While spending 24 hours in Kyoto City is something we would never recommend (there is just so much to see and do), sometimes travel plans prevent you from having longer in one place! And that’s just the way the cookie crumbles!
Just recently on our trip with Singapore Airlines, we spent 6 nights in various cities in Japan. That meant we were moving between cities frequently but by the end, we became experts at fitting a lot into our daily schedules. While 24 hours in Kyoto City may not seem like much, do not skip this city.
How to Get Around Kyoto City
First things first, let’s discuss transportation. We would strongly recommend using public transport in Kyoto. The reasons being:
- Taxis are expensive in Japan.
- The public transport system is so effective and always runs on time!
- Being stuck in traffic when you only have 24 hours is a
time waster . - The transport system is clean and very comfortable!
Whether you are in Kyoto for only 24 hours or longer, we recommend purchasing a Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) if you will be moving between two or more cities. They are a huge cover saver and are available in 7, 14 or 21 day passes. The use of these passes is unlimited during the number of days you have purchased and can be used on the Shinkansen (bullet trains), JR trains, JR buses and JR ferries. Once you take your first ride, the pass activates. It is recommended to buy your JR pass before you get to Japan as it will save you money!
Also, the other card that’s worth purchasing is a Suica card which stores a certain amount of money. The Suica card is great for those people who will only need to do a few trips by public transport within a city. These are particularly useful for trains, subways and buses, which you will find yourself using within a city.
Now we should discuss the different types of transport available. At first, we found the transport system very confusing. Once you get the hang of it however, everything will seem like a breeze!
Types of Transport for Exploring Kyoto City:
Shinkansen – these are the Bullet Trains with speeds of up to 320km/hour. They are typically used for longer routes such as Tokyo to Kyoto and make very few stops along the way. We would recommend making a reservation if you know which date/time you are looking for!
JR Trains – a comprehensive network of trains which are used between and within cities. Trains are classified as local, rapid, express or limited express (with the latter two requiring an additional fee).
Japanese Subway – cities including Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka have subway networks which generally link to other rail systems.
If you want to read a bit more about the transport system more, have a look on the Japan Rail Pass website.
24 Hours in Kyoto: What to do and see!
So let’s say you arrive to Kyoto early morning. Here are our top tips on how you should spend your day:
1. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
While this location may be just outside of Kyoto City, there is a good reason why a lot of people come here. That is, being amongst the bamboo trees feels like you are in another world!
The Bamboo Forest is open 24 hours which makes this a great location to visit first. Especially seeing as later in the day the crowds start to build up! To properly enjoy this area, we would set aside 30 minutes – 1 hour.
How to get there from Kyoto City
From Kyoto Station take the San-In Line (JR Train) for 7 stops to Saga-Arashiyama Station. From there, walk for 12 minutes until you reach Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. The journey will take about 30 minutes in total.
Entry Cost
A visit to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is free.
2. Tenryuji Temple
While you are nearby, you may as well stop by Tenryuji Temple as well before heading back to Kyoto City. With beautiful views over the mountains and some of the finest gardens in Kyoto, this Zen temple is the most significant in the Arashiyama area of west Kyoto.
How to get there from Kyoto City
From Kyoto Station take the
Entry Cost
Tenryuji Temple is open between 8.30 am – 5.30 pm from March 21 to October 20. From October 21 to March 20, the opening hours are 8.30 am – 5 pm.
Entry cost to Sougenchi Pond and Hyakkaen Garden is ¥500 ($6.90 AUD). An additional charge of ¥300 ($4.15 AUD) for entry to Ohojo, Shoin, Tahodo halls.
3. Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine
Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine is the most important shrine in Kyoto City dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. Spread across an entire mountain in Southeast Kyoto, there are thousands of vermilion torii gates (division between physical and spiritual world) which follow the mountain path through the wooded forests of the Mountain Inari.
This is a popular tourist spot, so it is best to come in the morning or late in the evening. Saying
How to get there from Kyoto City
From Kyoto Station take the Nara Line (JR Train) for 5 stops to Inari Station. After arriving
Entry Cost
A visit to Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine is free.
4. Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
Kinkaku-
The reflection of the temple and the surrounding trees make this the perfect location for photo opportunities.
How to get there from Kyoto City
There are a number of ways to get to Kinkaku-ji Temple. The most direct route however is to take the bus from Kyoto Ekimae Bus Stop which is a 3 minute walk from Kyoto Station. After riding for 23 stops, you will need to walk for 5 minutes before arriving to Kinkaku-ji Temple.
Entry Cost
Kinkaku-ji Temple is only daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission costs ¥400 ($5.50 AUD) for adults. It is not possible to enter the Golden Pavilion but it is possible to enjoy the gardens and the view of the Pavilion.
5. Gion District
The Gion District is Kyoto’s most famous geisha district and is best explored at night. The area is filled with shops, restaurants, ochaya (teahouses) and geiko (geishas). Most tourists tend to start at Hanami-koji Street to Shijo Avenue and finis at Kenninji Temple. While the food is not necessarily cheap in this area, it is a nice area to come for a meal in one of the traditional wooden machiya merchant houses.
How to get there from Kyoto City
To get to the Gion District, it is possible to take a bus or taxi direct. There is no direct train, however. At the bus terminal located at the north exit of Kyoto Station, take the Kyoto City Bus service 100 from bus stop D1, or Kyoto City Bus service 206 from bus stop D2. By bus, it will take about 20 minutes to reach the Gion district.
6. Nara Park
We wouldn’t suggest visiting Nara Park if you only have 24 hours as it is a little further than the other places in this blog. Saying that, if you love animals, in particular deers then this is a must. Nara Park is like any typical park, there are children’s play equipment and places to have a picnic. However, t
How to get there from Kyoto City
From Kyoto Station take the Kintetsu-Limited Express for 11 stops to
Kintetsu-Nara Station. From there, Nara Park is about a 10 minute walk away. The journey will take just 45 minutes in total. If you don’t take the express train, the travel time can be over an hour.
Entry Cost
A visit to Nara Park is free.
24 Hours in Kyoto City: Where to Stay
Whether you have 24 hours in Kyoto City or a week, we would recommend staying at Hotel Granvia. Because it is directly above Kyoto Station, there really isn’t a better location to be staying! Not only is access to the train station simple, but the city’s premier shopping centre is within walking distance along with a number of restaurants and cafes.
The Hotel features a 20-metre indoor pool, sauna, fitness centre and over 10 restaurants and bars! However, the most important part of the hotel for a 24-hour stay
#SquadSQ Adventure
Our 24 hours in Kyoto city was our second stop on our #squadSQ adventure with Singapore Airlines. Before, we visited Hiroshima. So, if you want to see what else we got up to on our #squadsq adventure have a look on the website.
X KoTravellers
