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The BEST doings in Kyoto
| Recommended 1-day plan | Recommended things | Recommended souvenir |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 Kyoto station | - Zen mediation (座禅＆写経) | - Unbaked Yatsuhashi (生八橋) |
| 9:00 Arashiyama (#1) | - Traditional costume (舞妓体験) | - Uji matcha tea (宇治抹茶) |
| 13:00 Lunch at Shijyo (#3) | - Kyoto food (京料理) | - Chirimen craft （ちりめん細工) |
| 15:00 Old imperial palace (#5) | - Yuka (納涼床) | - Pickled vegetable (漬物) |
| 18:00 Dinner at Gion (#4) | - Rickshaw (人力車) | - Oil-absorbent paper （油とり紙） |
Other things
- Tatami Starbucks and Yuka Starbucks
- Japanese traditional sweets making experience including Yatsuhashi
- Japanese traditional sweets making experience including Yatsuhashi
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| Kyoto map |
Transportation: There are two types of the 1-day pass for transportation: "Kyoto bus only pass (500JPY)" and "Kyoto bus and subway pass (1200JPY)". Public transportation is convenient and better than a rental car due to heavy traffic jam.
Hotel: Shijyo (#3) and Kyoto station area are convenient. From there, you can go any places by buses and trains. Shijo area is better because of many shops and restaurants.
1. Arashiyama (嵐山)
Bamboo grove. Very beautiful and comfortable even in hot summer.
Hozu river-boat tour in summer (left) and Hanami party in spring (right).
You can come Arashiyama by the Kyoto bus #72 and #73 from the Kyoto station, or by the Hankyu train from Katsura station (桂駅). Arashiyama has cherry blossom in spring, river tour in summer, colored leaves in fall, and Hanatoro illumination (花灯籠) of the Togetsu bridge (渡月橋) in winter. All seasons are enjoyable.
I recommend three spots of Tenryuji temple (天龍寺), Iwatayama monkey park and Shigureden (時雨殿) where you can learn famous classical literature called by "Ogura hyakunin isshu (小倉百人一首)". You can have good exercise, such as swimming, fishing, and jogging along with the riverside. There are many gift shops and the Japanese traditional restaurants. Around this area, you can use a rickshaw instead of a taxi.
In souse Arashiyama, you can stop by Matsuotaisha station (松尾大社駅). Under the bridge close to the station, you can see the BBQ party in summer. Close to this station, there are the Matsuotaisha shrine and the Saihoji temple (西芳寺), called Kokedera (苔寺), which is the world heritage. The Saihouji temple (moss temple) has a beautiful moss garden and gives you an experience of Sutra copying (写経). You need to make a reservation to enter the Saihouji temple in advance.
In east Arashiyama, the Sagano (嵯峨野) scenic railway and rafting of the Hozu river (保津川) are very nice.
2. Fushimi (伏見) & Uji (宇治)
Fushimiinari-taisha (伏見稲荷大社). You can come by the Kyoto bus #5 from the Kyoto station to Inaritaisha (稲荷大社前), or by the JR train from Kyoto station to Inari station (稲荷駅). Here is good for hiking. You can see thousands of Shinto gateway and view points of Kyoto city.
Gekkeikan Okura sake museum (月桂冠大倉記念館). You can drink Japanese sake and see sake factory. There, you may ride on Jikkokbune ship (十石舟), which was the transport ship for sake and rice. Fushimi castle (伏見城) is near them.
Byodoin hououdou (平等院鳳凰堂), which is the world heritage. Tea time at Flavor street is recommended. Ujigami shrain (宇治上神社), which is also the world heritage. Taihouan (対鳳庵). Tea ceremony. Very beautiful hydrangea are bloomed at Mimurotoji (三室戸寺) on May. Hydrangea garden in March. You can learn the Japanese long tale written on 11th century at the tale of Genji museum (源氏物語博物館).
3. Shijyo (四条)
Around here is the busiest place in Kyoto. You can find any restaurants and souvenir shops.
Nishiki market (錦市場). You can enjoy the Japanese traditional food, which is good for snack time.
Yuka dinning (納涼床/川床) around ponto cho (先斗町) area. You can eat dinner besides the Kamo river in Summer. Depending on the place, fireflies are seen at the Kamo river in Summer night. Very beautiful.
From Spring to Autumn, the Beer garden, which is all-you-can-eat-and-drink system, is opened at Takashimaya rooftop.
If you want Ramen midnight, Miyoshi is recommended.
Nijo castle (二条城)
4. Gion (祇園)
Hanamikoji (花見小路) is the Japanese traditional street and a good place for dinner. Fortunately, you may be able to meet Maiko-san (舞妓さん).
Gion festival, Jidai festival.
Maruyama park (円山公園) is popular for the Hanami party in April.
Heianjingu shrine (平安神宮) has a big shrine gate.
5. Old Imperial Palace (御所)
Japanese garden.
The concept is a small earth consisted of sea and islands. The garden is the moon-seen direction, like Katsura-rikyu (桂離宮). The front stones are called Maguro stones which change the color to black in rain.
Shomeimon and Shishinden (left) and Seiryoden (right).
Shoumeimon (承明門) is the red gate just for an emperor. Shishinden (紫宸殿) is a ceremonial place. Seiryoden (清涼殿) is a work and life space for an emperor. On the center stage, emperor push the stamp. Limited people can up the floor. Kyoto is hot in summer and cold in winter. These buildings direct to east sides, which are airy, to take the heat in summer.
To enter here, an on-line reservation is required. The Meiji emperor lived here. So, electric plugs exist on the palace walls. Sento imperial palace (仙洞御所).
6. Kinugasa (衣笠)
Ryuanji
Kitano
Myoshinji
Movie amusement park
Other places
- Ginkakuji temple (銀閣寺)
Here is placed on the north of #4 area.
Very far from downtown. Here is located on the north of #5 area.
- Nagaoka (長岡京)
Far from downtown. Here is west of #2 area.
