6 Best Day Trips from Kyoto

If you want to get to know life in the surrounding area, 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 a thing! You'll have a guide, an organized itinerary, and visits to less crowded spots.

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

On this excursion to the villages of Kibune and Kurama from Kyoto, you will discover 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 wooded valley of the Kyoto mountains. Here you can visit Japanese souvenir shops, eat in riverside restaurants, or stay in a traditional ryokan. Ryokans are Japanese inns, distinguished by their tatami rooms with futon mattresses on the floor.

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

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

• Fushimi Inari Shrine: a place to worship the spirit of the god Inari and learn about his traditions.
• Nijo-jo Castle: linked to the traditions of ancient Japan, it is ideal for escaping the tourist crowds.
• Kyoto Imperial Palace: this was the home of Japanese royalty for centuries. Currently, visits to the interior are not allowed, but you can walk around the structure. You can also stroll through the gardens and see the shrines, ponds, tea houses, and other features up close.
• Higashiyama District: This is a traditional area with many souvenir shops and Japanese goods stores. It is located at the foot of the mountains and is a very photogenic area.
• Arashiyama District: Located on the outskirts of the city, this is an ideal place for activities in Kyoto during the fall.

Details of interest

• Price: from €100.
• Duration: approximately four hours.
• Transportation: this is a daytime walking tour and only includes pickup at the meeting point. You must arrange other transportation yourself. The fastest option is by car, while the most economical options include train or bus. It is not mandatory to return to Kyoto with the rest of the group, so you can spend the night at a ryokan.

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

You can explore the Higashiyama mountain range, a mountain on the outskirts of the city that embellishes Kyoto's landscape. This area is home to Fushimi Inari Shrine, founded in 711 AD. There are also a variety of mystical vermilion torii gates, which are rare and can only be found in Japan.

Additionally, I recommend taking advantage of the activities in Kyoto during the fall, as the blossoms beautify the streets.

Details of interest

• Price: from €100.
• Duration: approximately four hours.
• Transportation: this is a walking tour that includes some transfers, such as the train to the Gion mountains.

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

I recommend leaving early in the morning to make the most of your time. During the excursion, you will visit:

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

Interesting details

• Price: from €60.
• Duration: around six hours.
• Transportation: Some tours include transportation, but you can get there on your own in about 40 minutes by taking a train from Miyakoji Station.

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

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

• Hiroshima Peace Memorial 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. Admission is approximately €2.
• Cenotaph: this is a monument located in the center, dedicated to the victims. Flowers and commemorations are placed here every day. In addition, there is an inscription in Japanese on the stones 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.

Sail to Miyajima Island from Hiroshima

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

It is a destination visited by couples, who book romantic evenings at a ryokan in the area. You can take advantage of your 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 go to Hiroshima, you can choose the following transportation options for your excursion:

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

Useful information

• Price: from €50.
• Duration: around eight hours.
• Transportation: Some tours do not include transportation, so you can take a train from Kyoto Central Station to Hiroshima, which takes approximately an hour and a half to reach the city.

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

• Dotonbori district: this area is full of neon signs and decorations, and will probably remind you of Times Square in New York.
• Osaka Castle: this castle has charming architecture and eight floors steeped in history. There is also a museum where you can learn more about the city, as well as visit the Nishinomaru gardens. Admission is around €4.
• Shinsekai district: with over 100 years of history, its architecture was inspired by the facades of Paris and Coney Island in New York. It's ideal if you want to take photos or simply stroll through its narrow streets.

Interesting details

• Price: from €65.
• Duration: around eight hours.
• Transportation: there are several tours that include transportation within Osaka. However, you may need to make your own way from Kyoto, the best way being to take a bullet train from €5.

Travel to Tokyo by bullet train from Kyoto

While Kyoto was the capital of Japan in approximately 794, Tokyo now holds that position. 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 have in common is that both have traditional areas and a lively nightlife. Take advantage of this excursion to Tokyo to visit:

• Shinjuku: a shopping street lined with skyscrapers, there are many free viewpoints offering the best views of the city.
• Tokyo Tower: an icon of the city, it is a replica of the Eiffel Tower, but with certain modifications. You can walk on transparent glass 150 meters above the city.

Details of interest

• Price: from €80.
• Duration: approximately ten hours.
• Transportation: I suggest taking a bullet train, as this mode of transportation shortens the trip from five to two hours. Trains depart every hour, so it is important to arrive early.

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

For example, when visiting Fushimi Inari Shrine on their own, many people tend to walk around it and through its tunnels. This way, they miss out on the most important part: 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, a tour is a great option if you want to explore the surrounding area without any worries. You can enjoy a stress-free trip, leaving the organization to the professionals.

To save a few dollars, you can purchase the JR Pass or Japan Rail Pass, a transportation card for foreigners. It has multiple benefits, for example, you can use it for:

• The bullet train, except for the fastest ones in Japan, known as Nozomi and Mizuho.
• The ferry to Miyajima Island.
• The airport train in Tokyo and Osaka.
• Some subway lines, such as the Tokaido Line in Kyoto, the Osaka Loop Line, and the Yamanote Line in Tokyo.
• The Hiroshima sightseeing bus.

The card costs around €235 for 7 days, and you can save more money if you order it online. Please note that you must carry your passport with you to use your pass without any problems.