Kyoto day trip from Osaka- advisable?
Nov 6, 2013, 8:57 am
#1
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Kyoto day trip from Osaka- advisable?
Ultimately, there are only 3-4 sights I want to see in Kyoto, but would prefer to base myself in Osaka (as I also want to explore that city, and go to Universal Studios), so I am sure I can hail taxis to take me to the likes of Fushimi Inari, Kinkakuji, Ginkakuji, and Sannenzaka Ninenzaka/Kiyomezu Dera - but I need to arrive in Kyoto first!
How long does it take to get to Kyoto from Osaka, and are there budget buses available? I have heard of the Willer express but they seem to be overnight buses and they are no good to me.
I think the organised tours from Japanican are too expensive for me, plus I prefer to be independent.
Is a daytrip doable?
How long does it take to get to Kyoto from Osaka, and are there budget buses available? I have heard of the Willer express but they seem to be overnight buses and they are no good to me.
I think the organised tours from Japanican are too expensive for me, plus I prefer to be independent.
Is a daytrip doable?
Nov 6, 2013, 8:58 am
#2
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It's easily doable. In fact, I have done it when I was based in Osaka on a business trip. Take trains.
However, please stay in Kyoto late enough in the day to visit the old geisha neighborhood in late afternoon or early evening when the geisha are dressed up and walking around. It's also pleasant to have dinner in Kyoto and possible to see a traditional theater performance in the evening.
However, please stay in Kyoto late enough in the day to visit the old geisha neighborhood in late afternoon or early evening when the geisha are dressed up and walking around. It's also pleasant to have dinner in Kyoto and possible to see a traditional theater performance in the evening.
Nov 6, 2013, 9:25 am
#3
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Ultimately, there are only 3-4 sights I want to see in Kyoto, but would prefer to base myself in Osaka (as I also want to explore that city, and go to Universal Studios), so I am sure I can hail taxis to take me to the likes of Fushimi Inari, Kinkakuji, Ginkakuji, and Sannenzaka Ninenzaka/Kiyomezu Dera - but I need to arrive in Kyoto first!
(1) that these are the only sights that interest you in Kyoto
(2) that it makes sense to bounce around these disparate locations and that it makes sense to do so by cab
(Strongly recommend you spend some time reading a guidebook or some other good sources of information)
Nov 6, 2013, 9:28 am
#4
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I would advise you to re-evaluate your assumptions by reading a guidebook or some other good sources of information
(1) that these are the only sights that interest you in Kyoto
(2) that it makes sense to bounce around these disparate locations and that it makes sense to do so by cab
(1) that these are the only sights that interest you in Kyoto
(2) that it makes sense to bounce around these disparate locations and that it makes sense to do so by cab
I really don't mind about the cost of taxis, although, the Kyoto Metro may be a better bet, and I will check it out when I get there.
Nov 6, 2013, 10:06 am
#5
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It is easily doable to visit Kyoto as a day trip from Osaka by train although we usually recommend the opposite. It is difficult to make specific routing recommendations without knowing where in Osaka you will be staying but every option will arrive in Kyoto at Kyoto Station.
The least expensive way to get around Kyoto is the bus system. The subway does not go very near any of the sites you mention but can be useful putting bus segments together. A one-day combo bus/subway pass is economical and easy to use. You can get it at the bus office located just outside the Karasuma exit of Kyoto Station. A pretty good route map can be downloaded at the bottom of the city transit page at: http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html .
If you choose to maximize your travel time at the expense of extra cost, cabs will certainly do that and is the way many Japanese choose to get around the city. I would suggest going in a loop from Kyoto-eki (the station) to Kiyomizudera and the surrounding "slope" area, then up to Ginkakuji, across town to Kinkakuji and back to Kyoto Station before heading down to Fushimi Inari. That last is pretty far. You may want to take a local train and catch a cab there.
IMHO you are skipping many of the best sites in Kyoto but to each his own. I agree that early evening can be a very nice time to visit the Gion area. You could stop off at Yanaka Shrine first and see much of the interesting area on foot.
The least expensive way to get around Kyoto is the bus system. The subway does not go very near any of the sites you mention but can be useful putting bus segments together. A one-day combo bus/subway pass is economical and easy to use. You can get it at the bus office located just outside the Karasuma exit of Kyoto Station. A pretty good route map can be downloaded at the bottom of the city transit page at: http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html .
If you choose to maximize your travel time at the expense of extra cost, cabs will certainly do that and is the way many Japanese choose to get around the city. I would suggest going in a loop from Kyoto-eki (the station) to Kiyomizudera and the surrounding "slope" area, then up to Ginkakuji, across town to Kinkakuji and back to Kyoto Station before heading down to Fushimi Inari. That last is pretty far. You may want to take a local train and catch a cab there.
IMHO you are skipping many of the best sites in Kyoto but to each his own. I agree that early evening can be a very nice time to visit the Gion area. You could stop off at Yanaka Shrine first and see much of the interesting area on foot.
Nov 6, 2013, 10:37 am
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Day trip between Osaka and Kyoto is easily doable, many people do make day trip between Osaka and Kyoto every day. Taking train is the way to travel between Osaka and Kyoto. There are express trains (which does not require surcharges) run between Osaka and Kyoto every 15 minutes.
Three different train lines run between Osaka and Kyoto.
JR Line:
Shin-Kaisoku (New Rapid) trains. 28 minutes from Osaka to Kyoto. JPY 540 each way. Runs every 15 minutes.
Hankyu Line:
Tokkyu (Limited Express) trains. 44 minutes from Umeda (Osaka) to Kawaramachi (Kyoto). JPY 390 each way. Runs every 15 minutes.
Keihan Line:
Tokkyu (Limited Express) trains. 52 minutes from Yodoyabashi (Osaka) to Sanjo (Kyoto). JPY 400 each way. Runs every 15 minutes.
These trains run well into 10-11 p.m. at night so you can enjoy evening at Kyoto, also.
Once you get to Kyoto, yes, taxi will be easiest way to get around although it will be most expensive. For example MK taxi, one of large taxi company in Kyoto, has city tour plan for tourist. 7 hours plan of tour of popular tourist sites by mid-size car is listed as 27540 JPY. Model route stops at:
Kinkakuji, Ryuannji, (lunch, not included in fare), Nijojo, Ginkakuji, Ninenzaka/Sannennzaka, and then Kiyomizudera.
Kyoto has pretty good public transportation and you can get around to those places a lot cheaper if you take public transport. Most tourists do get around using public transport, but have to figure out which bus top, route, etc.
In Kyoto is it is called Maiko (舞妓), Geisha (芸者) is more general term used all over Japan not specific to Kyoto.
Three different train lines run between Osaka and Kyoto.
JR Line:
Shin-Kaisoku (New Rapid) trains. 28 minutes from Osaka to Kyoto. JPY 540 each way. Runs every 15 minutes.
Hankyu Line:
Tokkyu (Limited Express) trains. 44 minutes from Umeda (Osaka) to Kawaramachi (Kyoto). JPY 390 each way. Runs every 15 minutes.
Keihan Line:
Tokkyu (Limited Express) trains. 52 minutes from Yodoyabashi (Osaka) to Sanjo (Kyoto). JPY 400 each way. Runs every 15 minutes.
These trains run well into 10-11 p.m. at night so you can enjoy evening at Kyoto, also.
Once you get to Kyoto, yes, taxi will be easiest way to get around although it will be most expensive. For example MK taxi, one of large taxi company in Kyoto, has city tour plan for tourist. 7 hours plan of tour of popular tourist sites by mid-size car is listed as 27540 JPY. Model route stops at:
Kinkakuji, Ryuannji, (lunch, not included in fare), Nijojo, Ginkakuji, Ninenzaka/Sannennzaka, and then Kiyomizudera.
Kyoto has pretty good public transportation and you can get around to those places a lot cheaper if you take public transport. Most tourists do get around using public transport, but have to figure out which bus top, route, etc.
However, please stay in Kyoto late enough in the day to visit the old geisha neighborhood in late afternoon or early evening when the geisha are dressed up and walking around. It's also pleasant to have dinner in Kyoto and possible to see a traditional theater performance in the evening.
Nov 6, 2013, 10:43 pm
#10
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Nov 7, 2013, 12:56 am
#11
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It is easily doable to visit Kyoto as a day trip from Osaka by train although we usually recommend the opposite. It is difficult to make specific routing recommendations without knowing where in Osaka you will be staying but every option will arrive in Kyoto at Kyoto Station.
I think the OP has picked out a good list of Kyoto sights (at least imo), but I do think it might be pretty hectic to fit them all into one day.
Mar 24, 2014, 11:03 am
#13
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 48
Day trip between Osaka and Kyoto is easily doable, many people do make day trip between Osaka and Kyoto every day. Taking train is the way to travel between Osaka and Kyoto. There are express trains (which does not require surcharges) run between Osaka and Kyoto every 15 minutes.
Three different train lines run between Osaka and Kyoto.
JR Line:
Shin-Kaisoku (New Rapid) trains. 28 minutes from Osaka to Kyoto. JPY 540 each way. Runs every 15 minutes.
Hankyu Line:
Tokkyu (Limited Express) trains. 44 minutes from Umeda (Osaka) to Kawaramachi (Kyoto). JPY 390 each way. Runs every 15 minutes.
Keihan Line:
Tokkyu (Limited Express) trains. 52 minutes from Yodoyabashi (Osaka) to Sanjo (Kyoto). JPY 400 each way. Runs every 15 minutes.
These trains run well into 10-11 p.m. at night so you can enjoy evening at Kyoto, also.
Once you get to Kyoto, yes, taxi will be easiest way to get around although it will be most expensive. For example MK taxi, one of large taxi company in Kyoto, has city tour plan for tourist. 7 hours plan of tour of popular tourist sites by mid-size car is listed as 27540 JPY. Model route stops at:
Kinkakuji, Ryuannji, (lunch, not included in fare), Nijojo, Ginkakuji, Ninenzaka/Sannennzaka, and then Kiyomizudera.
Kyoto has pretty good public transportation and you can get around to those places a lot cheaper if you take public transport. Most tourists do get around using public transport, but have to figure out which bus top, route, etc.
In Kyoto is it is called Maiko (舞妓), Geisha (芸者) is more general term used all over Japan not specific to Kyoto.
Three different train lines run between Osaka and Kyoto.
JR Line:
Shin-Kaisoku (New Rapid) trains. 28 minutes from Osaka to Kyoto. JPY 540 each way. Runs every 15 minutes.
Hankyu Line:
Tokkyu (Limited Express) trains. 44 minutes from Umeda (Osaka) to Kawaramachi (Kyoto). JPY 390 each way. Runs every 15 minutes.
Keihan Line:
Tokkyu (Limited Express) trains. 52 minutes from Yodoyabashi (Osaka) to Sanjo (Kyoto). JPY 400 each way. Runs every 15 minutes.
These trains run well into 10-11 p.m. at night so you can enjoy evening at Kyoto, also.
Once you get to Kyoto, yes, taxi will be easiest way to get around although it will be most expensive. For example MK taxi, one of large taxi company in Kyoto, has city tour plan for tourist. 7 hours plan of tour of popular tourist sites by mid-size car is listed as 27540 JPY. Model route stops at:
Kinkakuji, Ryuannji, (lunch, not included in fare), Nijojo, Ginkakuji, Ninenzaka/Sannennzaka, and then Kiyomizudera.
Kyoto has pretty good public transportation and you can get around to those places a lot cheaper if you take public transport. Most tourists do get around using public transport, but have to figure out which bus top, route, etc.
In Kyoto is it is called Maiko (舞妓), Geisha (芸者) is more general term used all over Japan not specific to Kyoto.
Hotel Information:
intercontienental osaka
OSAKA
3-60, Ofuka-cho
Kita-ku
Osaka 5300011
Mar 25, 2014, 9:35 pm
#14
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Click on "Transportation".
Train
Station Name: JR Osaka Station
Distance 0.2 KM / 0.12 MI SOUTH to Hotel
Taxi Fee From Train Station: ￥0.00 (JPY)
The hotel has direct access with JR Osaka Station. Head to Grand Front Osaka Tower A (2F) via Umekita Plaza on the 2nd floor from JR Osaka Station Central Gates. Cross the Sky-Bridge to Grand Front Osaka Tower B then take the escalator to the 1st floor. Proceed through Knowledge Plaza and the hotel entrance is on the right hand side.
Station Name: JR Osaka Station
Distance 0.2 KM / 0.12 MI SOUTH to Hotel
Taxi Fee From Train Station: ￥0.00 (JPY)
The hotel has direct access with JR Osaka Station. Head to Grand Front Osaka Tower A (2F) via Umekita Plaza on the 2nd floor from JR Osaka Station Central Gates. Cross the Sky-Bridge to Grand Front Osaka Tower B then take the escalator to the 1st floor. Proceed through Knowledge Plaza and the hotel entrance is on the right hand side.