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
