This is the best place for tourist to experience traditional Japanese culture with many shrines, temples, and imperial palace.
Although almost all Japanese culture sites were damaged in World War II, many old buildings in Kyoto were fortunately reserved.
Therefore, it is said that Kyoto prefecture is not only the capital but also a rural with cultural and historical meanings.
At A Glance
13 Day Trips From Kyoto You Have To Take
1. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, which is covered with many soaring stalks of bamboo, is a very famous Kyoto tourist attraction to take photos in Japan.
Standing in the middle of this sprawling bamboo forest will bring you an otherworldly experience that nowhere else in the world can.
It is difficult to catch the path without streams of people walking by, with the same purpose as you, though.
2. Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine is located on Inariyama Mountain, famous for its vermilion Torri gates.
It is dedicated to the Inari goods of merchants and Shinto gods of sake and rice. For those working in business, this is a yearly place of worship, while other people often come here to see a variety of Torri gates.
Walking underneath the shrine’s gates gives you the feeling like passing a fiery tangerine tunnel. Definitely one of Kyoto’s places to visit.
This shrine is dedicated to Shinto gods of rice, who brings the locals wealth and affluence. To come to Fushimi Inari shrine, you have to go through many wooded forests of Mountain Inari.
You can choose either of two rows of dense Torri gates to get to this shrine.
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At first, you will see many people gathering together because they tend to take photos in the first part of the hiking trail. However, if you continue to hike, you will find some secluded areas, especially at night.
Author’s note: When I went in summer, mosquitos were merciless. Standing at one spot taking pictures could earn me 20 bites on my legs. :/
3. Koyasan
Koyasan is a spiritual place in the South of Osaka and is not only home to 115 temples and more than 600 monks but also to the biggest graveyard in Japan.
The best time to visit is early in the morning, so you can walk around the graveyard without meeting anyone.
It’s totally quiet and peaceful and the only thing you can hear are the birds and the praying of the monks. So, if you like nature and traditional Japanese temple, Koyasan simply makes for an amazing day trip from Kyoto.
3. Nara
Nara is a great worthwhile day trip when you’re staying in Kyoto. Other than taking in the beauty of this traditional Japanese city in general, some of the more interesting specific things you can do there are visiting the deer park, the Todaiji Temple, and the Kasuga Shrine.
Take a day trip to the nearby prefecture of Nara. You can spend the day visiting temples and shrines, including the UNESCO World Heritage sites Todaiji and Kasuga Taisha.
But the real draw is the deer. Designated a national treasure and believed to be sacred, the roughly 1200 free-roaming deer are everywhere.
Buy some ‘deer crackers’, or shika senbei (鹿せんべい), and watch the deer bow for food. But be careful — some deer search your pockets and can get a little mouthy.
Filled with temples, shrines, and thousands of bowing deer, don’t miss this fun and unique day trip a short train ride from Kyoto.
To get to Nara from Kyoto, you can take the Kintetsu or JR railway line from Kyoto Station. Local trains take about 75 minutes, while rapid trains take as little as 30 minutes. You can use the JR Pass if riding on the JR train line.
Make sure to dress appropriately and wear comfortable shoes as most sites are a good 25-minute walk from the station. If you’re unsure what to wear, check out these Japan travel tips.
– Fleur Delilah and Journey Compass
4. Kanazawa
Kanazawa, Japan
Kanazawa is another popular day trip from Kyoto.
Kanazawa is the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture on Japan’s main island of Honshu. In recent years, Kanazawa is becoming more and more popular as a tourist destination, and there really is a lot to see and do there during a day trip from Kyoto.
Most famous is the Kenrokuen Landscape garden, which is exceptionally beautiful in winter when the trees are capped with snow.
Other popular attractions are the Higashi Chaya district, an area with beautiful teahouses in which Geisha used to perform, Kanazawa Castle or the Omicho Market where you can buy all kinds of fresh seafood. At the 21st Century Museum, you can experience modern art, like the famous Leandro’s Swimming Pool.
From Kyoto, you can reach Kanazawa in 2 hours and 15 minutes using the JR Thunderbird train, which directly connects Kyoto Station and Kanazawa Station. The one-way trip costs JPY6,700/ USD70) but will be free if you have the Japan Rail Pass.
5. Hakone
Sitting at the foot of Mount Fuji, Hakone is a gorgeous, quiet town tucked into the rolling mountains of southeastern Japan, full of natural hot springs, world class art museums, and ancient shrines. Given its small-town vibes, Hakone is a perfect change of pace from Japan’s bustling metropolises.
You can pack in a lot during a day trip – visit Hakone Shrine, which juts out of the serene Lake Ashinoko; explore the Open Air Museum, where enormous statues are expertly integrated into the mountain views; stop in for grilled mochi and a warm cup of amazake (a drink made from fermented rice) at Amazake Chaya, a traditional teahouse that has been serving travellers since the 1600s; or cruise almost three hundred meters (or one thousand feet) over an active volcano on the Hakone ropeway, where you’ll catch dazzling glimpses of Lake Ashi and, if you’re lucky, Mount Fuji, peeking out behind the clouds.
For an indulgent treat, snag a day pass to Yunessun Hot Springs Resort and Spa, an onsen (natural hot springs) or for an overnight visit, stay in a ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn) with its very own onsen.
Regardless of how you spend your time in Hakone, it’s the perfect place to relax, disconnect, and just take in the stunning beauty of Japan.
To get to Hakone from Kyoto, jump on a Takaido-Sanyo shinkansen to the Shin-Yokohama Station. From there, you’ll take the Takaido-Sanyo shinkansen to the Odawara, where you’ll get on a small commuter train, via the Hakonetozan line, to Hakone-Yumoto Station.
The journey takes a little over three hours; once you’re there, you may be tempted to turn your day trip into a short getaway!
6. Chureito Pagoda
I am sure you have seen an image of the beautiful and iconic view of Mount Fuji with a bright red pagoda. If you are not familiar, the place is called Chureito Pagoda. It is arguably one of the most iconic views of Japan and the best location for capturing Mount Fuji.
The spot is particularly popular during cherry blossom season when there are lots of trees in full bloom around the Pagoda.
There are 2 ways to go to Chureito Pagoda from Kyoto. The first way is to take a bullet train to go to Shin-Fuji Station. It will take 1.2 hours and cost 10,680JPY. Then, you will take a bus to go to Fujisan Station. Once you are in Fujisan Station, you will take another bus and get off at Nyorai-ji Temple Ent.
Another way is to take a highway bus called FUJIYAMA LINER. You will get off at Fujisan Station. It will take 9 hours and cost JPY8,200/ USD75. Once you are in Fuji-san Station, you will take another bus and get off at Nyorai-ji Temple Ent.
7. Miyajima Island
You’ve probably seen hundreds of pictures of this famous floating Japanese gate, also known as a Torii, and not really known exactly what or where it is.
Although this is one of the most famous images of Japan, most people don’t venture from Tokyo or Kyoto to see it.
It marks the entrance to Miyajima Island in the south of Japan, just a few minutes away from the once devastated city of Hiroshima. While I adore Kyoto, it was really nice to get away from the crowds for a while and into some nature.
Once you’re on the island you’ll be greeted by adorable Sika deer. Please don’t feed the deer, although they will beg, and you will definitely see other people feeding them.
On the island, you can explore several temples and shrines, wander down the ancient streets, and try some classic Japanese food, as well as some more unique ones, like deer poop ice cream yum! Miyajima is famous for their maple shaped, cream-filled pastries called momoji.
And of course, seeing the Itsukushima floating torii gate. A Torii is a Japanese gate between the normal every-day world and a sacred place. You can visit the Torii at high tide and low tide. During high tide, the torii looks like its floating and during low tide, you can walk under it.
Miyajima is an incredible little island that proves a fun and educational day trip from Kyoto.
Miyajima is an easy day trip from Kyoto and can be accessed by using your Japan Rail Pass to ride the Shinkansen (bullet train) and ferry.
8. Hiroshima
Hiroshima is one of the best destinations in Japan and well worth taking time to visit. Hiroshima is infamous for bring the first place a nuclear bomb was ever detonated. The entire city was obliterated. But looking at Hiroshima now, you wouldn’t know it had ever happened. It’s a huge, modern city with plenty to see and do.
When you arrive in Hiroshima, head straight to the Peace Memorial Museum. This is a hard-hitting museum and makes for a harrowing visit as it doesn’t pare back the suffering experienced by the people of Hiroshima. Outside, you can look around the Peace Park where there’s a cenotaph which frames an eternal flame and the A-Bomb Dome beyond.
The sole reminder of the devastation suffered by Hiroshima is the famous A-Bomb Dome in the city centre. The bomb went off almost directly above it and it was the only building to survive the blast. You can get a good view of it from the far end of the Peace Park.
I love that the Japanese have turned a sad, confronting place into a memorial of thousands of lost lives in a respectful and peaceful place. I love that they continue to express that the memorial is so that we never forget the devastation caused by the nuclear bomb and that we never have to experience this anywhere else in the world.
In the afternoon, head to Hiroshima Castle, where you can get views over the city, and to finish your day stop at Shukkei-en Garden before getting some okonomiyaki for dinner near the station.
To get to Hiroshima from Kyoto, you need to take a shinkansen from Kyoto Station to Hiroshima Station. This will take just under two hours so take the earliest train you possibly can.
Be careful if you have a JR pass – you can’t take the slightly faster Nozomi or Mizhuo services.
To get back to Kyoto you will need to change at Shin-Osaka as only the Nozomi services make the return journey.
You can visit by bus but it would take a lot longer.
9. Osaka
Osaka is a foodies’ paradise, and the perfect day trip from Kyoto.
Located less than 60km (40 miles) from each other, travellers can ride the world-famous Shinkansen high speed train and arrive in the heart of Osaka in only 15 minutes. This leaves plenty of time during a day trip to experience the “Kitchen of Japan” as local residents often refer to Osaka.
The first stop on any day trip to Osaka should be Dontonburi. The main tourist and eating district of Osaka, Dontonburi is lined with an abundance of local food speciality restaurants.
There are two Osaka must-eat dishes: Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki.
Okonomiyaki is a thick pancake served with sweet brown sauce, mayonnaise and dried bonito, or dried tuna flakes.
Takoyaki are the famous Japanese octopus balls. Also served with a sweet brown sauce, mayonnaise and dried bonito, takoyaki are made from a wheat flour batter, stuffed with either minced or dried octopus, poured into a hot mould and manipulated into tiny, delicious balls.
A true Osaka experience to watch and enjoy.
10. Kumano Nachi Taisha
Many people wouldn’t agree with me that Kumano Nachi Taisha can be done in a day from Kyoto and Tokyo.
I agree that it is difficult – very time intensive (around 5 to 6 hours one way) but it can be done. If you are unfamiliar with Kumano Nachi Taisha, it’s one of the three shrines on the renowned Kumano Kodo trail.
In the olden days, people hiked through the mountains and forests that make up this trail for many days, to visit these shrines and to attain salvation. Whether they attained salvation or not, they were certainly rewarded with the glorious view of Nachi falls cascading down the mountain.
In case you don’t want to hike the trails, you can take the train from Kyoto. From Kyoto station, board the Shinkansen (either Nozomi or Hikari) to Nagoya.
From Nagoya, take the JR Nanki Limited Express to Kii Katsuura. You can get down at either Shingu station or Kii Katsuura and board a bus to Nachi Falls and the shrine.
11. Yoshino
Yoshino makes a great day trip from Kyoto, especially at cherry blossom time.
In late March-early April (times may vary each year), 30 000 cherry trees burst into full bloom and the surrounding mountainsides are covered in swathes of pink.
If you are in Yoshino for the flowering of the cherry blossoms, buy an obento lunch box and have a picnic under the trees.
The town stretches along a narrow ridge, and is beautiful anytime of the year. There are several shrines and temples to visit, most notably the Mikumari Shrine. There are also plenty of stores to buy souvenirs, including cherry blossom sweets, and restaurants to enjoy a traditional lunch. Try local delicacy “Kaki-no-ha zushi”, a mackerel sushi in persimmon leaves.
The easiest and cheapest way to get from Kyoto to Yoshino Station is on the Kintetsu line. Express trains to Yoshino take about 2 hours and 10 minutes with a transfer at Kashiharajingu-mae Station. This costs JPY1,230/ USD11 each way.
Limited Express trains are direct, take about 1 hour and 40 minutes and cost JPY2,550/ USD23 each way. Reservations are necessary for the Limited Express trains.
From the train station, you can walk (though it’s steep uphill) or take a bus for JPY360/ USD3 each way.
12. Naoshima Island
Naoshima is one of three art-filled islands in the Seto Sea, a 3-4 hour bullet train and ferry journey from Kyoto. It’s a long day trip, but if you are big on art, yet short on time, it’s worth it.
Any doubts you have about that fade as the ferry from nearby Uno pulls into the island’s port. There on a sunny patch of grass is one of Yayoi Kusama’s famous pumpkins just sitting there waiting to be explored.
Hopping on the bus that circles the island, you have a choice; head to the Art House project – a collection of seven houses each containing a different unique artist’s vision – or, carry on to Bennesse House to see the astonishing Chichu gallery, Kusama’s second pumpkin on the island and the innovative work dotted around the stark, industrial halls of the Bennesse museum.
And I haven’t even mentioned the art you will stumble upon in the towns of Honmura or Miyanoura, the pretty beaches and the quirky cafes.
There’s a lot to see on Naoshima, and it takes some planning to get it all in as a day trip from Kyoto, but it is definitely possible.
A 6:30am bullet train will see you on the island by 10am. The 5pm ferry back to Uno connects you to trains that mean you get back to Kyoto at 8.20pm – or you can stay later.
Use the app Hyperdia by Voice to find the timing that works best for you. Visit this guide to Naoshima for more detailed instructions on how to plan your day.
13. Magome-Tsumago Trail
This is a great and easy day hike in the Japanese Alps that you can easily undertake as a day trip from Kyoto.
The trail is easy to follow and you’ll hike between the ancient post towns of Magome and Tsumago along a well-formed path that winds through the woodlands and trails for 8 kilometres.
At the beginning and end of the trail are the renovated towns of Magome and Tsumago. The trail has just gentle elevation changes. Visit the tea house en route and enjoy some of Japan’s lower alpine regions.
To get here from Kyoto, take a train from Kyoto to Nakatsugawa and from there take the bus to Magome. It will take you around 90 minutes on the train and a further 20 minutes on the bus.
A train and bus from the end of the trail in Tsumago will take you back to Nagiso JR Station and from there to Kyoto.
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The places look amazing and the details are also well explained…The whole post was almost perfect!!