13 Tips for an Amazing Kyoto Trip 🌸

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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Follow Me: Instagram: @mattstraveltips

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!