10 Days in Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka

Day Five: 

Early AM: Train Tokyo Station → Kyoto Station

 

Kyoto Hotel:

•  Kyoto Tower Hotel Annex
  • cute little hotel, conveniently located 2-3 blocks from the station. Breakfast included.

 

After checking in:

 

• Fushimi Inari Shrine
  • Fushimi Inari Shrine is located just outside JR Inari Station, the second station from Kyoto Station along the JR Nara Line (5 minutes, 140 yen one way from Kyoto Station, not served by rapid trains). The shrine can also be reached in a short walk from Fushimi Inari Station along the Keihan Main Line.
  • After about a 30-45 minute ascent and a gradual decrease in the density of torii gates, visitors will reach the Yotsutsuji intersection roughly half way up the mountain, where some nice views over Kyoto can be enjoyed, and the trail splits into a circular route to the summit. Many hikers only venture as far as here, as the trails do not offer much variation beyond this point and the gate density decreases further.

 

• Kiyomizudera
  • Kiyomizudera can be reached from Kyoto Station by bus number 100 or 206 (15 minutes, 230 yen). Get off at Gojo-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi bus stop, from where it is a ten minute uphill walk to the temple. Alternatively, Kiyomizudera is about a 20 minute walk from Kiyomizu-Gojo Station along the Keihan Railway Line
• Gion
  • Nishiki Market

 

Day 6:

 

Arashiyma

Head west to Arashiyama by taxi, train or bus.
1. Enter Tenryu-ji Temple and explore the temple.
2. Leave Tenryu-ji Temple by the north gate

3. Explore the Bamboo Forest for about half an hour.

1. Togetsukyo Bridge
   1. In the town, we had lunch at the Rilakkuma Cafe. The food wasn't bad and it was super cute!
   2. I would recommend doing a traditional tea ceremony if you have time.

 

Ginkakuji

• • Ginkakuji can be accessed by direct bus number 5, 17 or 100 from Kyoto Station in about 35-40 minutes and for 230 yen one way. Alternatively, you can reach Ginkakuji by foot along the Philosopher's Path from Nanzenji in about 30-45 minutes

 

Philosopher's Path

• • The Philosopher's Path starts just outside the approach to Ginkakuji and follows a canal. It is especially beautiful during the cherry blossom season. The southern end of the path disappears into residential neighborhoods, so look for and follow the signs to Nanzenji.

 

Day Seven:  Kyoto/Nara Tour

https://m.viator.com/tours/Kyoto/Kyoto-and-Nara-Day-Trip-from-Kyoto-including-Nijo-Castle/d332-2142KYO_N110