We’ll have a 1 year old and a 4 year old, staying 5 nights with a few day trips ie Nara, Osaka.
We want to go to:
– Gion, Pontocho
– Kiyomizu-dera
– Fushimi inari
– Kyoto railway museum
I assumed it would be best to stay near Kyoto station as there seems to be train lines and bus links plus maybe easier to get out for day trips, but I read something online that made me think it might be easier to stay elsewhere.
I’m mostly fussed about being able to get quickly and easily to attractions and back to the hotel easily if the 4yo needs a break. We’ve been to Japan three times before so not worried about missing out on anything and comfortable with catching trains and buses. Just want to minimise travel time each day so want something fairly central to what we will be doing in Kyoto, and easy enough for day trips.
1 comment
Just my personal experience for your reference.. I have spent ~10 days in the Kansai region prior to Covid. My itinary was quite similar to yours, stayed in one city and did a few day tours to other cities.
I would recommend you to stay in Osaka, because Osaka serves like a transportation hub in the Kansai region with a lot to offer/experience at night. If you were to stay in Osaka, you can get to Nara and Kyoto quite easily within 1 hour ish. Remember to bring your passport if you plan to do this, because they offer cheaper round trip packages to foreingers taking a day trip to Kyoto/Nara from Osaka.
Maybe it’s just my opinion, accomodation and foods are ~50% more expensive in Kyoto. Think twice if that’s worth the premium for just “sleeping” in Kyoto.
Nara and Kyoto are quite compact. So once you arrive in the train station, you are pretty much not far away from anywhere that you want to go to. Nara is quite walkable as well. Remember to bring