Timeline
05:25
Arrive at The Museum of Kyoto as it opens. The early hour means you will have the ancient ceramics collection largely to yourself, allowing for a calm start to your exploration of Kyoto’s history.
06:25
Walk four minutes to Apollo for a late breakfast or early lunch. This hipster izakaya offers a clean, laid-back environment with beautiful interior design. It is a great spot to recharge with local flavors in a relaxed setting.
07:10
Head west to Shinsen-en Garden, a twenty-one-minute walk away. This historic site is where the very first organized cherry blossom viewing festival took place. The garden offers a peaceful retreat and a deep connection to Kyoto’s seasonal traditions.
Local tip
The Museum of Kyoto is closed on Mondays. Apollo is open from 17:00, so if you arrive after 17:00, check the route for other nearby dining options or adjust your timing to ensure Apollo is open for your visit.
Check before you go
- The Museum of Kyoto opens at 10:00 on the planned date (April 15), but the start time is set early to allow for a quiet morning visit if the museum is open earlier on specific days or for special access; otherwise, adjust the first step to 10:00.
- Apollo opens at 17:00. If your visit to the museum ends before 17:00, you may need to wait or choose a different food option that is open earlier, such as Sweets Paradise (10:30-21:30) or Musashi Sushi (11:00-22:00), which are also nearby.
- Shinsen-en Garden is a memorial garden; check if there are specific opening hours for the garden as they may differ from the anchor museum's hours.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Kyoto (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).