13 Tips for a FANTASTIC Trip to Kyoto

13 Tips for a FANTASTIC Trip to Kyoto

One of the most breathtaking and culturally rich destinations in the world…join me as I guide you through unforgettable Kyoto and share tips for exploring Osaka, Nara, and Hiroshima…

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MASSIVE thanks to my mom for joining me!

Music by: https://www.epidemicsound.com

IN THIS VIDEO:

HOW TO GET IN & AROUND:
From Kansai International Airport (KIX…often just shown as Osaka): Book a train ticket to Kyoto Station at the JR Station in the airport.

Bullet Train (Shinkansen) from Tokyo (departs from Tokyo Station)

HOTELS:
Hotel Granbell Kyoto (booked on Expedia.com): https://www.granbellhotel.jp/kyoto/
Gion Yoshi-Ima (booked on booking.com): https://www.yoshi-ima.co.jp/

TEMPLES & SHRINES:
– Fushimi Inari Taisha (Arrive early to avoid crowds)
– Kinkaku-ji
– Kiyomizu-dera (Arrive early to avoid crowds)
– Heian Jingu
– Ginkaku-ji
– Nanzen-ji
– Daigo-ji
– Seasonal Illuminations (Many temples…depends on the time of year)
– Kodai-ji
– To-ji
– Kiyomizu-dera Autumn Illumination

ARASHIYAMA:
– Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (Arrive early to avoid crowds)
– Monkey Park Iwatayama
– Otagi Nenbutsu-ji
– Sagano Scenic Railway
– Hozugawa River Boat Ride
(I bought a combo tour on Klook…half-day tour)
https://www.klook.com/
– Kimono Forest

HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS:
– Gion
– Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka (Can get CRAZY crowded)
– Kyoto Imperial Palace (free to visit!)
– Nijō Castle

DOWNTOWN & NISHIKI MARKET:
– Downtown Kyoto (near Kawaramachi Station)
– Nishiki Market (Opens at 9AM)
– Teramachi (boutique and quirky shops)
– Daimaru Kyoto (Department store)
– Pontocho Alley

FOOD:
These are my favorite spots…but if I left off your favorite spot, please throw it in the comment section!

– Gion Tanto
– Omen (two locations…Downtown & near Philosopher’s Path)
– Ichiran Ramen
– Engine Ramen
– Honke Daiichi Asahi (near Kyoto Station)
– Kyo-no Yakiniku Hiro Pontocho
– Wagyu Yakiniku Waya
– Roan Kikunoi – Reservations are a MUST https://myconciergejapan.com/restaurants/roan-kikunoi/
– Gion Sushi Matsumoto – Reservations are a MUST: https://myconciergejapan.com/restaurants/sushi-matsumoto/
– Sushitetsu
– Ebisugawa-Gyoza Nakajima – Gion Location
– Chao Chao Gyoza
– Katsukura Tonkatsu Sanjo
– Gohan-ya Isshin Kyoto
– Maccha House
– Kirakuan Okamoto Sanneizaka
– Fushimi Inari Taisha Food Stalls
– Nishiki Market

TRADITIONAL TEA CEREMONY:
– Camellia Tea Ceremony (Two locations…“Flower” in the Ninenzaka, and “Garden House” in West Kyoto.) The Flower location can help you with a Kimono rental: https://tea-kyoto.com/

PHILOSOPHER’S PATH:
Start south & walk north to Ginkaku-ji

OSAKA:
– Osaka Castle
– Umeda Sky Building
– Shinsekai
– Dotonbori
– Tombori River Cruise
– Tonkatsu Daiki – Show up before they open if you don’t want to wait in line

NARA:
– Deer Cracker vendors are located at the entrance of the park
– Tōdai-ji

HIROSHIMA & MIYAJIMA ISLAND:
Note: An overnight stay is worth considering, but it can all be seen in one (very full) day. Train from Kyoto Station (just under 2 hours)
– Atomic Bomb Dome
– Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
– Miyajima Island. 30 min train from Hiroshima. 10 minute ferry to the island
– Itsukushima Shrine – At low tide, you can walk out to the shrine

JUST GET LOST:
– Kyoto Gyoen National Garden
– Maruyama Park
– Kamo River

MY EQUIPMENT:
Panasonic GH7
Sony FX6

00:00 Opening
01:13 How to Get In and Around
02:57 Where to Stay
– 03:22 Kyoto Granbell Hotel
– 03:50 Gion Yoshi-Ima
04:01 Temples & Shrines
– 04:24 Fushimi Inari Taisha
– 04:58 Kinkaku-ji
– 05:12 Kiyomizu-dera
– 05:48 Heian Jingu
– 06:09 Ginkaku-ji
– 06:26 Nanzen-ji
– 06:45 Daigo-ji
– 07:04 Seasonal Illuminations
– 07:14 Kodai-ji
– 07:23 To-ji
– 07:33 Kiyomizu-dera Autumn Illumination
07:46 Arashiyama & The Bamboo Forest
– 08:29 Monkey Park Iwatayama
– 08:43 Otagi Nenbutsu-ji
– 08:55 Sagano Scenic Railway
– 09:05 Hozugawa River Boat Ride
– 09:27 Kimono Forest
09:51 Gion & Ninenzaka
– 09:59 Gion
– 10:30 Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka
– 11:04 Kyoto Imperial Palace
– 11:21 Nijō Castle
11:48 Downtown Kyoto & Nishiki Market
– 11:59 Nishiki Market
– 12:18 Teramachi
– 12:22 Daimaru Kyoto
– 12:32 Pontocho Alley
13:06 Where to Eat
– 13:18 Gion Tanto
– 13:41 Omen
– 13:58 Ramen
– 14:51 Grilled Wagyu (Yakiniku)
– 15:05 Kaiseki (Roan Kikunoi)
– 15:34 Sushi (Gion Sushi Matsumoto & Sushitetsu)
– 16:08 Gyoza (Ebisu-Gyoza Nakajima & Chao Chao Gyoza)
– 16:42 Katsukura Tonkatsu Sanjo
– 16:48 Gohan-ya Isshin Kyoto
– 16:55 Bonus Food Spots
17:30 Traditional Tea Ceremony (Camellia)
18:38 Philosopher’s Path
19:18 Osaka
– 19:43 Osaka Castle
– 19:56 Umeda Sky Building
– 20:05 Shinsekai
– 20:11 Dotonbori
– 20:47 Tonkatsu Daiki
21:04 Meet the Deer in Nara
– 21:44 Tōdai-ji
22:22 Hiroshima
– 22:40 Atomic Bomb Dome
– 22:56 Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
– 23:11 Miyajima Island
– 23:16 Itsukushima Shrine
23:53 Just Get Lost
25:12 Thanks mom!