Hi everyone, I am travelling with my husband and 6 year old. We are in Kyoto and have time from 10 am to 3pm on tomorrow. Should we do Fushimi inari Taisha or Nara? We have seen most of the other temples. What’s a better place to go. Or is it possible to do both and return to hotel by 3ish pm? Would love to know your thoughts.
11 comments
If it’s just a 5 hour span, Fushimi Inari. It’s two stations off from Kyoto central station while Nara is waaay at the end of the Nara line, not insignificant even if you get the rapid train (not sure how long it takes down the Kintetsu line, I did the JR).
10am is already too late to avoid the crowds at Fushimi Inari. But if you plan to hike to the top that would be enough time.
A five hour window with travel is likely not enough for Nara. But you can at least do the deer park and try and quick walk through an accelerated temple tour.
I had more fun strolling around in Nara, I was there a whole day, both in the park and city. Sounds like a stretch to do both in one day to me. Both involve a lot of walking (Fushimi involves a bit of light hiking). Both are very touristy.
I’d go to Nara. There is more to see in Nara. I think 6yo would probably enjoy seeing deer in Nara rather than walking through red gates in Fushimi.
Here are some pictures from Fushimi Inari at 10 am, on rainy Monday, May 29, 2023 just for perspective. It got way more crowded later.
[Fushimi Imari at 10 am on a rainy day Monday, May 29, 2023](https://imgur.com/a/nlMZSpC)
If you had the whole day, I would def do Nara, was in Japan at the end of April with my 2 and 5 year old and they LOVED the deer. But unfortunately 5 hours isn’t enough time IMO as you’d spend 2-3h of those just traveling to and from Nara.
Fushimi Insari was also great and I think would still be enjoyable, even with some crowds, as the number of people would dissipate as you hike up the mountain.
Fushimi inari is great, but really crowded. By 10am it’s going to be packed. Maybe Nara is a good choice and see Fushimi Inari at night after the crowds leave? It’s still open to walk around
Nara. I am pretty sure the child will have fun feeding/interacting with the deers. It is just about 1 hour travel by train. And you can spend the whole day there seeing other shrines. Kasuga taisha, Todaiji. Deers will be everywhere too including shrines.
100% Nara Park.
Fushimi Inari. Try to go earlier
I rated Nara even higher than kyoto.