One Day in Kyoto & Nara
Wearing a kimono at Kiyomizu-dera.
Japan is home to countless cities filled with history, culture, and natural beauty, but few places encapsulate this better than Kyoto and Nara. Both cities are rich in heritage, stunning temples, and picturesque landscapes, making them must-visit destinations for anyone touring Japan. We knew we had to prioritize our time wisely on this trip so we decided to book the 1-Day Kyoto & Nara Tour from Osaka, and it turned out to be the perfect choice for making the most of our visit to these two iconic cities. This tour picks up first in Osaka and then in Kyoto, so you can easily book it based on which city you’re staying in.
Explore Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Three storied pagoda at Kiyomizu-dera.
Our day started with a trip to Kiyomizu-dera, one of the largest wooden structures in Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Known for its massive wooden stage that juts out over the hillside, Kiyomizu-dera offers breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding mountains. The temple itself is a marvel, and its surrounding gardens and walking paths are equally enchanting.
Immediately off the bus, London and I rented kimonos to wear (Millie and Brandon wanted no part in this). You can rent kimonos here and return them at the end of the day, which is a fun way to immerse yourself in traditional Japanese culture. However, it was so hot that London and I decided to return them before we left for our next stop. Walking around in the beautiful, colorful kimonos made us feel like we were part of something truly special. We thought that by waiting until September to visit, we’d miss the school holiday crowds and the high heat of summer - we were wrong about the weather. It was still blazing hot!
The walk up to Kiyomizu-dera is a straight uphill climb, and you'll pass by rows of souvenir shops, street food vendors, and throngs of tourists along the way. While it’s definitely a bit of a workout, the path is navigable, even with a stroller, so don't worry if you're traveling with little ones. This gb Pockit Air stroller continues to be our favorite to travel with and despite its compact size, it handles all types of terrain with ease.
Millie eating chocolate ice cream from the Snoopy Chocolat cafe down the street from Kiyomizu-dera.
If you still have time, stroll through the charming streets surrounding the temple. Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka are narrow, cobblestone streets lined with traditional wooden buildings, shops, and tea houses that transport you back in time to old Kyoto. Wander down the picturesque Ishibei-koji Lane, a quiet, photogenic alleyway where you’ll find well-preserved traditional machiya and stone-paved paths. It's an excellent place to experience the old-world charm of Kyoto in a more peaceful, serene setting.
Wooden ema plaques at kiyomizu-dera. Ema are small wooden plaques on which Shinto worshippers write their prayers or wishes.
There is so much to see and do here, but don’t forget you’re on a schedule! With all the incredible sights around Kiyomizu-dera and the surrounding streets, it can be easy to get lost in the beauty and lose track of time. I highly recommend having a plan for what you want to see beforehand so you don’t miss anything. Prioritize the must-see spots like Kiyomizu-dera itself, the charming Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka streets, and the picturesque Ishibei-koji Lane. That way, you can make the most of your time, taking in the best of Kyoto without feeling rushed. A little planning goes a long way in ensuring you don’t have to skip out on any of the magic!
If you’re exploring on your own, Kiyomizu-dera is open 0600-1800 (1830 in July and August). It’s never closed and the admission fee is 500 yen.
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Walking through the vermilion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha.
Next we headed to the Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of the most famous shrines in Japan. This Shinto shrine is famous for its vibrant red torii gates that form tunnels leading up Mount Inari. The trek to the summit is about a 2-3 hour walk. It’s a beautiful setting but getting up there wasn’t stroller friendly. If you have time, you can explore some of the lesser-known paths to enjoy the peace and beauty of the site, or just to get away from the crowds. Fun fact: The torii gates along the entire trail are donations by individuals and companies, and you will find the donator's name and the date of the donation inscribed on the back of each gate. The donation amount starts around 400,000 yen for a smaller gate and increases to over one million yen for a large gate. (Information from Japan Guide.com)
Walking in front of the wood wall
At the base of the shrine is Fushimi Inari Village, where you’ll find traditional shops selling local crafts, souvenirs, and snacks. This area has a cozy, welcoming vibe, with shops offering everything from yuzu-flavored sweets to omamori (protective charms). It's a great place to pick up a souvenir or enjoy a delicious treat after your visit to the shrine!
If you’re exploring on your own, the early morning is the best time to visit Fushimi Inari for a quieter experience and to take stunning photographs without the crowds. It’s always open and admission is free.
Nara Deer Park and Todai-ji Temple
Deer sign at a street crossing near Nara Park
Nara Park is where over a thousand friendly, free-roaming deer wander around. The deer are considered sacred and are a symbol of Nara’s long history. You can feed them special crackers, which is an experience both fun and memorable for visitors of all ages. The crackers are 200 yen for a pack of 10 and readily available throughout the park.
Be cautious with the deer—they’re gentle but can get a little too eager for the crackers!
From the park, our guide walked us towards Todai-ji Temple, home to the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue, known as the Great Buddha (Daibutsu). However by the time we arrived at Todai-ji Temple, our girls were not in the mood to visit a temple, so we decided to pass on it. When traveling with kids, there will always be some compromise. Instead, we opted to take it easy and explore the local shops and enjoyed a relaxing walk from Todai-ji Temple back to Nara Park.
If you’re exploring on your own, the train from Kyoto to Nara takes about 45 minutes. Todai-ji Temple has an admission fee of 400 yen for kids 6-12 and 800 yen for 13+. Hours change depending on the time of year, refer to the website here for the most accurate information.
One deer relaxing outside of a coffee shop near Todai-ji Temple
Once our time in Nara Park was done, we hopped back on the bus to head back to Osaka. The tour was well-paced, so we never felt rushed, and the convenience of being driven from place to place made it so much easier to enjoy the journey without worrying about navigating on our own. If you’re exploring on your own, there’s plenty more to see in Kyoto and Nara! Make sure to add these other places to your must-see list!
the Famed Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama
Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion
Gion, the historic geisha district
Kasuga Taisha Shrine, famous for its hundreds of stone and bronze lanterns
Nara National Museum
Wrapped up our day at Nara Park.
This tour was the perfect way to hit all the top sights we wanted to see without the hassle of planning every detail ourselves. The tour took us to all the must-see spots, from the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto to the beautiful Nara Park, allowing us to relax and enjoy the experience without worrying about transportation or logistics. By combining these two amazing cities into one day, it freed up more time on our trip to explore Osaka and Universal Studios without having to split these visits into two separate days.
Tips: There are plenty of convenience shops throughout the day but be sure to bring water and wear good walking shoes. It was a 20,000+ step day for us. Even though we brought our own water bottles, we purchased 6 more throughout the day due to the heat. We went early September and it was still very much high summer!
Have you been to Kyoto or Nara before? Let me know your favorite stops in the comments below!
