Quick pause at Kyoto (2days)

[hysterichostile]

Hi friends, I'll be stopping by Kyoto for 2days, 1 intention, to cover as much amazing attractions as possible Purchased JR pass. Hotel will be (Citadines Karasuma-Gojo Kyoto).

Any advise if i could flow along the way to nearby attractions due to time constraint. Best would be abusing our JR pass, wouldn't mind spending a little more on bus rides.

Will it be safe to roam around in the night?
Traveling on 19th Feb to 26th Feb, hopefully the snow will die down.
Thanks for reading!

 

[anyhowsaysay]

Within Kyoto, not much chance to use JR passes, Mostly you will be using Buses
Kyoto is very safe at night but shops close very early so nothing much to do at night unlike Tokyo

There are three main attractions to go in Kyoto
1. Kinkakuji
2. Kiyomizudera
3. Fushimi Inari

But they are not close to each other

During Winter, Kyoto may not be so nice compared to Spring (Cherry Blossom) or Autumn (Koyo)

For planning, you can do something like this

Day 1 (They are all walking distance from north to south!)
- Ginkakuji
- Philospher Path
- Eikando
- Nanzenji
- Kiyomizudera
- Gion at night

Day 2
- Fushimi Inari (You can go very early like 6am)
- Tofukuji
- Nijo Castle
- Kinkakuji
- Ryoanji
- Ninnaji
- Pontocho for dinner

Fushimi Inari and Tofukuji is close to each other
Nijo Castle is central
Kinkakuji, Ryoanji, Ninnaji is close to each other

 

[coldkey]

Bamboo forest in Arashiyama is also a nice place for photos, go early to avoid the crowd for a nice photo. Can also catch a scenic train ride at the end of the forest.

Philosopher's walk might be a bit dull without autumn foliage and Sakura blooms. Can consider walking from Kiyomizudera to Gion instead, along the scenic path. Since Pontocho is next to Gion, can have dinner there 1st night.

If you are near Kyoto station in the evening, can visit their big staircase on the upper floors and watch the animation.

 

[hysterichostile]

Would you suggest if i were to purchase 1 or 2days bus pass to travel around?

 

[Southern Blend]

It's worth to get the 2 days pass if you plan on riding the bus more than three times. and if u're certain u won't be going anywhere else beside Kyoto. the pass can be used as many times as you like with this card .

but take note the pass cannot be used for outlying areas like Arashiyama.

 

[anyhowsaysay]

Would you suggest if i were to purchase 1 or 2days bus pass to travel around?

Depends.

If you follow my Day 1, actually you only need to take 1 bus trip to Ginkakuji.
Then all the other attractions is walking distance from each other
Even Gion is walking distance from your hotel around 20mins.
I stayed at your Citadines last time and always walk to Gion or Kiyomizudera! Because sometimes the Bus is quite confusing and very crowded during spring or autumn. Winter should be much better.
Therefore Day 1, you only need to spend 220 yen one way bus trip!

For Day 2, you will need a mixture of Bus and Train. This day you will need bus pass.

As always, my preference would be avoid bus (Due to confusing and crowd)
From your hotel to Fushimi Inari you can walk to Kiyomizu Gojo Station (around 10mins walk) then take to Fushimi Inari


Tofukuji from Fushimi Inari is walking Distance
Nijo Castle from Tofukuji - You need train
Kinkakuji from Nijo Castle, this you need to take a bus (No choice)
Ryoanji, Ninnaji both right next to Kinkakuji (Waiting for bus maybe slower than walking!)
Pontocho from Ninnaji -> You need bus and Train
Your hotel from Pontocho - Walking is fine

My second trip to Kyoto 3 months alone, i stayed 11 nights at Citadines and i only brought 5 days of bus passes!

 

[hysterichostile]

11 nights with only 5 days pass? That's certainly impressive!!

Your plan definitely sounds good to me, wouldn't mind doing abit of walking since it is gonna be cold anyway! But how do you actually figure your way around? Like... buses to take, directions to walk? If i'd have a clearer picture of it.....

Depends.

If you follow my Day 1, actually you only need to take 1 bus trip to Ginkakuji.
Then all the other attractions is walking distance from each other
Even Gion is walking distance from your hotel around 20mins.
I stayed at your Citadines last time and always walk to Gion or Kiyomizudera! Because sometimes the Bus is quite confusing and very crowded during spring or autumn. Winter should be much better.
Therefore Day 1, you only need to spend 220 yen one way bus trip!

For Day 2, you will need a mixture of Bus and Train. This day you will need bus pass.

As always, my preference would be avoid bus (Due to confusing and crowd)
From your hotel to Fushimi Inari you can walk to Kiyomizu Gojo Station (around 10mins walk) then take to Fushimi Inari


Tofukuji from Fushimi Inari is walking Distance
Nijo Castle from Tofukuji - You need train
Kinkakuji from Nijo Castle, this you need to take a bus (No choice)
Ryoanji, Ninnaji both right next to Kinkakuji (Waiting for bus maybe slower than walking!)
Pontocho from Ninnaji -> You need bus and Train
Your hotel from Pontocho - Walking is fine

My second trip to Kyoto 3 months alone, i stayed 11 nights at Citadines and i only brought 5 days of bus passes!

 

[anyhowsaysay]

11 nights with only 5 days pass? That's certainly impressive!!

Your plan definitely sounds good to me, wouldn't mind doing abit of walking since it is gonna be cold anyway! But how do you actually figure your way around? Like... buses to take, directions to walk? If i'd have a clearer picture of it.....

I spent around 3 weeks in Kyoto last year so roughly i know how to walk around most major attractions (Shrines, Temples).

But you can always use Google Maps

For Walking -> 20mins is okay walking distance for me. So you can gauge when i say walking distance

 

[hysterichostile]

I'll do quick walk but hopefully i don't get lost
By the way, would you advise me to get a bus pass on e 2nd day?
Suggestions if i should get a bus/train bus if i were to follow your schedule as per below on Day 2? Day 1 most lightly should be alot of walking so pass might not be necessary? Thank you!

Day 1 (They are all walking distance from north to south!)
- Ginkakuji
- Philospher Path
- Eikando
- Nanzenji
- Kiyomizudera
- Gion at night

Day 2
- Fushimi Inari (You can go very early like 6am)
- Tofukuji
- Nijo Castle
- Kinkakuji
- Ryoanji
- Ninnaji
- Pontocho for dinner

Fushimi Inari and Tofukuji is close to each other
Nijo Castle is central
Kinkakuji, Ryoanji, Ninnaji is close to each other

 

[anyhowsaysay]

I'll do quick walk but hopefully i don't get lost
By the way, would you advise me to get a bus pass on e 2nd day?
Suggestions if i should get a bus/train bus if i were to follow your schedule as per below on Day 2? Day 1 most lightly should be alot of walking so pass might not be necessary? Thank you!

Day 1 - No need bus pass since technically you only need to take bus once from Hotel to Ginkakuji.

Day 2 - Yes.

 

[hysterichostile]

Hopefully the bus rides and train rides wouldn't be confusing. How did y'all manage to navigate your way around so easily?

 

[anyhowsaysay]

Hopefully the bus rides and train rides wouldn't be confusing. How did y'all manage to navigate your way around so easily?

Easier method is to use Google Maps

It will tell you which bus to take, arrival time, which bus stop to go or leave etc

 

[gundamhamtaro]

Hopefully the bus rides and train rides wouldn't be confusing. How did y'all manage to navigate your way around so easily?

Most pple stick to normal tourist spots which have lots of English signs around. Major cities in Japan are pretty much commercialized with lots of English and Chinese speaking people here, so frankly there is no problem with tourists going around, unless you plan to visit places far away from the city.

 

[random_person]

You can get the map and information about the buses from the following links. It may look intimidating but it's actually quite simple. You can get the map in Kyoto itself as well for free. You don't need to print it out.

http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/img/basunabieigo-omote.pdf
http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/img/basunabieigo-rosenn.pdf