by If you are visiting Osaka and Nara in Japan and want to complete the iconic Kansai Region trio, adding a Kyoto daytrip is a must—especially if you love traditional architecture, as strolling here feels therapeutic, and if you are also a matcha lover, since Kyoto is renowned as the matcha capital of the world. (Kyoto DIY Itinerary)
Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara are the three most prominent cities in the Kansai region, usually visited together as they form a “golden route” of cultural tourism featuring UNESCO World Heritage Sites, traditional temples, and culinary hotspots.Just 15 minutes away from Osaka, Kyoto is DIY-friendly and great for budget solo travelers. If you’re planning to visit, keep reading this Kyoto day trip DIY itinerary.
Table of Contents
About Kyoto, Japan
In contrast to the modern and futuristic feel of Tokyo, Kyoto is known as the cultural and historical heart of Japan and is hailed as the “City of Ten Thousand Shrines.” It is famous for its thousands of ancient temples and shrines, as well as tea ceremonies. It’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in Japan’s preserved traditional culture.
Kyoto was once the imperial capital of Japan for over 1,000 years before it was moved to Tokyo, which explains the similarity in their names. When it comes to the people of Kyoto, they are deeply rooted in the principles of omotenashi (hospitality), cleanliness, and an appreciation for the changing seasons.
Language & Currency Used
Just like other cities in Japan, the spoken language in Kyoto is Japanese. Although English is spoken in tourist spots, major transport hubs, and hotels, it’s still best to have a translation app ready at all times.The currency used in Kyoto is the Japanese Yen (JPY). You can withdraw cash either at the airport or at 7-Eleven stores.
Best Time to Visit Kyoto?
The best time to visit Kyoto depends on the season you want to experience. If you’re after scenic and therapeutic travel like me, visit during autumn (October to November) for breathtaking red and orange landscapes.
If you want to see cherry blossoms, visit during spring (March to May). For snowy temple visits, winter (December to February) is perfect. Summer runs from June to August and can be very hot and humid, with the rainy season typically in June.
Late March to early April and mid-to-late November are peak and crowded seasons. If you want to avoid crowds, visit in early March (before the blossoms) or May (after Golden Week) for a quieter trip with pleasant weather.Important Tip: Avoid “Golden Week” (late April to early May), as this is one of Japan’s busiest holiday periods, with massive crowds and higher costs.
Important Tip: Avoid “Golden Week” (late April to early May), as this is one of Japan’s busiest holiday periods, with massive crowds and higher costs.
Kyoto Pre-Travel Guide
How to Get to Kyoto From Osaka?
For DIY trips, the fastest way to get to Kyoto from Osaka is via the Shinkansen bullet train, which takes about 15 minutes. All you have to do is simply board the bullet train at Osaka Station going to Kyoto Station.For tickets, you can purchase the JR West Kansai Area Pass on Klook for unlimited train rides in the Kansai region, which you can also use in other cities like Osaka and Nara.
For arranged tours, you can book daytrip tours on Klook if budget is not an issue.
BOOK DISCOUNTED DAYTRIP KYOTO HERE
Where to Stay in Kyoto, Japan?
If you’re planning to stay longer in Kyoto instead of just visiting for a day trip, here are some accommodations you can consider:
BOOK ROOMS AT PIECE HOSTEL KYOTO FOR PHP 1,902 PER NIGHT GOOD FOR 2 PAX
For a budget-friendly stay, consider this hostel located in Minami, Kyoto, just a 5-minute walk from Kyoto Station. It offers free Wi-Fi and air-conditioned rooms. They also provide bike rentals so you can explore the area.
BOOK ROOMS AT HOTEL TAVINOS KYOTO FOR PHP 2,284 PER NIGHT GOOD FOR 2 PAX
If you have a mid-range budget, check out this manga-themed hotel located in the Kawaramachi area, just over 1 km from Nishiki Market Shopping District. It offers air-conditioned rooms, free Wi-Fi, well-stocked refrigerators, and complimentary toiletries. The front desk operates 24 hours with express check-in/check-out. They also offer activities such as sumo wrestling and moon viewing.
BOOK ROOMS AT HOTEL HOKKE CLUB KYOTO FOR PHP 3,711 PER NIGHT GOOD FOR 2 PAX
If you have a higher budget, consider this hotel located in the Shimogyo area near Kyoto Station. They offer 24-hour check-in, air-conditioned rooms, and free Wi-Fi. Select rooms have great city views. The hotel also features a cozy coffee shop and massage services.
Where to Eat in Kyoto?
ARASHIYAMA DISTRICT
When visiting Kyoto, you shouldn’t miss trying restaurants and food stores in the Arashiyama District, especially the local specialties: yudofu (tofu hotpot), yuba (soy milk skin), and various matcha desserts.
Some top-rated matcha spots in Arashiyama include:
- Kyoto Kin no Hana – known for matcha and dango
- Kyocafe Chacha – offers rich, earthy matcha soft serve and in-house made parfaits and waffles
- Yojiya Cafe – famous for matcha parfaits and matcha cola cake
- Yasohachi Yoshibasha – for a hands-on matcha latte-making experience
NISHIKI MARKET
Kyoto is also famous for foods like soba noodles, ramen, sushi, tempura, skewered seafood, tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet), and local sweets—all of which you can find at Nishiki Market, a vibrant food market known for local delicacies.
GION DISTRICT
If you’re looking for formal kaiseki (multi-course haute cuisine) dinner spots and traditional matcha tea houses, the Gion District is the perfect place.
How to Get Around in Kyoto?
The best way to get around Kyoto is by train using the JR West Kansai Area Pass for unlimited rides, while utilizing Google Maps for navigation.
Kyoto’s trains and subways connect major landmarks, including Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Fushimi Inari Taisha, and Nijo Castle.
Places to Visit in Kyoto
Stroll Around Scenic Arashiyama
Arashiyama is a scenic district famous for its towering bamboo grove and traditional Japanese temples. This was my favorite part of my Kyoto trip because of the district’s old-style charm. It’s also therapeutic to enjoy the mountain views, trees, river, and bridge—especially during autumn.
Take a Walk at Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is a 500-meter natural walking path known for its towering green bamboo stalks. It feels very peaceful and therapeutic to walk here!
Enjoy the Scenic Views at Kiyomizu Temple
Kiyomizu Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its 13-meter-high wooden stage built without nails. It’s a perfect viewing spot for red maple leaves during autumn. You can also rent a kimono here for photos.
Eat, Shop, and Visit the World’s First Starbucks in Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka
Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka are Kyoto’s historic streets filled with food stalls and souvenir shops. Here, you’ll find the world’s first Starbucks store located in a traditional Japanese house—I also ordered a matcha latte during my visit.
Yasaka Pagoda
Yasaka Pagoda is a 46-meter-tall, five-story Buddhist pagoda. It’s best visited at night when it’s less crowded and even more scenic.
TIPS FROM JOAN’S FOOTPRINTS
1. If you want to stay longer in Kyoto and get discounts on accommodations, use my Klook discount code JOANSFOOTPRINTSKLOOK or my Agoda code JFAGODA. You can also use these codes to purchase your JR West Kansai Area Pass for unlimited train rides.
2. Use Google Maps to navigate Kyoto and maximize the subway system.
3. For scenic travel, visit during autumn (October to November). For cherry blossoms, visit during spring (March to May). And for snowy temple visits, travel during winter (December to February).
4. Wear comfortable shoes, as exploring Kyoto involves a lot of walking.
5. For a quick exploration, a day trip to Kyoto is enough.
SAMPLE KYOTO DIY ITINERARY WITH BUDGET
For this trip, I used my JR West Kansai Area Pass which I booked on Klook. It’s an unlimited JR lines train pass which is very convenient because you don’t need to keep buying tickets every single time.
| TIME: | ACTIVITY: | BUDGET: |
| 6AM | Breakfast | Php400/meal |
| 7:30AM | ETD Osaka to Kyoto using JR West Kansai Area Pass | Php1,048 |
| 8:30AM | ETA Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, explore the village, try matcha food and drinks, Togetsukyo Bridge | |
| 10:30AM | ETD to Ninenzaka | |
| 12:30NN | Lunch and stroll at Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, shop, dine | Php400/meal |
| 1:30PM | Walk to Yasaka Pagoda, try the world’s first Starbucks in a tatami seating, walk to Kiyomizu Temple | |
| 4:30PM | ETD to Osaka |
If you have more time, you can add Fushimi Inari Taisha which is best visited early in the morning to beat the crowd. Moreover, if you have the budget and want to save yourself from all the hassle of DIY trip, you can book a daytour on Klook: BOOK DISCOUNTED KYOTO DAYTRIP ON KLOOK.
| Help me improve my guide: Kyoto DIY Itinerary & Budget! By commenting suggestions in the comment section below, I am very open to new ideas. Contact Us for paid promotions and link insertions. For proposals: email me at joansfootprints@gmail.com |
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