Hello,
I’m headed to Tokyo/Kyoto in late February, starting to plan out the Kyoto part of my trip and need some advice. Below is my first draft and a few questions. Appreciate any insight or comments.
Questions
1. In your opinion, which temples are worth paying entrance fees for?
2. Is my itinerary too packed or arduous (in terms of walking)? I killed my legs when I visited DC earlier this year and walked 10 hours straight seeing the sights. Want to avoid a repeat.
3. Any must eats? I think that is one of the biggest stresses is finding good restaurants and/or cuisine to not miss out on.
**Feb 26 Mon – Tokyo to Nara/Uji** (Follow japan guide Nara route)
* Morning (5 am wake)
*
Transit
* Tokyo station -\[Shinkanzen Nozomi\]-> Kyoto Station
* Kyoto Station -\[Kintetsu Kyoto line: Express Kintetsu Nara\]-> Kintetsu Nara
* Nakatanidou \[10 – 19\]
* Kofuku-ji \[9-17\]
* Nara Park deer
* Lunch
* Izasa-Nakatani-hompo Yumekaze-hiroba
* Afternoon
* Todaiji Nandaimon
* Todai ji Daibutsuden
* Todai ji Shoro
* Todaiji Nigatsudo
* Tamukeyama Hachiman gu shrine
* Kasuga Taisha
* Transit
* Nara –\[Nara: Rapid Miaykoji Kyoto\]-> Uji
* Byodoin Temple \[8:30-17:30\]: 600 yen
* Evening
* Transit
* Uji –\[Nara: Rapid Miyakoji Kyoto\]-> Tofukuji –\[Keihan Main: Semi-Express Demachiyanagi\]-> Sanjo -> Walk
* Hotel: THE CHAPTER KYOTO
* Dinner?
**Feb 27 Tue – Arashiyama**
* Morning (6 am wake)
* Transit:
* Kyoto Shiyakusho-Mae –\[Tozai: Uzumasa-Tenjingawa\]-> Uzumasa Tenjingawa
* Randen-Tenjingawa –\[Randen: Local Arashiyama\]-> Arashiyama Station
* Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Go from the back and enter tenryuuji
* Tenryuu Ji \[8:30 – 17\]: 500 yen Garden
* Saga-Toriimoto Preserved St.
* Adashino Nenbutsu Ji
* Lunch (\~11 am)
o Kijurou Wagyu \[11 – 20:30\]
o Maikohan Arashiyama Tempura \[11 – 15; Closed Thu\] Reservation needed
o Gyatei Arashiyama \[11 – 14:30, Closed Wed\]
o Arashiyama Yoshimura \[11 – 16\]
* Afternoon
* Togetsukyo Bridge
* Arashiyama Monkey Park \[9-16\]: 550 yen
* Evening?
* Dinner?
**Feb 28 Wed – South/Central Kyoto**
* Morning (6 am wake)
* Transit
* Sanjo station –\[Keihan Main: Semi-Express Yodoyabashi\]-> Fushimi-Inari
* Fushimi Inari Taisha
\\
* Tofuku-ji \[9 – 16\]: 600 yen – Bridge/Kaisando, 500 yen – Hojo, 1000 yen – everything
* Transit
* Tofukuji –\[Keihan Main: Semi-Express Demachianagi\]-> Sanjo
* Sanjo Keihan –\[Tozai: Local Uzumasa-Tenjingawa\]-> Nijojo Mae Station
* Nijo Castle (8:45 – 16): 800 yen, 500 yen for Ninomaru Palace
* Lunch?
* Afternoon
o Kyoto Imperial Palace \[9-16\]
o Ippodo Tea
o Nishiki Market
* Evening
* Gion/Pontocho
* Dinner
* Itsuki Chaya Gokokuhojo no Ochayagohan Pontocho \[11-21:30\]: Reservation needed
**Feb 29 Thu – Northern Kyoto**
* Morning (7 am wake)
* Transit
* Kyoto Shiaykusho Mae –\[Shiei 205: Rakuhoku koko/ita Oji terminal yuki\]-> Kinkakujimichi
* Kinkakuji \[9-17\]: 500 yen
* Ryoanji \[8:30-16:30\]: 500 yen
* Ninnaji \[9-17\]: Free but 800 yen for Goten (not needed?)
* Lunch?
* Afternoon?
* Evening?
* Dinner?
**Mar 1 Fri – Eastern Kyoto** (Follow Japan Guide)
* Morning (7 am wake)
o Ginkakuji
o Philosopher’s path
o Nanzenji
o Keage Incline
o Heian Shrine
o Yasaka Shrine
o Kodaji Temple
* Lunch
* Afternoon
o Higashiyama Streets
o Kiyomizudera
* Evening?
* Dinner?