Kyoto is perfectly placed for day trips — ancient towns, a giant Buddha, and even Osaka’s food scene are all a short train ride away. Here are the best day trips from Kyoto.
Top day trips
- Nara (~45 min) — the giant Buddha of Todai-ji and free-roaming deer; see our Nara guide.
- Osaka (~15–30 min) — food heaven and Dotonbori; see our Osaka guide.
- Uji (~20 min) — famous for green tea and the Byodo-in Phoenix Hall; pair with our green tea guide.
- Fushimi — the torii-gate shrine and sake district; see our Fushimi Inari guide.
- Himeji (~1 hr) — Japan’s finest castle; see our castles guide.
A little further
- Kobe (~30 min) — beef, harbor, and hillside views; see our Kobe guide.
- Koyasan — a mountaintop temple town (a longer trip but unforgettable); see our Koyasan guide.
- Amanohashidate — one of Japan’s “three great views” on the coast.
Tips
- Kyoto’s central location makes the Kansai region incredibly easy — grab an IC card.
- Consider a regional pass if you’ll do several trips; compare with the JR Pass.
- Start early to beat crowds at the big sights. Plan it into a 7-day itinerary.