Advice for a short trip to Kyoto, Japan
 

I’d like advice on how best to spend time visiting historic, ideally photogenic sites in Kyoto, Japan during a very short trip that’s an add-on to a business trip. I’ll be in Kobe on a Saturday night in late September, then I’ll depart home from the Osaka airport on Monday on a 5:10 pm flight. In the interim, I’d like to travel by train to and from Kyoto, seeing as much as I can in the approximately 1.5 days I’ll have there. What are the best sites to see in such a compact visit? Also, should I reserve train tickets in advance (which hasn’t seemed easy thus far over the internet), or can I buy them on site? Thanks!

This is KiriCatDad just testing this system, which is new to me.

Kyoto's many temples and shrines offer wonderfully photogenic opportunities. You might find the following site useful:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2158.html

Enjoy!

Kobe to Kyoto is under an hour by train - a reservation shouldn't be necessary. Are you staying in Kyoto? If so, you should get a hotel reservation since it's over the weekend imo.
Here's info on Kyoto:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2158.html
Enjoy!

Wow, great minds. :)

I'm confused by the comment that you're travelling "to and from Kyoto," yet say you'll have 1.5 days in Kyoto. Are you taking two trips to Kyoto or are you staying overnight there?
And is "Osaka airport" ITM or KIX?
Hankyu rail from Kobe's Sannomiya to Kyoto is excellent, as it lands you more centrally in downtown Kyoto than JR does. Cost is around ¥500 one way.
Access to either ITM or KIX from Kyoto is easy as well, though you can do it from Kobe.

You will have one day in Kyoto so pick your spots you want to see and use a taxi between sites to optimize your time. In Kyoto I like Sanjusangendo, Kiyomizudera and shopping and eating along the Shijo Dori area. You won't have time for much else.....

No need to reserve train tickets ahead of time. You can buy them there. WillJame's reco of using the Hankyu Rail Line from Kobe to Kyoto and back is a good one.

Mount Rokko is a nice place to visit in Kobe on a clear day. Easy to do, see here for details

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3557.html

Sorakuen Gardens are beautiful with many picturesque Japanese landscapes. Don't forget to try the Kobe Steak if your a meat eater! Try Miyasu outside the Motomachi station. Great steak and atmosphere. For the less expensive version try A-1 steakhouse.

Aloha!

BTW, I think Fushimi Inari is open 24/7 and is lovely around sunset, after most temples in Kyoto have closed. Well worth considering!

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3915.html

(Mara - great minds indeed!)

This is KiriCatDad, who originally posted the questions. Thank you all VERY much for your swift and helpful responses thus far. To clarify re WillJame's questions, my business finishes with a work-related dinner in Kobe (beef, of course) on a Saturday night in late September. Then I plan to rise very early and catch the first train I can on Sunday from Kobe to Kyoto. I'll tour Kyoto for the rest of that day, stay there overnight, and continue touring the next day before returning via train to Osaka/Kansai airport in time to catch a flight to the USA departing at 5:10 pm (Monday).

If it were me, I'd probably try to stay near Kyoto Station. I'd drop off my luggage on arrival and head to Higashiyama. Do Kiyomizudera and follow the trail through Maruyama Koen and past the many shrines and temples in the area. See as many as you wish heading in the direction of Heian Shrine or Ginkakuji. I'm a great fan of Kodai-ji at the moment.

You could walk some or all of the Philosophers Path. That could take most of the day or you could bail at any time and either head west to Kinkakuji (very photogenic of course) and nearby Ryoanji. Evening could be spent strolling Gion area, Pontocho, or there are many dining options in and near the station.


Next morning either visit Kinkakuji area if you didn't get to it before, visit Fushimi Inari as suggested above or just explore central Kyoto. Sites such as Sanjuusangendo, Nishi or Higashi Honganji and Nijo-jo are close by and might make for an interesting visit if you just want a slower paced morning before heading to the airport. Haruka express takes 73 minutes from Kyoto station to KIX.

This is KiriCatDad, who posted the initial query. Thanks VERY much to all of you for your very thoughtful and thorough replies. I followed an aggregate of your advice and had a WONDERFUL time. Best wishes to all.

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Glad you enjoyed your visit - thanks for letting us know!