Five days in Kyoto: stay in the city or spend a northern night?
Keep a Kyoto base for Nijo, Arashiyama, Uji and Fushimi Inari on separate days. For the north, compare two Kyoto nights, followed by one southern Monju night and one final Kyoto night. Return on day 4 and leave on day 5, without connecting your final departure on the day you return from the north.
Choose a 5 days, 4 nights itinerary
Nijo Castle, Arashiyama, Uji and Fushimi
Compare this for red torii paths alongside palaces and gardens. Give Nijo, Arashiyama and Uji separate days from one Kyoto Station hotel, then visit Fushimi Inari on day 4. Prepare for departure near the station on the final day.
Nijo Castle, Arashiyama, Uji and Fushimi →5 days, 4 nights BReturn to Kyoto after a northern night, then depart
Compare this for Amanohashidate pine paths, a night in the north and a final Kyoto night. Stay two nights near Kyoto Station → one in southern Monju → one near Kyoto Station. Final departure is the day after returning from the north.
Return to Kyoto after a northern night, then depart →Nijo Castle, Arashiyama, Uji and Fushimi
Compare this for red torii paths alongside palaces and gardens. Give Nijo, Arashiyama and Uji separate days from one Kyoto Station hotel, then visit Fushimi Inari on day 4. Prepare for departure near the station on the final day.
Day 1 · Nijo Castle
Keep your Kyoto Station hotel while visiting Nijo, Arashiyama, Uji and Fushimi on separate days. Reach Nijo before last admission on day 1; prepare near the station on the final day.
- Kyoto Station → Nijojo-mae Station
Take the Karasuma Line towards Kokusaikaikan to Karasuma Oike, then the Tozai Line towards Uzumasa Tenjingawa to Nijojo-mae.
Official Nijo Castle access mapKyoto City transport bureau Nijojo-mae exits and area map
- Nijojo-mae Station → Ticket office beside the East Main Gate
Leave Nijojo-mae Exit 1 and walk towards the castle's ticket office beside the East Main Gate.
Official Nijo Castle access mapKyoto City transport bureau Nijojo-mae exits and area map
- Ticket office beside the East Main Gate → Ninomaru Palace and garden
Buy a Ninomaru-inclusive ticket at the eastern ticket office and see the palace and garden.
- Ninomaru Palace and garden → Nijojo-mae Station
Leave through the East Main Gate you entered and return to Nijojo-mae.
Official Nijo Castle access mapKyoto City transport bureau Nijojo-mae exits and area map
- Nijojo-mae Station → Kyoto Station
Take the Tozai Line to Karasuma Oike, then change to the Karasuma Line towards Kyoto Station.
Official Nijo Castle access mapKyoto City transport bureau Nijojo-mae exits and area map
Castle entry ends at 16:00 and closing is 17:00. On Ninomaru Palace closure days, check tickets for the areas available. Move the visit after a late arrival and check operations for the replacement date.
Day 2 · Choose your Tenryu-ji viewing areas
- Kyoto Station → JR Saga-Arashiyama Station
Take a Sonobe-bound JR Sagano Line train stopping at Saga-Arashiyama. Your stop is JR Saga-Arashiyama, separate from Hankyu and Randen stations.
Tenryu-ji accessJR West Sagano/Biwako Line stop map (revised 2024-03-16)
- JR Saga-Arashiyama Station → Tenryu-ji ticket desk
Walk about 13 minutes from JR Saga-Arashiyama to Tenryu-ji. Use on-site signs for your chosen garden, buildings or Dharma Hall desk. Allow time to reach it and buy tickets.
Tenryu-ji Japanese hours and visit suspensionsTenryu-ji access
- Tenryu-ji ticket desk → Tenryu-ji garden
The basic garden costs ¥500, with another ¥300 for buildings. Dharma Hall is a separate ¥500. Check garden operations even during building suspensions and buy tickets at the desk for your chosen area.
- End of your Tenryu-ji visit → JR Saga-Arashiyama Station
Walk from your exit to JR Saga-Arashiyama. After a meal or river walk, check the route and walking time from your final stop to JR before choosing a return train.
Tenryu-ji Japanese hours and visit suspensionsTenryu-ji access
- JR Saga-Arashiyama Station → Kyoto Station
Take the Sagano Line towards Kyoto from JR Saga-Arashiyama, checking destination and departure for your date before boarding.
Garden hours are 08:30–17:00, admission until 16:50; buildings 08:30–16:45, admission until 16:30. Check official early-garden-opening and building/Dharma Hall suspension notices for your date. Early opening does not apply to every desk or building. Check JR returns separately. For a closed area, choose the garden alone or another date.
Optional: eat lunch in Arashiyama or walk beside the river if time allows. Check restaurant location, hours and waits, and choose how far to walk before returning. Allow the walk from your final stop to JR Saga-Arashiyama. Omit either option for weather or return timing.
Day 3 · Uji
- Kyoto Station → JR Uji Station
Take a JR Nara Line service towards Uji/Nara stopping at JR Uji, separate from Keihan Uji.
- JR Uji Station → Byodo-in
Walk to Byodo-in from JR Uji; official access gives about 10 minutes.
- Byodo-in → Byodo-in garden and Hoshokan
Check first-come, same-day Phoenix Hall registration first if you want the interior, then fit garden/Hoshokan visits around it. Interior entry is ¥300 beyond basic admission. If registration ends, visit the garden and Hoshokan.
Official Byodo-in visitor informationSummer operating exceptions16 October change
- End of your Byodo-in visit → JR Uji Station
After garden, Hoshokan and any interior visit, leave for JR Uji. If eating locally, return to JR from the restaurant. The official approximately 10-minute walk covers station-to-facility access; restaurant-to-station time needs a separate check.
- JR Uji Station → Kyoto Station
Take the Nara Line towards Kyoto from JR Uji, checking your date's destination and departure. Avoid going to Keihan Uji instead.
Garden hours are 08:45–17:30, admission until 17:15; Hoshokan 09:00–17:00, admission until 16:45. Phoenix Hall interior visits use first-come, same-day registration. Check official notices for sessions, capacity and suspensions. Return from JR Uji towards Kyoto.
Day 4 · Fushimi Inari shrine visit
- Kyoto Station → JR Inari Station
Choose a JR Nara Line train stopping at Inari. Some rapid trains pass it, so check stops.
- JR Inari Station → Main shrine and torii area
Enter the shrine opposite the station for the main shrine and torii area. Ordinary visits are free; prayer services and religious items cost separately. Return through the same entrance after these areas. The summit needs more time. Avoid photographs that block passage.
Shrine transport informationShrine admission and operationsOn-site visitor rules
- Main shrine and torii area → Same shrine entrance
Finish within your planned visiting area and return to the same entrance. Leave return time first rather than pushing on to the summit.
- Same shrine entrance → JR Inari Station
Go from the entrance to JR Inari directly opposite, separate from Keihan Fushimi-inari. After a meal outside the grounds, return to JR from that restaurant; check its route and walking time separately.
- JR Inari Station → Kyoto Station
Take the JR Nara Line towards Kyoto, checking destination and departure for your travel date.
Check Inari-stopping trains and returns for your date. This is not a summit route; choose your walking extent first and return through the same entrance.
Optional: eat outside the grounds after visiting. Avoid eating inside except in designated areas. Check restaurant location, hours, waits and the route to JR Inari; omit the meal if return timing is tight.
Day 5 · Finish at the station building
- Kyoto Station → Chosen station-building visitor area
See fourth-floor Muromachi Koji Square and the Grand Stairway if time remains before departure. Add the tenth-floor Skyway after 10:00 only when it fits.
Plaza and passage operating informationRooftop suspension notice
- End of the station-building visit → Booked Kyoto Station departure
Go to your booked departure's platform after visiting. Omit the visit if access time is insufficient.
Your booked platform and required access time
The fourth-floor square and Grand Stairway open 06:00–23:00, and Skyway 10:00–22:00. Skip Skyway for an early departure. Limit the visit to the square and Skyway before your train.
Included: Nijo Castle/Ninomaru Palace ¥1,300, Tenryu-ji garden ¥500 and Byodo-in garden/Hoshokan ¥700. Ordinary Fushimi Inari visits are free.
Separate costs: JR/subway including Fushimi return, four hotel nights, meals, Tenryu-ji buildings/Dharma Hall, Phoenix Hall interior, Honmaru Palace, separate exhibitions, prayer services/items and airport/onward travel.
Choosing both Tenryu-ji buildings and Phoenix Hall interior brings facility costs to ¥3,100.
Nijo Castle admissionTenryu-ji Japanese hours and visit suspensionsOfficial Byodo-in visitor informationShrine admission and operations
Return to Kyoto after a northern night, then depart
Compare this for Amanohashidate pine paths, a night in the north and a final Kyoto night. Stay two nights near Kyoto Station → one in southern Monju → one near Kyoto Station. Final departure is the day after returning from the north.
Day 1 · Nijo Castle and Kyoto stay
Explore Kyoto City and Uji, spend a northern night, then return for one Kyoto night. Visit Nijo on day 1 and Uji on day 2 before Amanohashidate travel and the Kyoto return from day 3.
- Kyoto Station → Nijojo-mae Station
Take the Karasuma Line towards Kokusaikaikan, changing at Karasuma Oike to the Tozai Line towards Uzumasa Tenjingawa for Nijojo-mae.
Official Nijo Castle access mapKyoto City transport bureau Nijojo-mae exits and area map
- Nijojo-mae Station → Ticket office beside the East Main Gate
Leave Nijojo-mae Exit 1 and walk towards the castle's ticket office beside the East Main Gate.
Official Nijo Castle access mapKyoto City transport bureau Nijojo-mae exits and area map
- Ticket office beside the East Main Gate → Ninomaru Palace and garden
Buy a Ninomaru-inclusive ticket beside the East Main Gate and see the palace and garden.
- Ninomaru Palace and garden → Same departure station and hotel
After eating, return by the same transfers. Swap with day 2's Uji visit for a late arrival or closure.
Official Nijo Castle access mapKyoto City transport bureau Nijojo-mae exits and area mapNijo Castle admissionNijo Castle operations and closures
Castle entry ends at 16:00 and closing is 17:00. On Ninomaru Palace closure days, check tickets for the areas available. Move the visit after a late arrival and check operations for the replacement date.
Day 2 · Uji return trip
- Kyoto Station → JR Uji Station
Take a JR Nara Line train towards Uji/Nara that stops at JR Uji.
- JR Uji Station → Byodo-in garden and Hoshokan
Walk about 10 minutes to Byodo-in for garden/Hoshokan. Add the ¥300 Phoenix Hall interior if registration is available and you can wait for your chosen session.
Official Byodo-in access mapOfficial Byodo-in visitor informationSummer operating exceptions
- Byodo-in garden and Hoshokan → Same departure station and hotel
Eat in Uji and take the JR Nara Line to Kyoto from JR Uji. Spend the second night at the same hotel.
Garden hours are 08:45–17:30, admission until 17:15; Hoshokan 09:00–17:00, admission until 16:45. Phoenix Hall interior visits use first-come, same-day registration. Check official notices for sessions, capacity and suspensions. Return from JR Uji towards Kyoto.
Day 3 · Walk after northern arrival
- Hotel near Kyoto Station → Amanohashidate Station
Take the direct limited express Hashidate from Kyoto to Amanohashidate without changing at Fukuchiyama. Search departures/arrivals for your date and prepare full-route fare, limited express ticket and reserved seat before boarding.
- Amanohashidate Station and Monju swing bridge → Southern pine path and Monju return
If time allows, walk from the station via the Monju/Chion-ji swing bridge and Daitenkyo to the southern pine path. Walk only this southern section and return over the same two bridges. Crossing to Fuchu or returning by boat is excluded. In strong wind/rain, move the walk to tomorrow morning or omit it.
Swing bridge informationTourism association walking map, page 2
Hashidate has reserved seats only. Check return services in the regular operator timetable and date-specific search, then reserve before boarding. The walk below covers southern Monju. Fuchu accommodation across the sandbar needs different local transport.
Day 4 · Return to Kyoto and final hotel
- Monju hotel → Amanohashidate Station
Take a short morning southern pine-path walk and return the same way to Monju. Go to the station after lunch. Skip the walk for tight train timing or poor weather.
- Amanohashidate Station → Kyoto Station
Take your reserved Hashidate to Kyoto, checking departure and arrival for your date. Spend the final night in Kyoto and leave tomorrow.
Return to Kyoto by reserved Hashidate. Use this afternoon for meals and rest rather than adding Arashiyama. Final departure is tomorrow.
Day 5 · Kyoto Station departure
- Hotel near Kyoto Station → Chosen building passage
Explore the fourth-floor square and Grand Stairway, adding Skyway after 10:00 only if departure time allows.
Plaza and passage operating informationRooftop suspension notice
- Chosen building passage → Departure from Kyoto Station
Go to your booked Kyoto departure's gates and platform afterwards.
Plaza and passage operating informationRooftop suspension notice
The fourth-floor square and Grand Stairway open 06:00–23:00, and Skyway 10:00–22:00. Skip Skyway for an early departure. Limit the visit to the square and Skyway before your train.
Included: Nijo Castle/Ninomaru Palace ¥1,300 and Byodo-in garden/Hoshokan ¥700. Amanohashidate sandbar walks are free.
Separate costs: All rail/subway including return Hashidate, three Kyoto nights and one Monju night, meals, Phoenix Hall interior ¥300, Honmaru Palace, separate exhibitions, boats, viewpoints and final-day airport/onward travel.
Adding Phoenix Hall interior brings facility costs to ¥2,300. Northern rail is separate. JR's October 2026 table gives an adult ordinary-car regular-season reserved seat at ¥2,320 fare + ¥2,680 limited express = ¥5,000 one way, or ¥10,000 return if both dates are regular season. Tango section fares are included. Check actual-date return trains, seats and fares.
Nijo Castle admissionOfficial Byodo-in visitor informationAmanohashidate accessJR October 2026 fare table, page 15
Frequently asked questions
Must you leave Kyoto on the northern-return day?
You can spend a final Kyoto night and leave tomorrow. This route returns by Hashidate on day 4 and leaves on day 5. Same-day flight departure requires checking return, airport transport and flight procedures together. A Kyoto night is not mandatory if actual trains/flights allow enough time. Check final-hotel-to-station access.
Is a pass cheaper for Hashidate return alone?
JR's October 2026 regular-season ordinary-car reserved fare is ¥5,000 one way/¥10,000 return when both dates are regular season. An adult five-day Kansai Wide is ¥12,000, so this return alone does not make it cheaper. Compare other covered sections within five days and actual seasonal fares. Municipal subway, admission, accommodation and meals are separate.
JR October 2026 fare table, page 15JR Kansai Wide Japanese conditions
Official sources and dates checked
- Tenryu-ji access ·
- Amanohashidate access ·
- Official Nijo Castle access map ·
- Nijo Castle admission ·
- Nijo Castle operations and closures ·
- Official Byodo-in access map ·
- Official Byodo-in visitor information ·
- Summer operating exceptions ·
- 16 October change ·
- Shrine admission and operations ·
- Shrine transport information ·
- On-site visitor rules ·
- Outbound PDF ·
- Inbound PDF ·
- JR Hashidate information ·
- JR October 2026 fare table, page 15 ·
- Swing bridge information ·
- Tourism association walking map, page 2 ·
- Plaza and passage operating information ·
- Rooftop suspension notice ·
- Kyoto City transport bureau Nijojo-mae exits and area map ·
- JR West Sagano/Biwako Line stop map (revised 2024-03-16) ·
- Tenryu-ji Japanese hours and visit suspensions ·
- JR Kansai Wide Japanese conditions ·
- JR Kyoto Line stop map (revised 2026-03-14) ·
- JR Kansai Wide coverage, eligibility and validity ·