7 days in Kyoto, Japan without the family in mid-July.
Kyoto is an ancient heart of Japan, and it impressed me with its spirituality, warmth of people, peace and tranquility. In Kyoto Buddhists and Shintoists are living side by side in peace and ancient traditions are combined with 21th century technologies. There are a lot of places to see here in one week.
Brief route:
Here you can see all the waypoints on the Google Maps and also use Google navigation to the place:
You can also download KML file and open it in other offline application for navigation and editing:
Day 1:
Flight to Osaka via Rome.
3.5 hour Segway city tour in Rome. www.romeonsegway.com
Day 2:
Shinkansen “Bullet Train” from Kansai Airport in Osaka to Kyoto.
A New Miyako hotel near Kyoto train Station.
In the evening I went to the area of Nishiki Food Market and the Pontocho street and nice quarter along the canals.
The old Gion district.
Day 3:
The Silver Pavilion – Ginkakuji Temple.
Philosophers path along the canal, there are different Shinto temples and Buddhist monasteries.
Nanzenji Temple.
Heian Jingu Shrine – the temple with a beautiful gardens.
Yasaka Shrine.
Gion quarter, but today I did not see any Geisha also.
Day 4:
The Golden Pavilion – Kinkakuji Temple.
Ninnanji Temple.
Many people advised to visit the Stones’ park – Royanji Temple.
I have rented a bike for a few hours in Arashiyama.
Bamboo Path in the forest.
Daikakuji Temple near the lake.
Mount Arashiyama Monkey Park.
Day 5:
Kiyomizudera Temple.
Sannen-Zaka shoping street with traditional wooden houses.
Fushimi Inari with thousands of red Tori gates.
Day 6:
Nishi Honganji Temple.
Toji Temple.
Nijo – the former emperor castle.
Day 7:
A trip out of town to the mountains of Kurama.
If you have more time, at the end of Kurama village there is Kurama Onsen Hotel with outdoor traditional Japanese hot spring bath.
Day 8:
A trip outside the city to the Buddhist monastery Enryakuji Temple and the beautiful Flowers Park in the French style – Garden Museum Hiei.
Day 9:
Back to the Osaka airport.
Photos and description:
Day 1:
Flight to Osaka via Rome.
In Rome, I had half a day before departure so I booked on the internet 3.5 hour Segway city tour. If you don’t have a lot of time in Rome, it’s a perfect way quickly to meet the city.
The tour costs 80 euros, starts from Via Celimontana 32 not far from the Coliseum metro station.
Day 2:
From Kansai Airport in Osaka, I went to Kyoto by express train Shinkansen “Bullet Train”, a bit more expensive than the regular train, but it’s worth it.
Tourist Information Office located at the Kyoto train Station. Be sure to take Kyoto City Map with all routes in the city and surrounding area. Very clever made map.
I stayed in a New Miyako hotel near Kyoto train Station, a very convenient location for exploring Kyoto and the surrounding area, because all the public transport is passing there.
Arriving at the hotel, I took some rest after a long fly and in the evening went to the area of Nishiki Food Market, a market that is worth a visit in the morning, at 6PM it had already closed. The Pontocho street and nice quarter along the canals with cafes and restaurants. The old Gion district where if you’re lucky you can meet Geisha.
Young people hang out in their national costumes, all around there are musicians’ performances. Very nice atmosphere and the Japanese are very nice and helpful.
Day 3:
On the map: Central Area
On the bus from Kyoto Station to Ginkakuji-michi stop and from there walk to the Silver Pavilion – Ginkakuji Temple. From there Philosophers path begins, romantic trail in the park along the canal, there are different Shinto temples and Buddhist monasteries. You can choose where to go, everything perfect. I reached the Nanzenji Temple and turned right toward the river and the huge red Tori gate at the entrance to the temple with a beautiful gardens – Heian Jingu Shrine.
On the bus to Yasaka Shrine, the temple in the park. After that I walked to the quarter of Gion, but today I did not see any Geisha also.
Day 4:
On the map: Kinkakuji area
On the bus from Kyoto Station to Kinkakuji mae stop and reached the Golden Pavilion – Kinkakuji Temple, one of the most beautiful places in Japan.
Many people advised to visit the Stones’ park – Royanji Temple, but I missed and took a bus to Ninnanji Temple.
On the map: Arashiyama
In the afternoon I went to the quiet and green suburb of Arashiyama. I take the bus to the Arashiyama stop near the bridge over the river, where I have rented a bike for a few hours.
First I went to Bamboo Path in the forest, very beautiful place.
And then continued along the path marked on the map to Daikakuji Temple near the lake covered with lilies.
If you have a whole day here, then there is Mount Arashiyama Monkey Park, where monkeys are free, but I did not have time.
Day 5:
On the map: Central Area
On the bus from Kyoto Station to Kiyomizumichi stop. The road to the Kiyomizudera Temple is lying along Sannen-Zaka shoping street with traditional wooden houses. From the terrace of the temple there is a stunning view of the mountains and the city.
By foot or by bus to the Kiyomizu Gojo train Station and by train to Inari Station.
There is a temple of the fox – Fushimi Inari with thousands of red Tori gates and the stairs trail to Mount Inari.
Day 6:
Walking in the center of the city: Nishi Honganji Temple, Toji Temple and a trip to the former imperial castle Nijo Castle.
The food on the vitrines is covered with plastic, and it looks so real.
Day 7:
A trip out of town to the mountains of Kurama. It’s very simple and not far. From Kyoto Station to the north by suburb train to Demachi-yanagi Station, change to the Eizan line to Kurama Station.
Here begins the trail to the mountains in the fairy forest of old and huge cedar trees and temples to a mountain stream where I dipped and dined in a cafe near the waterfall. The train back to Kyoto is not far, from Kibune Guchi Station.
If you have more time, at the end of Kurama village there is Kurama Onsen Hotel with outdoor traditional Japanese hot spring bath.
Day 8:
A trip outside the city to the Buddhist monastery Enryakuji Temple and the beautiful Flowers Park in the French style – Garden Museum Hiei. The way there starts like yesterday from Kyoto Station to the north by suburb train to Demachi-yanagi Station, transfer to Eizan line to Takaragaike Station and from there to Yase-Hieizan-guchi Station. From the station climb up on funicular to the start of the walking route around the beautiful mountains to the monasteries and the park. The way back by cable car to the funicular and all way back to Kyoto Station in reverse order.
The next morning to the Osaka airport and back home.
