Best Day Trips from Kyoto

If you want to get to know life around the city, I suggest you opt for a guided tour from Kyoto. This tour will take you to magical places such as Kibune, Higashiyama and Kurama. You don't have to worry about anything! You will have a guided tour, an organized itinerary and visits to off-the-beaten-path places.

If you want to get out of the city, you can visit nearby cities, such as Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima, Tokyo and its surroundings. You can travel by bullet train and take advantage of the transportation facilities offered by the JR Pass.

On this tour to Kibune and Kurama villages from Kyoto, you will get to see some of the city's best temples hidden in the mountains. The advantage of this experience is that it is done on foot, so before leaving the city you will pass through local districts.

Kibune is a village in the forested valley of the Kyoto mountains. Here you can visit Japanese souvenir stores, eat at riverside restaurants or enter a traditional ryokan. Ryokan are Japanese inns, distinguished by their tatami rooms with futon mattresses flush with the floor.

Kurama is a paradisiacal destination near Kyoto. It is a mountain known as the home of reiki, a healing discipline that attracts thousands of people a year. Locals say it is a space protected by Japan's mystical creatures, better known as tengus.

If you are looking for activities to do with children in Kyoto, you can take advantage of hiking, as it is an easy route that has rest areas. During this tour you can visit:

• Fushimi Inari Shrine: it is a place to venerate the spirit of the god Inari and learn about his traditions.
• Nijo-jo Castle: it is linked to the traditions of ancient Japan, it is ideal to escape from the tourist crowds.
• Kyoto Imperial Palace: it was the home of Japanese royalty for centuries. Nowadays, visitors are not allowed inside, but you can walk around the structure. You are also allowed to stroll through the gardens and get a close look at its shrines, ponds, teahouses, among others.
• Higashiyama District: is a traditional area where souvenir stores and Japanese objects abound. It is located at the foot of the mountains and is a photographable environment.
• Arashiyama District: located on the outskirts of the city, it is an ideal place for activities in Kyoto during autumn.

Details of interest

• Price: from 100 euros.
• Duration: approximately four hours.
• Means of transport: this is a daytime walking tour, only includes pick-up at the meeting point, but you must arrange other transfers. The fastest way to get there is by car, while the most economical options include going by train or bus. It is not mandatory to return to Kyoto with the rest of the group, so you can spend the night in a ryokan.
• Advantages of this option: it is a customizable tour, ideal to do with children. You will be able to choose up to three sites you wish to visit. In addition, it is a private experience where you can ask as many questions as you wish, since the maximum capacity is 7 people.
• Disadvantages of this option: the excursion does not include transportation costs. Additionally, it does not include lunch or entrance fees to some monuments.

Kyoto has around eleven districts, the private tour of Fushimi Inari, Gion and Kiyomizudera will take you to see the historical areas. It is among the best things to do in the city, due to its varied itinerary.

You can visit the Higashiyama mountain range, a mountain on the outskirts of the city that beautifies the spaces of Kyoto. In this area is located the Fushimi Inari Shrine, founded in 711 AD. There are also a variety of mystical and vermilion torii gates, which are rare and can only be found in Japan.

Additionally, I recommend you take advantage of the activities in Kyoto during autumn, as the blossoming beautifies its streets.

Details of interest

• Price: from 100 €.
• Duration: approximately four hours.
• Means of transport: it is a walking tour that includes some transfers, such as the train to the mountains of Gion.
• Advantages of this option: covers the cost of entrance fees to temples and shrines. In addition, it is a private and customizable tour.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is not accessible for wheelchairs, nor for people with health problems.

The city of Nara is the perfect getaway if you want to see other parts of the country. It is known for the large number of deer, which often walk free in the streets. It was also the capital of Japan during medieval times, so you can take advantage of this excursion to see its relics.

I recommend leaving early in the morning to make the most of your time. During the tour you will be able to visit:

• Tōdai-ji Temple: it is a Buddhist wooden temple, known for guarding the largest seated Buddha in Japan.
• Kofukuji Temple: it was built in the year 669 by a very powerful family, known as the Fujiwara clan. It houses objects from this era, as well as a collection of statues. Admission is free, but to access some rooms, such as the National Treasure Museum, you must pay about 5 €.
• Isuien Garden: it was created in the era of the Edo period, it was a space reserved for the upper class, but nowadays it is free. It was built based on the Japanese Shakkei technique, which respects the nature surrounding a building.

Details of interest

• Price: from 60 €.
• Duration: about six hours.
• Means of transportation: some tours include transportation, but you can get there on your own in about forty minutes, taking a train from Miyakoji Station.
• Advantages of this option: it is a complete tour available in English. The experience can be done in a group, so it is a great option to share with the family.
• Disadvantages of this option: It may not include entrance to some monuments.

You have probably heard of Hiroshima, a city famous for its tragic history. During World War II an atomic bomb exploded, which destroyed much of the city.

In fact, on Naka-ku Street, you can see the point of the explosion. The city has many sites where you can learn more about the event, for example:

• Hiroshima Peace Museum: there is more information about the explosion, both in Japanese and English. I do not recommend visiting with children, as some exhibits include sensitive content. It has an approximate cost of 2 €.
• Cenotaph: it is a monument located in the center, dedicated to the victims. Every day flowers and commemorations are placed there. In addition, on the stones there is an inscription in Japanese that translates as rest in peace, the mistake will not be repeated.
• Peace Park: here you can ring the Peace Bell and walk through the Gates of Peace.

Sailing to Miyajima Island from Hiroshima

Miyajima is a sacred island with a giant torii in the middle of the sea. The torii gates are sacred arches that protect the country's promised lands. In addition, this archipelago abounds with deer and is an ideal place to take pictures.

It is a destination visited by couples, who book romantic evenings in a ryokan in the area. You can take advantage of the trip to Hiroshima, to take a boat that takes thirty minutes to reach the island.

However, if you are traveling from Kyoto and do not want to enter Hiroshima, you can opt for the following transport for your trip:

• The fastest option: travel by train to Hiroshima Central Station, it takes about two hours. You will then transfer to Miyajimaguchi, from where boats depart for the island.
• The most customizable option: travel by car directly to Miyajimaguchi and use a car ferry to the island.
• The cheapest, but slowest option: travel by bus to Hiroshima, which leaves three times a day. Then, take a ferry at Motoyasu Pier Hiroshima which departs every hour, for about 16 €.

Details of interest

• Price: from 50 €.
• Duration: about eight hours.
• Means of transportation: some tours do not include transportation, so you can take a train from Kyoto Central Station to Hiroshima, which takes about an hour and a half to arrive in the city.
• Advantages of this option: it is a tour available in English. In addition, you can take advantage of visiting both destinations, as they are very close to each other. There are also options if you prefer to visit only Hiroshima or go directly to Miyajimaguchi.
• Disadvantages of this option: it may not include entrance to some monuments.

Osaka is a port city that attracts tourists, thanks to its nightlife and quirky street food offerings. The best way to get there from Kyoto is by taking a Shinkansen, also known as a bullet train. Here you can visit:

• Dontobori district: it is an area full of neon screens and decorations, it will probably remind you of Time Square in New York.
• Osaka Castle: it has a charming architecture and eight floors full of history. There is also a museum here where you can learn more about the city, as well as visit the Nishinomaru gardens. The entrance fee is around 4 €.
• Shinsekai Neighborhood: it has more than 100 years of history, its architecture was inspired by the facades of Paris and Coney Island in New York. It is ideal if you want to take pictures, or just walk through its alleys.

Interesting details

• Price: from 65 €.
• Duration: about eight hours.
• Means of transportation: there are several tours that include transportation within Osaka. However, you may need to transfer on your own from Kyoto, the best way is to take a bullet train from 5 €.
• Advantages of this option: includes entrance to some monuments.
• Disadvantages of this option: the tours are usually in English.

While Kyoto was the capital of Japan in about 794, today that position is held by Tokyo. The contrast between the two cities is striking, as the former is ancient and welcoming, while the Japanese capital is bustling and modern.

One thing they share in common is that they both have traditional spaces and a fun nightlife. Take advantage of this excursion to Tokyo to visit:

• Shinjuku: it is a shopping street where skyscrapers abound, there are many free viewpoints that will give you the best views of the city.
• Tokyo Tower: an icon of the city, it is a replica of the Eiffel Tower, but with some modifications. You can walk on transparent glass 150 meters above the city.

Details of interest

• Price: from 80 €.
• Duration: approximately ten hours.
• Means of transport: I suggest taking a bullet train, this means of transport shortens the trip from five to two hours. Trains leave every hour, so it is important to arrive early.
• Advantages of this option: it allows you to tour the capital of Japan in a short time, ideal if you plan to visit Kyoto in two days.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is one of the farthest cities from Kyoto, the fastest round trip transfer can cost around 160 €. There are cheaper options starting at 50 €, however they can take up to eight hours.

While you can visit cities near Kyoto on your own by bus, car or train, I suggest you opt for a guided tour. It is a private and safe option, where a professional guide will guide you and help you to optimize your time. It is an ideal if you plan to visit Kyoto in two days, as it will allow you to make the most of your time. It is also a great option if it is your first time in Japan and you do not know how to organize your itinerary.

For example, when visiting Fushimi Inari Shrine independently, many people tend to go around it and walk through its tunnels. In this way, they leave out the most important thing: this monument holds local stories that your guide will reveal to you. You can learn more about the origin of the shrine, the god Inari, the importance of the fox in Japanese culture and more.

Additionally, an excursion is a great option if you want to get to know the surroundings without worries. You can enjoy a stress-free trip, leaving the organization to the professionals.

To save some euros you can buy the JR Pass or Japan Rail Pass, it is a transport card for foreigners. It has multiple benefits, for example you can use it for:

• The bullet train, except for the fastest trains in Japan, known as Nozomi and Mizuho.
• The ferry to Miyajima Island.
• The train from Tokyo and Osaka airports.
• Some subway lines, such as Jr of Tokaido Line in Kyoto, Osaka Loop Line and Yamanote Line in Tokyo.
• The Hiroshima tourist bus.

The price of the card is around 235 € for 7 days, you can save more money if you order it online. Note that to use your pass without problems, you must carry your passport.