Last Updated: 01 June 2023

If you wish to be enchanted by the beauty of ancient Kyoto you should devote a few days to Higashiyama, Sakyo and Ukyo. Very close to the city centre, east of Kamo river is Higashiyama, one of Kyoto’s best preserved historical districts.

In this page we briefly describe a full-day itinerary. The programme includes some of Kyoto’s most important landmarks and is particularly suitable for the first journey in Japan.

The itinerary is outlined so as to rationalise movements and keep travel time to a minimum.

Southern Higashiyama

The following itinerary moves through a very dense area in Higashiyama, south-eastern Kyoto. Detours and modifications are possible and quite easy. The programme is particularly suitable to those who choose to visit Kyoto with an excursion from Osaka.

We suggest you take advantage of the Keihan Main Line, which provides a rapid and cheap connection between the two cities. Within the urban area of Kyoto the trains stop at a few stations, which are in most cases very close to important sightseeing spots. Even if you sojourn in Kyoto, getting around by train along the Keihan Main Line can be a reasonable option, especially if you use the tourist tickets.

Suggested itinerary

We assume you travel from Osaka. In case you stay in Kyoto, you will have two more hours to spend.

↓ Suggested programme:

• Kyobashi Station (Osaka) → Fushimi-Inari Station (Kyoto) - by train, Keihan Main Line; 45-55 minutes

• Fushimi-Inari Station → Fushimi Inari Taisha; on foot, 500 metres

• Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of Kyoto’s largest and most ancient shinto shrines. The beautiful religious site includes numerous elegant architectures surrounded by a large forest on the slopes of Mount Inari. The latter is part of a group of mountains which are the object of veneration. Duration of the visit: 2-3 hours

• Fushimi Inari Taisha → Fushimi-Inari Station; on foot, 500 metres

• Fushimi-Inari Station (Kyoto) → Tofukuji Station (Kyoto) - by train, Keihan Main Line; 5 minutes

• Tofukuji Station → Tofuku-Ji; on foot, 800 metres

• Tofuku-Ji, a large Buddhist temple. Beside the imposing architecture, Tofuku-Ji is most noted for the beautiful autumnal tinges of the bountiful vegetation that surrounds it. Duration of the visit: 1 hour

• Tofuku-Ji → Tofukuji Station; on foot, 800 metres

• Tofukuji Station (Kyoto) → Kiyomizu-Gojo Station (Kyoto) - by train, Keihan Main Line; 5 minutes

• Kiyomizu-Gojo Station → Kiyomizu-Dera; on foot, 1.800 metres, 20-25 minutes

• Kiyomizu-dera, historic temple marked by a distinctive architecture. It offer a wonderful panoramic position. Duration of the visit: 1 hour

• Kiyomizu-Dera - Maruyama Koen walking itinerary; on foot, 3.500 metres, 3-4 hours

• Sannen-zaka, Ninen-zaka, two picturesque streets lined with tea houses, souvenir shops and traditional houses

• Yasaka-no-To, an ancient pagoda, a symbol of Higashiyama

• Nene-no-michi, large alley that leads to Kodai-Ji

• Kodai-Ji, a historic zen temple noted for the elegant halls, pavilions, tea houses and gardens

• Yasaka Shrine, one of Kyoto’s most popular shrines, it is linked to the Gion-matsuri celebrations

• Gion (Hanamikoji-dori), traditional tea house district

• Gion → Gion-Shijo Station (Kyoto); on foot, 500 metres, 5 minutes

• Gion-Shijo Station (Kyoto) → Kyobashi Station (Osaka) - by train, Keihan Main Line; 45-75 minutes

Overall duration of the tour

By combining the partial values related to the single legs of the itinerary the following estimates are derived:

• Train travel time: 100 - 140 minutes

• Walking time: 2 hours

• Duration of the visits: 7 - 9 hours

Total: 11 - 13 hours (up to 2 hours less if your hotel is in eastern Kyoto)

Related articles:

Main article: Kyoto 3 day itinerary

Northern Higashiyama and Sakyo (itinerary along the Keihan Main Line)  |  From Kyoto Station to Ginkaku-Ji (half-day and full-day itineraries)

Western Kyoto:  Itineraries along the JR Sagano Line

Last Updated: 01 June 2023

Uji is a small town located between Kyoto and Nara. Occupying a very prominent role in classical literature and the traditional Japanese culture of tea, Uji is home to some historic temples and shrines and a few museums.

Uji can easily be visited with an excursion from Kyoto or Nara. The city can be reached by train from all major centres of Kansai region.

Uji half-day itinerary

Uji is a pleasant small town that preserves beautiful architecture and a few places of worship of outstanding cultural and spiritual significance.

Itinerary: city centre

The typical itinerary in Uji follows a rectangular path, the longest stretches being along the quiet river that bisects the city centre.

Full day itinerary

If you want to spend a full day in Uji you can easily find satisfaction by visiting the Agata-Jinja, a beautiful shinto shrine, the Museum of the Tale of Genji, devoted to the renowned novel, and a few tea houses, where you can taste the precious tea or participate in a tea ceremony.

If you enjoy walking you can venture outside the city centre. You can wander in the beautiful wood that lies east of the urban centre. Here are a few atmospheric temples and shrines. The scenery is particularly beautiful during the autumn leaf season (late November).

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Nearby destinations:

Kyoto 3,5-day itinerary

Nara 1,5-day itinerary

Last Updated: 01 June 2023

Many tourists visit Nara with a one-day excursion from Kyoto or Osaka. Such a choice is reasonable if you have very little time, which is often the case for journeys to Japan that last less than 2 weeks.

There are reasons to opt for a longer stay. Nara is a wonderful little city that boasts a great amount of cultural heritage, archaeological sites and ancient temples and shrines of exceptional importance and beauty.

Nara 1,5-day itinerary

Nara can easily be reached by train from Kyoto and Osaka in around 60-70 minutes. Many of the city’s most important temples, shrines and gardens are located within the limits of the beautiful Nara Park. The area can be visited on foot with pleasure. City buses offer a convenient alternative.

If you choose to stay for at least one night in Nara you will be able to spend more time, enjoy a more relaxing pace, appreciate more the places you visit and add a few visits outside the ambit of Nara Park. Furthermore, you may choose to visit the less touristy spots and the ordinary city, in particular the area around Nara-machi.

If you are keen on history and religious architecture, you will certainly choose to reach the great temples in Nishinokyo and Ikaruga, in the city’s surroundings. These are among the nation’s most ancient and important places of worship.

Itinerary: Nara Park and Nishinokyo

Finding a hotel between Nara Station and Nara Park is a very convenient choice. Cheap and comfortable guest houses are located near Nara-machi.

Morning arrival

If you choose to reach Nara by noon, we suggest you leave your baggage at the station and begin your sightseeing path right away. You can devote the afternoon of the first day to Nishinokyo and Ikaruga and the next full day to central Nara.

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Uji 0,5-day itinerary

Last Updated: 01 June 2023

Visiting Hiroshima with a one-day excursion from Osaka or Kyoto is possible but such a choice makes things too hasty. A much better option is to spend at least one night in the city. In this way you can visit both Hiroshima and nearby Miyajima.

In this page we outline the programme for a short but rewarding visit to both Hiroshima and Miyajima.

Hiroshima 1,5-day itinerary

Hiroshima can easily be reached by high-speed train from Kyoto and Osaka. As the journey from these cities requires a little more than 2 hours, visiting Hiroshima on a day excursion is possible. A much better option is to spend a night in Hiroshima or, if you can afford it, in Miyajima, a beautiful island in the vicinity of the city.

Itinerary: Hiroshima and Miyajima

Finding a hotel near Hiroshima Station makes things easier. If you reach Hiroshima in the evening, you can check in at your hotel and spend some hours in the centre. Here are lots of shops and cheap eateries. The second night is best spent in Miyajima. This allows you to avoid the crowds and enjoy the magnificent atmosphere of tranquillity of the tiny island. This is particularly advisable if you wish to climb Mount Misen.

Morning arrival

If you reach Hiroshima by noon, we suggest you leave your baggage at the station and begin your journey right away. You can devote the afternoon of the first day to Hiroshima and the next full day to Miyajima.

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Japan 10-day itinerary