Two-day Temple Trot in Kyoto, Japan
Discover the heart of Japan in Kyoto's ancient temples and picturesque landscapes.
03 May 2023
Tourists will find plenty to explore in Kyoto, a city filled with exquisite temples, beautiful gardens, and rich cultural history. Popular attractions include the ornate Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) temple, the sprawling Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, and the peaceful Arashiyama bamboo grove. Visitors can also enjoy traditional Japanese arts such as tea ceremony, calligraphy, and kimono dressing.
Travel plan
Getting latest place information
- Checked in at the funky Len Kyoto Kawaramachi Hotel located in the heart of the city. After breakfast, started the day exploring the most stunning temples the city has to offer, including:
- Fushimi Inari Shrine, known for its thousands of vermillion torii gates.
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple, where we drank water from the Otowa Waterfall for good fortune.
- Ginkaku-ji or Silver Pavilion, a stunning zen temple surrounded by beautiful gardens.
- Nanzen-ji Temple, the most prestigious of the Zen temples in Kyoto.
- Enjoyed a traditional Japanese dinner at the atmospheric Okutan restaurant, famous for its tofu dishes.
- Woke up early to visit the Kamo River and walked along the Kamogawa Delta, where local fisherman were casting their nets. Then we continued our cultural and natural journey with:
- Visiting the impressive Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site and former residence of the Tokugawa Shogun.
- Walking around the vibrant and colorful Gion district, where we witnessed a tea ceremony and saw some geishas.
- Admiring the famous Golden Pavilion or Kinkaku-ji, a stunning temple covered in gold leaf.
- Enjoying a stroll through the beautiful Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
- Ended the night with a Japanese-style BBQ dinner at Nikuya Ginjiro, a cozy restaurant famous for its wagyu beef.
- Kyoto, Japan is a city that combines culture and nature, a perfect destination for travelers seeking an authentic and unique experience.
Length of stay
Type of trip
How to get there
Plane
The best way to get to Kyoto by plane is to fly into Kansai International Airport, which is located approximately 100 kilometers from Kyoto. From there, you can take the JR Haruka Express train, which takes approximately 75 minutes and goes directly to Kyoto Station.
Car
If you are driving to Kyoto, the best option is to take the Meishin Expressway, which connects Osaka and Nagoya. The journey takes approximately 1 hour from Osaka and 2 hours from Nagoya.
Train
If you are already in Japan, the best way to get to Kyoto by train is to take the Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo Station or Shin-Osaka Station to Kyoto Station. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes from Tokyo and 15 minutes from Shin-Osaka.
Boat
Although there is no direct boat to Kyoto, you can take a ferry from Osaka to the nearby town of Miyazu and then take a train or bus to Kyoto. Alternatively, you can take a cruise ship to Kobe or Osaka and then take a train or bus to Kyoto.
Bus
There are several bus companies that operate between major cities and Kyoto, including JR Bus and Keihan Bus. The journey time varies depending on the departure point, but it typically takes around 5-6 hours from Tokyo and 3 hours from Osaka.