Is 4.5 days too long for visiting Kyoto?

Question

I'm planning my first Japan trip.

Tokyo 2.5 Days

Nikkok 1 Day

Nara 1 Day

Kyoto 4.5 Days

I'm not sure if 4.5 Days are too long for Kyoto? Should I take one day to go to Osaka or other small town instead?

Thank you.

Answer 1

I have been to Kyoto 4 times now and never have been bored.

Kyoto is great!

There is lots to see and do. You can also rent a bicycle and go to Arashiyama, which is especially beautiful when the sakura bloom.

Maybe 4.5 days will be too short?

Enjoy!

Answer 2

My 1st (and only, so far) trip to Japan was:

Tokyo: 5 days

Osaka: Had to change trains, so took a few hours to see the aquarium, which was really cool.

Kyoto:  2 days

Nara: 1 day

Hiroshima: 2 days

I definitely would have enjoyed having another day in Kyoto.  So maybe you might be okay reducing from 4.5 to 3.5.  But don't go lower than that.   Of course, your tastes may be different from mine.

Answer 3

dude, I could live in Kyoto, Japan is awesome!!!

Answer 4

Depends on what you're looking for. Kyoto has some of the oldest temples in Japan. Osaka is worth a visit though. I'd probably add a day for that.

Answer 5

I'm not sure of your likes or dislikes, but it is possible to see too many temples! To get out of the city but still stick with temples, you could do Hieizan then Sanzenin in under a day, and the views from the top of Hieizan over Kyoto and Lake Biwa are worth seeing. I'd also try going to Koyasan - it's about a two hour train ride each way, but it's an amazing place.

Of course, there's a million and one things to do in Osaka, so definitely take a day (or more) to go there!

Answer 6

In my personal view (note that I love Kyoto) 4,5 days isn’t too long. You wouldn’t want to rush through the sights too fast, that’s just unneeded stress.

Though, if you wanted to see things like Osaka Castle, you could easily go from Kyoto to Osaka for a daytrip as there are several train-lines that from Osaka to Kyoto and back.

Answer 7

Kyoto is an amazing city with so much to see and do, the time you have allocated could be filled easily.Nara is a must see,include the nara-machi district.Kyoto and Osaka can be seen with the guided walks by WaRaiDo guide networks ,well priced and a good intro to both cities.For a truly great walking tour join Mr.Hirooka "johnnie hillwalker" on monday,wednesday and friday from in front of JR Kyoto station,the walk is in english and takes you to a lot of different places.Nikko is a big area.Firstly are the temples and walks around that region then there's Yashio-no-yu onsen or walks in the Nikko National Park and Yumoto-Chuzenji area.Definitely go to Osaka,a late afternoon and night trip would be great,check out the Gion district and Dotonbori.

Answer 8

I think it is not too long but if it were me I would spend at least 1 half day in the town of Himeji and check out Himeji-jo and Koko-en (Castle and Garden). Himeji-jo is one of if not Japans greatest castles it is original not a reconstruction This is only about 1 hour away from Kyoto. You could spend a month and not see everything in Kytoto but in 2 or 3 days you could see most of the major things.

I love Osaka as well. Osaka has lots of great places to eat is easy to get around in, and has lots to see as well. So if you want to see something other than temples, shrines and gardens it is a good place to visit. The Aquarium is excellent, Dotonobori is crowded but fun and Umeda is a great place to shop and ride the big ferris wheel on top of the Hep-Five building for some great views of the city.