Kyoto
About 2 hr 15 min by train from Tokyo
Over a thousand temples, raked-stone gardens and the geisha district of Gion.
Why locals go
The culture weekend, just over two hours by Shinkansen.
Visiting Tokyo?
At 2 hr 15 min by train, it's easy to add a night or two here and still be back in Tokyo for your flight home.
What to book
- Fushimi Inari's torii gate trail
- Arashiyama bamboo grove
- Kiyomizu-dera temple
Where to stay
One or two nights is enough for most people. Compare places to stay:
See hotels in KyotoDate ideas
For two
- Walk Gion and PontochÅ at dusk
- Traditional tea ceremony
With friends
- Nishiki Market food crawl
- Sake tasting in Fushimi
When to go
Year-round, cherry blossom in April, leaves in November.