Ideas for Day Trips from Kyoto City

Kyoto, once the capital of Japan for more than a thousand years, is an incredible city to include on any Japan itinerary. With stunning temples and shrines, beautiful natural landscapes, and a wealth of historical and cultural sites to explore, you could spend weeks here and never have a dull moment.

Kyoto is also one of the most tourist-dense places in the country, and its most famous monuments are often swarmed by thousands of domestic and international travelers looking for that perfect selfie or trying to catch a glimpse of classical Japan.

If you have a good amount of time to spend in Kyoto and need a change of pace, consider one of the following sites, which are within easy reach of the city proper.

Perched just northeast of Kyoto City, Mount Hiei stands tall at around 848 meters (2,782 feet), straddling the border between Kyoto and Shiga prefectures. This majestic mountain not only offers a plethora of hiking trails but also treats visitors to breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding area. Adding to its allure is Enryaku-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has stood the test of time since the eighth century.

Embarking on your journey from Kyoto Station, you can easily reach Yase-Hieizanguchi Station in less than an hour by train. From there, the Eizan Cable Car and Ropeway await to whisk you away into the heart of the mountain. If you prefer a more direct route, there are bus services available that will take you straight from Kyoto Station to Enryaku-ji Temple and other sites. It's worth noting that the cable car and mountain bus services are not operational from January to mid-March, so plan your visit accordingly.

The sprawling grounds of Enryaku-ji Temple encompass the entirety of the mountain. Exploring its numerous buildings set against the mountain scenery provides an opportunity to unwind and learn about Japanese history. You can also opt to hike to the summit of Mount Hiei from Shugakuin Station in Kyoto City, a journey of approximately four hours, or find a shorter route after you take the cable car to the temple.

Kinosaki Onsen is an historic hot spring resort established in 720 CE. The sacred waters are believed to heal a variety of ailments, and there are a total of seven public baths that you can patronize on a day trip, all within easy walking distance of each other. Historical documents attest to the discovery of one of the oldest hot spring sources by a traveling priest who prayed for 1,000 consecutive days, after which the restorative waters gushed forth.

The resort is located in Toyo’oka, Hyogo Prefecture, on the coast of the Japan Sea. From Kyoto Station, the JR Hashidate Limited Express provides service to Kinosaki Onsen in approximately two and a half hours. The journey by car takes a similar amount of time.

Travelers with tattoos need not worry: the seven public bathhouses of Kinosaki Onsen extend a warm welcome to everyone. Before visiting the springs, you can pay your respects at Onsen-ji Temple and ask permission from the guardian spirits to enter the sacred waters. Renting a yukata and going for a stroll through the picturesque town is another way you can enjoy your excursion. There are plenty of ryokans and other accommodations for those who want to stay overnight and relax further.

With a total area of around 670 square kilometers, Lake Biwa is the largest freshwater lake in Japan. It is located entirely within Shiga Prefecture, east of Kyoto. More than 1,000 species thrive within the lake itself, which also provides an important ecosystem for waterfowl. Lake Biwa is one of the oldest lakes in the world, dating back more than four million years.

The coastline of the lake is extensive and there are many different itineraries you can consider for a day trip. Otsu City, capital of Shiga Prefecture, is near Kyoto, reachable in under 10 minutes on the Biwako Line. Otsu is situated on the southwest edge of Lake Biwa. You can enjoy the sights of Otsu, including waterfront parks, beaches, and cruises, or venture farther north on the eastern or western sides of the lake.

Birdwatching, water sports, hiking, and many more activities are available for day-trippers. If you’re more interested in history and culture, consider traveling to Hikone, approximately an hour away from Kyoto Station, where you can visit its eponymous castle dating to 1604 and enjoy matcha in the picturesque Genkyu-en Garden.

Nara was the capital of Japan during the eighth century and is perhaps most well known today for the hundreds of sika deer that roam its streets. According to legend, the god Takemikakuchi arrived in the city upon a white deer to guard the newly constructed imperial palace, and for that reason the deer remain revered to this day.

The Nara Line provides direct service from Kyoto Station to Nara Station in around 45 minutes. A drive takes a similar length of time.

The Shinto shrine of Kasuga Taisha is a must-visit during a trip to the city. The shrine was established in the eighth century and is famous for its numerous bronze lanterns. Don’t miss the nearby Kasugayama Primeval Forest, which together with the shrine constitutes a UNESCO World Heritage site.

You can experience the rich cultural heritage of Japan by spending just a few hours in Nara. Other sites of note include the Nara Daibutsu, a statue of Buddha that towers nearly 15 meters high in Todai-ji Temple, and the Nara National Museum, which stores countless national treasures and important cultural properties designated by the Japanese government.

The port city of Tsuruga is nestled against Wakasa Bay in Fukui Prefecture. It played an important role in the industrialization of Japan as the first city on the coast of the Japan Sea to build a railway. Tsuruga also served as a terminal for the Europe-Asia International Express, which connected Japan with Vladivostok, Russia, by ship and continental Europe by extension.

You can take the JR Thunderbird Express from Kyoto Station to Tsuruga Station in under an hour. After arriving in Tsuruga, get acquainted with the city’s vibrant past at the Tsuruga Railway Museum and the Port of Humanity Tsuruga Museum, which details the stories of Polish orphans and Jewish refugees who arrived in Tsuruga in the early 20th century.

Kehi no Matsubara is a 1.5-kilometer-long beach set against a thicket of Japanese red and black pine trees. Spend some time relaxing here and basking in the bay views, or discover the whimsical statues on Symbol Road stretching from Tsuruga Station to Kehi Shrine. The statues pay homage to the sci-fi anime series Galaxy Express 999 and Space Battleship Yamato by Leiji Matsumoto. With a wide variety of things to see and do, you should consider staying a night in Tsuruga so you can get into the city at a comfortable pace.

When you’re planning your visit to Kyoto, considering accommodation is an integral part of the whole Kyoto experience; where you stay and what type of accommodation you stay in will influence how you experience the city. If you’re on the hunt for a little Kyoto hotel inspiration, we can help you out! We’ve compiled a list of some of the coolest hotels in the city, and if you’re more budget conscious there are plenty of stylish options under $150 per night. Finally, if you’re hunting for a more boutique vibe, look no further than this list.

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