Kyoto is a city that perfectly blends Japan's oldest culture and traditions, with modernity, in which geisha neighborhoods, hundreds of temples and shrines, each one more beautiful, palaces and castles with beautiful gardens, make Kyoto a of our favorite cities in the world.
If you also have enough time we recommend you take the train, do not forget how useful it is to book the Japan Rail Pass, to visit some of the wonders of Japan that are close to Kyoto and that are a perfect complement to the visit to this beautiful city.
Although all these places can be explored for free, we think it can be very interesting to do some tour and excursion with a guide in Spanish, to be able to know better the incredible history and Japanese culture.
Based on the 5 days we spent in the city during our first trip to Japan for free and in the month we lived in Kyoto, after which we wrote the guide to travel to Japan, we leave you a selection of those we believe, are the 5 best tours and excursions in Kyoto in Spanish.
1. Fushimi Inari and Nara Shrine
The visit to the Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine and the city of Nara, which can be done on the same day, is one of the best excursions in Kyoto.
This 13th century sanctuary is known for its thousands of red toriis, which meander by drawing a path along the Inari mountain.
If you want to enjoy this place with tranquility and do the entire 4-kilometer route, we recommend you arrive at the sanctuary around 6:30 in the morning, at which time you can enjoy the place practically alone, something we assure you, is amazing.
The most common way to get to Fushimi Inari is with the JR Nara train (included in the JR Pass), from Kyoto Station. The journey is about 8 minutes and the train will leave you practically in front of the sanctuary, so you don't need much extra time to arrive first thing in the morning.
If you do not have the JR Pass you can take the Keihan Main Line, which stops at several points in the city such as in the central Gion.
After visiting Fushimi Inari you can take the same train line to get to the city of Nara, the ancient capital of Japan that has many interesting places to visit, among which the spectacular Todaiji temple, where the Great Buddha of wood.
In addition, Nara is also famous for its park full of deer, where we advise you to make a stop, yes, always keeping in mind that we should not stress the animals and that not everything goes for a picture.
- Book excursion to the Fushimi Inari and Nara Shrine in Spanish here
The Fushimi Inari Shrine
2. Himeji and Kobe Castle
Himeji Castle is one of the most spectacular castles in the world and one of the essential places to see in Japan.
This castle, of the few that are preserved from the Middle Ages, now looks in all its splendor after having been under restoration for many years. We recommend seeing the castle from all its viewpoints, but especially from the one on the right side, from which you can see a red bridge with the castle located in the background.
Although any time of the year is perfect for the visit, we cannot deny that one of the best moments to visit Himeji Castle is in spring, during the flowering of the cherry tree, at which time you can take postcard photos.
The castle is about 20 minutes walk from Himeji station on Otemae-dori street, a very attractive route, in which we recommend you take your time, especially after the visit. Also, if this is in the morning, back we recommend you stop at Menme, one of the best restaurants in Udon in Japan.
You can reach Himeji Castle from the Kyoto station by taking the shinkasen of the JR Tokaido / Sanyo line (included in the JR Pass), on a journey that lasts less than an hour.
If you have plenty of time, on the way back, you can stop in the city of Kobe, known worldwide for its delicious beef where you can try it in one of its recommended restaurants such as Kobegyu Stake Land Kobe or the Ishida, in addition to visiting the Chinatown and the futuristic port of Kobe.
- Book excursion to Himeji and Kobe Castle in Spanish here
Himeji Castle
3. Guided tour of Kyoto
Walk the streets of the traditional Gion neighborhood or Pontocho street while a geisha or maiko enters a tea house in a hurry, visit temples and shrines such as Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Kinkaku-ji or the Kiyomizudera temple, walk along the Camino From the Philosophy or Bamboo Forest of Arashiyama, try the varied and delicious Japanese cuisine, are just some of the many things to do in Kyoto.
Many of the most essential places to visit in Kyoto are far from the center, although thanks to its efficient bus network it will not be a problem to visit them all during your stay in Kyoto.
Although any time is incredible in the city, spring during the flowering of the cherry tree, we can say that it is the best time to enjoy Kyoto, at which time an explosion of colors and smells in every corner of the city will make you fall completely in love her.
A good option to learn more about the history of each place in Kyoto and the curiosities of the Japanese way of life is to book a guided tour in Spanish.
- Book a traditional Maiko show here
- Book Japanese tea ceremony here
The Kinkakuji Temple
4. Osaka, one of the best excursions in Kyoto
Osaka is the third largest city in Japan and one of the best excursions in Kyoto What can you do. This futuristic city, totally different from Kyoto, produces effects of Love Hate among travelers, although it is essential for us to include it in your itinerary if you plan to travel to Japan.
Being an immense city, the best way to visit its most prominent places is to use its extensive metro network, many easier to use than it may seem at first glance.
Our favorite place in Osaka is the Dontobori area, full of billboards, neon lights, restaurants and shops of all kinds, and a large canal, which makes it an extremely photogenic place, especially after the sun goes down, moment in which everything lights up and seems to belong to a set.
Other areas that we recommend you visit in Osaka are the Shinsekai neighborhood and the surroundings of the Tsutenkaku Tower, Osaka Castle, the Isshin-ji and Shintennoji temples, the Den Den Town neighborhood with numerous electronics and comic stores, and the Kuromon Ichiba market full of stalls to taste the delights of the city.
To get to Osaka from Kyoto you can take the JR Tokaido shinkansen (included in the JR Pass) from Kyoto station, which will take you to Shin-Osaka station in 15 minutes. This guide on how to use transportation in Japan will be very useful.
If you do not have the JR Pass you have other options such as the JR Kyoto Line, the Hankuy Kyoto Line or the Keian Mail Line, which you can take at the Gion-Shijō (Gion) stop. Keep in mind that most of these trains take between 40 and 50 minutes, so going to Osaka from Kyoto can even be an afternoon getaway.
- Book Osaka excursion in Spanish here
Osaka, one of the best excursions in Kyoto
5. Hiroshima and Miyajima
Visiting the touching Hiroshima and the beautiful island of Miyajima, is another of the best excursions in Kyoto.
Hiroshima is a city deeply marked by the explosion of the atomic bomb in World War II, something that is evident when approaching the Dome of the Atomic Bomb, one of the few buildings that are preserved, or the Peace Memorial Museum, Although we know that it is not pleasant, we do believe your visit is necessary.
In contrast, Miyajima, a World Heritage Site, is a magical island full of temples, located near Hiroshima. The most important place on the island is Itsukushima Shrine, partially built on the sea, which is an essential visit in this area of Japan.
Although the most photographed is undoubtedly the Ootorii Gate, a wooden torii built in the sea that when the tide falls you can approach it to its base and from where you can have one of the most famous views of Miyajima.
Although many people arrive in Miyajima on a day trip, we recommend spending a night in Miyajima to enjoy it when most tourists have left, just like in the morning, really magical moments in this amazing place.
It is also the perfect place to enjoy another experience that we believe is essential and that is none other than staying in a ryokan, the traditional Japanese accommodation.
We did it at Ryoso Kawaguchi and it became one of the experiences we will not forget about the trip.
To get to Hiroshima from Kyoto station the best option is to use the JR Pass, since with the other options you would lose a lot of time.
You can take the Tokaido Shinkansen line that will take you in less than 2 hours to Hiroshima station, from where to get to Miyajima island you have to get on the Sanyo Line train to Miyajima-guchi, in a journey of less than half hour, and from there embark on a ferry that will take you to the island in about 10 minutes.
- Book a tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima in Spanish here
Miyajima
Other excursions in Kyoto that are worthwhile if you have more days are the Japanese Alps visiting the city of Takayama and the historic village of Shirakawa-go, Mount Yoshino at the time of cherry blossom, or the Kenrokuen gardens of Kanazawa.
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If you feel like helping us complete the list of 5 best tours and excursions in Kyoto in Spanish, add yours in the comments.
