TOP ATTRACTION / ACTIVITIES IN KANSAI REGION (OSAKA, KOBE, KYOTO)
· Mount Rokko ,Rokko cable car
From Sannomiya Station, take the Hankyu Kobe Line to Rokko Station (7 minutes, 190 yen), from where it is a ten minute bus ride on bus number 16 to the base station of the Rokko Cablecar. Note that the same bus can also be boarded at JR Rokkomichi Station (15 minutes) or Hanshin Mikage Station (25 minutes) and costs 210 yen from any of the three stations. The cablecar ride up the mountain takes 10 minutes and costs 590 yen one way or 1000 yen for a round trip ticket.
· Kobe nunobiki herb garden, Shin-Kobe ropeway, open 10:00 to 17:00, Fee: 1400 yen (round trip and admission to herb garden), 800 yen (round trip after 17:00). Garden, open: 10:00 to 17:00
· Kobe china town / nankinmachi, Open: 10:30 to 19:00, restaurant: Typically 11:30 to 21:00. Some close between 15:00 and 17:00. Location: a five minutes walk south of Motomachi Station, a ten minute walk southwest of Sannomiya Station or a five minute walk north of Meriken Park.
· Kobe harbor land, (Mosaic & Canal garden) open: 10:00 to 20:00, 11:00 to 22:00, Amusement park open from 10:00 to 23:00. By train: JR Kobe Station and the Harborland Subway Station.
· Kyoto Botanical Garden, 9am-5pm, 5min walk from Kitayama Station, Karasuma subway line, Fee: 200-400 yen
· Kinkaku-ji Temple, Open: 9:00 to 17:00, Fee: 400 yen, Kyoto Station by direct Kyoto City Bus number 101 or 205 in about 40 minutes and for 230 yen. Alternatively, it can be faster and more reliable to take the Karasuma Subway Line to Kitaoji Station (15 minutes, 260 yen) and take a taxi (10 minutes, 1000-1200 yen) or bus (10 minutes, 230 yen, bus numbers 101, 102, 204 or 205) from there to Kinkakuji.
· Philosopher path(哲学の道, Tetsugaku no michi), runs between Ginkakuji and the neighborhood of Nanzenji, a 5-10 minute walk north of Nanzenji's main temple buildings.
· Nishiki market, on foot in less than five minutes from Shijo Station on the Karasuma Subway Line (4 minutes, 210 yen from Kyoto Station) or Karasuma or Kawaramachi Stations on the Hankyu Line. Open: 09.00-18.00
· ARASHIYAMA - Ukyo-ku Japanese address: 右京区嵐山 opening hours: 24hrs. 10 min walk from Saga Arashiyama Station, JR Sagano line 15 min walk from Arashiyama Station, Henkyu railway.
· Kiyomizu-dera Temple (清水寺), from Kyoto Station by bus number 100 or 206 (15 minutes, 230 yen). Get off at Gojo-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi bus stop, from where it is a ten minute uphill walk to the temple. Alternatively, Kiyomizudera is about a 20 minute walk from Station along the Keihan Railway Line. Open: 6:00 to 18:00 (until 18:30 on weekends and holidays from mid April through July and everyday in August and September) Fee: 400 yen
· Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, is located just outside JR Inari Station, the second station from Kyoto Station along the JR Nara Line (5 minutes, 140 yen one way from Kyoto Station)
· Gion (祇園), Gion can be reached from Kyoto Station by bus number 100 or 206 (20 minutes, 230 yen). Get off at Gion bus stop. Alternatively, the closest train stations are Gion Shijo Station on the Keihan Line and Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Line.
· Pontocho is an ancient alleyway packed with bars, hostess clubs, restaurants, karaoke and Geisha tea houses.
· Umeda Sky Building (梅田スカイビル), floating garden observatory By Train & Walk : Approx 15 minutes walk from Osaka or Umeda Station. Fee: 800¥, Open 10:00 to 22:30
· Kracie Popin Cookin, Whippie: Tokyu Hands near Osaka sta. or Toys r Us in Minami/Namba
· Osaka Castle (大阪城) By Train: Osakajokoen Station – JR Loop / Osaka Business Park Station – Subway Park Station, The closest JR station to Osaka Castle is Osakajokoen Station on the JR Loop Line, a 10 minute, 160 yen ride from JR Osaka Station. Castle Tower. Open: 9:00 to 17:00, Fee: 600¥, Nishinomaru Garden Open: 9:00 to 17:00, Close: Monday, Fee: 200-500¥.
· Shinsaibashi (心斎橋) By Train : Shinsaibashi Station- Subway Midosuji Line & Nagahori Line
· Dotonbori (道頓堀), By Train : Namba Station – Subway Midosuji / Sennichimae / Yotsubashi Line
· Nearby: Amemura, Hozenji Yokocho Alley,
· Ikuno Korea town
· Minami / Namba park (なんばパークス) Shops are open 11:00-21:00. Restaurants vary but most are open 11:00-23:00. By train: Namba sta.
· Tennoji Park >> Shinsekai (新世界) By Train : Ebisucho Station – Subway Sakaisuji Line, Tennoji Station of JR Loop Line, or Subway Midosuji or Tanimachi Line, Open: 10.00-21.00.
· Universal Studio Japan By Train : Universal City – JR Sakurajima Line (?)
• Ryoan-ji: This is the classic karesansui (“Zen rock garden”) It’s almost always crowded, so try to go on a Monday morning.
• Tofuku-ji: The Hojo Garden here is another brilliant karesansui garden and it’s almost never crowded.
• Koke-dera: Sure, you have to go through the application procedure, but it’s worth it to see this moss-covered paradise.
• Okochi-Sanso Villa: This is the most wonderful stroll garden in the city.
• Koto-in: This subtemple at Daitoku-ji Temple is a tiny pocket of paradise.
• Ginkaku-ji: This spacious stroll garden is a stunner, but you’ll need to show up on a Monday morning to beat the crowds.
• Gio-ji: Overlooked by almost all tourists, this tiny pocket moss garden is not to be missed.
• Taizo-in: Many garden lovers rate this ornate garden at Myoshin-ji Temple as one of the best in the city.
• Honen-in: You can enter this lovely stroll garden for free. This may be my favorite escape in all of Kyoto.
Kyoto Temple Lover’s Itinerary
• Shoren-in: On the tourist trail but overlooked by the masses, this temple looks out over a tranquil pond. Order a cup of matcha (powdered green tea) and soak up the view.
• Nanzen-ji: A sprawling Zen temple at the base of the Higashiyama Mountains, this will always rank as one of my favorite Kyoto temples.
• Chion-in: The main hall is presently under reconstruction. When it’s finished, it will be awe-inspiring.
• Honen-in: A tiny temple just around the corner from perpetually-crowded Ginkaku-ji. Go there for the peace and quiet.
• Shinyo-do: Few people make it to this sublime temple atop Yoshida-yama. It’s a magical place.
• Tofuku-ji: This Zen temple in the southeast of the city boasts huge main halls and a brilliant karesansui garden.
• Myoshin-ji: A walled-in world of brilliant Zen temples and subtemples, may with fine gardens.
• Anraku-ji: Only open twice a year, this tiny temple has a fine Buddhist altar and a tragic history.
• Kurama-dera: This mountain-top temple will always be my favorite place in Kyoto.
See also The Best Temples In Kyoto, Kyoto’s Best Shinto Shrines, and my own personal favorite Top 10 Kyoto temples for more inspiration about where to go.
Kyoto Shopper’s Itinerary
• Nishiki Market: Kyoto’s finest food market, hands down.
• Daimaru Depachika: The basement food floor is like Aladdin’s Cave.
• Morita Washi: The best place on earth to see Japanese handmade paper (washi).
• Zohiko: The best lacquerware shop in Kyoto, with a museum on its second floor.
• Ippodo: If you like green tea, you must make a pilgrimage to this atmospheric old shop.
• Tenjin-san: Old kimono, bric-a-brac and antiques are among the many offerings at this fine flea market.
• Kobo-san: Similar to the above: it’s a must-see if you’re in town when it’s on.
• Kyoto Handicraft Center: A step up from most souvenir emporiums. Wood-block prints are especially good here.
• Junkudo: The best bookstore in Kyoto, with a good selection of English-language books.
• Aritsugu: Kyoto’s finest knife shop.
Kyoto Hiker’s Itinerary
• Daimon-ji: The classic Kyoto hike. Two hours of bliss.
• Fushimi-Inari Circuit: Get in shape and gain spiritual merit on this mountain-top circuit. And, yes, you’ll pass through thousands of vermillion tori (Shinto shrine gates).
• Kurama and Kibune: My favorite hike in the Kyoto area. It’s a half-day classic and a nice break from the city.
• Takao-Hozukyo: Sample some lovely temples than amble for a few hours alongside a crystal-clear river.
• Daimon-ji to Nanzen-ji: This traverse along the top of the Higashiyama Mountains is the perfect half-day hike.
• Ryoan-ji: This is the classic karesansui (“Zen rock garden”) It’s almost always crowded, so try to go on a Monday morning.
• Tofuku-ji: The Hojo Garden here is another brilliant karesansui garden and it’s almost never crowded.
• Koke-dera: Sure, you have to go through the application procedure, but it’s worth it to see this moss-covered paradise.
• Okochi-Sanso Villa: This is the most wonderful stroll garden in the city.
• Koto-in: This subtemple at Daitoku-ji Temple is a tiny pocket of paradise.
• Ginkaku-ji: This spacious stroll garden is a stunner, but you’ll need to show up on a Monday morning to beat the crowds.
• Gio-ji: Overlooked by almost all tourists, this tiny pocket moss garden is not to be missed.
• Taizo-in: Many garden lovers rate this ornate garden at Myoshin-ji Temple as one of the best in the city.
• Honen-in: You can enter this lovely stroll garden for free. This may be my favorite escape in all of Kyoto.
Kyoto Temple Lover’s Itinerary
• Shoren-in: On the tourist trail but overlooked by the masses, this temple looks out over a tranquil pond. Order a cup of matcha (powdered green tea) and soak up the view.
• Nanzen-ji: A sprawling Zen temple at the base of the Higashiyama Mountains, this will always rank as one of my favorite Kyoto temples.
• Chion-in: The main hall is presently under reconstruction. When it’s finished, it will be awe-inspiring.
• Honen-in: A tiny temple just around the corner from perpetually-crowded Ginkaku-ji. Go there for the peace and quiet.
• Shinyo-do: Few people make it to this sublime temple atop Yoshida-yama. It’s a magical place.
• Tofuku-ji: This Zen temple in the southeast of the city boasts huge main halls and a brilliant karesansui garden.
• Myoshin-ji: A walled-in world of brilliant Zen temples and subtemples, may with fine gardens.
• Anraku-ji: Only open twice a year, this tiny temple has a fine Buddhist altar and a tragic history.
• Kurama-dera: This mountain-top temple will always be my favorite place in Kyoto.
See also The Best Temples In Kyoto, Kyoto’s Best Shinto Shrines, and my own personal favorite Top 10 Kyoto temples for more inspiration about where to go.
Kyoto Shopper’s Itinerary
• Nishiki Market: Kyoto’s finest food market, hands down.
• Daimaru Depachika: The basement food floor is like Aladdin’s Cave.
• Morita Washi: The best place on earth to see Japanese handmade paper (washi).
• Zohiko: The best lacquerware shop in Kyoto, with a museum on its second floor.
• Ippodo: If you like green tea, you must make a pilgrimage to this atmospheric old shop.
• Tenjin-san: Old kimono, bric-a-brac and antiques are among the many offerings at this fine flea market.
• Kobo-san: Similar to the above: it’s a must-see if you’re in town when it’s on.
• Kyoto Handicraft Center: A step up from most souvenir emporiums. Wood-block prints are especially good here.
• Junkudo: The best bookstore in Kyoto, with a good selection of English-language books.
• Aritsugu: Kyoto’s finest knife shop.
Kyoto Hiker’s Itinerary
• Daimon-ji: The classic Kyoto hike. Two hours of bliss.
• Fushimi-Inari Circuit: Get in shape and gain spiritual merit on this mountain-top circuit. And, yes, you’ll pass through thousands of vermillion tori (Shinto shrine gates).
• Kurama and Kibune: My favorite hike in the Kyoto area. It’s a half-day classic and a nice break from the city.
• Takao-Hozukyo: Sample some lovely temples than amble for a few hours alongside a crystal-clear river.
• Daimon-ji to Nanzen-ji: This traverse along the top of the Higashiyama Mountains is the perfect half-day hike.
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