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    13 Tips for a FANTASTIC Trip to Kyoto



    13 Tips for a FANTASTIC Trip to Kyoto

    One of the most breathtaking and culturally rich destinations in the world…join me as I guide you through unforgettable Kyoto and share tips for exploring Osaka, Nara, and Hiroshima…

    If you found this video helpful, please give it a thumbs up, subscribe, and share it with friends! Arigato!

    Follow Me: Instagram: @mattstraveltips

    MASSIVE thanks to my mom for joining me!

    Music by: https://www.epidemicsound.com

    IN THIS VIDEO:

    HOW TO GET IN & AROUND:
    From Kansai International Airport (KIX…often just shown as Osaka): Book a train ticket to Kyoto Station at the JR Station in the airport.

    Bullet Train (Shinkansen) from Tokyo (departs from Tokyo Station)

    HOTELS:
    Hotel Granbell Kyoto (booked on Expedia.com): https://www.granbellhotel.jp/kyoto/
    Gion Yoshi-Ima (booked on booking.com): https://www.yoshi-ima.co.jp/

    TEMPLES & SHRINES:
    – Fushimi Inari Taisha (Arrive early to avoid crowds)
    – Kinkaku-ji
    – Kiyomizu-dera (Arrive early to avoid crowds)
    – Heian Jingu
    – Ginkaku-ji
    – Nanzen-ji
    – Daigo-ji
    – Seasonal Illuminations (Many temples…depends on the time of year)
    – Kodai-ji
    – To-ji
    – Kiyomizu-dera Autumn Illumination

    ARASHIYAMA:
    – Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (Arrive early to avoid crowds)
    – Monkey Park Iwatayama
    – Otagi Nenbutsu-ji
    – Sagano Scenic Railway
    – Hozugawa River Boat Ride
    (I bought a combo tour on Klook…half-day tour)
    https://www.klook.com/
    – Kimono Forest

    HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS:
    – Gion
    – Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka (Can get CRAZY crowded)
    – Kyoto Imperial Palace (free to visit!)
    – Nijō Castle

    DOWNTOWN & NISHIKI MARKET:
    – Downtown Kyoto (near Kawaramachi Station)
    – Nishiki Market (Opens at 9AM)
    – Teramachi (boutique and quirky shops)
    – Daimaru Kyoto (Department store)
    – Pontocho Alley

    FOOD:
    These are my favorite spots…but if I left off your favorite spot, please throw it in the comment section!

    – Gion Tanto
    – Omen (two locations…Downtown & near Philosopher’s Path)
    – Ichiran Ramen
    – Engine Ramen
    – Honke Daiichi Asahi (near Kyoto Station)
    – Kyo-no Yakiniku Hiro Pontocho
    – Wagyu Yakiniku Waya
    – Roan Kikunoi – Reservations are a MUST https://myconciergejapan.com/restaurants/roan-kikunoi/
    – Gion Sushi Matsumoto – Reservations are a MUST: https://myconciergejapan.com/restaurants/sushi-matsumoto/
    – Sushitetsu
    – Ebisugawa-Gyoza Nakajima – Gion Location
    – Chao Chao Gyoza
    – Katsukura Tonkatsu Sanjo
    – Gohan-ya Isshin Kyoto
    – Maccha House
    – Kirakuan Okamoto Sanneizaka
    – Fushimi Inari Taisha Food Stalls
    – Nishiki Market

    TRADITIONAL TEA CEREMONY:
    – Camellia Tea Ceremony (Two locations…“Flower” in the Ninenzaka, and “Garden House” in West Kyoto.) The Flower location can help you with a Kimono rental: https://tea-kyoto.com/

    PHILOSOPHER’S PATH:
    Start south & walk north to Ginkaku-ji

    OSAKA:
    – Osaka Castle
    – Umeda Sky Building
    – Shinsekai
    – Dotonbori
    – Tombori River Cruise
    – Tonkatsu Daiki – Show up before they open if you don’t want to wait in line

    NARA:
    – Deer Cracker vendors are located at the entrance of the park
    – Tōdai-ji

    HIROSHIMA & MIYAJIMA ISLAND:
    Note: An overnight stay is worth considering, but it can all be seen in one (very full) day. Train from Kyoto Station (just under 2 hours)
    – Atomic Bomb Dome
    – Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
    – Miyajima Island. 30 min train from Hiroshima. 10 minute ferry to the island
    – Itsukushima Shrine – At low tide, you can walk out to the shrine

    JUST GET LOST:
    – Kyoto Gyoen National Garden
    – Maruyama Park
    – Kamo River

    MY EQUIPMENT:
    Panasonic GH7
    Sony FX6

    00:00 Opening
    01:13 How to Get In and Around
    02:57 Where to Stay
    – 03:22 Kyoto Granbell Hotel
    – 03:50 Gion Yoshi-Ima
    04:01 Temples & Shrines
    – 04:24 Fushimi Inari Taisha
    – 04:58 Kinkaku-ji
    – 05:12 Kiyomizu-dera
    – 05:48 Heian Jingu
    – 06:09 Ginkaku-ji
    – 06:26 Nanzen-ji
    – 06:45 Daigo-ji
    – 07:04 Seasonal Illuminations
    – 07:14 Kodai-ji
    – 07:23 To-ji
    – 07:33 Kiyomizu-dera Autumn Illumination
    07:46 Arashiyama & The Bamboo Forest
    – 08:29 Monkey Park Iwatayama
    – 08:43 Otagi Nenbutsu-ji
    – 08:55 Sagano Scenic Railway
    – 09:05 Hozugawa River Boat Ride
    – 09:27 Kimono Forest
    09:51 Gion & Ninenzaka
    – 09:59 Gion
    – 10:30 Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka
    – 11:04 Kyoto Imperial Palace
    – 11:21 Nijō Castle
    11:48 Downtown Kyoto & Nishiki Market
    – 11:59 Nishiki Market
    – 12:18 Teramachi
    – 12:22 Daimaru Kyoto
    – 12:32 Pontocho Alley
    13:06 Where to Eat
    – 13:18 Gion Tanto
    – 13:41 Omen
    – 13:58 Ramen
    – 14:51 Grilled Wagyu (Yakiniku)
    – 15:05 Kaiseki (Roan Kikunoi)
    – 15:34 Sushi (Gion Sushi Matsumoto & Sushitetsu)
    – 16:08 Gyoza (Ebisu-Gyoza Nakajima & Chao Chao Gyoza)
    – 16:42 Katsukura Tonkatsu Sanjo
    – 16:48 Gohan-ya Isshin Kyoto
    – 16:55 Bonus Food Spots
    17:30 Traditional Tea Ceremony (Camellia)
    18:38 Philosopher’s Path
    19:18 Osaka
    – 19:43 Osaka Castle
    – 19:56 Umeda Sky Building
    – 20:05 Shinsekai
    – 20:11 Dotonbori
    – 20:47 Tonkatsu Daiki
    21:04 Meet the Deer in Nara
    – 21:44 Tōdai-ji
    22:22 Hiroshima
    – 22:40 Atomic Bomb Dome
    – 22:56 Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
    – 23:11 Miyajima Island
    – 23:16 Itsukushima Shrine
    23:53 Just Get Lost
    25:12 Thanks mom!

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    50 Comments

    4. @ukjac1 on

      This is the best video I've seen yet on Japan, thank you! I booked a last minute 1st time trip and I have been writing down every place you mentioned. Everything you said made me more and more excited to go. Fantastic!

    10. @yoplait3256 on

      I have a Matchiya booked for my next trip. Spent only a day in Kyoto last time in a $30 guest room last time. . . Going to give it a lot more thought this time.

    11. @SarahSchimpff on

      Your Kyoto video was beautiful! Wow. Just when I think it can’t get better, you top yourself. All the YouTube comments say it better than I ever could. We second them all!

      I mean this sincerely, if you want to start a Patreon or other way to support you, so can keep making Matt videos and traveling, I’ll be your first subscriber. We love your work!

    13. @Sivanslife on

      Absolutely loved the editing style, the narration, everything about it! Awesome video, can’t wait to binge watch them all🤭🩵 We also hope to run into you some more in future trips😆 lol

    19. @mertonricker9756 on

      Hi Matt! You hit every great spot in Kyoto and also briefly, Kansai. I lived for over ten years in Kyoto, just below Kiyomizo Temple right on the Kamo River. That was quite a few years ago now, so I just wish I could revisit and do some of your recommendations for the delicious food! I'm curious about how long you visited and researched for this quality video. Just wonderful! Thanks so much!

    27. @mattsmith3135 on

      Nice video, with a lot of great suggestions. Thank you for your time and effort in making this. The reality of Kyoto with its overtourism and mayhem is a bit of a departure from the tranquil, dreamy slow-mo images shown here though ha ha! 🤣 Although as you mentioned, if get up early enough (or stay up late enough), you can miss some of the crowds.

    28. @f3rM3n on

      I’ve seen tons of videos for the last 5 months prior to my trip to Japan this year, and this video is the best one by far. Thanks for putting all these information and beautiful takes for all of us. ❤

    32. @jetw9522 on

      🤗 Hey Matt! It’s so great to see you again! I came across one of your videos about 6 years ago while I was planning a trip to Oahu, and it was incredibly helpful. I’ve always wanted to thank you for it, and I’m so glad the algorithm brought you back to me! I absolutely love all your videos, and I truly appreciate the hard work and dedication you put into creating such high-quality content. All the Best!❤😊

    34. @thestrenghtedge on

      Great video! I really enjoyed the humor and the little details shared. We're planning our first family trip to Japan, and the quality of the information and the footage is top-notch. You’ve managed to make everything so engaging and captivating. Well done, it's rare that I stay so focused on a video! much respect my dude

    35. @BladeRunner1612 on

      Fantastic video, my first time watching your videos and I will be watching a lot more now. I had planned to visit Kyoto in July and after seeing your video I plan to spend two days in the area! I also got your blockbuster reference and am currently waiting for my colonoscopy lol. You have a true gift , your delivery of humor and being able to educate and keep my attention is a gift. I don’t know if your an actor but I could very much picture you having your own sitcom! I look forward to your watching the rest of your videos! Thank you for the all the great tips!

    36. @Zina-w3j on

      WOW!!! Amazing video Matt! I just came across your channel today and this is by far the best video I've seen on Kyoto. I appreciate your hard work, top tier quality and sense of humor! My daughter and I will be traveling to Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto in October 2025 for the first time, and I can't wait to get there and eat. All the food in your video looked so delicious, my mouth was watering the whole time! Thank you for a beautiful video experience! I've just subscribed to your channel. Keep up the good work, your talent is truly amazing!!!

    40. @SamanthaRosario-l8f on

      I’m in the midst of planning my first trip to Japan. I never ever comment on videos but this particular one has brought me much joy and excitement and even a bit of tears in mapping my travel. Amazing writing and narration and excellent cinematography. You have a new follower.

    41. @kyotopmac on

      Nice cinematography, and I agree that Kyoto is a destination to be experienced. However, Kyoto has terrible public transport. The buses are overcrowded, and the train doesn't take you to any famous sites.

      FOOD FOR THOUGHT-
      When I was in a restaurant, a Japanese man overheard me telling the chef that his miso soup was "Nippon Ichi" -the best in Japan. "He asked me how I knew this. I said that I had been all over Japan, and this was my favourite. Then he said, "Call it YOUR FAVOURITE miso soup in Japan." Good point, I thought to myself, and from that day onward, I rarely use the term best when describing my opinion of something.

      *Kinkakuji? I don't understand this recommendation; it was rebuilt in the 1950s, but If you must go, you should tie it into your trip to Ryoanji-zen Rock Garden and Arashiyama. Really? The Kimono Forest? It is a cheesy 30-second visit to somebody's lawn display. It is very disappointing but suitable for a pic on social media…

      *Please explain how far it is from place to place. Kyoto is a very spread-out city, so the distance to the destination would help.

      *If you go early to visit everything, what do you do during peak afternoon times?

      *Please don't call it Ponto-cho "alley." It is a geisha district.

      *Gion Tanto is a decent restaurant, but be prepared to wait in line with only other foreign visitors.

      *Decent Raman picks. Well done. However, the Kyoto station building has an excellent selection of ramen shops.
      *Yakiniku Hiro is a chain, but you are guaranteed a high-quality meal.

      * Kyoto is not a sushi city because it is far from the sea, and Sushi Tetsu is one of the most helpful "Tripadvisors."

      Chau Chau gyoza is another "tourist favourite." You will have no problem finding it because there is usually a rowdy bunch of tourists queuing.

      *Roan Kikunoi is a ver good restaurant with 2 Michelin stars but is far overshadowed by the main redoubt Kikunoi Honten which has 3 Michelin stars and is rated as one of the best restaurants in the world.

      *Camelia Is an excellent choice. They offer a very authentic and fun experience.

      *Philosophers' path is on the way to Ginkakuji, "The Silver Pavilion." It would have been nice to mention that. The day trips are a good idea, but only if you have more than a few days in Kyoto.

      The problem with these videos is that the presenter is too busy trying to find "little gems" but usually ends up relying on the most well-known spots due to lack of time, funds or laziness.

      Overall, it's a nice video, but Tip #13 is his best tip. Get lost; do nothing, stroll along and even picnic on the riverbanks, but experience Kyoto. And if you want to meet locals, stay away from Social media-recommended "hidden gems."

    43. @akiminato8445 on

      Hello Matt! What a beautiful video. I was in Kyoto Oct 2024 and heading back Apr 2025. I can't get enough! Your video was very helpful. I'll be doing some of the activities you suggested and also the eateries! Thanks again! 😊

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