In relation to Kyoto, I’m not a impartial arbiter. I known as town dwelling for practically a 12 months; I loudly sung its praised for nearly a decade earlier than than.
On the identical token, I get it: Not everyone has an countless period of time to play with throughout their Japan journey. For all types of causes, staying in a single day (or, ideally, a number of nights) in Kyoto merely may not be on the desk.
A Kyoto day journey from Osaka isn’t very best, to place a last, finer level on my perspective. Nonetheless, if it’s your solely choice, it’s a lot better than not visiting Kyoto in any respect. Right here’s how one can take advantage of your journey (which I hope will plant the seeds of future journeys to Japan’s former capital).
A Kyoto Day Journey Ought to Be a Final Resort
Kyoto is far more crowded than it was earlier than the pandemic; sure sights at sure occasions of 12 months might be downright depressing. On the identical time, Kyoto is totally value visiting—don’t let anyone let you know in another way. And in the event you can swing it, you need to completely keep not less than an evening in Kyoto, notably if you’ll be able to achieve this in a conventional lodging within the Arashiyama or Higashiyama districts.
This isn’t say you possibly can’t have a significant and even nice journey to Kyoto in the event you can solely come for the day from Osaka. Actually, in the event you comply with the directions I set forth inside this publish, this can be your consequence. On the identical time, I do assume this could solely be on the desk for you in the event you merely don’t have time, be that since you’re in Osaka for enterprise, or since you’re spending every week in Japan or much less.
The way to Construction Your Day Journey to Kyoto from Osaka
Trip the Keihan Foremost Line to Fushimi Inari
If you wish to see Kyoto in a day with out dropping time in transit, don’t take a JR practice or Shinkansen. As an alternative, go to Osaka’s Yodoyabashi or Kyobashi stations and journey the Keihan Foremost Line to Fushimi Inari Station. As its title suggests, that is only a stone’s throw from Fushimi Inari Shrine, which is a good place to kick off your Kyoto sightseeing, particularly if you may make it there within the morning.
Proceed northward into Higashiyama and Gion
After making your preliminary journey from Osaka to Kyoto, proceed northward on the Keihan-sen, this time to Gion-Shijo Station. This may allow you to out within the coronary heart of Gion, the Geisha district inside the Higashiyama ward. Whether or not you discover extensively or just go to high sights like Kiyomizu-dera temple or Hei’an Shrine, take pleasure in your time in Kyoto’s oldest and most sacred space.
Stroll throughout the Kamo River to Nishiki Market
Subsequent, stroll westward, which is able to finally take you over the Kamo River. Take pleasure in a while alongside the water, then discover your approach to Nishiki Market, the place you possibly can have lunch on-the-go. Be aware that in the event you crossed the river at Sanjo Ohashi Bridge, chances are you’ll have to stroll south for a couple of blocks earlier than you attain the market. The Shijo-Kawaramachi space across the market can be nice for procuring, in case you want something.
(And journey throughout city to Arashiyama)
Subsequent, discover your approach to Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station, the place you possibly can journey the Hankyu Line (by way of Katsura Station) to Hankyu-Arashiyama Station. At a minimal, you’ll wish to stroll from right here to Tenryu-ji temple after which into the Sagano Bamboo Grove. You might also wish to go by bus, rickshaw or foot to the Saga Toriimoto Historic Road, a lesser-visited a part of the district simply north of the principle space.
Head again to Osaka by way of JR practice(s)
Lastly, you’ll wish to head again to Osaka, by driving the JR Sagano Line from Saga-Arashiyama Station to Kyoto Station, and a JR Particular Fast Service from there. Be aware that if you wish to go to the Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion, you will get off the Sagano-sen at Emmachi, and journey the #205 Bus from there (and again). Likewise, you possibly can exit Kyoto-eki to go up in Kyoto Tower earlier than you come back to Osaka.
The way to Spend Longer in Kyoto
Kyoto will get higher the longer you spend, and the extra deeply you discover. Listed below are some concepts of how one can keep longer within the metropolis:
- With two days in Kyoto, you possibly can evenly divide your time between Higashiyama in jap Kyoto, and Arashiyama within the west.
- Spend three days in Kyoto, to make room for a day journey: To Nara (and perhaps Uji), with a sake tour and go to to Fushimi Inari Shrine tacked onto the top.
- You probably have 4-7 days in Kyoto, you possibly can actually go off town’s crushed path, whether or not to underrated sacred websites like Kurama-dera and Kifune-jinja, or to oft-missed districts like Nagaokakyo.
TIP: Whether or not you propose to spend 3 days in Kyoto or a complete week, I do hope you’ll contemplate hiring me to plan your journey to Japan.
Different FAQ About Visiting Kyoto from Osaka
Can I do Kyoto in 1 day?
You are able to do Kyoto in 1 day, not less than partially. With a day, you possibly can go to choose websites in Higashiyama and Arashiyama, and probably additionally Fushimi Inari Shrine or Nishiki Market. What you possibly can’t do is sit down and breathe, or actually ponder the majesty and significance of the whole lot round you.
How lengthy is the practice journey from Osaka to Kyoto?
Relying upon the way you journey, touring from Osaka to Kyoto can take as little as quarter-hour (the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Kyoto Station) or as much as an hour, similar to is the case when driving the Keihan Foremost Line from Yodoyabashi Station in central Osaka to Gion-Shijo Station in Kyoto’s Higashiyama ward.
How a lot does the bullet practice value from Osaka to Kyoto?
Using the bullet practice between Osaka and Kyoto prices a minimal of ¥1,450 for a non-reserved seat, however can value double as a lot in the event you want to reserve a seat. Take into accout, nonetheless, that the Shinkansen leaves from Shin-Osaka Station, which is a 15-30 minute subway or native practice journey from central Osaka. A greater choice is to journey a Particular Fast JR practice from Osaka Station, or the Keihan Foremost Line from Yodoyabashi.
The Backside Line
I wouldn’t ordinarily advocate a Kyoto day journey from Osaka, but when it’s your solely choice, I’ll show you how to do it properly. The hot button is selecting transport hyperlinks that mean you can discover Kyoto as shortly and effectively as attainable—you’re making an attempt to suit greater than a thousand years of historical past right into a single day, in spite of everything. The opposite secret is to dedicate your entire day: Kyoto is just too sprawling and wealthy a vacation spot to attempt to cut up with Nara, for instance. Want customized assist integrating Kyoto and Osaka into your journey, regardless of how lengthy you’re capable of spend in every? Fee a customized Japan itinerary, and let me sweat the small print for you.