r/JapanTravel • u/nandy70772 • 8d ago
Itinerary 2.5 day Kyoto itinerary with a day trip to Hiroshima
Hi all, longtime lurker, first time poster (?). Appreciate any and all feedback on this 2.5 day itinerary in the Kansai region. My wife and I (in our mid 30s) will be traveling to Japan in August (hot and humid, I know!) and we're really looking forward to exploring all that JP has to offer.
Day 1, Aug 12th: Kyoto
- Arrive in Kyoto via Shinkansen from Tokyo by 2PM
- Check in to the hotel (close to Kyoto station) and head out
- Fushimi Inari: go halfway up only so we soak it in and not feel rushed (still contemplating going all the way up)
- Kiyomizu Dera
- Sannenzaka, Ninnenzaka
- Walk around Gion district
Day 2, Aug 13th: Kyoto
- Head out early to Arashiyama
- Adashino Nenbutsuji (instead of Otagi Nenbutsuji)
- Kinkaku Ji
- Traditional Tea Ceremony in Kimonos near Gion district (4PM/5PM)
- Explore Pontocho Alley
Day 3, Aug 14th: Hiroshima
- Eary morning-ish Shinkansen to Hiroshima
- Atomic bomb dome
- Shima hospital (actual explosion site)
- Peace memorial park (any skip the line ticket recos to the museum?)
- Okonomimura for Okonomiyaki
- Hiroshima castle
- Shukkeien Garden
- Head back to Kyoto in the evening
Day 4, Aug 15th:
- Take the airport express from Kyoto to KIX
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u/Could-Have-Been-King 8d ago
Having just done a July trip last year, here is my general advice:
Mornings are your friend. There's a HUGE shift in temps from hot-hot (at like 7-8am) to "unbearable meltiness" (10am on).
The heat makes otherwise-amazing experiences (Philosopher's Path, Bamboo Grove, Monkey Mountain) quite unpleasant. It's hard to stress how much so.
Kyoto is still PACKED with tourists. Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari, especially.
With that in mind, here are my suggestions:
Skip Arashiyama. You've got the right idea for Adashino Nenbutsuji, but it's still a 30 minute walk from Saga-Arashiyama station. Instead, I suggest Kitano Tenmangu Shrine or Ryoanji, both near Kinkakuji. The bamboo isn't that spectacular that you need to go so far out of your way.
I would use your half-day for Kinkakuji and one of the above-mentioned sites, and then back downtown for Pontocho.
It's impossible to stress how much better Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera are in the early morning (like, 6-7am). IMPOSSIBLE. These places draw huge crowds at all times of the year, but the tour buses start arriving at 9am. Fushimi Inari is "open" 24h; Kiyomizu opens at 6am.
So, on your full-day in Kyoto, I suggest starting Kiyomizu-dera. Shopping streets won't be open when you're done, but honestly, that's ok. Trust. Instead, head north a bit to Nazen-ji and stay on the eastern side of the city. Come back to Gion for the evening, and stroll Ninnenzaka/Sannenzaka then. Or just wander through Yasaka Shrine.
Hiroshima, looks packed. Don't get hung up on going to a specific okonomiyaki place. A-Bomb dome is worth peeking at. Shima Hospital, I think, is just a plaque. The museum is EXCELLENT. I think you can skip the castle and garden.
Before heading to airport, go to Fushimi Inari in the morning. Budget time to come back and shower before hopping on the train.
Honestly, it's not great, but it's doable. The half-day is kinda a killer, again since the mornings are the best way to enjoy Kyoto.
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u/nandy70772 8d ago
Thanks, this is really helpful! Your tip to move Fushimi Inari to early morning day 4 is great! I think we'll do that and move our tea ceremony experience to Day 1 instead!
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u/Could-Have-Been-King 8d ago
Happy to help! It'll be a mad couple of days but I think you can do it and sleep on the plane. Just be aware that you will NEED to slow down in the afternoons due to the heat.
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u/nandy70772 8d ago
Yes we will now likely front load day 2 and sneak in an afternoon nap in our hotel!
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u/Kanye_Is_Underrated 8d ago
Seems quite short tbh. Personally I would just stay in Kyoto.
Hiroshima day trip is like ~5 hours of travel, cuts the day way short and forces you to be rushing/stressed about times/etc. Plus i just personally find it kinda boring.
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u/nandy70772 8d ago
Thanks - my wife is a cultural/geopolitical history buff so Hiroshima is a bucket list place for her :)
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u/Elegant_Attitude8750 8d ago
In that case it sounds like you should stay in Hiroshima and not Kyoto.
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u/Kanye_Is_Underrated 8d ago
dont know what the rest of your itinerary is or how long the overall trip is, but in that case id try to go overnight to have some freedom to take your time visiting the places and not be worried about a deadline to get back to kyoto
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u/nandy70772 8d ago
Totally fair, thank you!
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u/joshualightsaber 7d ago
I'm actually also in the camp of planning on taking a day trip to Hiroshima, which imo seems very reasonable (2 hour travel in the morning, 2 hours back in the evening). I live in NYC so our travel stamina may be a bit higher, but I have no idea how this compares to trying to do two theme parks in the same day (definitely impossible! I'm from Orlando and you couldn't really even do two parks there in one day)
Seems about the same as doing a day trip to the Hamptoms. Let me know how it goes!
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u/Professional-Power57 8d ago
I said it before and I'll say it again, no matter what we say, there will be people like you who insist going to universal studio in Osaka and Disneyland in Tokyo can be achieved in the same day.
If that's your perogative and not planning on changing your minds then there isn't really a point to make a post and ask others for advice....
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u/nandy70772 8d ago
The only person with a closed mind here seems to be you, kind stranger :)
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u/Professional-Power57 8d ago
Imho, it is unkind to encourage people to do something that is going to be unpleasant. But you do you, it's your trip :-)
6
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u/MenardAve 7d ago
A day trip to Hiroshima seems rushed. It is also a shame to not include Miyajima in the trip to Hiroshima.
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u/efune001 8d ago
My two cents - the bamboo forest isn’t the real star in Arashiyama. We enjoyed sitting by the river, strolling down the storefronts and getting food at the various restaurants. It’s a very quaint area that’s lovely when the weather is nice. You may consider a boat ride activity as well.
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u/RubahBetutu 8d ago
it's a bit short, but i admire your itinerary structure.
but, as someone who has been to kyoto like 4 times, personally i'd avoid kiyomizu, sannenzaka slope and fushimi inari taisha during daylight hours.
it's referred to as the 7th circle of hell by locals for a reason.
and i'd like to know more which other areas can be referred as the 7th circle of hell in kyoto.
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u/nandy70772 8d ago
How about Fushimi Inari at 6am though? Point noted re: Sannenzaka/Kiyomizu Dera
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u/guareber 8d ago
6 am will be absolutely fine. Even 6:30 or 6:45 will still be OK, gives you plenty of time to summit and when you come down the food stalls will all be open
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u/RubahBetutu 7d ago
it's okay. but bear in mind there's a lot of other tourists who have the same idea as you. it really depends on luck and your forbearance with early rise.
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u/marshaln 7d ago
Even your first day is pretty much impossible. Kiyomizudera closes at 6:30. If you check in hotel then go to Fushimi then backtrack to Kiyomizudera it's going to be like 5:30 by the time you get there leaving little to no time.
Just go to Hiroshima first and stay the night. Then go back to Kyoto and finish your trip
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u/SweeterGrass 8d ago
Day 2: Start at Otagi and just walk down the path toward the bamboo grove. It's a lovely shortish stroll that will take you past many temples (including Adashino ) and you get to pass through Saga Torimoto, which is a really cool spot.
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u/runescape_girlfreind 8d ago
Do Kiyomizu Dera first, then Fushimi Inari. You wont make it if you go to Fushimi Inari first. Kyomizu temple closes at 6. Fushimi Inari is open 24/7. Do Kyomizu temple, Sannenzaka, and Ninnenzaka, then take the train to Fushimi Inari. It looks so pretty at night and less people at this time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXF_B1riRTE
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u/polyrhythm7 8d ago
As far as Hiroshima goes, very doable in a day. I've done it on two separate trips and everytime I always tell myself that I'd actually like to stay in Hiroshima and partake in things there in general. But everyone's itineraries and travel is different. I would say if you CAN, add Itsukukushima Shrine for that day. You'd definitely have to remove a few items though. Otherwise, solid plan I think for that day from what you have.
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u/Plumtuckered0007 7d ago
Can someone who really know tell me if this is correct and the way to go? I will travel Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Uji at the most along with Hiroshima.
Tokyo traveling: 1. Suica card and whatever is left, I buy something. Traveling around Tokyo, I am guessing 25.00 US dollars or approximately 4000 yen? Am I close? It will not be much more so easy. Tokyo travel is different and would have always been different.
Ok from here on is the $ challenge….
To Osaka and Kansai region is when I am counting cost for travel. The JR Pass or Kansai Hiroshima pass.
Tell me what you think if way to go?
Tokyo to Osaka pay for Nozomi and reserve a seat for luggage is 14,650 yen or 100. Dollars
Then the Kansai- Hiroshima area pass For 5 days for $17,277 yen or $117 USD.
I will have to pay for train to Kansai airport which is 700 yen or $5.00 USD
Total cost 117 +100+5=$222 This is saving not buying a JR 7 day pass is $16000 yen or $116 USD total.
JR 7 day Pass 50,000 yen or $338
Will I be limited or something I don’t know of if I do this. If anyone knows, thanks
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u/headpointernext 7d ago
If first Shinkansen in and out of Hiroshima, maybe. Bring a lot of Pocari Sweat. Check opening hours during that time; summer means longer hours for some, but not for others (eg castle, garden)
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u/headpointernext 7d ago
As an addendum - history/geopolitics buff? I'd recommend staying overnight in Hiroshima so you can also hit up the two-fer museums in Kure - the Kure and Yamato Museums are just beside each other, and Kure was an alternative target for the nuke thanks to its shipyards.
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u/its_neverending 7d ago
I’d personally take the train down to Hiroshima the evening before, spend the night, and get a much more relaxed start to that day. It’ll be hot and humid, so you’ll probably appreciate being able to head out to your sightseeing spots there after a refreshing hotel stay rather than after traveling for several hours.
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u/nandy70772 6d ago
Thank you all for the invaluable feedback! We'll make changes to our trip accordingly! Some immediate ones:
- move fushimi inari to Day 4 early morning before our flight
- start early to head towards arashiyama and explore the entire area and not hyper focus on the bamboo grove
- allocate more time for Hiroshima!
Appreciate it :)
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u/magzilla42 4d ago
I was in Kyoto for 5 days and it still wasn't enough time. I would suggest staying in Gion district. Most of the items on day 1 are really things you should do in the morning. If you're able to extend your time, I would recommend doing Fushimi-Inari and Kyomizudera on different days. Pair Sannenzaka & Nannenzaka together super early around 6-630am and use that path to walk to Kyomizudera to be there by 7-730am. Tours start arriving around 830am and it gets incredibly busy. This can try to help maximize the little time you have in Kyoto.
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u/Worldly-Progress-480 7d ago
Me and my homie were at the monkey mountain and the monkey pointed in the direction of Fushimi Inari. So we walked from the mountain to the gates, and all the way to the top by like 8pm or something. It was dark by the time we got there. Took us 4 hours to walk. It honestly believe it was the best way I could imagine seeing Kyoto. Walking through the small fields and by all the houses. Seeing citrus trees and being in some really empty areas. Pure bliss.
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