We stayed maybe 5 days in Kyoto. There’s a ton of stuff to see and do in the city and outside. Plenty of day trips via train. We did Nara which was a cool experience with all the deer.
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BigFrank
Forbidden Chicharron
One of my concerns is using the same itinerary points and getting caught in crowds.
Mr Gundam
an expert on Eggnog Mousse Parfait sours
It’s going to be hard to completely avoid crowds in Kyoto, you’ve got as many tourists who want to go to Tokyo but in a much smaller city. Just get to places early that are high up on recommendation lists. Take a taxi out to the Silver Temple and walk back along the Philopher’s Path and you’ll beat all the tour busses and massive crowds. Plus the PP is one of my favorite things in Kyoto.
I went about a year ago, we spent 4 nights in Osaka and both Nara and Kyoto are less than 45 min by train. We spent one day doing Nara Park, then Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. I personally thought it was a perfect day, but we walked 35,000 steps, steep, and my sister was very annoyed with me after! Then we did another full day in Kyoto. We spent the day in the Kiyomizudera area and various shrines/temples. Didn’t have time for Arashiyama. It was pretty crowded but great.
I’m going back in November/December for 2 weeks (did 11 days last time) and I think this time we may spend one or two nights in Kyoto so we can see western Kyoto. Also considering a day trip to Kamakura.
Nara was ABSOLUTELY a highlight of the trip if you like shrines, temples, and cute deers who bow at you and eat the crackers you give them.
I’m going back in November/December for 2 weeks (did 11 days last time) and I think this time we may spend one or two nights in Kyoto so we can see western Kyoto. Also considering a day trip to Kamakura.
Nara was ABSOLUTELY a highlight of the trip if you like shrines, temples, and cute deers who bow at you and eat the crackers you give them.
You can spend a month in Tokyo and barely scratch the surface.
BigFrank
Forbidden Chicharron
I may be able to hit two temples, tops with this crowd. This one looks great.
Mr Gundam
an expert on Eggnog Mousse Parfait sours
That’s mostly what Kyoto is, so take that into consideration when making your itinerary.
We also tend to walk an absolute ton. 25,000 steps on average if not more.
It was really crowded and the one full day I was in Kyoto I went to at least six shrines or temples. Some of them are very small and will take you fifteen minutes tops.
The best souvenir from my trip was a goshuin book. Every shrine or temple will, for $2-$3, fill out a page in your book with amazing hand drawn calligraphy unique to that shrine or temple. I got kind of addicted, I got close to 20? Hah. But again, some shrines have multiple sub-shrines and it was just so fun. But I also understand if it’s not your thing, each one is unique but my sister was definitely getting sick of them by the end. (But she didn’t buy a goshuin book!)
I started at Kiyomizudera and worked my way down Sannenzaka. I think it was sort of the opposite of this: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3950_eastern_kyoto_full.html but I’ve been drinking lol. It’s easy to come
up with your own plan.
Each, I assume? Awesome. I’ve heard people pay $200+
All 3 for that price. Hit my credit card and I was shocked.
I’m in the outfield, so probably far up. But I’ll take it for that price
Mr Gundam
an expert on Eggnog Mousse Parfait sours
You’ll still a have great time. Find out if you’re in a Giants or visiting team section and learn some songs on the fly.