Spending some time in the historic city of Kyoto? Kyoto’s location makes it one of the best spots in Japan for day trips. You can reach the coast, the mountains, and, of course, famous destinations like Nara and Uji (Japan’s matcha capital!) in little time.
I’ve taken many of these day trips from Kyoto myself, and I'll share the best ways to visit them, including how to take public transit and which ones are better to do on a tour.
1. Amanohashidate, Ine, And Miyama (3 in One)
View the Amanohashidate’s sandbar from above, or take a bike ride along it!
Of all the day trips from Kyoto, I want to start with my favorite that most people don't know about: Amanohashidate, Ine, and Miyama (Kayabuki no Sato).
I rolled these day trips from Kyoto into one because the three are best visited on a full-day Amanohashidate tour.
Amanohashidate and Ine are located on the coast of the Sea of Japan.
At Amanohashidate, you can take a scenic lift up to the viewpoint, but I decided to rent a bike and cycle along the 2-mile-long sandbar. If the weather is good and you like cycling, it’ll be one of your best memories from Japan.
Yes, the waters at Ine are actually this blue!
As for Ine, it’s a small and sleepy fishing village with captivating blue waters. The tour I went on didn’t have much time here, but I was still so excited to see this place in person!
The fresh milk at Miyama is worth every sip!
Heading into the mountains, Miyama presents an entirely different way of life from that of Ine or Amanohashidate. Surrounded by mountains and a stunning river in the valley, Miyama feels frozen in time. Visitors are drawn here for the thatched roofs, but be sure to try the famous local milk as well!
How to get there from Kyoto:
From Kyoto, Amanohashidate, Ine, and Miyama are accessible by public transit, but it would be tough to visit all three in a single day trip. Public transit to the three takes much longer than driving or going on a tour.
I suggest using public transit if you visit just one and will stay overnight.
Otherwise, renting a car or hopping on a day tour to visit all three is the best way to do it!
2. Uji
Byodo-In Temple is so impressive in person!
Japan’s matcha capital, Uji is just a stone’s throw away from Kyoto.
First, be sure to visit the Byodo-In Temple. The UNESCO World Heritage Site makes for a peaceful stroll before hitting up the walking street with matcha shops, cafes, and restaurants.
There are many shops selling matcha (so save your matcha shopping for here!), and if you want to be really adventurous, lots of restaurants have interesting matcha-infused dishes.
You can find all sorts of matcha culinary creations in Uji!
As a Hojicha fan, I tried hojicha ice cream and a latte. If there’s anywhere to indulge in matcha and hojicha treats in Japan, it’s here!
[HIGHLIGHT BOX] Klook Tip: Due to demand and tourism, Uji has faced matcha shortages, so there are often limits on how much matcha one can buy.]
How to go from Kyoto to Uji:
Kyoto to Uji is another day trip that’s easily done on public transit, as the train from Kyoto Station takes just about 25 minutes to reach Uji Station. I’d suggest this if you have a free day and aren’t pressed for time.
If you want to visit Uji along with other Kyoto destinations, such as the Golden Pavilion and Kiyomizu-dera, a guided day tour is the way to go. You can see them all in a single day without having to navigate multiple public transit routes. Just sit back and relax!
3. Sanzen-In Temple
The Jizo at Sanzen-In Temple add an extra layer of peace.
Sanzen-In Temple is a serene Buddhist Temple with a history dating back to the 8th century. This was one of my favorite day trips from Kyoto, as the temple grounds are massive and you could spend hours wandering the pebble-covered paths.
Everywhere you’ll see Jizo, which are these cheerful child-like sculptures meant to protect children and travelers (like us!). They’re probably one of the biggest reasons Sanzen-In is so recognizable, even if you haven’t heard of it before.
To take a break, enter the main building and head to the open seating area overlooking a pond, where you can order matcha.
How to get to Sanzen-In from Kyoto:
From Kyoto Station, there’s a direct bus that takes just over an hour and runs a few times an hour. If you don’t have much planned for the day, this is a great, inexpensive way to get there.
If you want to see other places in Kyoto, including Sanzen-In, a tour is the way to go! I did this Sanzen-In and Arashiyama day trip, which saved loads of time and transport logistics (and we had a knowledgeable guide!).
4. Kanazawa
Escape to Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa.
Kanazawa is known for its traditional crafts, seafood, and historical samurai and geisha districts. Unlike Kyoto, a former Imperial city in Japan, Kanazawa is a former samurai city, so while both are very historic, they have grown from very different roots.
When visiting, do not miss the Omicho Market for fresh seafood and the Kenrokuen Garden!
How to go from Kyoto to Kanazawa:
For a day trip, you can go from Kyoto to Kanazawa in a little over two hours if you leave directly from Kyoto Station. While this list is the best day trips from Kyoto, I’d suggest staying a night or two in Kanazawa so you don’t feel rushed.
With that said, the two hours there and back are doable for a day trip, but be sure to leave early to make the most of your time!
5. Nara
The reason everyone wants to visit Nara? The deer!
Nara is one of my favorite little cities in Japan for its laid-back atmosphere and historical sites. Not to mention, the famous deer that will bow for cookies.
It’s quite touristy, but if you haven’t been and are curious, it’s well worth the visit at least once!
Aside from awing over the deer, the Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall is an impressive museum and one of my favorites in Japan!
You can also get a bit of the outdoors in Nara by heading up to Mount Wakakusa, which has a fantastic view over the city!
How to go from Kyoto to Nara:
From Kyoto Station, the train takes about 35 minutes to arrive in Nara and leaves you just steps from everything to explore. This is the best way to go from Kyoto to Nara if you plan to spend the whole day there.
If you want to make a shorter visit while exploring other popular attractions in the area, join a guided tour that includes Fushimi Inari and Nara, or Nara and Uji in just one day!
6. Osaka
Arrive early for fewer crowds at Osaka Castle!
As someone who has visited Osaka multiple times, I consider it one of my favorite cities in Japan, and you can actually do quite a lot in just a day!
For a day trip from Kyoto to Osaka, I recommend visiting Osaka Castle and the Dotonbori area. The street food is especially delicious in Dotonbori, and the lights and massive signs are impressive.
Klook Tip: teamLabs is also in Osaka with an outdoor exhibit! You can easily add an evening visit to teamLabs Botanical Gardens to your day trip in Osaka.
How to get to Osaka from Kyoto:
Kyoto to Osaka is easy with public transit. While there are multiple ways to get between the two cities, going from Kyoto Station to Shin-Osaka Station is the fastest, where you can take either the Shinkansen (13 minutes) or the JR and Keihan lines (about 25-minutes).
Klook Tip: Make the most of a day trip with the Kyoto and Osaka Sightseeing Pass, which covers attractions and train travel between the cities.
7. Arashiyama and Sagano
Arashiyama is famous for a reason: the bamboo forests!
Located on the outskirts of the city, Arashiyama’s main street is lined with shops and street snacks, but the real draw is the natural scenery. Yep, that’s right, I’m talking about the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. And while it is packed with tourists, it’s worth the visit.
If you love a scenic train ride, you can’t skip this one!
And to make the most of the stop here, take the Sagano Scenic Railway, which trails along the Katsura River. If you’re like me and love a good train ride, this is one of the best in Japan! If you visit in the fall, you can expect to see the leaves changing color.
How to get to Arashiyama from Kyoto:
There are buses and trains you can take to reach Arashiyama. If you’re near Kyoto Station, the best option is to take the train (about 15 minutes), as the bus can get stuck in traffic!
Arashiyama is also a stop on many guided tours in Kyoto, which are great options if you want to visit multiple places in/around Kyoto in just a day.
FAQs About Day Trips from Kyoto:
What are the best day trips from Kyoto?
There are many excellent day-trip options from Kyoto; if you’re looking for ones that don’t take much time to get to, consider Nara, Uji, and Osaka.
For a day trip farther from Kyoto, but that will show you a totally different side of Japan, Amanohashidate, Ine, and Miyama are the best.
How long does it take to travel from Kyoto to Nara?
You can reach Nara from Kyoto Station in about 30 minutes.
Can you visit Osaka as a day trip from Kyoto?
Definitely! You can take the Shinkansen, JR, or Keihan train lines.
Are there nature-focused day trips from Kyoto?
Yes! One of the best nature-focused day trips from Kyoto is to Amanohashidate, Ine, and Miyama. Especially in Amonhashdote, you can opt to explore the sandbar, which offers a beautiful hike or bike ride through the trees right by the water.
If you go to Nara, you can also explore the Kasuga Primeval Forest and Wakakusayama Hill. There is a loop that takes about 2.5 hours to complete and a waterfall. This was one of my highlights in Nara!
Do you need a guided tour for a day trip to Kyoto?
It depends on the destination. Some trips, like Amonohashidote, Ine, and Miyama, I suggest a tour, as public transit does not make it easy to visit all three in one day.
As for places like Uji and Nara, you can take public transit. If you’re short on time in Kyoto, I'd suggest day trips, as they can cover multiple destinations around the city while saving time (plus you get a guide to tell you all about the places!).
If you’ve made it this far, I know you're set to make the most of the best day trips from Kyoto!
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