Kyoto 'working' Itinerary

Kyoto Travel Outline for Brad

Tour dates: 10 days, March 28 - April 4

considerations

Kyoto,Nara, Osaka,are 'must sees', so having 2-3 day trips with another day for travel and flex time, puts you at about 5 days for Kyoto 3 days for day trips, and 2 days for airport transit and getting set up in hotels. 

Brad wants to se Ise Island, so we should accommodate that, if he still would like to go, and count it as one of the day trips. So it go like this:  4-5 days in Kyoto, 2-3 Nara, Osaka &  Ise Island, and 2 days for airport travel.

Gifu is known as one of the premiere Onsen district in all of Japan, so I'm not sure if it is a good idea of trying to make it a destination point off the beat and path, I was hoping to that there would be an equally nice location closer by Kyoto to enjoy relaxing taking an Onsen and staying in the traditional Japanese Inn, called a Ryokan.

I still think that it would be a nice way to end the trip to stay at Ryokan or at least go to an Onsen Japanese bath house.

Mom mentioned that she went to Ise Island and that she got her pearls there.  She says it's a really lovely Japanesy place. She recalls, getting their from Osaka. It might still be worth looking into to see if would be feasible to fit that trip in.  Brad did show some interest in that place from the very beginning. I would like to accommodate that in the planning stages if it is at possible.

introduction

Welcome to the Kyoto Photo Tour, brought to you by Future Light Digital. This Tour is about experiencing the old capital of Kyoto, Japan, and getting to see it during the high-time of the cherry Blossom Festival. One of the really unique things about traveling to Japan, is that  you get to see a country steeped in tradition and history, but also a people that embraces the modern. So going to Kyoto with us you will see a fascinating cultural mixture of old and new. 

Some of the things, that are most interesting about Kyoto is the architecture, and we will take you to see some very well-preserved temples and shrines. As well, there are some fantastic night markets, called the Kyoto Kitchen "Daidokoro", where you will get to feel the ancientness of Japan.  Plus, Japanese have created a food or cuisine that is like no other, and the art and flavors of the speciality are exhibited in the ceremonial food of Keiseki Riori; which is a kind of Japanese haute cuisine.

And one of the more interesting aspects of Kyoto is the accessible nature of the wondering walks, up and down the back streets ,where you may find some little izakaya (traditional restaurant) or shrine, or a noodle shop that entices with zesty smells and the freshness of the food that you're seeing.

Actual Itinerary

Airport travel day 

Fly in from your USA destination, Brad and Paul will greet you at the Kansai Airport, and then take you into Kyoto to get checked into the hotel. (maybe stay in Downtown or Northwest part of Kyoto)

section 1 Southern Higashiyama -- Kyoto day 1

morning/breakfast: provided by hotel, or a spot near by the Inn

Start your Kyoto experience by heading into the city's most important (and popular)  sightseeing district: Southern Higashiyama . This Area contains the thickets concentration of worthwhile sights in Kyoto. List of main sight seeing places you will see: Tainai-meguri, Kiyomaizu-dera, Kasagi-ya, Ishibei-koji (possibly have Masami comment on these, or Paul can write a little 2-3 page paragraph description of the morning spent in Southern Higashiyama), Kodai-ji, Maruyama-koen, Yaseka-jinja, Chion-In, Shoren-in

Hight lights of route: offers 'a variety of hills, to climb, Temples along the way, and small back lanes to explore, in Southern Higashiyama'

lunch: eat at a restaurant  on Sanen-zaka, Ninen-zaka, or Sanjo-dori

afternoon - Northern Higashiyama 

If you have the energy after lunch , continue heading north along the base of the Higashiyama mountains. Start at Nanzen-ji and fallow the Path of Philosophy (Tetsugaka-no-Michi) all the way to Ginkaku-ji, stopping at the Honen-in along the way. List of main sight seeing places you will see: Konchi-in, Nanzen-ji, Kotoku-an, Nanzen-ji, Oku-no-in, Eikan-do, Hinode Udon, Path of Philosophy, Honen-in, Ginkaku-ji.

Neighborhood walk, 'A Philosophical Meander'

diner: Omen, a fabulous noodle restaurant, close to Ginkakuji

evening - Downtown Kyoto

After dinner, head back to your lodgings (which may very well be located in Downtown Kyoto).  You'll probably be pretty walked out if you've done both Southern and Northern Higashiyama in one day, so a short amble around the streets of Downtown Kyoto will be probably be sufficient to round out this day.

section 2 Arashiyama & Sagano -- Kyoto day 2

morning/breakfast: provided by hotel, or a spot near by the Inn

After exploring the Higashiyama on Day One, you'll want to head west to the Arashiyama & Sagano district ,which has a dense concentration of first-rate sights. The typical route involves starting at Tenryu-ji and working your way north to Gio-ji or Adashino Nembutsu-ji. List of main sight seeing places you will see: 'Tenryu-ji, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kameyama-koen, Okochi-sanso Villa, Jojakko-ji, Rakushisha, Nison-in,Takiguchi-dera, Gio-ji, Adashino Nembutsu-ji, Atago Torii, Hiranoya

Quality of the walk you will experience, 'Ambling Through Bamboo Groves & Temples'

lunch: Eat near Keifuku Arashiyama Station or along the route at Komichi

afternoon - Northwest Kyoto

It makes sense to stay on the west side of town in the afternoon of this day. Take a taxi or bus from the end of the morning's route or lunch stop to Kinkaku-ji and/or Ryoan-ji. If you still have energy to burn, you can check out Myoshin-ji late in the afternoon.

dinner: Head back to downtown to eat near your lodgings 

evening - Downtown Kyoto

Like Day One, this is a pretty big day, with a fair bit of transport, so you probably won't feel like doing too much walking on this evening. Again, recommended is some strolling around Downtown Kyoto. The atmospheric lane of Pontochi is a great place to wonder, as is Kiyamachi-dori, particularly the stretch between Shijo-dori and Gojo-dori.

section 3 Southeast Kyoto -- Kyoto day 3

You'll probably be feeling like a break from the crowds about now. For this reason we suggest heading to Southeast Kyoto. Here, you'll find two absolutely ripping attractions: Tofuku-ji (don't forget to enter the Hojo Garden) and Fushimi-Inari-Taisha, Kyoto's mind-blowing Shinto sanctuary. 

lunch: There's not much to eat near the above, so head downtown

afternoon - Downtown Kyoto

After exploring Southeast Kyoto in the morning and eating lunch downtown, it makes sense to spend the afternoon exploring Downtown Kyoto and perhaps doing some shopping. Be sure to take a pass through the wonderful Nishiki Market, then visit one of the awesome 'deppa-chika' (department store basement food floors) and nearby Daimaru or Takashimaya department stores. Then, walk through the Teramachi Shopping Arcade. When the covered section runs out, keep following Teramachi as far as Marutamachi-dori (the last few blocks contain some of Kyoto's best traditional shops.

dinner: Eat dinner downtown or across the river in Gion.

evening - Gion District

This day involves less walking than the preceding two, so it's a great day to do the Gion evening walking tour -- this includes sites likeYasaka-jinja, Tatsumi-bashi bridge, Tatsumi shrine, Ozawa, Issen Yoshoku, Minami-za, Pontocho, and if one is interested they can take in an cultural performance at the Gion Kobu Kaburen-jo theater.

also known as 'Night Walk Through the Floating World'

section 4 Kitayama Area -- Kyoto day 4

Today's the day to step off the beaten track and immerse yourself in some greenery. Heading north into the Kitayama  (Northern Mountains) is the perfect way to relax after three days of urban sightseeing. Heading to Kurama and hiking over the hill and down the Kibune is one of the best day trips out of the city. Other options might include Ohara or Takao.

lunch: Eat in Kurama. Kibune or Ohara

(pack a lunch for Takao)

afternoon - Central Kyoto 

If you spend the morning in the Kitayama, you will probably return to Kyoto city in the early afternoon. If this is your last day in the city, you might want to spend the remainder of the day shopping for souvenirs in Downtown Kyoto. But if you still have the energy for sightseeing, you might consider visiting the enclosed Zen world of Daitoku-ji. Other options include Nijo-jo or a stroll in the Kyoto Imperial Palace Park.

dinner: eat dinner downtown or across the river in Gion

evening - Downtown or Gion

If you haven't  done it yet, try the Gion evening walking tour. Otherwise, find a bar downtown and rub shoulders with the locals as you reminisce about your time in the Old Capital.

section 5  Gifu Ryokan & Onsen spa

At the end of this tour, we will be staying in a traditional Ryokan, and enjoying a Japanese bath in Gifu.  This is the best way to finish up a pack-full week of touring in a relaxing manner before you catch your flight back stateside

Airport travel day 

take airport shuttle back to Kansai Airport where you will take your flight back to USA, or stay a little longer and explore Japan on your own

Closing

Hopefully, on this Future LIght Digital tour of Kyoto Japan, you will have experienced Japan, culture, the arts, great food, camaraderie, some rather amusing guides, picked up some helpful photography tips, and taken some of your own great travel photographs from Japan.  The Japanese are quite an accommodating and friendly people, they are really proud of their culture and land, and wish to share it with you,  so you might even make some new friends on this trip.

Day Trips --  to choose from and intersperse within the 4 Kyoto travel days

day trip 1 Nara

Thirty minutes away from Kyoto by express train. Nara boasts a compact collection of truly first-rate sights. Because we are going to be in Kyoto for longer than 4 days, Nara is a must!

list of sights:  Nandai-mon, Daibutsu-den (great buddha) on of the largest bronze figures in the world, Nigatsu-do, Sangatsu-do, Isui-en garden, Kasuga Taisha temple and Nara National Museum. Interesting also is all the deer that congregate near the main square near the Daibtusu, they are very aggressive! 

day trip 2 Osaka

A short train trip from Kyoto. Osaka is a great place to see modern Japan and all of its hyperkinetic intensity. If you aren't going to be in Tokyo consider a trip to Osaka.

list of sights: Osaka-jo (Osaka's most popular attraction is a massive Castle created by Toyotomi Hideyoshi), Dotombori (is Osaka's liveliest night life, get to see Osaka's sub cultures in action, and eat one of Osakan's most favorite cuisine, okonomiyaki), and enjoy the general Osakan sense of humor and Japan's key merchant culture. Kyoto is the cultural capital, Tokyo the old Edo Capital and center of government.

day trip 3 Ise Island

main sights to see:  Tamaya 'Kawasaki Kawaii district is interesting, Nikodoshiten, where there are plenty of good places to eat; including some fabulous Udon, and the main attraction Ise-Jingu, is one of the most venerated and picturesque Shinto Shringes in Japan. Daiki, with one of the most famous restaurants in Japan, has some of the best sea food in Japan.

going to Ise Island looks like a totally feasible day trip from Kyoto and would only take an hour and half to get there and there definitely seems like some really interesting things to see and do there and it appears to have some unusually good dining options there too.

day trip 4 Miyama-cho (another possible day trip)

If you want to see rural Japan (thatched-roof cottages etc.), hire a car or bus and head to these villages in the mountains north of the city