13 Tips for a FANTASTIC Trip to Kyoto

Video Description

One of the most breathtaking and culturally rich destinations in the world...join me as I guide you through unforgettable Kyoto and share tips for exploring Osaka, Nara, and Hiroshima… If you found this video helpful, please give it a thumbs up, subscribe, and share it with friends! Arigato! Follow Me: Instagram: @mattstraveltips MASSIVE thanks to my mom for joining me! Music by: https://www.epidemicsound.com IN THIS VIDEO: HOW TO GET IN & AROUND: From Kansai International Airport (KIX…often just shown as Osaka): Book a train ticket to Kyoto Station at the JR Station in the airport. Bullet Train (Shinkansen) from Tokyo (departs from Tokyo Station) HOTELS: Hotel Granbell Kyoto (booked on Expedia.com): https://www.granbellhotel.jp/kyoto/ Gion Yoshi-Ima (booked on booking.com): https://www.yoshi-ima.co.jp/ TEMPLES & SHRINES: - Fushimi Inari Taisha (Arrive early to avoid crowds) - Kinkaku-ji - Kiyomizu-dera (Arrive early to avoid crowds) - Heian Jingu - Ginkaku-ji - Nanzen-ji - Daigo-ji - Seasonal Illuminations (Many temples…depends on the time of year) - Kodai-ji - To-ji - Kiyomizu-dera Autumn Illumination ARASHIYAMA: - Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (Arrive early to avoid crowds) - Monkey Park Iwatayama - Otagi Nenbutsu-ji - Sagano Scenic Railway - Hozugawa River Boat Ride (I bought a combo tour on Klook…half-day tour) https://www.klook.com/ - Kimono Forest HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS: - Gion - Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka (Can get CRAZY crowded) - Kyoto Imperial Palace (free to visit!) - Nijō Castle DOWNTOWN & NISHIKI MARKET: - Downtown Kyoto (near Kawaramachi Station) - Nishiki Market (Opens at 9AM) - Teramachi (boutique and quirky shops) - Daimaru Kyoto (Department store) - Pontocho Alley FOOD: These are my favorite spots…but if I left off your favorite spot, please throw it in the comment section! - Gion Tanto - Omen (two locations…Downtown & near Philosopher’s Path) - Ichiran Ramen - Engine Ramen - Honke Daiichi Asahi (near Kyoto Station) - Kyo-no Yakiniku Hiro Pontocho - Wagyu Yakiniku Waya - Roan Kikunoi – Reservations are a MUST https://myconciergejapan.com/restaurants/roan-kikunoi/ - Gion Sushi Matsumoto – Reservations are a MUST: https://myconciergejapan.com/restaurants/sushi-matsumoto/ - Sushitetsu - Ebisugawa-Gyoza Nakajima – Gion Location - Chao Chao Gyoza - Katsukura Tonkatsu Sanjo - Gohan-ya Isshin Kyoto - Maccha House - Kirakuan Okamoto Sanneizaka - Fushimi Inari Taisha Food Stalls - Nishiki Market TRADITIONAL TEA CEREMONY: - Camellia Tea Ceremony (Two locations…“Flower” in the Ninenzaka, and “Garden House” in West Kyoto.) The Flower location can help you with a Kimono rental: https://tea-kyoto.com/ PHILOSOPHER’S PATH: Start south & walk north to Ginkaku-ji OSAKA: - Osaka Castle - Umeda Sky Building - Shinsekai - Dotonbori - Tombori River Cruise - Tonkatsu Daiki - Show up before they open if you don’t want to wait in line NARA: - Deer Cracker vendors are located at the entrance of the park - Tōdai-ji HIROSHIMA & MIYAJIMA ISLAND: Note: An overnight stay is worth considering, but it can all be seen in one (very full) day. Train from Kyoto Station (just under 2 hours) - Atomic Bomb Dome - Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum - Miyajima Island. 30 min train from Hiroshima. 10 minute ferry to the island - Itsukushima Shrine - At low tide, you can walk out to the shrine JUST GET LOST: - Kyoto Gyoen National Garden - Maruyama Park - Kamo River MY EQUIPMENT: Panasonic GH7 Sony FX6 00:00 Opening 01:13 How to Get In and Around 02:57 Where to Stay - 03:22 Kyoto Granbell Hotel - 03:50 Gion Yoshi-Ima 04:01 Temples & Shrines - 04:24 Fushimi Inari Taisha - 04:58 Kinkaku-ji - 05:12 Kiyomizu-dera - 05:48 Heian Jingu - 06:09 Ginkaku-ji - 06:26 Nanzen-ji - 06:45 Daigo-ji - 07:04 Seasonal Illuminations - 07:14 Kodai-ji - 07:23 To-ji - 07:33 Kiyomizu-dera Autumn Illumination 07:46 Arashiyama & The Bamboo Forest - 08:29 Monkey Park Iwatayama - 08:43 Otagi Nenbutsu-ji - 08:55 Sagano Scenic Railway - 09:05 Hozugawa River Boat Ride - 09:27 Kimono Forest 09:51 Gion & Ninenzaka - 09:59 Gion - 10:30 Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka - 11:04 Kyoto Imperial Palace - 11:21 Nijō Castle 11:48 Downtown Kyoto & Nishiki Market - 11:59 Nishiki Market - 12:18 Teramachi - 12:22 Daimaru Kyoto - 12:32 Pontocho Alley 13:06 Where to Eat - 13:18 Gion Tanto - 13:41 Omen - 13:58 Ramen - 14:51 Grilled Wagyu (Yakiniku) - 15:05 Kaiseki (Roan Kikunoi) - 15:34 Sushi (Gion Sushi Matsumoto & Sushitetsu) - 16:08 Gyoza (Ebisu-Gyoza Nakajima & Chao Chao Gyoza) - 16:42 Katsukura Tonkatsu Sanjo - 16:48 Gohan-ya Isshin Kyoto - 16:55 Bonus Food Spots 17:30 Traditional Tea Ceremony (Camellia) 18:38 Philosopher’s Path 19:18 Osaka - 19:43 Osaka Castle - 19:56 Umeda Sky Building - 20:05 Shinsekai - 20:11 Dotonbori - 20:47 Tonkatsu Daiki 21:04 Meet the Deer in Nara - 21:44 Tōdai-ji 22:22 Hiroshima - 22:40 Atomic Bomb Dome - 22:56 Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum - 23:11 Miyajima Island - 23:16 Itsukushima Shrine 23:53 Just Get Lost 25:12 Thanks mom!