Kyoto Day Trip from Osaka

Kyoto Day Trip from Osaka

Our trip to Japan felt a bit like a tasting menu. We got a taste of so many incredible places, but there’s always one you wish you’d gone back to for seconds. Kyoto was that place for me, and next time we visit Japan, I’ll definitely be ordering the large portion of Kyoto!

We organised a full-day trip to Kyoto while we were staying in Osaka, as it’s only about a 30-minute bullet train ride away. Even though we only had a day there, in true cousin connect travel style, we managed to pack quite a bit in.

Breakfast at 7-Eleven

Our first stop was 7-Eleven for something to eat. Oh my goodness, 7-Elevens in Japan are something else. The range of fresh food is amazing, and the prices are crazy cheap.

teamLab Biovortex Kyoto

After that, we spent over three hours at teamLab Biovortex, and as I said in the recap, I think it may have been the highlight of the trip.

Heading to Arashiyama

Then we stopped for burgers at Wagyu to Worldwide before heading out to Arashiyama to see the famous bamboo forest.

We took the train from central Kyoto out to Saga-Arashiyama, and from there walked through the streets towards the bamboo grove.

The whole area had such a peaceful, calm feel, and everything sounded almost muted. Maybe it was because we were surrounded by so much greenery and mountains. It gave the effect of being in a soundproof room. It’s kind of hard to explain, but that’s the closest I can describe it.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

When we got to the bamboo forest, Sam, who visited Kyoto in 2024, told me it was really short, and we’d be through it in no time. Either he remembered it differently, or my sense of distance was completely off, because it felt so much longer than I was expecting.

I kept asking him how he thought it was short, but he couldn’t really remember. It’s a mystery.

Anyway, the bamboo forest was incredible, with towering bamboo all along the path.

I remember saying out loud, “I can’t believe I’m here.” I think I say that a lot when I’m overseas. It usually goes: “I can’t believe I survived the flight and landed,” and then, “I can’t believe I’m here,” whenever I see an amazing sight. Hehe.

At the end of the bamboo forest, we came across a small temple tucked away just off the path.

As we walked further through Arashiyama, we reached a small lookout where we could see the mountains rising around the area. So beautiful and peaceful.

Almost Made It (But Didn’t)

After the bamboo forest, we really wanted to visit the Tenryu-ji Temple gardens, which are right there next to the bamboo grove. But it was already too late, and even though we sprinted to try and make it before the gates closed at 5, we missed it.

The famous red gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha are also in Kyoto, but we needed another day to explore those as well. So that’s two big reasons to go back to Kyoto one day.

I think we did a great Kyoto day trip. It really was so beautiful and one of those days that felt like a lot, but still not quite enough at the same time. I hope to visit you again, Kyoto… you really stole my heart on this trip.