The spouse and I went to Kyoto eight years ago for sakura and loved it. We were there two weeks so we saw a ton.
I have to travel to Tokyo for work in November, so we are taking advantage and heading down to Kyoto from 11/27-11/30 hoping to see some autumn foliage this time around. Looks like things will be yellow but not quite red that week.
Since last time we did most of the major sights, this itinerary focuses more on a few major sites we want to revisit and then smaller secondary sites we have not been to. We like a mix of the popular sights and off-the-beaten path sights.
I am looking for feedback on whether this itinerary is practical, and whether there is anything missing you'd recommend for this time of year. As far as food, we tend to improvise with places that look good in our explorations, but any recommendations are welcome. Thanks so much for reading!
I definitely realize that some of these long days look packed, but we are pretty good with packed days, walking 25-35k steps/day when traveling. So I'm looking more for feedback on what's impractical or dumb as opposed to what's improbable.
We plan to use a Taxi app most of the time to get around, along with walking. Looking for feedback on this plan. We could alternatively arrange for a driver with the hotel.
Nov 27, Arrival & Night Illuminations
- Arrive by shinkansen about 3pm, check-in to hotel in Higashiyama (hotel provided transportation). Have a snack.
- Taxi to Eikando to get in line for night illuminations about 4:45pm. Spend one hour at night illuminations 5:30-6:30.
- Walk 16 minutes to Konkai Kōmyō-ji Temple (Kurodani). Enjoy night illumination for 1 hour (7:45)
- Walk 8 minutes to Shinnyodo temple. Enjoy night illuminations
- Taxi back to hotel, dinner at hotel.
Nov 28, Fushimi Inari, Uji and Night Illuminations
- 6am, taxi to Fushimi Inari
- 2 hours on site, then walk north to Tofuku-ji & Tsutenkyo Bridge and be there for 9am opening
- Train to Uji (30-40 min)
- Matcha cafe hopping for lunch
- Enjoy Byodo-In
- Taxi to 4:30 dinner reservation
- 6pm-ish Kiyomizu-Dera foliage walkthrough
- 7pm 10 minute walk to Kodaiji Temple, 1 hour illuminations walk through
- 8pm If time, cross street to Entoku-in Temple and do this illumination
- 9pm Finish night at Yasaka Shrine, taxi home
Nov 29, Arashiyama Walk, Sagano Romantic Train, Night Illuminations
- Taxi to Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple to arrive at 9am
- Walk to Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple
- Walk Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street to Gioji Temple
- Walk to Kotouen Pottery Store
- Walk to Tenryu-ji
- Walk to Okochi Sanso Garden
- Walk to Torokko Arashiyama Station and catch the Romantic Train, 1pm, then take the train back
- Taxi back to hotel, prepare for evening
- Taxi to Nijo-Jo Castle, enjoy night illumination
- Taxi to Toji Temple, enjoy night illumination
- Back to hotel
Nov 30
- AM Shopping
- Catch 1pm shinkansen back to Tokyo
Thanks for reading!
by imothro