Do I need to book temple tickets in advance?

No, 95% of temples in Kyoto do not require advance bookings. You pay the entrance fee in cash at the gate.

Can I use credit cards at temples?

Almost never. Carry at least 10,000 yen in cash daily for temple entrance fees and street food snacks.

How to see Kyoto's top temples in 3 days

To cover Kyoto's major temples efficiently, group them by district to minimize travel time. Start each day at 7:30 AM to beat the massive tour bus crowds and use the city's bus and subway system for all transport.

Buy an IC Card. Purchase a Suica or Pasmo card at the airport or train station. You tap this to pay for all local buses and subways; it saves you from buying individual tickets for every ride.
Use the bus-subway pass. If you plan on more than four trips in a day, buy the one-day 'Subway & Bus One-Day Pass' for 1,100 yen. It covers most routes to major temples.
Start early. Most popular temples like Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera open by 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM. Arrive by 7:30 AM to walk the grounds before the midday school trip groups arrive.
Plan by geography. Dedicate Day 1 to the East (Higashiyama), Day 2 to the West (Arashiyama), and Day 3 to the South and Central districts.

Do I need to book temple tickets in advance?: No, 95% of temples in Kyoto do not require advance bookings. You pay the entrance fee in cash at the gate.
Can I use credit cards at temples?: Almost never. Carry at least 10,000 yen in cash daily for temple entrance fees and street food snacks.