Kyoto - Day trip from Tokyo?
 

Hi, we already have discarded Kyoto as a destination, since our incoming trip to Japan is just for six days and we dont want to rush from one hotel to another, and we would like to stay in Tokyo as a base and do some day trips (Nikko and Kamakura).

However, considering that we will have the 7day Japan Rail pass and Kyoto is so important, do think that a day trip to Kyoto might work ? I mean we know that the train takes about 2.5hrs one way, but we checked hyperdia itineraries and you can get to Kioto at around 10:00 AM and leave to Tokyo at night. Can we make eastern Kyoto in such time ? can we book a tour? Pls, your advice and comments will be appreciated...thks

I believe this topic has been covered before so you may wish to do a search. Having said that I would not recommend it. The sights of Kyoto are fairly spread out and while I suppose you could do one of the 1/2 day bus tours I would leave Kyoto for another visit. 6 days for Tokyo, Nikko and Kamakura is ok. Skipping Kyoto also saves you some money for you will not need the Rail pass.

thanks for your reply mjs, I already searched the forum and I´ve got some opinions/ideas. However, I would like to receive fresh advice on this sibject, since I already has the 7 day pass (so the money is not the issue) and Im in a dilema here of spending 5 hours to reach Japan´s cultural centre for around 10hr... pls. forumites, provide some advice on this...

I think a majority of peoples (at least in this forum) would suggest to skip Kyoto in your trip. Such advice would not change much recently.

I think Kyoto deserves at least 3-4 days, or never less than 2 days even in real rush. Personally, I think Kyoto is even more interesting than Tokyo. So, you would better to spend more time in areas around Tokyo and leave Kyoto/Osaka for your next trip.

Is it that you feel that since you have the rail pass, you want to get some use out of it?

If so, yes, you can go to Kyoto and back in one day. It will give you a tour of the japanese countryside through the windows, and you might catch a glimpse of Fuji. If you use taxis, you could get to the Golden Pavillion and the castle. It might be hard to do a tour..many start earlier than 10.

a better option, if you really want to see Kyoto is to at least spend a night in Kyoto, while leaving your major luggage at the hotel in Tokyo?

Personally, I think you'll find plenty to do in Tokyo, especially since you'll be out of the city for 2 days (Nikko & Kamakura) already.

I am curious. IF you stay in just Tokyo and Nikko and Kamakura, why will you have a 7 day JR pass?

emd, that is an excellent question.

jcontreras, Florence's advice about not needing a 7-day pass (on one of your other threads) was good advice. You would get the pass because you wanted to add Kyoto to your Tokyo itinerary.

see, I am getting better. I've had good teachers ((Y)) @};-

mrwunrfl, i have to share this w/you, because you will get it. I met someone who is well connected in the Japanese baseball world, esp. the high school level, and it looks like we may be arranging for my son to throw a ball around w/some of the kids in the Koshien High School Baseball Championship in Osaka while we are there.

Brilliant! That's outstanding, emd; only a few weeks to go.

Hi guys, i really appeciate your comments. To tell you the truth, we have crossed opinions on Kyoto issue among our party (travelling together). Someone is pushing Kyoto and she is also willing to pay the rail passes to do so. That is why we are looking for advice from experienced travellers.

Considering your comments, we have decided, that we will leave our itinerary without Kyoto nor the JRrail passes. Then, when we arrive to Tokyo we will see and change plans if needed (we might get a sunrise tour of kyoto including one night, leaving our luggage at Tokyo), but i believe that Kamakura and Senso Ji / Meiji temples wil be enough for ancient sense we would like to have also in our trip, leaving Kyoto for another time.
thanks and sorry to keep pushing on this.
p.d. congratulations emd, great for your kid.

I was in Japan once - our flight to Hong Kong was diverted to Osaka and we were bused to the Holiday Inn in Kyoto...Anyway, we had only a few ours there, so we grabbed a taxi and went to a Shinto temple. It was so beautiful. Even though I was there for about 6 hours, I will not forget it.

I say go, definitely. You can't skip Kyoto!

ah, japanese baseball - the name is escaping me now, who's the ny yankees player? m__________???

matsui!

sorry, totally off topic

no, it's not off topic at all. Matusui came up through the high school leagues and played in the spring and summer Koshien championships. And as I have learned, the American MLB can and does draft kids right out of the high school leagues in Japan. (and yes, my son has now asked "can we move to Japan so I can go to high school there? hahaha).

jcontreras, you have a patient spirit if you can leave Kyoto for next time. WIth these cheap United fares, maybe you can go back in the next year or so, and then you'll be an experienced traveler when you navigate Kyoto.

Please do a trip report on Tokyo! I need a trip report fix before my trip!!

ok, you got me started on japanese baseball. I'm reading "The Meaning of Ichiro" now. Very good. Then will start "You Gotta Have Wa" which is also highly recommeded.

http://time.com/time/asia/2003/heroe...ki_matsui.html
discusses his playing at the Koshien tournemants. Ichiro did too.

Sounds like you have a better plan now, jcontreras. OTOH, if somebody else is paying for the JR Pass that could be a different story.

emd, it is not crazy to read all of the regional guides at JNTO for planning your next 10 trips to Japan. No, it's not crazy. It can't be, I've done it and I'm not crazy. Perfectly sane thing to do. I think it is, anyway. Probably.

oh good, tell me when you have insomnia (or I think the medical term is "early monring wakening")at 4 a.m. you pull them out and don't go back to sleep (yawn). I have major jet lag already and I'm not even gone yet. Pass the melatonin.

You know, jc, if the weather was nicer, I think I might do a long day trip to Kyoto if I was in your shoes. But nothing will be in bloom and it's going to be bone cold. Maybe plan trip #2 for cherry blossom festival time or fall colors. I already want to go back for fall colors- am looking at next fall for that.

Did you know Matsui is from Matto...the town next to Kanazawa? There is even a Matsui musuem - sort of - it's his parents' home actually.

Yes, and I thought of you when I read that this week. And I wondered if you ever saw him play in high school but I guess you haven't been in that area long enough? It would have been fun to see him on the Giants and then see him play in the U.S.