Kyoto is one of the most popular cities for tourists to visit in Japan. While it’s one of the oldest cities in the area, it’s always filled to the brim with new and exciting things. Whether you’re yearning to visit the city’s Kinkaku-ji or just browse the local streets doesn’t matter. There’s something here for everyone.
Sometimes, though, Kyoto can get dull. Once in a while, it’s good to branch out. Kyoto is great, but so are tons of locations right outside of the city’s limits. If you’re looking for a day trip worth writing home about, our list of the best day trips from Kyoto will be sure to please.
Nara: Domesticated Deer And Shrines
Did you ever wonder how Disney princesses were able to get so close to animals? Well, maybe they were from Nara. This beautiful ancient city is famous for having over a thousand almost-domesticated deer that occasionally accept pets.
When you’re not communing with the local wildlife, you can check out the local historic buildings. Nara served as Japan’s capital from 710 to 794, though it was not officially a city until the late 19th century. The end result? A lot of buildings from an often-overlooked part of history.
Nara has some absolutely striking shrines, including Yakushi-ji and Todai-ji. Todai-ji, in particular, is impressive because it is the largest wooden building in the world. Despite this area being a city, you’ll feel surrounded by nature thanks to all the lush greenery throughout the city.
Uji: Meet Your Matcha
Green tea is one of the most common beverages in Japan, not to mention one of the healthiest. In Uji, it’s not just tea. It’s the town’s culture. Uji has been one of the top sources of green tea for centuries.
Fresh tea fields can be found throughout this region, filling the air with their unique perfume. Visitors who go to this area tend to visit shrines and shops for tea ceremonies. After all, Uji tea is considered to be some of the best in the world.
Guests who are not too into tea need not worry here. You can also explore the beautiful riverside area, hike on one of the many natural trails, or going to one of the many ancient shrines found in the area.
Fushimi Inari: The Temple Right Outside The City’s Center
We may have cheated on this one, because Fushimi Inari is actually still found in Kyoto. However, it’s not in the actual city portion of this region. Rather, it’s close to Mount Inari. This gorgeous Shinto temple is dedicated to the Shinto god of rice, Inari.
The shrine itself is a serious work of art and architecture. Guests who hike to this mountainside shrine will be able to explore trails that are topped with thousands of vermillion torii gates.
Going to this shrine is not a Shinto thing. People come because the artwork is absolutely beautiful, the fox statues are stunning, and the mountain trails are amazing. Oh, and while you’re here, you might as well grab some Inari-themed food from local vendors.
Ask almost any tour guide, and they’ll tell you that Fushimi Inari is one of the best day trips from Kyoto. Once you’re here, you’ll see why.
The Nakasendo: A Hiker’s Dream
The Nakasendo is a historic trail used by merchants in Japan that runs from Kyoto to Tokyo. Running through multiple cities, this trail Is actually meant to take multiple days to complete.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t do a large chunk of it as a day trip from Kyoto. People choose to go from Magome to Tsumago on the trail when they want a quick fix of rural Japan.
Fans of nature and simple walks in the woods will fall in love with this trail.
Himeji Castle: Japan’s Most Well-Preserved Castle
Japan is one of the most meticulous countries in the world when it comes to historic preservation efforts. Himeji Castle, also known as Himeji-jo, is a shockingly pretty six-story castle from the age of feudal Japan.
Himeji City itself is a wonderful place to go if you love cherry blossoms, lively yukata festivals, and the Himeji Museum of Art. However, the big appeal is always Himeji Castle, the UNESCO World Heritage Site that keeps making people fall in love.
Visitors can get walking tours in the castle, check out almost all of the 83 rooms that make this beautiful building a national treasure. The tours are also jam-packed with historic facts, making it a great place to feed your brain.
Kibune and Kurama: A Trip To Old Japan
Kibune and Kurama are a pair of petite villages right on the outskirts of Kyoto. These two have become common weekend getaway destinations for locals, and now, they’re gaining international attention, too.
Both cities are a brief (but very scenic) train ride away. Along with a nice train ride, these two towns offer gorgeous views of fall foliage, scenic shrines to wander through, and some of the best Buddhist vegetarian lunches money can buy.
Historically, Kibune and Kurama were deeply religious towns that people would hike to. You will likely feel something sacred in the air when you’re walking from one village to the next.
Osaka: Street Food City
Most people grossly overestimate the distance from Kyoto to Osaka, and that’s a shame. These two cities offer a perfect balance of the traditional and urban sides of Japanese culture. If you’re staying in one, you might as well check out the other.
Osaka has a lot to offer travelers: nightlife at Dotonburi, Universal Studios Japan, as well as Osaka Castle, to name a few. However, most people who go to Osaka tend to fall in love with the culinary attractions.
Japanese people call Osaka “Japan’s Kitchen,” and rightfully so. This is one of the best places to get traditional Japanese street food like takoyaki or okonomiyaki. They even have a Cup Noodles Museum as well as a takoyaki-themed park.
Even if you’re on a diet, you’re going to want to dig deep when you see all the great restaurants in Osaka. (By the way, we made a guide for the top ramen restaurants in Osaka here!)
Hanshin Tigers Stadium: A Baseball Haven
The Hanshin Tigers are one of the more popular baseball teams here. They even have their own subculture. Expect to see a very vocal, very excitable, and very active crowd if you decide to catch a game here.
The Tigers play right outside of Osaka, making it one of the best day trips from Kyoto and Osaka alike. The only catch is that you have to be visiting on a day when they’re actually playing.
Lake Biwa: Waterside Fun
Lake Biwa is not too far away from Kyoto, which is why it’s considered one of the more popular day trip destinations for city locals. This gorgeous lake features clear waters, fresh-smelling forests, and tons of trails for both hiking and biking.
As the largest lake in Japan, Lake Biwa has a couple of activities that aren’t easy to find in other locations. The most popular? It’s boating. Boat rentals are readily available and offer a perfect way to unwind.
Lake Biwa is also home to one of the most important Buddhist temples in Japan: Ishiyama-dera. This gorgeous temple is extremely popular among devout worshippers seeking blessings for everything from childbirth to marriage.
Between the gorgeous scenery and the uniquely Japanese take on temples, it’s not surprising to hear that people can’t get enough of the place.
Sakai: The Ancient Seaport
Back in the day, Sakai was one of the most important seaports in Japan. Known for the city’s massive, mound-shaped keyhole tombs by the sea, Sakai was both a trade center and a place of serious political power.
Most foreign dignitaries would travel through Sakai when they visited Japan. So, it became a city famous for welcoming the world’s elite. You can learn about the tombs (or kofun) by going to the Sakai City Museum or actually visiting the largest tombs by the bay.
Fans of knives will also want to visit this area. Sakai’s knife-making industry is one of the best in the world.