Weekend & Day Trips from Kyoto, Japan

1. Amanohashidate

Amanohashidate is a sandbar on the Miyazu Bay in the Kyoto Prefecture. Amanohashidate means “bridge in heaven” because the people believed the sandbar resembled a bridge connecting heaven and earth. The town is ranked as the number three most scenic place in Japan with attractions able to be explored on foot or bicycle. Some of the favorite attractions on the sandbar include a few temples, a Kono shrine, observation decks, and a small amusement park. Visitors can access the sandbar via train or highway bus. No personal vehicles can be driven to Amanohashidate.

2. Arashiyama

Arashiyama is home to the world-famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and the site is one of the most critical districts in Kyoto. The city is found at the base of the Arashiyama Mountains and about 30 minutes from the center of Kyoto.

The Main Street and Togetsu-Kyo Bridge are top-rated tourist attractions with a lot of foot traffic. Visitors can walk up the river for peace and quiet at Kameyama-Koen Park. The Tenryu-Ji Temple and Bamboo Grove are just a little past the park. The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Walking Tour is the best way to see the sites. Okochi-Sanso Villa is why Arashiyama is the second most important site in Kyoto.

The Imperial property is beautifully preserved, and no reservations are needed to visit. Visitors should also consider renting a boat and exploring the waters when cherry blossoms are in bloom.

3. Awaji Island

Awaji Island is an integral part of Japanese myth and legend. Said to be the island that the country of Japan formed from first, Awaji Island includes many historic sites, landmarks, hot springs, and some of the best food in Japan.

“The Region of Food,” as the island is called, was home to the Imperial Palace gardens and livestock dating back more than 1000 years. Kobe Beef comes from Awaji cattle and is known for its perfect marbling and highest quality of flavor. Visitors wanting to relax at the spas and resorts around the hot springs can book day trips or overnight accommodations. Some of the facilities feature open-air and rooftop hot spring public baths.

Sumotokenkofukushikan F1 2-26 Minato Sumoto-shi, Hyogo-ken 656-0027

4. Enryukuji Temple

Visitors to Kyoto who want to explore ancient architecture and Japanese culture should spend a day at Enryukuji Temple on the summit on Mountain Miei.

The temple was established by Saicho in 788 and is the Tendai Buddhism sect headquarters.

The monks at this UNESCO World Heritage Site are known as “marathon monks.” Enryukuji Temple once featured a vast complex of more than 3,000 buildings that were protected by warrior monks.

Visitors to the temple today can spend time at the kokuhoden Museum and the Eastern Pagoda Area. Some of the oldest buildings are found in the Western Pagoda Area such as the Shaka-do which contains an image of Buddha hand-carved by Saicho.

Enryukuji Temple, 4220 Sakamotohonmachi, Otsu, Shiga, 520-0116, Phone: 07-75-78-00-01

5. Expo ’70 Commemorative Park

Osaka is home to a vast public park called The Expo ’70 Commemorative Park where the Japan World Exposition was held in 1970.

More than 75 pavilions were erected to showcase the cutting-edge technology corporations and Japanese businesses that were making waves at the time.

There are over 5,000 cherry blossom trees which bloom in early April on the grounds where there are also museums, gardens, Tower of the Sun artwork, Nifrel aquarium, Orbi Osaka, and the largest Ferris wheel in Japan.

The park is also where the brand-new, a three-story shopping mall, Expocity was built. This mall features more than 300 retailers and several restaurants, as well as a food court.

Expo ’70 Commemorative Park, 1-1 Senribanpakukoen, Suita, Osaka 565-0826, Japan, Phone: +81-6-68-77-73-87

6. Fushimi and Uji

Just south of Kyoto is the world-famous city of Fushimi, where sake is produced.

The serene city is also filled with historic sites, wooden brewery houses, and picturesque canals lined with trees. Fushimi is also known for its hot springs which produce water perfect for alcohol production, and the Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine dedicated to the god of rice—Inari. Visitors to Fushimi can take a Jikkokubune Canal Cruise to a small museum depicting the ways Fushimi has changed and developed. Stay overnight at the Okura Kinenkan, the 19th-century river inn that is still operational today and dedicated to a famous samurai of Japanese legend, Sakamoto Ryoma. Visit in March to participate in the annual Sake Festival. Map

7. Hikone

Hikone Castle Festival Parade is the main attraction of Hikone where almost 1,000 people come together to march for over two hours. Para

de participants are dressed up as castle lords and wear traditional style clothing and “red devil soldier” costumes. This event occurs annually in November. The Hikone Castle Cherry Blossom Festival is another top-rated event that takes place the first three weeks of April while the Buddhist Lantern Festival happens annually in August.

Most people journey to Hikone to see Hikone Castle. Built in 1622 after twenty years of construction by two samurai brothers, the castle was designed to be uniquely beautiful in the lunar light. Visitors to the castle can stroll through the gardens and walk around the outside of the castle.

Hikone, 1-1 Konki-Cho, Hikone, Shiga Prefecture 522-0061, Japan, Phone: +81-07-49-22-27-42

8. Himeji

Travelers who love ancient castles will love taking a trip to Himeji and visiting Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Treasure of Japan.

The castle is the best-preserved surviving Feudal Castle in Japan and is also known as the “White Heron Castle.” The approach to the gate is maze-like with walled paths, gates, and turns. The castle stands 6 stories tall and is open to the public. Access may be limited during the cherry blossom season when traffic is high. Himeji is located in the Hyogo Prefecture and is less than an hour from Kyoto.

The city is also home to Mount Shosha, a temple mountain that was featured in the film, The Last Samurai, and Kokoen Garden which is next to the castle.

Himeji , 68 Honmachi, Himeji City, Japan, Phone: 07-92-85-11-46

9. Kanazawa

The seat of the Maeda Clan was once in Kanazawa, a town that rivals Kyoto in cultural achievements and is the capital city of the Ishikawa Prefecture.

Buildings in the old castle town including the Nagamachi samurai district are still standing and preserved in excellent condition after World War II bombings and many other historic landmarks have been converted into museums. The Higashi District still operates traditional teahouses with geisha performance. The most popular attraction in Kanazawa is the Kenrokuen Garden.

This landscape garden is one of the top three most beautiful in Japan and was at one time part of the Kanazawa Castle outer gardens which were constructed over two hundred years by the Maeda family. Kenrokuen has been open to the public since 1871.