I've visited this intriguing city on several occasions in different seasons, and can confidently say seeing Kyoto in 4 days is the perfect amount of time to visit many attractions in a relaxed, enjoyable way.
People Also Ask
Five days in Kyoto is the perfect amount of time to spend in Kyoto. You can explore the main sightseeing districts and take a daytrip to Nara. This itinerary allows you to get the best out of five full days in the city.
Tokyo is about 30% more expensive than Kyoto for travelers. If you prefer big cities, modern technology, nightlife and a huge selection of restaurants, Tokyo is for you. If you're after temples, shrines, garden, geisha and hiking, Kyoto is for you. If you've got 4 or more days in Japan, you should see both.
A good breakdown is 2 days in Osaka and 4 in Kyoto. Kansai International Airport (KIX) is the most convenient airport to Osaka and Kyoto. A Japan Rail Pass is not a good idea for this itinerary, but a Kansai Thru Pass may be.
Nara is 35 kilometers south of Kyoto City and about 28 kilometers east of Osaka. Thus, it's within easy day trip distances of these cities. Of course, if you want to slow down and enjoy Nara a bit more, it makes sense to stay a night in Nara to really explore the area.
I recommend at least 5 days to see the must-see of the Kansai region, namely Osaka and Kyoto. But it would be better if you could stay for at least 8 days, which will allow you to visit all the best highlights of Kansai: Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Himeji, and Hiroshima.
The best times to visit Kyoto are October/November (fall) and March/April/May (spring). You can visit Kyoto at any time of year because the weather is temperate. Summer (June/July/August) in Kyoto is hot and humid. Winter (December/January/Febuary) in Kyoto is cold.
By Rail: Take the Shinkansen to Shin-Yokohama, then a local train to Hachioji, followed by a local train to Hachioji, followed by a local train to Otsuki and from there to Fujikyu railway to Kawaguchiko. Alternatively, you can take a Shinkansen to Mishima station, and from there use an express bus to Kawaguchiko.
Kyoto is generally a safe city, and most areas are safe to visit at night. However, as with any large city, it's always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and to take precautions to ensure your safety.
Japan is much cheaper than you think, especially now with a weak yen. And Kyoto is much cheaper than Tokyo. Indeed, Kyoto is one of the cheapest major destinations in the developed world.
Kyoto is more relaxing. Tokyo is about 30% more expensive than Kyoto for travelers. If you prefer big cities, modern technology, nightlife and a huge selection of restaurants, Tokyo is for you. If you're after temples, shrines, garden, geisha and hiking, Kyoto is for you.
Shinkansen or bullet trainIt takes only 14 minutes to run between Kyoto Station and Shin-Osaka Station. If you want to use this option to get from Kyoto to Osaka, you need to buy a one-way ticket that costs 1,420 yen (unreserved seat) or 3,220 yen (reserved seat).
by GoWithGuide travel specialist:Akane N.Kyoto is a great place to go on a day trip since it's only about 15 - 30 minutes away by train. There's a lot to see but since it's so close, it's almost as if it's in the same city. So having your accommodations in Osaka is not a problem.
All Kyoto to OsakaShinkansen bullet trains are designed to offer the passengers everything they might need during the journey, including several travel classes and an extensive timetable with up to 34 daily departures.
The cities of Tokyo and Kyoto are linked to each other by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. A one-way trip from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station on a Hikari or Kodama train costs 13,080 yen (unreserved seat) or 13,800 yen (reserved seat), but is completely free with a JR Pass.
The best area to stay in Kyoto for tourists is Downtown Kawaramachi. Other recommended best places to stay in Kyoto are Gion, Kyoto Station and Central Kyoto. Downtown Kawaramachi offers plenty of shops and restaurants, and is in walking distance to historical Gion, making it the best place to stay in Kyoto.