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| Tempozan Ferris Wheel, Osaka |
For me, these three places capture what Japan is. Kyoto was the old capital with lovely temples and shrines. Osaka is one big modern city with skyscrapers and colorful shopping districts. These two places are in perfect contrast of the old and new, the ancient and the modern. As for Nara, it's between those two places so might as well see the deer there.
Here's a possible weekend tour of Kyoto-Nara-Osaka. I've used this a few times and recommended it too to friends who visited. They were generally happy with what they saw. However, let me clarify first what kind of traveller I am.
I travel on a budget so I usually go to places with free entrances.
I seldom take roads less travelled. I like sticking to popular spots.
I love history and historical places but I'm not so much into temples and castles in Japan. They look the same to me.
I'm not adventurous with food. When travelling, I eat because I need to.
Perhaps, my travelling style wouldn't impress the travel guide websites. My style is simple and basic. I'm a common tourist who likes to take selfies in touristy places. Then, I'd like to post these pictures on social media because I want people to know I've been to beautiful places. And I also think the places are worth sharing.
Anyway, here's a budget-friendly 2-day trip to Kyoto-Nara-Osaka.
Note: If your place is nearer Osaka than Kyoto, you can just switch the Day 1 and Day 2 itinerary.
Note: If your place is nearer Osaka than Kyoto, you can just switch the Day 1 and Day 2 itinerary.
Day 1: Fushimi Inari Shrine-Nara Park-Osaka Castle-Dotonbori
Morning: Ideally, you should be in Fushimi Inari Shrine by 10 am. This would give enough time to explore the place before lunch. This shrine is the one featured on Memories of a Geisha. It has rows and rows of red torii gates. These gates lead up to a small mountain so if you want to reach the end of the torii gates, prepare for a light hike.
Leave the shrine before 12 pm and prepare to go to Nara Park. I wouldn't recommend taking lunch around Fushimi Inari. The restaurants around the area are too small and you'll only have limited choices.Instead, have lunch in one of the places leading to Nara Park. There's Saizeriya if you don't know where to eat.
Afternoon: After lunch, start exploring Nara Park. There's a 5-story pagoda there and lots of deer. The park is big so you'll probably spend an hour or two there. You can also feed the deer.
Head to Osaka before 3 pm. The trip between Nara and Osaka is less than an hour. If you leave at this time, you'd still have time to go around Osaka Castle. Through I'm not a fan of Japanese castles, Osaka Castle is worth visiting. The park around the castle area is also perfect for an afternoon stroll.
Evening: From Osaka Castle, head to Osaka-Namba where Dotonbori is. This is where the famous Glico Running Man is. Dotonbori is an entertainment, shopping and dining district. Stores offer tax-free goods for tourists. There are lots of restaurant along the Dotonbori river. You can also ride a boat along the canal.
Day 2: Osaka Station-Kinkakuji-Arashiyama-Bamboo Grove
Morning: Explore the wide shopping area around Osaka Station. The Tempozan Ferris Wheel and the Umeda Sky Building are just around the area. The view from Umeda Sky Building gives a breathtakng view of the city. It's recommended to have lunch around Osaka area for the wide dining choices.
Early Afternoon: Head to Kyoto Station. Take the bus going to Kinkakuji. This is the Temple with a Golden Pavillion. Walk around the garden and take pictures near the golden temple. There's an entrance fee of 400 Yen. Ryoanji Temple is a few minutes from Kinkakuji on foot. It's famous for its rock garden. Honestly though, you can give Ryoanji temple a miss. There are other temples and shrines around Kyoto but Kinkakuji, in my opinion, is the only one truly worth visiting if you don't have much time. But of course, if you have plenty of time, go to other temples.
Late Afternoon: If you still have time, from Kyoto Station, visit Arashiyama and the Bamboo Groves. Arashiyama is lovely in autumn when the leaves are bursting with colors. The Bamboo Groves is a few minutes away from Arashiyama Bridge.
Getting Around
Mode of transporation is JR trains. This is, in my experience, is the most cost effective way. I also used the special discount tickets on vacations called Juhachi Kippu so I just spent around 2,200 Yen per day for transportation.
Day 1:
To Fushimi Inari Shrine: From Kyoto Station, take the Nara Local Line and get off at Inari Station. It's only 2 stops away from Kyoto Station. Fare is 140 Yen.
To Nara Park: Go back to Kyoto Station and take a rapid train going to Nara. Get off at Nara Station. Travel time is less than an hour. There are numerous signs pointing to Nara Park at the Nara Station. There's also a Tourist Information with English speaking staff on the first floor of the station. Fare is 670 Yen.
To Osaka Castle: From Nara Station, get on the train going to Tennoji. At Tennoji, take the Osaka Loop Line and get off at Osakajokoen. Travel time is around an hour. Fare is 710 Yen.
To Dotonbori: From Osakajokoen, go back to Tennoji and take the train bound for JR Namba. From JR Namba, walk a few meters and you'll find the colorful area of Dotonbori. Fare is 180 Yen.
Day 2:
To Osaka Station: From wherever you stayed during the night to JR Osaka Station.
To Kinkakuji: From Osaka Station, take the train going to Kyoto Station. Fare is 560 Yen. At Kyoto, buy a Kyoto Day Pass for buses worth 500 Yen.
To Arashiyama: From Kyoto Station, take the train going to Saga-Arashiyama. Fare is 240. You can rent a bicycle worth 500 a day to go around the Arashiyama area. But if you'll only stay here for a an hour or 2, you can just walk.
Getting Home: From Saga-Arashiyama, take the train going back to Kyoto. From Kyoto Station, head back to your hotel or house.
Morning: Explore the wide shopping area around Osaka Station. The Tempozan Ferris Wheel and the Umeda Sky Building are just around the area. The view from Umeda Sky Building gives a breathtakng view of the city. It's recommended to have lunch around Osaka area for the wide dining choices.
Early Afternoon: Head to Kyoto Station. Take the bus going to Kinkakuji. This is the Temple with a Golden Pavillion. Walk around the garden and take pictures near the golden temple. There's an entrance fee of 400 Yen. Ryoanji Temple is a few minutes from Kinkakuji on foot. It's famous for its rock garden. Honestly though, you can give Ryoanji temple a miss. There are other temples and shrines around Kyoto but Kinkakuji, in my opinion, is the only one truly worth visiting if you don't have much time. But of course, if you have plenty of time, go to other temples.
Late Afternoon: If you still have time, from Kyoto Station, visit Arashiyama and the Bamboo Groves. Arashiyama is lovely in autumn when the leaves are bursting with colors. The Bamboo Groves is a few minutes away from Arashiyama Bridge.
Getting Around
Mode of transporation is JR trains. This is, in my experience, is the most cost effective way. I also used the special discount tickets on vacations called Juhachi Kippu so I just spent around 2,200 Yen per day for transportation.
Day 1:
To Fushimi Inari Shrine: From Kyoto Station, take the Nara Local Line and get off at Inari Station. It's only 2 stops away from Kyoto Station. Fare is 140 Yen.
To Nara Park: Go back to Kyoto Station and take a rapid train going to Nara. Get off at Nara Station. Travel time is less than an hour. There are numerous signs pointing to Nara Park at the Nara Station. There's also a Tourist Information with English speaking staff on the first floor of the station. Fare is 670 Yen.
To Osaka Castle: From Nara Station, get on the train going to Tennoji. At Tennoji, take the Osaka Loop Line and get off at Osakajokoen. Travel time is around an hour. Fare is 710 Yen.
To Dotonbori: From Osakajokoen, go back to Tennoji and take the train bound for JR Namba. From JR Namba, walk a few meters and you'll find the colorful area of Dotonbori. Fare is 180 Yen.
Day 2:
To Osaka Station: From wherever you stayed during the night to JR Osaka Station.
To Kinkakuji: From Osaka Station, take the train going to Kyoto Station. Fare is 560 Yen. At Kyoto, buy a Kyoto Day Pass for buses worth 500 Yen.
To Arashiyama: From Kyoto Station, take the train going to Saga-Arashiyama. Fare is 240. You can rent a bicycle worth 500 a day to go around the Arashiyama area. But if you'll only stay here for a an hour or 2, you can just walk.
Getting Home: From Saga-Arashiyama, take the train going back to Kyoto. From Kyoto Station, head back to your hotel or house.
