Secrets of Kansai

Empty Japan - (Empty.Japan)
Itinerario creato da
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 h 27 min

Percorso totale troppo lungo per esportare su Google
1

About this day trip (Hiei)
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About this day trip
Categoria
giro turistico
Direzione

14,4 km (9 mi)

25 min

2

How to get to Mt. Hiei
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Read before your trip
Categoria
trasporto pubblico
Est. Price
$
Tipo di trasporto
autobus
Direzione

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)
Categoria
trasporto pubblico
Direzione

1,5 km (0,9 mi)

4 min

4

Cable Sakamoto Station
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Cablecar station
Categoria
trasporto pubblico
Direzione

13,8 km (8,6 mi)

24 min

5

Cable Enryakuji Station
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Retro Cablecar ride
Categoria
trasporto pubblico
Est. Price
$
Tipo di trasporto
altro
Direzione

1,1 km (0,7 mi)

3 min

6

Ticket Booth
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Entry to the Temple complex
Categoria
trasporto pubblico
Est. Price
1000 JPY
Direzione

6 m (0 mi)

7

Bell of Luck
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Legendary Bell tower
Categoria
giro turistico
Est. Price
100 JPY
Direzione

20 m (0 mi)

8

Daikodo (Grand Lecture Hall)
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Temple's Lecture Hall
Categoria
cultura
Direzione

266 m (0,2 mi)

1 min

9

Amidado Hall
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Beautiful Temple Hall
Categoria
cultura
Direzione

317 m (0,2 mi)

1 min

10

Kokuho-den Japanese National Treasure Museum
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National Treasure Museum
Categoria
cultura
Est. Price
500 JPY
Direzione

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
Categoria
bar
Est. Price
600 JPY
Direzione

6 m (0 mi)

12

Enryakuji bus centre baiten (souvenir shop)
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Local Souvenirs and sweets shop
Categoria
negozio
Est. Price
1000 JPY
Direzione

78 m (0 mi)

13

Enryaku-ji Temple
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Iconic Buddhist Temple
Categoria
cultura
Direzione

494 m (0,3 mi)

2 min

14

Monju-ro
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Temple of Bodhisattva of Wisdom
Categoria
giro turistico
Direzione

63 m (0 mi)

15

Reiho
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Stunning view (cafe)
Categoria
bar
Direzione

1,2 km (0,8 mi)

4 min

16

Cable Enryakuji Station (return)
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Funicular station
Categoria
giro turistico
Est. Price
$$
Direzione

13,4 km (8,3 mi)

22 min

17

Cable Sakamoto Station (return)
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Funicular station
Categoria
giro turistico
Est. Price
$$
Direzione

389 m (0,2 mi)

2 min

18

Fuyōen
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Authentic Japanese Cuisine
Categoria
ristorante
Est. Price
1800 JPY
Direzione

323 m (0,2 mi)

2 min

19

Hashirii Bridge
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Sacred bridge
Categoria
giro turistico
Direzione

102 m (0,1 mi)

20

San-nou Torii
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Unique Torii Gate
Categoria
giro turistico
Direzione

227 m (0,1 mi)

1 min

21

Hiyoshi Taisha
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Sacred Mountain Sanctuary
Categoria
cultura
Est. Price
300 JPY
Direzione

378 m (0,2 mi)

1 min

22

Great Golden Rock
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Secret Shrine on a clif
Categoria
escursione
Est. Durata
1-2h
Direzione

861 m (0,5 mi)

3 min

23

East Sanctuary
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Peaceful Shrine surrounded by nature
Categoria
cultura
Direzione

535 m (0,3 mi)

2 min

24

Shigain Monzeki Temple
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Hidden Temple gem
Categoria
cultura
Est. Price
$
Direzione

697 m (0,4 mi)

2 min

25

Questo è facoltativo

Notes Mt. Hieizan
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Read before the next activity
Categoria
giro turistico
Direzione

18,8 km (11,7 mi)

30 min

26

Scegli l'opzione più adatta a te

Kitsune No Yomeiri
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Top Wagyu Restaurant in Kyoto
Categoria
ristorante
Est. Price
20.000 JPY
Direzione

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

Scegli l'opzione più adatta a te

Renka-no-Yu On-Yado NONO Kyoto Shichijo
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Hotel with a hot spring
Categoria
Hotel
Direzione

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