Day trips from Kyoto
Day trips from Kyoto open up the towns and sights around it. The most comfortable months are April and November, with highs around 66°F (19°C) and about 9 rainy days a month.
Photo: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0
Top day trips in Kyoto
PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus TourFrom $126View 
Kyoto & Nara Day Trip with Optional Lunch from Osaka or KyotoFrom $58View 
From Kyoto / Osaka: Kyoto Must-see Spots & Nara Park One Day TourFrom $54View 
Kyoto Private Day Trip - Enjoy Your First-Time Visit to Kyoto!From $97View 
Kyoto Day Tour: Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji & KiyomizuFrom $61View 
Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed GuideFrom $107View
Tours from Viator. Good Outing may earn a commission when you book, at no cost to you.
Places to go from Kyoto
Towns and sights within day-trip range, with the straight-line distance from the centre:
- Lake Biwa
- Japan's largest lake, with lakeside towns and cycling. About 32 miles away.
- Amanohashidate
- A pine-covered sandbar, one of Japan's 'three great views'. About 50 miles away.
- Himeji
- Japan's finest original castle, the white 'heron'. About 63 miles away.
- Kobe
- A harbour city known for its beef and hillside views. About 39 miles away.
How to pick a good day trip
- Work out the real travel time each way. A two-hour drive each direction leaves about four hours on the ground.
- Trains are often cheaper than a tour if you only want one town; tours earn their price when they combine several stops.
- Leave early. Popular towns are quietest before the tour coaches arrive mid-morning.
- Check what's closed on Mondays. Museums and churches in many towns take that day off.
Kyoto month by month
Averages for Kyoto.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 48 (9) | 50 (10) | 57 (14) | 68 (20) | 77 (25) | 83 (28) | 90 (32) | 93 (34) | 85 (29) | 74 (23) | 63 (17) | 53 (12) |
| Low °F (°C) | 35 (2) | 35 (2) | 40 (4) | 49 (9) | 58 (15) | 67 (19) | 74 (24) | 76 (25) | 69 (21) | 58 (14) | 47 (8) | 38 (4) |
| Rainy days | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 8 |
| Sunset (15th) | 5:08 pm | 5:39 pm | 6:04 pm | 6:29 pm | 6:53 pm | 7:12 pm | 7:12 pm | 6:46 pm | 6:05 pm | 5:23 pm | 4:52 pm | 4:46 pm |
Questions
When is the best time for day trips in Kyoto?
April and November. Expect highs around 66°F (19°C) and about 9 rainy days a month. The least comfortable months are August and January.
What's the closest day trip from Kyoto?
Lake Biwa, about 32 miles away: japan's largest lake, with lakeside towns and cycling. Kobe, about 39 miles away: a harbour city known for its beef and hillside views. Amanohashidate, about 50 miles away: a pine-covered sandbar, one of Japan's 'three great views'.
Where can I book day trips in Kyoto?
The tours above book on Viator. Compare group size, duration, what is included and the cancellation terms before you pick one.
