Seven Culturally Immersive Day Trips from Kyoto

Kyoto is a fantastic home base for a rich variety of culturally immersive day trips.  Be it exploring old castles in Hikone or Himeji; to walking under the neon lights of Osaka; to stepping inside the ancient temples of Nara; options abound. 

To help you choose the most worthwhile destinations, I have put together the below list of my favorite day trips from Kyoto.

Admittedly, navigating the rail timetables and bus schedules to reach some of these places can be a bit of a challenge.  Nevertheless, with google maps and a little planning, getting to each of these destinations and back is very manageable.  

Nara

Highlights: Todai-Ji, Nigatsudo, Kasuga-Taisha Shrine, and Nara National Museum

Before Kyoto, there was Nara – Japan’s imperial capital from 710 to 794 AD.  Chuck full of UNESCO world heritage sites, Nara is usually the first day trip most will attempt from Kyoto.  

The star attraction of the city is Todai-Ji – the “Eastern Great Temple” – originally constructed between 728 and 749 AD.  Housing a massive bronze Buddha statue (said to be the largest in the world), Todai-ji played a crucial role in both solidifying a nascent imperial institution and establishing Buddhism as one of Japan’s primary religions.

As with many of Japan’s wooden temples, Todai-Ji’s original Great Buddha Hall has burned down and been rebuilt multiple times.  The current structure was completed in 1709.  Though only two-thirds the size of the original, the hall was until 1998 the largest wooden structure in the world.  

All around Todai-Ji are an array of shrines and other structures.  Just to the east of Todai-Ji is the Nigatsudo – or February Hall.  This hall has a large balcony which offers spectacular views of Todai-Ji and the city of Nara beyond.  When I last visited, I had this veranda almost entirely to myself.

Also nearby is the atmospheric Kasuga-Taisha, a Shinto Shrine just a few hundred meters south of the Nigatsudo.  A UNESCO world heritage site, Kasuga-Taisha is best known for the rows of stone lanterns outside the shrine and the numerous bronze lanterns that decorate the interior.

Should you choose to walk around any of these sites, you are highly likely to encounter herds of Nara’s famously tame deer – believed to be the messengers of the gods in the Shinto religion.  

Before leaving Nara, I recommend making a stop at the Nara National Museum, which houses an incredible collection of (mostly) wooden religious sculptures.  This collection documents the evolution of Buddhist art over Nara’s 13+ centuries of history.

Getting there

Getting to Nara is quite easy.  Depending on where you are staying, the most efficient way to get to Nara is likely the JR’s Nara Line or the regional Kintentsu Line.  The JR costs around 720 yen and takes about 45 minutes to get from Kyoto Station to Nara Station.   

The Kintetsu line will cost a bit more, but can get you there faster – just over 30 minutes if you catch the Limited Express.  Be sure to check the timetables for this option.  If you miss the Limited Express, no worries.  The trip will take only about 10-15 minutes longer and you may have to transfer at the Yamato-Saidaiji station (which is not hard).  

Once you arrive at Nara, it’s a bit of a walk (15 or 20 minutes) to Todai-Ji and other sites.  You can take a bus if you want, but the walk is pleasant if the weather is good.

Uji

Highlights: Byodo-in, Kosho-ji, river walk, Matcha

Next up on the list is Uji – a scenic town straddling the river of the same name.  The most popular tourist attraction in Uji is the Byodo-in Temple.  Built in 998 AD, the temple is a prime example of Heian-period architecture.  

Originally a villa for the immensely powerful Fujiwara clan, its beautiful halls and gardens were designed to evoke the Amithaba Buddha’s Western Paradise (the heaven-like realm Pure Land Buddhists seek to be reincarnated in).  

At the heart of the complex is the Phoenix Hall, which features a statue of the Amithaba Buddha surrounded by 52 wooden carvings of devas and bodhisattvas.  Surrounding the central statue are murals (now faded) of Amithaba and his company of devas and bodhisattvas descending to accompany the spirit of a recently deceased Pure Land practitioner to the promised paradise.

After visiting Byodo-in, consider crossing the pedestrian bridge to the other side of the river to visit Kosho-Ji temple.  Unlike Byodo-in – which is often overrun with crowds – the more peripheral Kosho-ji feels like an oasis of calm.  

Established by Eihei Dogen (the influential founder of Zen’s Soto school) in 1233, Kosho-ji is reached by walking up a long slope to the west.  While the temple features beautiful gardens and surrounding scenery, it is perhaps best known for the bloody handprints on the roof of the Dharma Hall.  These are from a mass slaughter that occurred at Fushimi Castle in 1600.  The wooden boards from the castle were moved here to pacify the spirits of those who died.

After visiting Kosho-Ji, take a further stroll along the scenic Uji river.  Here, you’ll likely encounter the commodity Uji is best known for – tea.  Make a stop at one of the many teahouses along the river or elsewhere in town for a taste of Uji’s famed matcha.  

Getting there

Uji can also be accessed via the JR’s Nara Line.  It takes about 30 minutes to get there from Kyoto Station and costs around 240 yen.  Note that the regional Kintentsu line will get you close as well, but you may need to take a bus to reach the historic part of the city.

As both Uji and Nara are in the same direction and on the same JR line, they are easily combined into one day trip.

Osaka

Highlights:  Dotombori, Amerkicamura, Shinsekai, Osaka Castle and Park

The vibrant metropolis of Osaka is like a world away from the peaceful and orderly Kyoto.  Long an economic hub, the city retains the edgy feel of an industrial boom town.  Amidst the din, however, is a rapidly growing tourist industry, with visitors drawn to the city’s fast pace and bright lights.

Nowhere is this better on display than in the Dotombori district, which abuts the centuries old Dotombori- Gawa canal.  Nearby walking streets host an array of brightly lit restaurants with ostentatious displays and billboards.  Beware, this area can get very crowded in the evening when masses of tourists descend on the district.

Just north, across the canal, is the small district of Amerika-Mura.  This neighborhood has west coast hipster vibes, complete with street art and vintage clothing stores.  Unlike Dotombori, the district closes down at night, so best to visit earlier in the day. 

If you’re looking for a bit of nightlife without the crowds of Dotombori, check out the Shinsekai market area.  This district has a strong 80’s atmosphere, accentuated by the rocket-like Tsutenkaku tower right at its center.  The tower is a fun place to visit and features an observatory at the top and a slide running down about a third of its length.     

Also worth a stop when visiting Osaka is the city’s famed castle, perched high atop steeply inclined ramparts.  Originally built by national unifier Hideyoshi Toyotomi in 1583, the castle was destroyed multiple times.  The current structure is a modern reconstruction completed in 1931.

Unlike other castles in Japan, Osaka castle has a modern interior (complete with elevators) and a small museum.  What really makes a visit worthwhile, however, are the spectacular 360-degree views of the city and surrounding park from the top floor of the castle.  

A bit of warning, visiting the castle can be challenging.  To get there, you must walk through sizable parts of the surrounding park, navigating around the castle’s two large moats.  Once at the castle, there can be long lines for tickets.  To get around this, book a ticket online here.  This will (mercifully) allow you to skip the line, which can grow quite long.

Even if you fail to make it inside the castle, the park itself is a fantastic place to visit, particularly during cherry blossom season.  Filled with food stalls, restaurants, and revelers, the park buzzes with activity.  Set against the castle’s broad moat and steep walls, you can easily spend an hour or two wondering around it.

Getting there

Kyoto has developed right up against the outskirts of Osaka, making for a plethora of transportation options between the two cities.  The easiest and most economical option is again rail.  The JR’s Tokaido-Sanyo line, or even the Keihan Main line will get you to most places in Osaka within an hour.

Hikone 

Highlights:  Hikone Castle, Genkyuen Garden, Hikone Castle Museum.

One reason Kyoto proved to be an ideal imperial capital is its proximity to Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan.  The lake served both the city’s consumption needs and also provided easy transportation along the many small rivers that drained from it.  

Given its historic importance to sustaining the court in Kyoto, a trip to Lake Biwa is well worth the effort.  And of all the places to take it in, perhaps the best is the small village of Hikone with its historic castle.  Like Osaka castle, the Hikone castle is perched high up on a natural hill.  Unlike that castle, this is the original, complete with gable roofing, nightingale floors, and hidden gunports.

The castle was undergoing renovation when I last visited.  It was a bit of mess, but well worth the trek for the spectacular views overlooking the lake. 

And the castle is not the only worthwhile stop in the area.  Beneath it is the picturesque Genkyuen Garden, which has its own pond, teahouses, and dry garden.  Stroll around the pond for some excellent views of Hikone castle, perched overhead like a cat waiting to pounce. 

Also nearby is the wonderful Hikone Castle Museum.  This museum contains a reconstruction of the Omotegoten palace, the ancient seat of the Hikone regional government.  The reconstructed palace includes both rehabilitated gardens and artifacts belonging to the family that once resided there.  It’s a great way to step into old Japan.   

Getting there

Again, the JR has you covered.  From Kyoto, take the Takaido-Sanyo Line to Hikone Station.  From Kyoto Station, the trip is about 50 minutes and costs around 1,200 yen.  Once at Hikone station, it’s a bit of a walk to get to the castle (about a mile).  It’s a pleasant walk, though a lot of it is uphill.

Kurama and Kibune

Highlights: Hiking, Kurama-dera, Kifune Shrine, Platform Dining in Kibune.

Looking to get out to nature?  Then hiking between Kurama and Kibune, both just north of Kyoto, is the perfect day trip.  You can start in either Kurama or Kibune, but I would recommend Kurama, which can be easily reached by the Eizan-Kurama rail line.  

Once at Kurama station, walk a short distance north to the entrance of Kurama-dera temple.  

Technically a Buddhist temple, Kurama-dera is more an experience than a place.  To get to the main halls require a 30-minute walk uphill through an ethereal forest filled with towering cryptomeria trees.  Along the way are a number of shrines, monuments, and statues.  It is an experience well worth the effort, but if the path up is too much, there is also a cable car available.

At the top, the grounds open to a more traditional Buddhist temple, with a main hall, cemetery, and pagodas.  

From here, a trail leads further up the mountain toward Kibune.  Unlike the trail up to Kurama, this one can be rough in places.  The hike is a bit strenuous and even starting at Kurama-Dera, there is still quite a bit to hike further upwards before the path descends into Kibune.  

Along the way are a number of small Shinto shrines, which are well maintained despite their remoteness. While strenuous, it is still a fun hike and doable in about 45 minutes at a moderate pace.

Once in Kibune, check out the atmospheric Kifune shrine, just a bit north of where the trail lets out.  You’ll recognize it by its iconic staircase lined with bright orange lanterns.  At the top are a number of charming wooden buildings and a veranda overlooking the small rushing Kibune river.

Once you’ve finished at the shrine, come down for lunch or dinner at one of the town’s well-known restaurants, famed for their dining platforms over the river.  I personally ate at Kibune Kiraku, which has both platform and indoor dining options.

When you are ready, walk to the south of the town, where you can catch a shuttle to Kibuneguchi station on the Eizan-Kurama Line.  The shuttle stops outside a small parking lot on the southern tip of town.

Getting there

As noted above, it is easiest to start in Kurama. To reach it, take the Eizan-Kurama rail line to Kurama station, the final stop on the line. To get back to Kyoto from Kibune, take the bus from the small parking lot at the southern edge of the village to Kibuneguchi station. From there, you can take the Eizan-Kurama line back into Kyoto.

Himeji Castle

A visit to Himeji Castle begins to stretch the definition of day trip.  On my first visit to Kyoto, I remember reluctantly deciding it to be a bit too far.  I’ve since reconsidered, especially as it can be reached in just 45-50 minutes from Kyoto Station via a high-speed train and 90 minutes on the commuter line.

If you do choose to travel by rail, the closest stop is Himeji train station.  From the station, head up Otemae street to the castle park.  Once there, follow the crowds over the ornate Sakuramon-bashi bridge and through the Otemon Gate.  From here, a large field unfolds in front of the castle, allowing you to take in the full extent of the formidable fortification.

Built in 1601 by the regional daimyo, Himeji castle (often referred to as the “white heron”) is made mostly of wood, with stone used only for the foundations.  Having never come under attack or accidentally set on fire, the castle retains much of its original architecture.  

Inside, it has broad open floors, with racks along many of the walls to store weaponry.  On the top floor is the Osakabe Shrine, which is modeled on a Shinto monument that had to be removed when the castle was built.  As one would expect, the top floor affords sweeping views of the castle grounds and nearby countryside.

If the weather is nice, take your time exploring the grounds, which abound with gardens and scenic viewpoints.  Of particular note is the famed Western Bailey and the Princess Sen peony garden.  Though large, the whole castle can be seen in an hour or two.  

After visiting the castle and surrounding gardens, stop by Otemae Park on the other side of the moat for a quick snack at one of the food trucks or tents.  Save room for lunch, however, at the Kushiyake Kobe beef stall across from the park.  The beef is a bit fattier than most Westerners are accustomed to and is served on the rare side.  It is, however, exceptionally soft and flavorful and a great way to end a fantastic day trip. 

Getting there

As noted above, the best way to get to Himeji from Kyoto is the JR’s Tokaido-Sanyo line.  If you don’t mind paying a bit more, the high-speed train takes only 45-50 minutes to reach Himeji Station from Kyoto Station.  If you’re budget constrained, the regular Tokaido-Sanyo line is about half the price.  If you choose this option, try to catch one of the “special rapid” trains, which take about 90 minutes.  

Arashiyama

Highlights: Tenryu-Ji, Bamboo Grove, Okochi Sanso Garden, Togetsyuko Bridge

Arashiyama is probably the most accessible of all the destinations on this list.  It is so well integrated into metropolitan Kyoto that many wouldn’t even consider it a day trip.  Historically, however, Arashyama has long been regarded as a retreat from the city and in many ways feels a world apart from the rest of Kyoto.

Many will begin their visit at the famed Zen temple, Tenryu-ji.  Completed in 1345, Tenryu-ji has long been one of the leading temples in the official Zen patronage system.  Originally an imperial villa, the site was converted into a temple by the Shogun Ashikaga Takauji to pacify the spirit of his defeated foe, Emperor Go-Daigo.

Tenryu-ji is best known for its magnificent gardens, which bloom with cherry blossoms and azaleas in the spring before bursting into bright orange and red during the autumn foliage season.  Like many gardens of the period, at its center is a large pond, around which is a carefully sculpted landscape of rocks and trees.  

Behind the garden is Mt. Arashiyama.  Viewed from the veranda of the abbot’s quarters, the wooded mount seems to blend right into the garden – an effect known as “borrowed scenery.” 

From the garden, you can exit straight into Arashiyama’s other great attraction – its famed bamboo grove.  The grove runs westward along a rustic road that winds toward Arashiyama park.  Just to warn you – the grove can often be quite crowded.  When not completely overrun with tourists, however, walking through the grove in the shade of the tall bamboo stalks is a magical experience.

On the other side of the grove from Tenryu-ji is the Okochi Sanso Garden, named after the famed Japanese actor Okochi Denjiro, who built the villa to which the gardens are attached.  With its meandering paths, sweeping views, and free-flowing matcha, the villa is worth a stop for anyone in the vicinity.  

Before leaving Arashiyama, do check out the town and the long wooden Togetsukyo Bridge.  On the other side of the bridge – opposite Tenryu-ji – is a small island with a park.  At the east end of the park are food stalls and the Nakanoshima bridge, which offers great views of the well-manicured gardens and homes which line the river. 

Getting there

The easiest option for getting to Arashiyama is to take a cab, which from central Kyoto will cost you in the neighborhood of 4,000-5,000 yen.  There are a couple rail options, including the JR’s San-In line and the Randen tram line.  These will be much cheaper, but could be less convenient depending on where you are staying.