When it comes to Kyoto, I am not a neutral arbiter. I called the city home for nearly a year; I loudly sung its praised for almost a decade before than.
On the same token, I get it: Not everybody has an endless amount of time to play with during their Japan trip. For all sorts of reasons, staying overnight (or, ideally, multiple nights) in Kyoto simply might not be on the table.
A Kyoto day trip from Osaka is not ideal, to put a final, finer point on my perspective. Still, if it’s your only option, it’s much better than not visiting Kyoto at all. Here’s how to make the most of your trip (which I hope will plant the seeds of future trips to Japan’s former capital).
A Kyoto Day Trip Should Be a Last Resort
Kyoto is much more crowded than it was before the pandemic; certain attractions at certain times of year can be downright miserable. At the same time, Kyoto is absolutely worth visiting—don’t let anybody tell you differently. And if you can swing it, you should absolutely stay at least a night in Kyoto, particularly if you are able to do so in a traditional accommodation in the Arashiyama or Higashiyama districts.
This is not say you can’t have a meaningful or even great trip to Kyoto if you can only come for the day from Osaka. Certainly, if you follow the instructions I set forth within this post, this will be your outcome. At the same time, I do think this should only be on the table for you if you simply don’t have time, be that because you’re in Osaka for business, or because you’re spending a week in Japan or less.
How to Structure Your Day Trip to Kyoto from Osaka
Ride the Keihan Main Line to Fushimi Inari
If you want to see Kyoto in a day without losing time in transit, don’t take a JR train or Shinkansen. Instead, go to Osaka’s Yodoyabashi or Kyobashi stations and ride the Keihan Main Line to Fushimi Inari Station. As its name suggests, this is just a stone’s throw from Fushimi Inari Shrine, which is a great place to kick off your Kyoto sightseeing, especially if you can make it there in the morning.
Continue northward into Higashiyama and Gion
After making your initial journey from Osaka to Kyoto, continue northward on the Keihan-sen, this time to Gion-Shijo Station. This will let you out in the heart of Gion, the Geisha district within the Higashiyama ward. Whether you explore extensively or simply visit top sights like Kiyomizu-dera temple or Hei’an Shrine, enjoy your time in Kyoto’s oldest and most sacred area.
Walk across the Kamo River to Nishiki Market
Next, walk westward, which will eventually take you over the Kamo River. Enjoy some time along the water, then find your way to Nishiki Market, where you can have lunch on-the-go. Note that if you crossed the river at Sanjo Ohashi Bridge, you may need to walk south for a few blocks before you reach the market. The Shijo-Kawaramachi area around the market is also great for shopping, in case you need anything.
(And ride across town to Arashiyama)
Next, find your way to Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station, where you can ride the Hankyu Line (via Katsura Station) to Hankyu-Arashiyama Station. At a minimum, you’ll want to walk from here to Tenryu-ji temple and then into the Sagano Bamboo Grove. You may also want to go by bus, rickshaw or foot to the Saga Toriimoto Ancient Street, a lesser-visited part of the district just north of the main area.
Head back to Osaka via JR train(s)
Finally, you’ll want to head back to Osaka, by riding the JR Sagano Line from Saga-Arashiyama Station to Kyoto Station, and a JR Special Rapid Service from there. Note that if you want to visit the Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion, you can get off the Sagano-sen at Emmachi, and ride the #205 Bus from there (and back). Likewise, you can exit Kyoto-eki to go up in Kyoto Tower before you return to Osaka.
How to Spend Longer in Kyoto
Kyoto gets better the longer you spend, and the more deeply you explore. Here are some ideas of how to stay longer in the city:
- With two days in Kyoto, you can evenly divide your time between Higashiyama in eastern Kyoto, and Arashiyama in the west.
- Spend three days in Kyoto, to make room for a day trip: To Nara (and maybe Uji), with a sake tour and visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine tacked onto the end.
- If you have 4-7 days in Kyoto, you can really go off the city’s beaten path, whether to underrated sacred sites like Kurama-dera and Kifune-jinja, or to oft-missed districts like Nagaokakyo.
TIP: Whether you plan to spend 3 days in Kyoto or an entire week, I do hope you’ll consider hiring me to plan your trip to Japan.
Other FAQ About Visiting Kyoto from Osaka
Can I do Kyoto in 1 day?
You can do Kyoto in 1 day, at least partially. With a day, you can visit select sites in Higashiyama and Arashiyama, and potentially also Fushimi Inari Shrine or Nishiki Market. What you can’t do is sit down and breathe, or really contemplate the majesty and significance of everything around you.
How long is the train ride from Osaka to Kyoto?
Depending upon how you travel, traveling from Osaka to Kyoto can take as little as 15 minutes (the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Kyoto Station) or up to an hour, such as is the case when riding the Keihan Main Line from Yodoyabashi Station in central Osaka to Gion-Shijo Station in Kyoto’s Higashiyama ward.
How much does the bullet train cost from Osaka to Kyoto?
Riding the bullet train between Osaka and Kyoto costs a minimum of ¥1,450 for a non-reserved seat, but can cost double as much if you wish to reserve a seat. Keep in mind, however, that the Shinkansen leaves from Shin-Osaka Station, which is a 15-30 minute subway or local train ride from central Osaka. A better option is to ride a Special Rapid JR train from Osaka Station, or the Keihan Main Line from Yodoyabashi.
The Bottom Line
I wouldn’t ordinarily recommend a Kyoto day trip from Osaka, but if it’s your only option, I’ll help you do it well. The key is choosing transport links that allow you to explore Kyoto as quickly and efficiently as possible—you’re trying to fit more than a thousand years of history into a single day, after all. The other key is to devote the entire day: Kyoto is too sprawling and rich a destination to try and split with Nara, for example. Need personalized help integrating Kyoto and Osaka into your trip, no matter how long you’re able to spend in each? Commission a custom Japan itinerary, and let me sweat the details for you.
