Sleep in Gion or by the station. Day-ticket nothing — most shrines are a modest entry. Nara is a separate day.
Fushimi and southern Kyoto
Inari’s mountain. Go early. Combine with a sake tasting in Fushimi if you have slack, not with Kinkaku-ji the same morning.
Northern pavilions
Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji share a bus logic. Do them together. Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) is the quieter Philosopher’s Path add-on.
Arashiyama and the west
Bamboo, Tenryu-ji, the river. A half-day if you start early; a full day if you add the monkey park or a boat.
Nara from Kyoto
Todai-ji’s Great Buddha, deer that bow for crackers, Kasuga Taisha lanterns. 45 minutes on JR. A full day, not a lunch raid.