THINGS TO DO IN KYOTO IN DAY

Discover the things to do in Kyoto in a day, visit Kyoto’s bamboo forest, climb the top of Mt. Inari, walk streets of Gion and authentic local desserts. Check our Kyoto Day Tour activity and itinerary as we visit Kyoto’s famous landmarks and explore the world-renowned UNESCO heritage sites. Also indulging in Kyoto’s experience on local authentic Matcha desserts. The city of Kyoto is known for its historical shrines, Buddhist temples, Zen of gardens, and ancient wooden Ryokan houses. Join us we explore things to do in Kyoto, Japan.

THINGS TO DO IN KYOTO IN A DAY

Where Is Kyoto
How To Get To Kyoto
Things To Do In Kyoto
A. Walk Through Bamboo Forest
B. Visit The Kiyomizu-Dera Temaple
C. Climb On The Top Of Mt. Inari
D. Take Snapshoot Of Kinkaku-ji Temple
E. Indulge On Kyoto Authentic Dessert
Final Thoughts
Kyoto Japan Itinerary

WHERE IS KYOTO

Kyoto is located in the Kansai region of Japan which is a part of the Keihanshin area. It is about 56 km northeast from the city of Osaka, and 460 km southeast of Tokyo.

HOW TO GET TO KYOTO

Train
The fastest way to travel to Kyoto from Tokyo is by riding the bullet train. The bullet train could travel up to the speed of 210km/h which is equivalent to around 2 hours and 20 minutes of travel. It was blazing fast and efficient for travelers who require to reach Kyoto on time. Since it is the fastest way, the one-way ticket would cost you around ¥13,000. One of the train operators is the JR Shinkansen.

Airplane
Kyoto doesn’t have airlines that operate between Tokyo, the nearest city will be at Osaka. There are two airlines company that operates locally to Osaka from Tokyo, namely Jetstar and Peach and the average one-way ticket fare will at ¥6000.

Night Bus

The cheapest way to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto is to take the night bus. There are two (2) known bus company that operates Willer and Kosoko bus. The bus will usually depart at 9:00 pm and arrive at 5:30 am the next day. Average one-way ticket fare will be at ¥5,000 (depending on the season)

For us, if you are saving for hotel accommodation and willing to sleep overnight on the bus, then the best budget-friendly travel to Kyoto will be the overnight bus.

THINGS TO DO IN KYOTO

1. WALK THROUGH BAMBOO FOREST

It is a natural bamboo forest consist of walkways, which is a peaceful and serene place to visit.

How To Get There:
Located in the western part of Kyoto, which can be accessed through train from Kyoto station, and alighting at Saga-Arashimaya station. It is approximately 20 minutes of travel consisting of 7 train stops. After alighting Saga-Arashimaya station, a 15 minutes’ walk will get you to the entrance of the bamboo forest.

Entrance Fee: FREE
Opening Hours: 5:30 AM – 11:30 PM (MON-SUN, except for PH)

2. VISIT THE KIYOMIZUDERA TEMPLE

This is a Buddhist temple where it is one of the must-see attractions in Kyoto. The temple was a UNESCO World Heritage site.

How To Get There
Temple is located in the eastern part of Kyoto, which is easy can be accessed if you are taking a bus from the Kyoto Station. There is a city bus that operates from Kyoto station to the foot of this temple, the bus stop is located just outside of Kyoto station-Kyoto Eki Mae and the bus number that operates are 100,110,106 and 206. It is around 15 minutes of travel and consist of 7 bus stops to reach the foot of the temple. From the bus stop, a 15 minutes hike will reach you on the main entrance of the temple.

Entrance Fee: ¥600/person
Opening Hours:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (MON-SUN, except for PH)

3. CLIMB THE TOP OF MT. INARI

Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of the famous tourist attractions in Kyoto. At the main entrance, a large standing Torri gate will be seen, and as you walk along the hundreds or even thousands of orange-colored Torri gates will be along the path. Exploring the shrine and climbing would require comfy shoes if you are willing to hike on top of Mt. Inari. The will take approximately around 45-60 minutes to reach the top but depends on the pace.

How To Get There
The shrine is located in the southern part of Kyoto, which is just 3 train stops from Kyoto Station. Most of the people alight at Fushimi-Inari Station and head for a walk at about 5 minutes to the main entrance of the shrine.

Entrance Fee: FREE
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours

4. TAKE SNAPSHOOT OF Kinkaku-ji

It is the top one most visited place in Kyoto, and highly recommended by most of the travel blogs. Even me, I was amazed when I save the beauty and picturesque view of the temple. The two-story of the temple is covered with real gold leaf, which makes it outshines on a beautiful sunny day. This temple is the place where the Buddhist come to visit, relax, and pray.

How To Get There
Temple is located on the further northern part of Kyoto, riding a train from Kyoto Station via the Keihan Lien and alighting at Demachiyanagi Station. From there walk about 5 minutes to the nearest bus stop and ride the bus no. 102. This bus will take you to the nearest bus stop of Kinkaku-ji which is 9 bus stop away. Travel time will around 20 minutes.

Entrance Fee: ¥600/person
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (MON-SUN, except for PH)

5. INDULGE KYOTO DESSERT'S

Kinkakuji Soft Ice Cream

Kinkakuji Soft Ice Cream special in house ice cream shop is selling this soft ice cream with gold on it. The ice cream consists of matcha green tea, sweet red beans, rice cake ball, and real gold which made us curious about it. So we decided and tried the vanilla flavor, the taste of the ice cream as a normal flavor which you can buy at a different ice cream shop but what it makes special is the gold plated which is added on the top.
Price: ¥880
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (MON-SUN, except for PH)

Maccha House Maccha-kan

If you love ice cream and want to experience another flavor then you must try the matcha ( means coming from green tea leaves) ice cream. It was delicious, a combination of bitterness and sweetness but it’s well combined. You can really feel the matcha goodness after eating the ice cream. Maccha House Maccha-kan is Located 500m from the Kiyomizudera Temple, this local shop offers. The matcha tiramisu cake was totally delectable. A different kind of dessert where they put some pinches of green tea on top, the second layer was like a vanilla flavor and the bottom was like a chiffon cake. It was mouthwatering and melts in your mouth. While eating, you can feel the sweetness, a bit of bitterness, and the happiness that finally you have tasted a delicious authentic dessert.
Price: ¥900
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM (MON-SUN)

FINAL THOUGHTS

Hopefully we are able to prpvide the things to do in Kyoto in day, in your visit you can experience this activity. Kyoto Day Trip Activity exploring famous landmarks and sites in Kyoto. We are mesmerized by the city of Kyoto, from the Japanese Ryokan house where we stayed overnight, to the shrines that we have visited, to the beautiful views and the delicious food that we have tasted. Definitely, a must place to visit in Japan. We love the place and have witnessed the Japanese culture and tradition especially the wearing of kimono, though we haven’t tried wearing it. We have seen how courteous the Japanese people and how they welcomed tourists. Below are the highlights of our Kyoto Day Trip activity and itinerary for your reference.

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KYOTO DAY TRIP ITINERARY

05:30   Arrived at Kyoto Station G2 Platform
             Overnight Bus: Willer Night Bus
             Head to Kyoto Train Station
06:00 Early Breakfast at McDonald’s, Kyoto
06:45 Ride train at Kyoto Station
Head to Inari
07:15   Arrive at Inari Station
          Leave Bag at Station Lockers
        Paid: Y600
07:30 Head to Fushi-mi Inari Temple
            Explore the Torii Gates
            Reach the top of Mt. Inari
            Descent
09:30 Ride train at Inari Station
10:15    Alight Demachiyanagi Station
            At Bus Stop: Demachi Yanagi Eki mae
            Bus No. 102
            Head to Kinkaku-ji (9 bus stop)
10:45   Alight Bus Stop: Kinkakujimichi
        Walk 200m entrance of Kinkaku-ji
            Explore Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavillion)
            Entrance Fee: Y600
11:30    Ride Bus to Arashimaya
            Walk to Bus Stop: Kinkakuji No.22
            Ride Bus No:
12:15 Alight Emmachi Bus Stop
            Walk to Emmachi Train Station
            Ride Train to Arashimaya
            Alight at Arashimaya
            Walk 500m towards Bamboo Forest
            Explore and check Tenryuji Temple
13:20   Walk to Togetsu-kyō Bridge
            Check Katsura River
            Head Back and ride train
            Ride train Arashimaya
14:30   Alight Karasuma
             Walk 100m to Nishiki Market
             Late Lunch at Family Mart
14:45 Walk to Gion
Hanamikoji St
16:30 Walk to Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Explore and check city view of Kyoto
17:30   Walk to Ninezike Street
            Maccha House – Maccha Tiramisu
            Starbucks- Soy Latte
18:00 Walk to Gion train station
Ride train at Gion-Shijo Station
18:30 Alight at Inari
Collect Baggage at Coin Lockers
18:45 Walk to Hotel
Stay In KOTO

THINGS TO DO IN KYOTO IN DAY

WHERE IS KYOTO

HOW TO GET TO KYOTO