Kyoto and Nara in 2 days

Hi we are going for a 2 day trip Nov 16-17 to kyoto/nara from tokyo. We arrive at kyoto around 8.30 am on 16th and return for Tokyo on 17th late night from Umeda,Osaka.We are staying at shin-osaka and would like to cover the following spots. Please suggest an ideal itinerary.


Northern Kyoto
[ ]Kinkakuji

Eastern Kyoto
[ ]Kiyomizudera
[ ]Eikando
[ ]Gion

Western Kyoto
[ ]Takao
[ ]Arashimaya
[ ]Jingoji
[ ]Nisonin

Southern Kyoto
[ ]Tofukuji temple
[ ]Fushimi inari shrine

Nara
[ ]Todaiji Temple

Please let us know what order would be suitable 2 fit in these places in the 2 days. As this is our first visit to kyoto/nara any guidance/suggestion would really help.Any special passes etc? We are mostly interested for the autumn foliage and the major shrines. The weather shows some rain for sat/17th. Also,we have already covered much of Osaka earlier.

Thanks a lot for ur time and help !
Best Regards !

It is too much for the ordinary traveler.

I would do Tofukuji as the first thing on Friday, because it is likely very crowded on the weekend and during midday. Followed by Fushimi Inari. It can be noon by the time you end your visit to Fushimi Inari. It widely varies between travelers based on pace and how far up the mountain you walk.

In the afternoon you could see Kiyomizudera and Eikando before having dinner in Gion.

On the second day, I would start the day early in Arashiyama before the arrival of the huge crowds expected to the district.

You will need the entire afternoon for the trip via Nara to Osaka. So, the average tourist will not have enough time to also visit Takao (Jingoji), especially on a weekend when Takao can be expected to be very crowded. So, I think you have to skip it.

Hey Thanks o much Uji !

Oh so can we do takao arashimaya nisonin jingoji on friday and Fushimi Inari and kiyomizudera and nara on sat ?

What would u recommend the best possible spots for autumn viewing ?

Unless you tarvel at a very fast pace, you can't fit in everything.

What would u recommend the best possible spots for autumn viewing ?

Tofukuji, Arashiyama, Takao and Ohara should be quite nice by this weekend.

OK Thanks a lot Uji !