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What we saw in Kyoto in 1 day

Kyoto, the former capital of Japan, is a city where tradition and tranquility reign supreme. Known for its stunning temples, serene gardens, and traditional tea houses, Kyoto offers a glimpse into the heart of Japan’s cultural heritage.

We woke up at 4:50 AM in Osaka to take the train to Kyoto and to not encounter many people. It is a very easy ride that takes around one hour from Awaji Station and costs around 600 yens. We arrived at Fushimi Inari Taisha around 6:00 AM.

Fushimi Inari Taisha is famous for its thousands of red torii gates that lead you up Mount Inari (we didn’t go all the way to the top!). These red torii gates represent the donations of different people, companies, etc. and the size depends on the amount that was donated. A taller torii means that the donation was higher. Walking through this endless pathway is a very cool experience, offering a sense of peace and wonder. The shrine itself is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice who is represented by different foxes statues, that are believed to be his messengers. However, try to avoid peak hours or you won’t even be able to walk. Early bird catches the worm.

Afterwards, we took the train to Sannenzaka (and its surroundings) which is a street filled with souvenir shops, cafés and restaurants that follow the typical Japanese architecture. We were a bit hungry and we were eager to try typical Kyoto sweets, so we stopped by one of the shops to get Yatsuhashi. Yatsuhashi is a sweet “crêpe” made combining rice flour, sugar, and cinnamon. People typically fill it with red bean paste and it can has different flavors, we got the strawberry one!

Around the area there are different good photo spots where many people take photos and videos, so we headed towards some of them. We think the best way to discover the best spot is to walk around and look at every corner.

We are sure you have seen the views of the area around Sannenzaka with the Yasaka Pagoda rising above the Japanese traditional houses. To be honest, the scenery is beautiful and it makes you feel like walking in the ancient Japan. Absolutely, astonishing!

As we mentioned before, that day we woke up at 4:50 AM to catch the first train and get to Fushimi Inari before anyone else. So, obviously, we were getting sleepy. That’s why we decided to get a coffee and, question, what is the biggest coffee shop chain that has the best spots in Japan? Yes, we found the fanciest Starbucks ever! In the streets of Sannenzaka you can find a Starbucks, a bit hidden, inside a 100 years old Japanese house where you can sit on the tatami floor while enjoying your latte.

Sannenzaka is connected to Kiyomizu-dera which was our next destination. The photo shown below is the entrance to the temple. Unfortunately, we didn’t enter because we didn’t have time to spare. Kiyomizu-dera is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for the scenic views afforded from its sizable veranda. We want to visit Kyoto again and enter.

Walking distance from there, we went to the area of Gion (the Geisha district to say it in a way). The area is filled with shops, restaurants and teahouses. You can also see geisha and geisha apprentices (maiko). However, we couldn’t see any (it was too early!).

Next, we headed to Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion. This Zen Buddhist temple, with its top two floors covered in gold leaf, beautifully reflects in the surrounding pond, creating a picture-perfect scene. The surrounding gardens are very impressive and they offer a tranquil space for reflection, when there is no one. However, it’s a very busy place.

From Kinkakuji we traveled to West Kyoto. There we went to one of a kind park, the Arashiyama Monkey Park. The park is famous because there live many monkeys. It is open to the public if you pay for a ticket and on the top you can buy food for the monkeys and feed them. Be aware, don’t look at them in their eyes!

And our last stop was a must visit to the peaceful Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. The towering bamboo stalks create a unique atmosphere, and a stroll through the grove is an immersive experience. Nearby, the Tenryu-ji Temple and Togetsukyo Bridge are also worth exploring.

After that, we called it a day and headed back to our hotel. Kyoto is so beautiful, specially, when not crowded. So, if you are going to visit this breathtaking city, make sure to go when it’s not too busy. We are looking forward to going again soon to explore different parts of the city.

Here you have the link to the map we used 🙂 https://maps.app.goo.gl/FWKmFL27kErqXbDy5

What to do 1 day in Osaka: The best things to do!

Osaka, Japan’s third-largest city, is a lively blend of traditional culture and modern innovation. From its delicious street food to its bustling shopping streets, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city.

We started at Shinsekai, a district that was created in 1912 where you can find many shops, restaurants and games. Even if it’s a good location to visit at any time, we recommend to go during the night to see the lights. The most iconic part of this district is the 100 meters tower located in the center. The tower, called Tsutenkaku, it’s an observation deck where you can buy a ticket and go to the top to enjoy a panoramic view of Osaka.

After Shinsekai we strolled through Denden Town. Denden Town is a street side to side divided by a road where you can find many merchandise shops, arcade centers, electronics shops and many things. For those who love shopping merchandise, this is the place to go.

From Denden Town we arrived to Namba, where the trendy and youthful vibe mixes perfectly with the area’s unique charm. There we ate okonomiyaki which is a typical dish from Osaka. All the restaurants were full and we had to wait long to enter to any of the restaurants close to the street. However, we saw a small restaurant at the second floor of a builiding with the signs only in Japanese and we gave it a try. Luckily, there was no queue and we were able to eat just after entering.

At the restaurant, we had to order through a phone in Japanese and make our own Okonomiyaki. The Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese pancake made with batter, cabbage, and various toppings like meat or seafood, cooked on a griddle and topped with sauce, mayo and bonito flakes. The instructions to make them where all written in Japanese so, for the parts we didn’t understand, we just guessed. It was a very fun experience!

No trip to Osaka is complete without indulging in its renowned food scene. That’s why we headed to Dotonbori, the city’s iconic entertainment district, known for its bright neon signs and vibrant nightlife. We were quite hungry and we wanted to pay honor to the most famous expression in Osaka, “kuidaore” (食い倒れ) which means “eat till you drop”. So we ate many things. Next thing was Takoyaki which is a savory octopus-filled ball, topped with sauce, mayo and Bonito flakes. Amazing!

Lastly, we tried one of the most unknown but yummiest foods of Osaka, Kushikatsu. Kushikatsu are deep-fried skewers of meat, seafood and vegetables, served with dipping sauce. Make sure you only deep once each piece, not twice!

Dotonbori as we mentioned before, it is a very famous spot to eat and to explore with its bright neon lights. Most probably, the busiest part of Osaka. It’s a street alongside the canal with many shops and restaurants specialized in local food. There, you can find famous spots such as the “moving crab“, the animatronix of a restaurant (Kani Doraku) and the “running man” from Glico. The Glico’s running man is famous because he’s the mascot of a confectionary brand representing victory. One of the most famous products of this brand is the well-known Pocky, sometimes known as Mikado outside Japan.

We had only eaten savory food, so it was time to grab dessert — and where better to go than the famous Rikuro Ojisan no Mise? This shop is famous for their Japanese cheesecake, we queued for 30 minutes to grab one of them. It was fluffy and delicious!

Marc went another day to Osaka and visited another spot in Namba that we also recommend. The Namba Yasaka Shrine, the lion hall. This temple is famous for its main attraction which is a giant lion’s head. The head is 12 meters high and the room inside the head is used as a stage for several performances such as Kagura (Shinto music and dance), Shishimai (lion dance), and Iaido (Japanese martial arts).

We didn’t have time to visit Osaka Castle, one of Japan’s most famous landmarks. Surrounded by beautiful parks and moats, this historic site offers panoramic views of the city and a fascinating look at Japan’s feudal past. The museum inside provides detailed exhibits about the castle’s history and its importance in Japanese warfare. However, we didn’t have time to visit it.

Whether you’re a foodie, history lover, or shopaholic, Osaka has something for everyone. It’s a city that promises excitement, adventure, and unforgettable memories.

What to do 1 day in Kyoto

What to do 1 day in Osaka: The best things!