🇯🇵 KYOTO TRAVEL GUIDE 2023 | 4 days in kyoto | exploring, eating, shopping in kyoto + day trips

hey guys and welcome back to Eileen's world and the next stop of my world tour Kyoto Japan if you're planning a trip to Kyoto or wonder what it's like to visit here's my guide on navigating the city what to do eat and how to make the most of your trip and if you're new here I'm Eileen and I'm temporarily retired to travel the world for one year with the goal of seeing and visiting as many places on my bucket list [Music] we took the train from Osaka to Kyoto which takes around an hour and if you're staying in Airbnb that doesn't have the option to store your luggage after checkout or before you check in consider using a train station Locker to store your luggage this allowed us to do some last minute shopping in Osaka before we had to catch our train to Kyoto and if you're coming from Tokyo you can also take the shinkansen to Kyoto which will take you around two hours and if you want to travel hassle-free and not stress about lugging your luggage through the train station you can always use a luggage delivery company like Yamato Transport where they can pick up and deliver your luggage within two days walking in public transportation will be the best and most cost effective way of getting around Kyoto unlike Tokyo and Osaka we actually use the bus a lot more here to get around be prepared the buses are often pretty crowded and keep in mind you have to enter through the back door and exit and pay through the front door foreign State at print smart and Kyoto for 117 dollars per night here are some of the free amenities for us we got pajamas razor toothbrush towels there was a stash of water bottles here but that's also included too the door to get in is here and then right as you walk in you have the sink where we have slippers and a safe a little microwave so we got two twin beds it's actually a lot more spacious than I thought I'm standing at the very corner of the room with the window behind me we got a little desk here with two chairs that look pretty comfortable this is where the shower's at separated from the toilet which is always nice and here's the toilet which is in its own room we enjoyed a filling Japanese breakfast each morning and I appreciated the additional amenities like lockers washer dryers and a microwave an ice machine a vending machine and also three coin washer and dryers and the cool thing is that you can actually check the status of the washer and dryer on the TV the location is close to Central Downtown Kyoto and walking distance to Nishiki Market the shopping street and Geon having cash is necessary here in Kyoto as many smaller shops and restaurants will not accept credit card even some restaurant chains only accept cash and luckily ATMs are widely available for you to pull out cash if you need to during my last diamonds of traveling using an esim has been the most convenient option for me if your phone has easom capabilities you won't need to buy a SIM card upon arrival and there's no physical card to switch out and depending on my destination and length of stay I look at different ease and providers to see which one offers the best package for me for Japan I used air aloe and if you want three dollars off your first purchase you can use the code on my screen foreign [Music] we're starting off day one with the typical Japanese breakfast which will consist of rice piso soup a protein and various side dishes if you're busy in Japan I recommend taking a break from a traditional western style breakfast for a Japanese one and if you're on the go or craving something sweet for breakfast you can try Mr donut one of Japan's most famous donut chains this is literally the best donut I've ever had it is the honey old-fashioned so so good from Mr Donuts [Music] Palace and the admission is very quiet very Zen peaceful there's not that many people here and you you do a temperature check and then you get a lanyard let's see what they have here located in the Kyoto Imperial Park the Kyoto Imperial Palace used to be the residents of Japan's Imperial family until 1868. once you're inside you'll find several Gates halls and Gardens to explore [Music] free guided tours are available and you can check the official website for the tour schedule I was personally surprised by the Imperial Palace one well organized there's like a route you follow to it's free three it's not crowded for the information is also very well organized for you we are in nijo Castle it was 1 300 Yen per person and you can get the tickets at the vending machine it's about 11 o'clock right now it looks like a bunch of tour buses just got dropped off but no wait in line and no way to get in nijo Castle is a UNESCO world heritage site and was once the former Kyoto residents of the Shogun there's a lot to explore here but the main attraction may be the Nino Maru Palace which is an additional 500 yen as you walk through the corridors listen carefully for the squeaking of the Nightingale floors which acted as a security measure against Intruders and after visiting the ninomara palace you can walk through the gardens and climb up the stone foundation for views of the castle grounds [Music] we are here getting a Kyoto pin 200 yen big money big money oh I got the the castle right or the golden Pavilion um not sure no this is the Imperial Palace maybe that's a golden one yeah we just got dropped off by our taxi and it only cost us twenty three dollars for a almost 30 minute ride and that's divided by six people is like parking we all fell asleep on the ride or half of us did I think it was just so relaxing to be driven around and not have to squash it a bus walk to the train that was a nice tree on the Main Street leading into the bamboo forest you'll find a variety of food stalls so if you're on a time crunch like us or just need a snack this would be a great time to try some Japanese Street Food [Music] okay we finally made it to the bamboo forest [Music] we came at 2PM and it was less crowded than we expected and we were actually able to get some photos without tons of people in the background so if you're not a super early bird coming in the afternoon could be a good option to avoid the crowds [Music] after the bamboo forest it was time to make our way to our last stop of the day kanakuji using the train and bus it took us around 40 minutes to get there these buses are no joke they're super full you enter through the back and then once you exit you gotta wiggle your way through the crowd luckily all the stops that we've been going on are like the tourist stop so like a whole bunch of us get off but damn can you imagine being the back and they're trying to get through the front that would be stressful [Music] also known as a golden Pavilion kinkakuchi is a Zen temple with gold leaf covering the top two floors [Music] aside from the golden Pavilion there's a small Temple and a tea house inside otherwise you don't need to dedicate a lot of time to spend here for dinner we hop back on the bus and headed to the city center for some guyukatsu [Music] it's dinner time and we are having Gayu Katsu we try to come here last night for dinner at another location in Kyoto and the line was super long and today we just had to wait like there was no line I mean it was full but they said 15 minutes it was literally two minutes gotta love how in Japan they always give you instructions on how to eat everything [Music] this is a guy who katsu sauce sweet sauce you got your soy sauce I'll try this sauce first I need yeah starting my day with a cup of hot coffee oh we're gonna start our day off in a Shiki market so save some room in your stomach for all the food you'll want to try also known as Kyoto's kitchen Nishiki Market is located in central Kyoto and has over 100 shops and restaurants [Music] here we got the black sesame Dongo I love Daniel so here in this shop they don't want you to eat walk or eat in front so they actually have seating in the back of the shop which is nice next up is uh strawberry matcha Mochi look at that and that's so pretty it looks like Play-Doh my cameraman left me but this is some fresh Mochi very matcha e so if you like matcha this is for you if you don't this is not for you all right we're making progress I see cheese this but the cheese is so good Nishiki Shrine is conveniently located on the Eastern end of the market and is home to the God who watches over Kyoto's kitchen if you're in need of some luck or have a wish you want to make come true make sure to pet the cow inside of the shrine and if you're in the mood to shop or need to walk off some of that food you're in the right area shijodori street is a commercial center of the city and runs through the center of Kyoto here you'll find everything from Japanese department stores luxury Brands to Japanese pharmacies if you watch any of my videos then you know about my love for Japanese department stores and especially the food halls on the bottom floor these food halls are a must visit in Japan and don't forget to treat yourself to a beautiful Japanese dessert or a pastry while you're there I'm always Googling at these beautiful jelly desserts every time I'm in a Japanese department store so today I'm gonna try a couple we have secured the goods I bought as many individual flavors that are available there are a lot of other flavors that they have but they come in give sets and I'm just not ready to drop that kind of money you can also get lost in the shopping arcades around Nishiki market for vintage clothing shops and souvenirs I'm at the cutest little store and they have like Michael lip balm and a solid perfume I think I need to get it it comes in a little set Japan has the most beautiful towels I guess even in variety they just have hundreds and actually thousands now it's time to cross the sanjo bridge and make our way over to Gian kyota's most famous Geisha District there are two interesting strides nearby that you may consider visiting the first is yasui computer goo Shrine which is home to the Power Stone that will end bad relationships and start new and good ones this giant rock where you crawl through it twice I believe and then you gotta write your wish or you have your wish in hand and then you'll have to put it on the Rock and I guess they'll come true apparently there's long lines here of single people the next is Kyoto ibisu Shrine which is dedicated to ibizu one of the seven gods of Fortune during the Toca ibisu Festival in January business owners will come here hoping the shrine's lucky bamboo will bring them Fortune [Music] so on our walk I towards gion actually we're in Geon I pass by this I don't know Mochi looking shop and I keep on seeing these and so I took a little bite and the signs that it's a special miso paste so it's a little bit salty it's a little bit sweet definitely very interesting and nothing that I've tried before here Hanami Koji street is the most famous street in Guion to visit if you want to see traditional buildings kimono shops restaurants and maybe catch a glimpse of a Geisha this place is just so cute we gotta go and check it out I mean look at the carpet Gian Kyoto [Music] from Hanami koju Street you can cross the Tatsumi bridge and explore the picturesque streets of the shimbashi district if you want to see a geisha or gecko perform along with other traditional Japanese performances you can do so at Guion Corner Theater there are two showtimes available each day in the evening at 6 and 7 PM I booked my tickets on the official website ahead of time and paid 6 600 Yen for premium reserve seats premium reserve seats are in the first three rows and include a digital tablet that will translate the performances for you I recommend purchasing tickets ahead of time online as I saw many people trying to purchase tickets right before the show and they were all sold out the shows are only about an hour long so if you have a packed itinerary it won't take up too much time but totally worth it to experience seven different performances and after the show you can take an evening stroll through the narrow Alleyways of pontocho to see the Red Lanterns lit up we're starting off day three by renting a kimono for the day Wargo kyota Komodo rental has several locations throughout Kyoto and I recommend choosing a shop that's closest to where you would like to explore and take photos for the day that way you will have more time wearing your kimono and not worry about rushing back to the shop when it's time to return your rental packages start at 3 000 Yen and you have the option to pay extra for additional accessories a more ornate kimono or an intricate hairdo [Music] known as gion Shrine yasaka Shrine is one of the most popular shrines in Kyoto our next stop is kiyomizudera the walk from your stock is trying to kiyomizudera will lead you through Kyoto's old streets that are aligned with traditional buildings and shops there's so much to see eat and Shop so make sure you give yourself enough time to really enjoy everything here this street has the best souvenir shops it's like overload not an Inari Kitty not Japan related but cute strawberry little baby socks [Music] chunky like myself you have to visit yojia an iconic Kyoto brand known for its oil blotting sheets which is a geisha favorite the shop sells a range of skin care and will make a beautiful and practical souvenirs for any beater lover back home I have waited a couple weeks I didn't even think we're gonna come back to Kyoto to have this moment to get this magical strawberry tea that I have not been able to find anywhere else except this shop in Kyoto I don't know if this is a seasonal thing because it says 2023 but damn this is so good I want to chug it but I also need to savor it to just little sips to make it last oh and as you walk through the shops you'll see many versions of yatsu Hashi being sold it's a traditional Japanese Suite made with Mochi cinnamon and sugar these are sold everywhere here in Kyoto I got a sample before I buy it right [Music] I sampled a lot of the flavors and I just decided to go with the I guess the original one with the red bean on the inside the peach one was really good I mean they were all really good but honestly like I don't think I need more than one packs black sesame it comes with this cracker or cookie I guess that I just ate and it's like full on Cinnamon Toast Crunch flavor foreign Ty zudera is a Buddhist temple that is known for its large wooden Terrace with views of cherry and maple trees along with views of Kyoto in the distance [Music] I randomly found nishika on restaurant on the way down from kumizadera the path was super crowded and moving so slowly that I decided to have some lunch and wait it out the restaurant is simple with the small menu but the food was really good and reasonably priced for the area cold sopa is one of my favorite dishes in Japan and it's perfect for a hot day the soba noodles are served separately with a soy sauce based dipping sauce on the side [Music] is a Japanese dessert that I cannot shut up about this one was served with matcha ice cream red bean paste and mochi balls with the matcha sauce [Music] foreign [Music] if you're looking for souvenirs that are Beyond sweets and cosmetics stop by oroku hichigo for traditional Japanese paper items I bought a couple postcards and I'm super excited to frame when I get back home our last stop of the day is Fushimi Inari Shrine like with most popular trexures in Japan many people will advise you to go super early in the morning to avoid the crowds but I went in the evening around 6 pm and didn't feel like it was too crowded this is a shrine that's dedicated to Inari the Shinto God of rice so you'll see many Fox statues throughout the grounds there is a free audio guide which you can use by scanning the QR code which I just did but I don't have my headphones so I'll just have to try to listen to this quietly as you can see I was able to get some videos and footage without hordes of people in the back [Music] and since the shrine is open 24 hours a day if you really want to have it all to yourself you can also go there in the evening it's just us and like one tour group [Music] The Experience won't be exactly the same since the Tory gates are not lit up but if going in the evening is your only option it's definitely still doable [Music] good morning we've made it to ujji City this must be their mask on must be some matcha princess with a whisk on its head the ride here wasn't that long if you're coming from Kyoto station it's maybe less than 30 minutes away if you take like a Express train so super easy peasy Fuji city is located between Kyoto and Nara and it's known for its superior quality of green tea and being home to the biodin temple [Music] Bridge crosses over uji River and is considered to be one of the three oldest bridges in Japan [Music] there are just so many little shops here stands match everything and good we've got some matcha Dongo I assume three different shades of green we are here at the uji shrine which is a historic Shinto place of worship featuring a rabbit Motif and a statue of Prince uji okay we are at the ujicha factory shop slash Museum since you're in uji you gotta stop by the ooji tea Factory there's a free tea Museum in the back on the first floor along with a gift shop selling tea flavored treats and a variety of tea wear how cute is this little teacup with a rabbit on it of course you can also get your tea here this is fujicha which is my favorite it's like roasted you can also get lots of matcha sweets so there's like matcha candy oh there's one with hojicha cream I think I have to get this one it smells like a nice buttery cookie let's break it in half mmm tastes like hojicha ice cream totally worth 194 Yen the second floor has a restaurant which is really busy when we went and a classroom where you can learn how to make your own matcha tea foreign [Music] are gonna get in line it's about 1 30 in the afternoon now this is a pretty long line but I can't imagine it going too slowly biotoin is a Buddhist temple which is home to the Phoenix Hall you may recognize this building as the same one on the back of a 10 Yen coin it's an additional 300 Yen to enter the Phoenix Hall with a short guided tour there's also an underground Museum that you can visit for no additional charge [Music] near way two or back from the bo Dent you can stop by bioden omitisando if you want to shop for souvenirs or try all the matcha flavored Goods this is your spot this spot has matcha everything so we're like let's do it [Music] matcha green cheese the matcha Ramen I got spicy a spicy soup foreign just what I needed to wash lunch down look at this they even have green tea or matcha Curry here now we are in line to get a glass of cold green tea [Music] good it's sweetened for your planning purposes we started our day a little later than normal and arrived into uji at noon and spent around four hours there if you get there early in the morning you'll still have plenty of time to explore Kyoto when you get back on our way back from Uchi we decided to stop at Kyoto station so we can explore the area [Music] and if you're in Japan you have to try Baskin-Robbins at least once they have all the classic flavors that you know and love from back home but they also have a variety of unique japan-only flavors all right we got the peach and the matcha kanako the peach tastes exactly like Japanese Peach candy and as we made our way back to our hotel we stopped by Arroyo for dinner it's an udon shop that's tucked away in the Alleyways and has traditional Japanese seating and the most delicious unique udon that I've had in my entire trip so this is my flight of palm wine I got green tea Yuzu and lychee so we ordered the egg which is one of their three recommended appetizers or dishes the Bamba is here and the name is accurate it's a freaking bomb I didn't realize how big it was it's like look at this my hand for comparison side is tomato soup udon cheese and bacon here are a couple day trip options if you have more time in Kyoto 1. Osaka Osaka is the second biggest city in Japan and it's less than an hour away by train if you only have one day to spare it's still worth it to see the famous click go running man sign and to wander around downtown body to see the Larger than Life Billboards number two Universal Studios Japan if you have kids who want to take a break from all the sightseeing then Universal Studios Japan cannot be missed located in Osaka this is in my opinion the best Universal Studio Park that I have been to number three Nara Nara is less than an hour by train from Kyoto of course it's known for all the deers that roam around Nara Park but it's also home to one of Japan's biggest bronze Buddha statues inside of todachi Temple and that wraps up my four day Kyoto travel guide leave your questions comments and feedback down below and if you're visiting Tokyo or Osaka you can also check out my travel guides for those city as well don't forget to follow me on Instagram for real-time updates on where I'm at in the world Arigato gozaimas for watching and I'll see you guys all in my next video foreign [Music]

Channel: eileen's world

Views: 120,919

Keywords: Kyoto, Kyoto Travel Guide, Kyoto Travel, Japan, Japan Travel Guide, Nara, Osaka, Universal Studios Japan

Id: 7SD9ixIKC9s

Length: 26min 55sec (1615 seconds)

Published: Tue Jul 11 2023