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WOW!!! Kyoto is such an amazing city. Maybe it was a mistake coming here because it was a last minute day trip from Tokyo and it left Adriana and I wanting more, but at the same time we’re grateful to have had the opportunity to visit. Our JR Pass came in super handy for this day trip since we could hop on to the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto and be there by 8:45am ish. It’s such a magical city! Enjoy our Kyoto trip report and pictures.
KYOTO TRIP REPORT BEGINS: ARRIVING TO KYOTO
As mentioned, we took the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto and it was a very cool experience. I can’t recommend the JR Pass enough if you’re going to visit Japan and explore the country for a few days. It includes some of the bullet trains, city trains and buses in the major cities of Japan. We used it extensively getting around in Tokyo, but really got our money’s worth when taking it to Kyoto.
It’s about a 2.5 hour train ride from Tokyo station to Kyoto station. It’s also convenient because you’re right in the middle of the city when you arrive, so there’s no long drive to get to where you want to go. Once you head out of Kyoto station, you can grab a taxi as there’s a line waiting for passengers, or take an Uber like we did.
THE FOOD
As mentioned, this was a day trip, so we didn’t have much time but we managed to munch on as many food items as possible. For lunch we ate at Saga Ryori Yoshiya to try their traditional hot pots. It was a cool experience where we cooked some of the food in the hot pot and at it alongside some rice and veggies.
For dinner we ate at Gion Tanto, which is in the Gion district. It’s a tiny place but was so yummy! If you’ve been to a Japanese steakhouse in the states, then you’ll be familiar with the hot plate theme. Instead of having steak though, we enjoyed some Okonomiyaki. It’s very tasty and filling. Combine that with some cold draft beers and you have an amazing cheap dinner. By cheap, I mean even for Western standards!
THINGS TO DO
There’s so many things to see in Kyoto and so many Instagram worthy places to take pics. We didn’t get to see them all, but here’s what we did see.
Kinkakuji, or the Golden Pavilion: It’s a famous landmark in Japan and you can catch some amazing pictures showing the reflection in the lake that will for sure get you another 2 likes on Instagram!
Fushimi Inari Taisha: It’s a very cool place to visit as it is said to have over 5,000 gates. I lost count at 12 so I couldn’t verify, but there are A LOT of gates. This place can get SUPER CROWDED, so consider coming in the early morning before all those annoying tourists get there!
Togetsukyo Bridge: We went in July, but rumor has it that the ideal time to check this place out is in the fall to see the foliage. The Arashiyama Mountain is in the background and offers a pretty epic backdrop for your selfies!
Bamboo Forest: Although bamboo isn’t native to Japan, checking this forest out is a must. It’s pretty amazing walking through the forest and yes, it’s Instagram worthy too. Bring your mosquito bracelets or some kind of repellent because you will be eaten alive!
CONCLUSION
Kyoto was a crazy day trip and it deserved more time, but that’s how we roll sometimes. When we’re on vacation we always think “what if we don’t ever come back….” so we try to squeeze in as many sites and activities as possible just in case we don’t have the chance to see it again. Kyoto did not disappoint and it’s one of those cities you could easily fall in love with. With a population of about 1.5 million, it seems like a small town in comparison to Tokyo and Osaka, but it should be on your must sees list when you come to Japan! I hope you enjoyed our Kyoto trip report. Have you been to Kyoto? If so, what did you like?
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