Travel Day
Well, hope you have enjoyed your time in Yokohama and Kamakura. It's time to get on a super fast train and head to Kyoto! Since you typically can't check into a hotel until the afternoon around three or four, we tend to fiddle around in the morning and then head to the train station after lunch (or have lunch near the train station). That way, you don't get to Kyoto too early. But, there are no right or wrong answers. If you are anxious to get going, then head to Kyoto early, drop your bags at the hotel and get exploring! There is no end to alleyways, shrines, museums, and places to explore.
Shin Yokohama Station
To catch the Shinkansen from Yokohama, you have to travel to Shin-Yokohama station. It's further away than you might think, so give yourself plenty of time. If you have a lot of kids and bags, this is a great time to splurge for an Uber or taxi so you don't have to navigate your bags all around the various train stations. If you have time, then it's easy enough to take the train from Yokohama station to Shin-Yokohama. I like to give myself lots of time on these transitions because I enjoy walking through all the shops in the train stations. There is so much fun stuff to look at and occasionally buy.
The crazy thing is that the Tokaido Shinkansen goes 177 miles per hour (285 km/hr). At that speed, you could go all the way from New York to Los Angeles in 14 hours...on a train! The line opened in 1964 and was the world's first high speed rail line. What makes this all possible is that there are no roads or other things that cross the tracks. It is completely dedicated to the Shinkansen (no freight or other trains on these lines). It truly is a feet of human engineering and precision that is wondrous to behold.
Shinkansen Tickets
Buying Shinkansen tickets
The route between Tokyo / Yokohama and Kyoto is heavily travelled. Sometimes, there are trains every five minutes. It's unbelievable that this system works so well. We typically just show up at the station about 45 minutes before we want to leave and buy tickets there. If you are traveling in a large group, buying tickets ahead of time is smart because it can be hard to get everyone together on the train during busy times of the year. However, most of the time we just buy when we want to go because we like having the flexibility to do whatever we want and leave whenever we want. The first time you ride, make sure you give yourself time so that you can figure out how to get through the gates and navigate to the appropriate platform and location on the platform. The trains leave on time and you just have a few minutes to get on the train, store your luggage before you take off. If you can, sit on the right side of the train heading toward Kyoto for great views of Mt. Fuji. Sit on the left side coming back for the same views.
The Green Car
On the Shinkansen, the "Green Car" is the equivalent to first-class, offering more comfortable and wider seats, more legroom. It is more expensive, but can be nice if you are tired and don't want to deal with lots of other tired tourists trying to figure out where to put their bags.
Speedy little guy
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Fuji from the train
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HOTELS
Hotels in Kyoto
A lot of people like to stay in a Ryokan when they are in Kyoto or the surrounding area. A Ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn that offers tatami floors, futon beds, yukata robes (although most hotels offer these as well), and often are associated with or near an onsen (private hot spring bath). Often, they will also have kaiseki dinners (multi-course dinners). There are all kinds of options depending on what you are looking for and what kind of experience you want. Just make sure it's convenient to other activities you have planned in Kyoto.
If you like your Ryokan on the fancy side, then check out these offerings throughout Japan https://www.ryokancollection.com/findaryokan/
KYOTO
Kyoto is Japan's cultural heart. It served as the capital for well over a thousand years. It's a cool place with centuries-old temples and shrines tucked away in neighborhoods where Geisha still walk the street. Away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, Kyoto is a little slower paced, feels more intimate, and is eminently fun to bike around.
It's the kind of place you can walk through a thousand red tore gates in the morning, eat world class food for lunch, meander through bamboo forests in the afternoon, and wander lantern-lit alleys at night. It's kind of like Rome where you can just wander around through various neighborhoods and find hidden gems and temples that are not in any tourist book and not on any agenda. It's the type of place where you have to resist the urge to check of the list of big tourist destinations and just slow down, wander around, and explore and enjoy. There is no better way to ruin a trip to Kyoto than by rushing around to the next temple or shrine trying to see it all.
KYOTO AT NIGHT
Kyoto is super fun at night, with lots of lantern lit alleyways to explore. Some shrines are open at night, which can be kind of fun because there aren't as many people and they can look cool all lit up. Find a neighborhood that looks cool and get after it!
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Pontocho Alley
Pontacho sits parallel to the Kamo River. During the day, the shops and restaurants are closed up. There are a ton of bars and restaurants packed on this little street. There are lots of glowing paper lanterns, which makes it very fun. It's only about 1/4 mile long, but it's a fun place to see. |
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Yasaka-jinja Shrine
Located near the downtown area, this shrine stays open into the night and is well lit up. It's kind of fun to get your shrine on when it's not crazy hot and stuffed with people. |
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Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
While this is one of our favorite shrines in Japan, it can get crazy crowded during Spring Break when the tourists descend on Kyoto like locusts. Fortunately, at night, it can be a little more palatable. Truthfully, there aren't a lot of good views from here, so it's the perfect place to see at dusk or early evening. It can be pretty spectacular under lantern lights. |
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Gion District
If it's early in the evening, you can always head to Landmark Tower and enjoy views from Japan's second largest building. There are many sky cafes and restaurants that boast views as well where you can grab a bite and get a night view. Queen's square is right next to the metro and great place to shop and eat. Landmark Plaza likewise has all kinds of food and shopping as well. No shortage of places to eat around here. |
PLACES TO EAT IN KYOTO
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Ramen Sen no Kaze
Ramen is one of the reasons to be in Japan. Let's be honest, noodles in delicious broth? Sign me up. Just looking at picture of the food here makes me want to hop on a place and fly back to Japan. |
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Muraya
Izakaya fun
When we first moved to Japan, we went to an Izakaya with our kids and ordered a bunch of chicken knuckles. They were....crunchy. These bars tend to have good food, good drinks, and are a good place just to relax and be silly and talk into the night. This one is very unique but a bit off the beaten path. |
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Pontocho Houshoan
Shabu Shabu!
Kyoto is famous for Shabu Shabu. This place is pretty upscale, which is nice, because sometimes shabu shabu is intimidating. Just be aware, that this place is pricey, so maybe not the place to take your kids unless you are from Newport Beach.
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