Assuming you’re going to Kyoto, most of the tourist attractions are on the outskirts of the city so choose a side for one day and focus on hitting up the attractions nearby to one another. Bamboo forest and monkey park are must-do for a first timer which you can visit in one day. I also enjoyed Ginkaku-ji and doing the Philosopher’s path to Nanzen-ji, the walk between the two temples is beautiful. Kiyomizu-dera is a must-visit temple, it’s enormous but very touristy, brace for crowds.

And if you have time, visit a smaller temple with less tourists where you can really soak in the atmosphere. And of course, visiting the alleyways of the Gion district, especially a night where you can bar hop.

The Yasaka Shrine is really cool at night (this is the one with the lanterns).

Kyoto is incredible, I want to go back!