Day 1 - East & Central Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera

Maruyama Park

Nishiki Market

Nijo Castle

Kiyomizu-dera

Walking across the bridge to get to Kiyomizu-Dera

In this Starbucks, you order in one room and collect your drinks in another

This is the less interesting area with typical tables and chairs

We found seating in the tatami section!

The outside of the popular Starbucks

The street in front of the temple is very busy

Throw in some coins, ring the bells and make a wish!

The famous view of the cliff-side temple

The ladles are sanitized with UV light. Some people are brave enough to drink the water they catch; most people just splash it on their face..

These skewers were made of yam... looked delicious, but didn't taste very good.

The traditional small narrow ramen shop.

I really liked my ramen. Ashlyn said hers was too salty.

This is a popular spot. The Starbucks nearby with tatami seating is a YouTube sensation in and of itself. Start the day early and start your day at Starbucks, as seating is limited and this is a popular stop. After Starbucks, walk by the countless shops on your way up to the temple entrance. Try out some street food along the way. The cucumber and tempura were good, the grilled rice cake was not.

The temple has itself is quite nice. Get a shot of the temple on a cliff, and try to use the ladle to catch some water. See pictures. It’s easy to see why this is one of the top attractions in Kyoto.

Maruyama Park

There's a nice temple up the hill next to the park.

We walk back down to the park after visiting the temple

Many tourists get professional photographers and take pictures here while wearing rented kimonos. We just do kicks and gymnastics.

Time for a drink break

This is one of the most scenic parks in Kyoto, with well manicured plants and river streams throughout. There are many tourists who rent kimonos and have professional photographers take glamour shots of them here. Definitely a nice stroll, worth visiting.

Nijo Castle

The entrance of Nijo Castle, very easy to find after exiting the subway station

First off, our Day-1 itinerary is very ambitious, and Nijo Castle is such a grand, beautiful place that you want to take your time for this visit. We were glad we hit it on Day 1, but feel free to move this to Day 3 if the day feels too jam packed. Keep in mind that Nijo Castle closes at around 5pm and Nishiki Market at 6pm.

The castle itself and the surrounding areas are both spectacular, definitely worth spending a few hours here. No pictures allowed inside the castle, so we only have pictures of the grounds around it.

Voyagers Tips: Unlike some other landmarks, this one is very easy to get to via subway, it is right by the Nijojo-mae station.

Nishiki Market

The crab stick was pretty good

Wagyu beef on a stick... not the best quality beef, can skip.

Various grilled skewers, yum!

Blowfish (fugu) can only be served by licensed chefs, because it can be poisonous if not properly prepared.

One of the signature dishes here... Small octopus with a quail egg in its head

Mochi with strawberry, yum! This is a popular item.

Sea urchin!

Lots of people, lots of shops and food stalls! We love street food and this was an exciting spot for us. Recommended food to try: Crab stick, mochi with strawberry, sushi, grilled tempura. Thumbs down on the beef skewer. In general, wagyu beef on a stick as street food is nowhere near as good as the authentic wagyu beef in restaurants.