Visiting Kyoto: insider tips from Frederic Guene's blog "15joursakyoto"
Below you'll find Frederic Guene's advice for visiting Kyoto... - For shopping in Kyoto you can visit the Teramachi covered arcade
Below you'll find Frederic Guene's tips for visiting Kyoto... - For shopping in Kyoto you can visit the Teramachi covered arcade, or the Totoro store in Gion. 
- Visit Kofuku-ji, the second largest pagoda in Japan (5 stories). There's also Todai-Ji, an ancient religious complex. These monuments are in Nara, about 45 minutes by train from Kyoto Station 
- Daibutsu-den, the Great Buddha Hall, in bronze and gold. - Ginkakuji, a stunning pavilion with beautiful gardens. 
- The Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji) and Ryoanji, two of Japan's most renowned temples 
- Kiyomizu-dera is a complex of Buddhist temples. - Fushimi Inari with its famous red torii gates. 
Here's the itinerary for his vacation: - Monday: visit Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari and the Gion district - Tuesday: Northern Kyoto: Golden Pavilion, Ryoanji, Ninnaji. - Wednesday: Day in Osaka - Thursday: Philosopher's Path and shopping - Friday: departure for Tokyo for 2 days - Saturday: rest day - Sunday: visit Kurama-dera and onsen (public baths) - Monday: Arashiyama, Iratayama, bamboo forest, Tenryu-ji temple - Tuesday: day trip to Nara, Nara-koen Park - KOFUKU-JI, KASUGA TAISHA Shrine, TODAI-JI... - Wednesday: Around Lake Biwa and evening in Osaka - Thursday: to be determined - Friday: departure to Paris
Frequently asked questions
Nara is about 45 minutes by train from Kyoto Station. You can take the JR Nara Line or the Kintetsu Line, both serving the city. The JR Pass is accepted on the JR Nara Line, making it an easy and budget-friendly day trip option.
Among Kyoto's most iconic temples and shrines are Kinkakuji (the Golden Pavilion), Ryoanji with its famous Zen garden, Kiyomizu-dera with its wooden terraces, Ginkakuji (the Silver Pavilion) and its manicured gardens, and Fushimi Inari with its thousands of red torii gates.
For shopping in Kyoto, the Teramachi covered arcade is ideal for finding souvenirs, crafts and local products. The Gion district also has specialty shops, including the Totoro store, perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli's universe.
A minimum of 4 to 5 days is recommended to discover Kyoto's main attractions. To explore the city in depth while taking day trips to Nara, Osaka or Arashiyama, plan for ideally a week to 10 days.
Fushimi Inari is a large Shinto shrine located south of Kyoto, famous for its thousands of vermillion torii gates that form tunnels along hiking trails. Dedicated to Inari, the deity of rice and commerce, it's one of the most photographed sites in Japan. Access is free and open 24/7.
Yes, Osaka is very easily accessible from Kyoto by train: expect about 15 to 30 minutes depending on the train type (Shinkansen or Keihan). It's an excellent day trip to explore Osaka Castle, the Dotonbori district and local gastronomy.
