I believe that one of the best ways to experience a new country or city is by traveling by oneself rather than with a tour group. I tend to like having the freedom of stopping when I find something particularly interesting, and walking through roads not usually taken by tourists. I have compiled a a short but significant list of timestamps for you to have a full day in Kyoto's Center and Arashiyama from Tokyo, please feel free to amend it to your own liking as I am aware there is a tonne of more activities and places to see during your trip! One Day In Kyoto Without A Tour Guide: Let's get started!
Morning Rush
06:30am
Take a train from Tokyo Station directly to Kyoto Station on the Shikansen which will take around 3 hours approximately.09:30am
Arrive at Kyoto Station in the heart of the center, and take a bus or underground train to Shijo Station. Once you arrive, walk to Shijo-Omiya Station.09:40am
From Shijo-Omiya Station take a direct train to Arashiyama by the Keifuku Dentetsu-Arashiyama Line.10:40am
Arrive in Arashiyama and grab a small bite to eat at the small shops in the station for some delicacies such as this gold leaf soft serve ice cream.
11:00am
Exit the station and take a left turn towards the Togetsukyo Bridge, followed by the entrance to Arashiyama mountains.
11:45am
Arrive at the Monkey Park after a nice hike to the top of the mountain.
Afternoon Break
12:15pm
Head back down the trail and after taking a few snaps of the bright red gate entrance, take a relaxing time-out on a rowing boat in the river for an hour.
13:30pm
You must be quite hungry by now, let's cross back over Togetsukyo Bridge and take the second left, followed by a right turning to enter a food court. Here you will find a wonderful Sushi restaurant for the perfect lunch called Sushi Bar Naritaya.
14:45pm
After a deliciously filling lunch, head back to the main road and on the right corner just before the main road, enter the Arashiyama Forest of Owls and Leopard Cats. Take some time playing with the gentle, playful bengal cats and 'moody' birds.15:30pm
Time to walk again! Get back out onto the main road and past multiple shops (which you can enter or purchase from at your own liking) and past the station, following signs leading you to the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove - one of Kyoto's best-known sights.
15:55pm
By this time you should have reached the Bamboo Forest, take your photographs and walk peacefully among the tall, willowy trees, before heading back to the Arashiyama station to get on the same train you got on and stop at the last station, Shijo-Omiya Station.Dinner à la Kyoto
17:50pm
Once you have arrived back to Shijo-Omiya Station, make your way out of the exit and head down the Shijo Dori street stopping at Donguri Restaurant for your dinner for 18:00pm.
19:30pm
After a big belly full of wonderful food once again, make your way to Shijo Station, taking the Karasuma line back to Kyoto Station and catch your 3 hour train back to Tokyo Station which should be aimed for around 20:30pm.
23:30pm
Arrive at Tokyo Station and make your way home at the end of this long day.Voilà! One day in Kyoto without a tour guide. I believe to see all of what Kyoto has to offer, it would be best to stay in the city for a couple of days rather than just one. This way you could also see the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine and The Golden Pavilion and perhaps even visit the neighboring cities of Nara and Osaka. Have you gone on a one day trip to Kyoto yourself? What did you manage to see and do in the limited time you had?
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