the writer and photographer behind SecretMoona — a space for travellers who care more about culture and quiet corners than tick-box sights. She writes honest, first-hand guides to France, Japan and beyond, a journey that began with a solo trip to Japan in 2017.

• Instagram
• Pinterest
• Facebook
• Tiktok