Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Exactly what it sounds like and free.
Right next to Bamboo Forest.
Don't remember exact costs, but it includes temples and gardens that are nice to walk around and soak in.
Kyoto and Nara
Kyoto: Things to do
Arashiyama Monkey Park
Close to the other two.
We didn't have time to go, but it seemed immersive, with monkeys very close to you and a strong view.
Arashiyama area
Lots of local shops, restaurants, and smaller things to explore.
Daikaku-ji Temple
Didn't go because of time constraints, but heard from multiple people / videos that it was worth the visit.
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Didn't go because of time and crowds, but it is the iconic Kyoto red-gates place.
Hanamikoji Street
Nice pedestrian street that connects well to other temples, shrines, and Hanamikoji Street.
Hanamikoji / Gion
More urban shopping, dinner, drinks, and clubbing area.
Kyoto is less lively than other cities for nightlife.
Nintendo flagship store
Also there if you're into that.
Universal Studios
Get there around 1.5 hours before gates open if you want Super Mario World on opening.
World Club
Multi-floor nightlife spot and a great time.
Kyoto: Food
Arashiyama Yoshimura
Solid meal in Arashiyama.
They also have a tofu house there, which could have been better lowkey.
Kichi Kichi Omurice
Go if possible.
If you don't know why it is iconic, search it up.
Reservations
Research food earlier and make reservations; I'd say that's more of a move.
Local food
Try local stuff; there's a lot of it.
Kyoto food spread
Leave space for small plates, sweets, convenience bites, and whatever local food you stumble into.
Hunter
Birthday dinner with a long course of curated small plates; delicious.
Kyoto: Where to stay
Airbnb
Hostels didn't feel like the move, but Airbnb was cheap, plentiful, and more culturally immersive, which was our main goal with Kyoto.
Kyoto: Transport
Kyoto public transit
JR is not very good for getting around here.
Suica / Pasmo should work well and cheaply for most local transit.
Walking
Kyoto is strong for street-level exploring between nearby temples, shops, and neighborhoods.
Go Taxi
Very cheap here.
Kyoto: Nara
Nara Park
So worth it.
You can feed and interact with the deer; not scary, everyone does it.
You can spend the whole day here.
Todai-ji
Insane temple, cheap, and has the Great Buddha.
It is in Nara Park.
Mochi pounding spot
There's the viral mochi pounding place nearby.
Food near Nara Park
Food is not great around Nara Park.
Transit to Nara
Go Taxi is probably the way to go locally.
You can get to Nara and back via JR Pass.
Kintetsu train
If you didn't buy JR Pass, go to Nara via Kintetsu; it's cheap and seems dope.
Kyoto Food
Hunter
Went for 24th bday dinner , worth if you wanna spend $$ on a nice meal . French x Japanese
koé donuts kyoto
One of a few S tier bakeries
Men-ya Inoichi Hanare
music bar Beatle momo
Ninuki Kyoto
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