KYOTO travel GUIDE: budget plan Itinerary, things to Do

This KYOTO travel guide blog is your one-stop source of Kyoto travel tips. In this post, we put whatever we understand about Kyoto, Japan, including train passes, tour recommendations, as well as public transportation directions. We likewise included a sample diy KYOTO itinerary with expense estimates as well as breakdown of expenses.

It was mid-summer when I set foot in Kyoto for the very first time. The deciduous forest of the Arashiyama district was extremely rich as well as green, awfully green. eco-friendly is great; I like green. however as a guy who hailed from a tropical island carpeted in evergreen rainforests, it was not truly the color I was excited to feast my eyes on. The longer I walked, the more I realized that it was a error booking June tickets to Japan. What was I thinking? Was I even believing when I booked it? however kicking myself in the butt lasted for only a minute. summertime may not be the very best time to be here, however the proverbial silver lining appeared amidst the greenery. There were fewer tourists, as well as the weather condition was pleasant, perfect for a long afternoon walk.

That or I was just mastering the art of wonderful lemoning.

Before that trip ended, I did what every other typical travel blog writer does when composing about a location they enjoyed tremendously: make a solemn pledge to return. as well as return I did. többször. since I’m typical like that. Lol.

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Understanding Kyoto
When is the very best Time to see Kyoto?
How to get a Japan Visa
How to get to KyotoManila to KyotoSearch for affordable flights here

Kansai flight terminal to KyotoBy Train
Busszal

Where to stay in Kyoto
Internet connection in KyotoPocket Wifi Rental
Local SIM

How to get around KyotoJR Pass
JR West Kansai Rail Pass
Kansai Thru Pass
ICOCA Card

Things to perform in KyotoKimono Rental
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Arashiyama
Kinkaku-ji: temple of the golden Pavilion
Gion
Kyoto Tower
Toei studio Park
Other Attractions

Sample Kyoto Itinerary
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Understanding Kyoto

Kyoto is the funding of Kyoto Prefecture, which is part of Japan’s Kansai region (along with Osaka, Nara, Hyogo as well as a few others).

This publish is co-presented by Cebu Pacific Air.For over a thousand years, Kyoto was the Imperial funding of Japan, the primary reason why it is teeming with structures as well as customs from the bygone times. This makes the city an appealing option for foreigners who are interested to dig deeper into traditional Japanese culture.

Today, Japan’s seat of power is Tokyo. Yet, Kyoto is still the cultural core of the archipelago. Kyoto stays house to impressively maintained as well as brought back ancient temples as well as shrines. When most major cities in Japan have shifted to highlighting its contemporary as well as futuristic attractions, Kyoto stays steady in its dwelling in the past as well as flaunting its cultural heritage. Kyoto pulsates at its own pace, a bit slower however curiously mesmerizing.

Yosh as well as Vins in Kyoto
Other information you requirement to know:

Language: Japanese (Nihongo). The majority of the locals rarely speak English, however most of the indications as well as other tourist marketing materials have English translations.

Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY, ¥). JPY 1000 is around USD 9.36, EUR 7.60, PHP 484 (as of February 2018).

Pénz váltás. There are a great deal of money changers throughout Osaka as well as Kyoto, however save yourself the difficulty as well as just exchange currencies before your trip. SANRY’S has great rates. You can likewise withdraw from ATMs when you’re there, however they’re quite difficult to find. most of the ATMs we saw didn’t accept worldwide cards.

Modes of payment: most establishments prefer money payment, however many of them likewise accept credit history card transactions.

Electricity Info: 100V, 50/60 Hz. type A sockets. Plugs have two flat pins. type B is sometimes utilized however not that common.

When is the very best Time to see Kyoto?

Every season highlights a different side of Kyoto: clad in the fiery colors of autumn, dressed in white snow in winter, decorated with the pink glow of cherry blossoms in spring, and, finally, drowned in a sea of verdancy in summer. Each has its own pros as well as cons, however if you’re after visual spectacle, these two will be your finest bets:

Late March to early April for the cherry blossoms

Mid- to late November for the colors of fall

Sakura in Kyoto
Spring is likewise the beginning of peak season, when expense of flights as well as hotel spaces begin to rise. Yes, the sakura experience is magical, however prepare to shell out more dough as well as share the location with a bigger crowd.

Summer is likewise part of the peak season. If you’re from the tropics like me as well as you want to check out inan environment different from what you’re utilized to, stay away from the summertime months. Not only are these months crowded, they can likewise be as well hot. longer days likewise mean you have more hours of daylight, more time to explore, as well as more chances to take wonderful photos.

Autumn is a excellent time to be in Kyoto since this is when the costs drop, crowds thin, as well as foliage turns fiery orange as well as red. temperature is likewise pleasant as well as comfortable for sightseeing.

Winter is excellent for budget plan travelers since airfares are lowest at this time. However, establishments tend to open later as well as close earlier.

You may likewise want to prevent these dates:

Golden Week (April 29 – may 5)

Obon celebration (August 13–15)

Cherry blossoms season (Late March-Early April)

These dates bring the biggest crowds as well as steepest prices.

How to get a Japan Visa

If you’re from the Philippines, the posts below will assist you get with the application process.

How to apply for tourist Japan Visa

How to apply for a Visa for visiting good friends or RELATIVES

How to apply for a several entry Japan Visa

Japan Visa often Asked Questions

How to get to Kyoto

Manila to Kyoto

Kyoto Prefecture doesn’t have its own airport, however the regions’s main gateway, the Kansai worldwide flight terminal (KIX), is just 1.5 hours away.

A great deal of airlines fly from Manila to Kansai Airport. If you book method in advance, you’ll get the very best offers from Cebu Pacific Air. Cebu Pacific flies to Osaka five times a week. Their lowest year-round fare is at P6399, which is a excellent offer already.

You can likewise wait on a SEAT SALE! For one of our trips, I was able to score a roundtrip Cebu Pacific ticket from their P20 SALE. The base fare per leg was only P20, however including all the taxes, I only paid PHP 5984 for the roundtrip ticket (PHP 2992 per way). That includes a prepaid baggage allowance of 20 Kg. Nem rossz. Not poor at all.

Search for affordable flights here

Kansai flight terminal to Kyoto

Kyoto is only 1.5 hours from Kansai flight terminal by train, longer by bus.

Vonattal

There are many routes you can take to get to Kyoto from Kansai airport, however many of them involve several transfers. What I suggest is taking the restricted reveal Haruka Train that will take you directly to Kyoto from the airport.

Limited reveal Haruka
Travel time: 80 minutes
Regular Fare: ¥1880 + ¥970 (seat fee)

You can save a great deal of money in two ways:

JR West Kansai Pass. If you’re planning on visiting several cities within Kansai region in a few days, this is excellent for you since you can enjoy unlimited rides to most JR lines including the Haruka train to Kyoto. more information about the Kansai Pass here.

ICOCA + HARUKA. If your itinerary is restricted in Kyoto and/or Osaka only, the very best choice for you is getting an ICOCA card. ICOCA isn’t truly a pass; it’s more like a kept value card. You still pay for every time you utilize the train, however you don’t requirement to purchase a single journey each time. Moreover, JR West has an continuous promo: If you present your ICOCA card upon purchase, you can grab a Haruka ticket for only ¥1600. That’s a considerable discount! RESERVE AN ICOCA CARD HERE

If you choose to purchase either the West Kansai or ICOCA via Klook, here’s exactly how to utilize them.

Book a ticket with Klook.

When the deal is complete, you will be emailed a mobile voucher. print it out or save it on your phone.

On the day of your trip, upon arrival at Kansai Airport, discover the HIS Counter at the Arrival Hall. There is usually a little KLOOK logo displayed in front of the counter. show your mobile voucher to the staff.
– If you booked an ICOCA Card, you will be provided the actual ICOCA card.
– If you booked a JR Kansai Pass, you will be provided a physical voucher.

Proceed to the Train station on the second floor of the building opposite the Arrival Hall. discover the JR Ticket Counters.
– If you booked an ICOCA Card, tell the personnel you’re booking a Haruka Train as well as show your ICOCA card to avail of the discount. Prepare to pay ¥1600.
– If you booked the JR Kansai Pass, exchange the voucher provided to you for the actual JR KANSAI PASS.

Enter with the JR Gates of the Station.

There are 2 gates; the other one is for Nankai Line.
– If you’re utilizing the JR Kansai Pass, just approach the personnel at the counter as well as show your pass. They will stamp it with the last date you can utilize it. You don’t have to utilize it immediately. The count will begin on the day of very first use. For example, if you purchase a 2-day pass as well as you insurance claim it on Monday, it doesn’t mean that you have to utilize it on Monday as well as Tuesday. You may select to utilize it any type of day before expiration. If you utilize it for the very first time on Thursday, you can utilize it on that day as well as Friday. When you utilize it for the very first time, approach the personnel at the counter at any type of of the station as well as he will stamp the final date you may utilize the pass.
– If you’re utilizing your Haruka ticket, just feed the ticket to the machines as well as pick it up on the other side of the gate.

Check your platform on the screens around the station. go to the designated platform as well as board the right train.

Busszal

Image provided by Klook
Klook likewise offers the cheapest bus tickets to Kyoto from Kansai Airport.

KIX flight terminal Limousine Bus
Operating hours: 6:05am-11:40pm
Travel time: 90 minutes
Fare: ¥1098

✅ RESERVE A SEAT HERE

Make sure you checked out the directions after booking. however right now, this is exactly how to insurance claim this ticket:

Book a ticket with Klook.

When the deal is complete, you will be emailed a mobile voucher. You can print it out or save it on your phone.

On the day of your trip, upon arrival at Kansai Airport, discover the EASYGO or HIS Counter near the North exit at the Arrival Hall of terminal 1. There is usually a little KLOOK logo displayed in front of the counter. show your mobile voucher to the staff. You will be requested your passport. Then, you will be provided the bus ticket.

The personnel will tell you the platform where you can board the bus. just comply with them as well as board the bus to Kyoto.

Ez az! welcome to Kyoto!

Where to stay in Kyoto

Which part of the city is finest for travelers? Definitely, the area surrounding Kyoto Station.

Kyoto station is the heart of the city. It is impossible to check out Kyoto without setting foot in its vicinity. One method or another, you’ll discover yourself here, whether you’re catching a train or bus or looking for a location to eat. Hence, the better you are to the central station, the more practical as well as hassle-free your trip will be.

Here are a few of the very best hostels as well as guesthouses near Kyoto Station, as placed by Agoda individuals (as of March 2018). I was able to try K’s home myself, as well as it was a delightful experience.

K’s Guesthouse Kyoto. picture provided by Agoda.

K’s Guesthouse Kyoto. inspect rates & AVAILABILITY.

Tomato Kyoto Station. inspect rates & AVAILABILITY.

Daiya Ryokan. inspect rates & AVAILABILITY.

Internet connection in Kyoto

Pocket Wifi Rental

You will discover wi-fi rental booths at the Arrival area of Kansai Airport. rates are usually between JPY 800-900 per day. However, they are extremely in demand so there may not be any type of more offered if you show up in the late afternoon or evening. Some establishments accept only credit history card transactions.

If you truly want to make sure you get a mobile wifi, you can reserve one in advance via Klook for only PhP 389 each day for unlimited 4G access. That’s a great deal cheaper than those you will discover at Kansai airport. the very best part, if you’re a group, you can link several gadgets hassle-free. You can then split the expense with your friends. You can pick up the gadget at the airport. No deposit is required.

✅ RESERVE THIS NOW

Local SIM

If you opt with a 4G data SIM, you can select between two packages: unlimited 4G data for 8 days (around ¥3360) as well as 3GB data for 8 days (around ¥2160). If you’re a heavy data user, finest to go with the unlimited Plan. You can pick up the SIM card at Kansai Airport.

✅ RESERVE A regional SIM NOW

How to get around Kyoto

Almost every key tourist attraction in Kyoto is accessible by train. Hence, if you ended up being familiar with the train system, you’re great to go. however it’s not that easy.

Kyoto station alone is massive. It is a behemoth of a terminal. Train as well as train lines operating to, from as well as around the city converge here. You have to make sure you’re on the right platform as well as you’re boarding the right cars and truck of the right train. A few trains split into two at one point as well as part ways. You don’t want to be on the wrong car.

One thing that has proven practical to me once again as well as once again is Hyperdia. It’s a web-based browse engine that would tell you train routines as well as routes instantly. just make sure you understand the closest train station to your destination as well as let Hyperdia do the rest. Here’s more info: exactly how TO utilize HYPERDIA.

There are likewise train passes that will make your journey more hassle-free.

Below is a quick overview of these passes. We have a more detailed publish here: KANSAI PASSES: WHICH IS finest FOR YOU?

JR Pass

JR Pass is a great choice if you’re on a multi-city journey across Japan. however here’s the caveat: It only makes sense for several long-distance travels. If that’s not remove enough, let me stress that even more. several LONG-DISTANCE travels. For example: Osaka-Tokyo-Sapporo or