03.04. Day Trip Kyoto

In our Kyoto Day Trip, we plan to show you some of the key sights and places to see in Kyoto. As always: Keep in mind that there's plenty more to see in a place like Kyoto, so one day is simply not enough to show you all the good spots. Check out our Google List for restaurants, sights, food spots, and more on Kyoto for a list of places we can recommend.

A general note regarding the costs and entrance fees: The fees we indicate here are for a standard adult entrance tickets. Where possible, we will try to get group discount entrance tickets. So for some sights, the effective price might be lower than what we indicated here.

What you should bring to this day trip:

• Footwear in which you can walk a lot
• Some water (you'll have plenty of options to buy some as well)
• At least 5,000 Yen in cash for entrance fees, food, drinks, etc. (it's recommended to carry a couple of 10,000 Yen bills at all times in Japan, since you can rarely pay by card)
• Small bag or small backpack if you need it
• If you have, your ICOCA for quick and easy train ticket purchase (we can help you get one if you don't have one)

Before we get to the itinerary: Keep in mind that Kyoto is an incredibly famous and popular site on almost every traveller's list, since it's the "authentic, traditional Japan" experience through and through. Back in 2016 we absolutely fell in love with it, but there were way less tourists there back then. The last couple of years, we were surprised by how touristic it has gotten. Since we now travel to it during peak cherry blossom season, we do not know what to expect. Local Japanese tourism should be fairly low, since there are no Holidays and we go there in the middle of the week. At the same time, international travellers, particularly from China and Korea, will be incredibly eager to see Japan (and Kyoto) during this time. So it could be pretty crowded when we get there.

Here's the Itinerary for the Day Trip:

1. Start at 08:30am at Umeda Station in Osaka

We start at 08:30am sharp at the meet-up spot at Umeda station. The specific location will still be shared with you. It will be the exact same spot where we met on the first day for the Osaka Day Trip!

We take the special rapid service from Umeda to Kyoto, which takes about 45 minutes. This line is rather popular, but since it's a Wednesday during work hours, it shouldn't be too crowded hopefully.

Train Fare: 600 Yen

2. 09:15am Arrival at Kyoto Station

Since some of our guests are travelling further from Kyoto or stay at Kyoto, you will have some time to deposit any potential luggage you might have at Kyoto station. The lockers are super safe and easy to use, so no worries. We will transfer from Kyoto station into a local train, moving to our first major sight of the day...

3. 09:30am - 11:45am Transfer to and Visit of Fushimi Inari

There are multiple Shinto shrines in this area and we will explore some of them, including the famous 1000 Torii gates pathway, which is Fushimi Inari Taisha Sembon Torii. The main shrine is the Fushimi Inari Taisha, which we will explore and marvel at.

Entrance Fees: free for the Shrines and Gates (specific museums and such might charge a fee)

4. 11:45am - 01:15pm Transfer close to Kiyomizu-dera and Lunch

We transfer to the vicinity of Kiyomizu-dera and will have lunch together in the area. We have planned quite some buffer here, because there's a special happening at the next stop that needs good timing to be witnessed ;)

5. 01:15pm - 03:15pm Visit to Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kiyomizu-dera is an iconic buddhist temple with stunning views of Kyoto and the surrounding areas. It's particularly beautiful in autumn with its crimson red trees, but Spring is beautiful as well. During the time at the temple, there's a special happening taking place that only occurs twice a year. Since we have never witnessed this ourselves, we do not know how many people to expect, but we guess it will be plenty. Hopefully it will be worth it though ;)

Entrance Fees: 500 Yen

5. 03:15pm - 06:15pm Walk through Ninenzaka streets, Kodaiji Temple, Yasaka-jinja to the Gionmachi

After the temple, we take a stroll along the ancient beautiful streets of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, towards Kodaiji temple, which is conveniently situated on our further way to Yasaka Shrine. From there, we walk towards the Gion district, which is famous for Geisha and Maiko entertainment such as tea houses, bars, and restaurants.

For the people who already need to leave at this point: There will be stations along the way to get you back to Kyoto station.

Entrance Fees: streets are for free, Kodaiji is 600 Yen if you want to go inside, Yasaka Shrine is for free

6. End of Tour at 06:30pm // Dinner in Kyoto

If you either already want to go to Osaka, or have other travel plans, this will be the end of the tour. Right there, at Kyoto Kawaramachi station, you can catch the direct train with the Hankyu-Kyoto Semi-Limited Express line, bringing you right back to Umeda in Osaka in about 45 minutes. The train fare is about 400 Yen. Keep in mind, since this is a different service, that you will NOT be passing Kyoto station with this line. If you need to pick up luggage at Kyoto station, it's better to take a train from there back to Kyoto station and then take the rapid service trains from there.

However, Chiiya and I plan to stay a bit longer that evening in Kyoto and want to explore the bars and restaurants along the Kamo river right next to the Gion district. If you want to, you're more than welcome to join us and explore together with us! We will have some time available so that the people staying in Kyoto can actually check in at their hotels and get settled. We can meet up again around 07:30pm to explore the area. Chiiya and I plan to take the train leaving Kyoto Kawaramachi station at around 10:30pm, arriving back at Osaka Umeda around 11:20pm.