Itinerary
Whispers of Ancient Kyoto and Nara
6 days · 16 stops · ¥80,000–¥120,000
Discover the timeless beauty of Kyoto and Nara through a blend of iconic landmarks and hidden treasures.
Days
Daderot, CC BY-SA 3.0
Shugakuin Imperial Villa
Kyoto
Schedule
Day 01 of 06Land at KIX · Thu, Oct 1 · from JFK · 1 traveler
Renting a car? Check the license rules
Some licenses (FR/DE/CH/BE/TW) need a JAF translation, not an IDP — 5-min guide.
Stay
Kyoto · 3 nights
Thu, Oct 1 → Sun, Oct 4 · 1 guest
14:00
EXPLORE
修学院離宮
Stay ~1h 30m
Shugakuin Station (Eizan Electric Railway)
Explore the tranquil terraced gardens of Shugakuin, a hidden imperial retreat. Advance booking is recommended for a serene experience away from the crowds.
~34 min by train
16:04
EXPLORE
愛宕念仏寺
Stay ~1h 30m
JR Saga-Arashiyama Station (then bus/walk)
A tranquil hillside temple at the far northwest edge of Sagano, famous for roughly 1,200 whimsical moss-covered rakan (arhat) stone statues carved by amateur pilgrims between 1981 and 1991, each with a unique expression. Founded around 766 and relocated here in 1922, it sits above the old Toriimoto preserved street, well beyond where most Arashiyama day-trippers turn back.
~23 min by train
17:57
EXPLORE
Event瑞饋祭
Stay ~2h
A ~1,000-year-old autumn harvest thanksgiving festival at Kitano Tenman-gu whose highlight is a portable shrine roofed and decorated with zuiki (taro stalks), rice, beans and other crops. A procession carries the deity to the Otabisho on 1 Oct and returns it on 4 Oct.
Getting around
🚄
JR West Kansai Area Pass
Matched to your route — one pass instead of point-to-point tickets on the rail legs.
View JR West Kansai Area Pass →🚗
Rental car recommended
Several stops on this route are in rural areas with limited rail access. A rental car from the nearest city hub gives you the freedom to reach places no bus serves.
Browse rental cars on Klook →01 / 06
Journey map
Trip budget · お見積り
¥15,000–¥26,000 / person / day
¥90,000–¥155,000 total
💴 Carry ~¥6,000/day in cash — many hidden spots are cash-only.
Estimated from 15 travel legs, 5 hotel nights and 1 ticketed event. International flights not included. Typical prices, not quotes.
Before you go
Passes for this trip
✓ Matched to your route
JR West Kansai Area Pass
Covers the rail legs on this route — one pass instead of point-to-point tickets.
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Get Around
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Stay Hidden
Sleep in a centuries-old ryokan. Tatami floors, onsen, and a 7-course kaiseki.
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Ship luggage ahead on the shinkansen route. Explore every day completely hands-free.
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