Secrets of Kansai

Empty Japan - (Empty.Japan)
Itinerary created by
Empty Japan
What you’ll do

Four-day plan that's all about hidden treasures – the stuff you won't find in regular guides.

Day 1 - Explore one of Japan's holiest places with over a thousand years of history including one of my favorite Temples of all time.

  • Travel time (from Kyoto Station): 35 min (JR train + bus) or 40 min by car

Day 2 - Discover a charming village frozen in time as you explore the north of Kyoto. Uncover ancient temples, their secrets, traditions, flavors, and stories that will transport you to a different era.

  • Travel time (from Kyoto Station): 1 hour and 10 minutes by subway and bus or 50 minutes by car.

Day 3 - Venture off the beaten path in Arashiyama, avoiding crowded tourist spots. Explore hidden and atmospheric locations that are rarely visited, offering a unique perspective on this beautiful area.

  • Travel time (from Kyoto Station): 40 minutes by subway and train or 30 minutes by car.

Day 4 - Discover the essence of Japan's charm on this day trip while wandering through historic streets lined with traditional homes, savor some of the best Wagyu in Japan, and unwind with serene views of the lake Biwa. From scenic mountain vistas to peaceful boat rides, this itinerary promises an unforgettable adventure.

  • Travel time (from Kyoto Station): 50-60 minutes by train + bus or 1 hour by car.

And, of course, if you've been following my Instagram for long enough, you know that these itineraries include absolutely delicious restaurants and cafes where you can savor some of the best dishes of local cuisine.

  • All of the locations are accessible by public transport.

  • Mentioned travel time is approximate and may vary depending on your departure time and traffic conditions.

  • If you plan to spend less than 3 days in Kyoto, choose those day-trips that you are interested in the most.

  • These day trips are not interconnected and may be experienced in any order

Day Total

71.7 km (44.6 mi)

2 hr 27 min

Total route too long to export to Google
1

About this day trip (Hiei)
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About this day trip
Category
Sightseeing
Direction

14.4 km (9 mi)

25 min

2

How to get to Mt. Hiei
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Read before your trip
Category
Public Transport
Est. Price
$
Transport Type
bus
Direction

1.5 km (0.9 mi)

4 min

3

Hieizan-Sakamoto JR Station
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JR station (skip it if you travel by car or taxi)
Category
Public Transport
Direction

1.5 km (0.9 mi)

4 min

4

Cable Sakamoto Station
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Cablecar station
Category
Public Transport
Direction

13.8 km (8.6 mi)

24 min

5

Cable Enryakuji Station
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Retro Cablecar ride
Category
Public Transport
Est. Price
$
Transport Type
other
Direction

1.1 km (0.7 mi)

3 min

6

Ticket Booth
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Entry to the Temple complex
Category
Public Transport
Est. Price
¥1,000
Direction

6 m (0 mi)

7

Bell of Luck
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Legendary Bell tower
Category
Sightseeing
Est. Price
¥100
Direction

20 m (0 mi)

8

Daikodo (Grand Lecture Hall)
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Temple's Lecture Hall
Category
Culture
Direction

266 m (0.2 mi)

1 min

9

Amidado Hall
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Beautiful Temple Hall
Category
Culture
Direction

317 m (0.2 mi)

1 min

10

Kokuho-den Japanese National Treasure Museum
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National Treasure Museum
Category
Culture
Est. Price
¥500
Direction

596 m (0.4 mi)

2 min

11

比叡茶寮 (Hiei saryō) Cafe
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Perfect rest with sweets and tea
Category
Café
Est. Price
¥600
Direction

6 m (0 mi)

12

Enryakuji bus centre baiten (souvenir shop)
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Local Souvenirs and sweets shop
Category
Shop
Est. Price
¥1,000
Direction

78 m (0 mi)

13

Enryaku-ji Temple
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Iconic Buddhist Temple
Category
Culture
Direction

494 m (0.3 mi)

2 min

14

Monju-ro
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Temple of Bodhisattva of Wisdom
Category
Sightseeing
Direction

63 m (0 mi)

15

Reiho
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Stunning view (cafe)
Category
Café
Direction

1.2 km (0.8 mi)

4 min

16

Cable Enryakuji Station (return)
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Funicular station
Category
Sightseeing
Est. Price
$$
Direction

13.4 km (8.3 mi)

22 min

17

Cable Sakamoto Station (return)
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Funicular station
Category
Sightseeing
Est. Price
$$
Direction

389 m (0.2 mi)

2 min

18

Fuyōen
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Authentic Japanese Cuisine
Category
Restaurant
Est. Price
¥1,800
Direction

323 m (0.2 mi)

2 min

19

Hashirii Bridge
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Sacred bridge
Category
Sightseeing
Direction

102 m (0.1 mi)

20

San-nou Torii
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Unique Torii Gate
Category
Sightseeing
Direction

227 m (0.1 mi)

1 min

21

Hiyoshi Taisha
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Sacred Mountain Sanctuary
Category
Culture
Est. Price
¥300
Direction

378 m (0.2 mi)

1 min

22

Great Golden Rock
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Secret Shrine on a clif
Category
Hike
Est. Duration
1-2h
Direction

861 m (0.5 mi)

3 min

23

East Sanctuary
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Peaceful Shrine surrounded by nature
Category
Culture
Direction

535 m (0.3 mi)

2 min

24

Shigain Monzeki Temple
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Hidden Temple gem
Category
Culture
Est. Price
$
Direction

697 m (0.4 mi)

2 min

25

This one is optional

Notes Mt. Hieizan
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Read before the next activity
Category
Sightseeing
Direction

18.8 km (11.7 mi)

30 min

26

Choose the option that fits you the best

Kitsune No Yomeiri
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Top Wagyu Restaurant in Kyoto
Category
Restaurant
Est. Price
¥20,000
Direction

For this day trip, I recommend staying in one of the hotels in Kyoto where I personally enjoyed my stay the most.

These hotels are listed as the next locations on this itinerary (three of them are listed here).

If, for any reason, you are unable to book any of these three hotels, you can find my other hotel recommendations (which are equally great) on my map or under the "things to do" list by selecting the option to show only hotels.

All of my recommended hotels cater to a wide variety of preferences for every type of traveler, including different budget ranges, modern or traditional options, and more. They are especially perfect, considering their location right in the heart of Kyoto and their convenience for one-day trips (due to their 5-minute walking distance to either Subway or JR stations).

27

Choose the option that fits you the best

Renka-no-Yu On-Yado NONO Kyoto Shichijo
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Hotel with a hot spring
Category
Hotel
Direction

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