4-Day KYOTO, JAPAN Travel Itinerary: things to do, places to eat, travel tips, hidden gems

Planning a trip to Japan? This is episode six of my new Japan travel series and today, we are heading to Kyoto. Kyoto is one of my favorite places to visit in Japan. It has the ability to transport you back in time and is seeping with rich history and culture. I can’t wait to show you what the area has to offer!
In today’s episode, I’ll share my 4-day Kyoto travel itinerary filled with Japan travel tips, things to do, places to eat, and more! I hope you enjoy it! #japantravel #japanvlog
➡️ Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel: bit.ly/3fYsUxC ✨
00:00 - INTRO + TRAVEL TO KYOTO
00:55 - HOTEL RESOL ROOM TOUR
01:17 - DAY 1: TALK ABOUT PLAN + HOT POT DINNER
04:10 - DAY 2:📍FUSHIMI INARI
08:22 - DAY 2:📍 KODAIJI TEMPLE
09:46 - DAY 3:📍 CAFE HOPPING IN KYOTO
12:13 - DAY 4: 📍 ARASHIYAMA
14:42 - DAY 4: 📍 SAGA TORIIMOTO PRESERVE STREET
WATCH NEXT
start here ➡️ Japan Travel Series Playlist: • Japan Travel Series
4-Day Fukuoka Travel Itinerary: • THINGS TO DO IN FUKUOK...
5-Day Osaka, Kyoto, Nara & Kobe Travel Itinerary: • 5-Day Japan Travel Iti...
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ABOUT ME
Hi! I’m Remi. A Japanese-American millennial navigating adulthood in Los Angeles. I was born in Fukuoka, Japan but was adopted and raised in Los Angeles, CA.
I love playing tourist in my own city and discovering new places to visit (& eat)!
My mission is to encourage people to be tourists in their own cities by sharing my experiences with the world.
You’ll discover places to visit in Los Angeles/Southern California and get an understanding of what it’s like to live in LA.
I’ll also take you with me as I continue to learn more about Japan and my Japanese heritage.
Thanks so much for watching!

[@remishimazu]

Are you planning a trip to Japan? ✨Learn what you need to book BEFORE going to Japan (+HOW to book) here: lifestylebyremi.com/what-to-book-in-advance-japan/

[@ckylatan]

love your videos! adding some places on my list as i’m travelling solo to japan tomorrow :)❤

[@honeygutierrez3841]

Im going solo too!! Enjoy 😊

[@remishimazu]

i'm glad you enjoyed them! have so much fun on your trip :)

[@dawnsingleton6269]

Hi Remi. Love your video. I too was born in Fukuoka, but many decades before you! :-). I am half Japanese. I grew up in Japan (mother was Japanese and married my dad who was in the military) and ended up in San Diego to go to college. We have a family trip to Japan at the end of this month to visit family in Fukuoka. We then head to Kyoto and end in Tokyo. It has been 15 years since we last visited so we are very excited! I will watch your other videos before we leave!

[@remishimazu]

Wow thank you so much for sharing your story with me. It's really cool to hear from someone who's also from Fukuoka! Your upcoming trip sounds amazing. I'm excited for you! 15 years!? I hope you have the best time reuniting with family and Japan. Thanks for taking the time to watch and reach out! :)

[@raymondflores1323]

Thanks for sharing your video. Giving insight and flavor of Kyoto. I will be there in 3 weeks!s✈😊

[@remishimazu]

I'm gad you enjoyed the video. That's exciting that you already have a trip booked! I hope you have a great time!

[@wilfredhernandez1542]

Going this weekend to kyoto and this video is very helpful even though I've been previously. Thank you

[@remishimazu]

I'm glad you found it helpful! Enjoy your time in Kyoto!

[@thelisaw]

Thanks for this! ♥ It's so dreamy and I can't wait to travel to Kyoto!!! Weheeee ^.^

[@remishimazu]

Kyoto really is a dream. I hope you're able to make the trip out one day!

[@kharla.97]

We're staying 4 nights in Kyoto and I'm so excited :')

[@remishimazu]

i'm so excited for you! i hope you have the best time.

[@pamelasaw]

I m heading to Kyoto soon, thnx for the lovely video 🥰

[@remishimazu]

I’m glad you enjoyed it! Safe travels & enjoy Kyoto! :)

[@WalkInsider]

amazing Thank you!! I am planning to Kyoto soon love your video!!!

[@remishimazu]

yesss!! Kyoto is one of my favorites. I'm so glad you found my video helpful. Thanks for taking the time to watch and leave a note :)

[@deyonmaye]

Thanks for sharing this video. I will be working remotely during our visit in Japan, I appreciate that you shared some cafes to work from. I can’t wait to be in Kyoto! 😊

[@remishimazu]

Ooh how exciting! Overall I think the earlier you can get to places and grab a seat the better. I haven’t been before but there are also co-working spaces that you pay entry for but you’ll for sure find outlets and a quiet space to work.

[@ViewAndYou]

Hi! We’re going back to Japan and took notes from your video! 👌🏼

[@remishimazu]

awesome! I'm glad you found my video helpful! have so much fun on your trip back to Japan :)

[@GreatCityAttractions]

Some great sights.

[@roamthailao.6614]

Good afternoon from Washington state, I'm watching your videos on my smart TV, it's amazing, I'm planning on going to Japan. Thanks 🙏🙏

[@remishimazu]

thanks so much for watching! I'm glad you're enjoying them.

[@rolandcko1250]

HI Remi, thanks for the video. It is so amazing. God bless

[@remishimazu]

thank you so much for watching and taking the time to leave a note! Appreciate you! 😊

[@arceor794]

Thanks for this video, Remi! I'm in L.A. too, and I'll be heading to the Kansai region for 10 days next month.

[@remishimazu]

Ooh! I hope you have so much fun on your trip! Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a note :)

[@MrGhostsword]

Planing my dream trip to Japan, so will be using this guide.. thanks a lot..

[@remishimazu]

I'm glad you found my video helpful! That's so exciting to hear your already have a trip in the works! I hope you have the most amazing time when you go. :)

[@thoisuhot782]

I love Kyoto and had many beautiful picture with traditional cloth, Kimono. Hope to go again here.

[@GreatCityAttractions]

Some amazing places by the looks of it @@thoisuhot782

[@vanessab8954]

Amazing video - thank you

[@remishimazu]

thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

[@paulready8897]

Awesome video, am planning on going to Kyoto just to see my favorite band. Would like to stay around 7 nights. Planning on staying near the Kyoto station Hachijo exit. The food looked amazing, definitely want to try that fish looking cookie. Awesome you are spending quality time with your father.

[@remishimazu]

Thank you! I hope you have a great trip!

[@mackylee7191]

One of my fave place in japan kyoto❤

[@remishimazu]

right?! i love Kyoto :) I always find new things to see and do each time I visit. Even just walking around is great!

[@oregonduc]

Fukuoka is such a chill place. Also less stressful to drive there than in Tokyo 😂. Hawaiian airlines has direct flights to Fukuoka, Kansai, Haneda, Narita and Chitose. These videos is giving me the Japan itch to press the button on tickets.

[@remishimazu]

do ittt!!! haha direct flight? say less. 😂

[@oregonduc]

@@remishimazu in fukuoka now because i took the direct flight from hawaii lol. hopefully with the alaskan buyout of hawaiian won’t cause any issues with the japan routes.

[@mrssandycandy]

Awesome

[@remishimazu]

thank you! :)

[@101taker7]

Im at Kyoto and I am enjoying 18 days in Japan!

[@remishimazu]

Have so much fun!

[@GreatCityAttractions]

Great that you enjoyed it so much

[@jurjenharmsma2609]

Another great video! Thanks 😊 What is the name of restaurant alongside the river that ended up being closed? Very curious now 🫣

[@remishimazu]

Kameyamaya! please go and let me know how it is haha.

[@mermerenola113]

Hi Remi! love your videos! may I ask where you bought that cute little stamp notebook? :)

[@remishimazu]

you can purchase them at bookstores at the train station. Or, I created one that you can purchase on my website here: lifestylebyremi.com/product/japan-eki-stamp-book-my-travel-diary-purple/ sorry for the late reply!! i hope you have an amazing trip.

[@user-lg6mx2ll6x]

Thank you so much for taking us along with you! Can you please tell me where you got your eki stamp book?

[@remishimazu]

I got my stamp book from Kikokuniya book store but I'm sure you can find them at other book stores in Japan as well. I'd look for ones near a station and (if you can't speak japanese), use a photo/screenshot of my stamp book so they can help you find it. I hope this helps! :)

[@angelaa86]

@@remishimazu Great, thanks for the info!

[@Malamix1981]

Hello Remi from Italy. I'm just watching your video and love it. I'm going to visit Japan next november in 2 weeks form Hiroshima to Tokyo passing by Osaka, Kyoto and Nara(classic Tour). I want to ask you if it is a good idea to choose Osaka like a base and take the train each time to visit one day Kyoto and one day Nara. If not, how many days do you think, for your experience, I have to spend in Osaka, Kyoto and Nara? Thanks for your time and your reply..

[@remishimazu]

Ooh! Wow I'm so excited for you and this trip! Love all those destinations. Osaka or Kyoto are good places to make your base. It's really easy to travel between Osaka/Kyoto/Nara via train. One day in Nara is enough but I would recommend at least a few days for Kyoto because popular Kyoto spots are more spread out. I hope this was helpful! Let me know if you have more questions!

[@marvyeap]

Hi Remi, just started watching your journey through Japan. Very nice. Can I get some advice….i hear you say Kyoto is 15mins from Osaka, therefore would it make sense to get a JR Pass and just stay in either Osaka or Kyoto and just commute between the 2 cities? Many thanks. Regards from Malaysia

[@longngu8077]

Hi Remi, I am excited to visit Kyoto in May. Could you recommend a place for fine dining in Kyoto? I understand they are pricey :-( but worth the experience :-) Thank you for the videos.

[@remishimazu]

so i've only done one reservation only dinner in Kyoto and it was at the place linked below. We did the most expensive course because we were celebrating my friends and it was SO WORTH IT. lol Japan already does food well but man... I still dream about this meal sometimes. I hope you have a great trip to Kyoto in May! yakiniku-hiro.com/english/reservation_yasaka.html

[@mzansimagic4436]

thanks from south africa

[@remishimazu]

Hi!! Thanks for watching :)

[@KITCHENCOOKIEJARTHIEF]

❤

[@remishimazu]

thanks for always watching and supporting my channel! I really appreciate it. 😊

[@towada1066]

hmmm,... I would go to the Railway Museum (but the little kids hog all the hands on displays ... I hate them), hiking up to Doshisha Cemetery is really nice too ... I personally hate how Kyoto are so cultured and refined and look down on me but Kanji Museum in Gion is so nice and they give you lots of free stuff ...

[@RelaxWithMusicRWM]

👍👍

[@remishimazu]

😊

[@RelaxWithMusicRWM]

@@remishimazu 😬🤗

[@ChibaMeta]

Awesome video! would LOVE to hear your experience working remotely in Japan... I might be doing that VERY soon...

[@remishimazu]

Japan is actually a great place to work remotely. Lots of coffee shops with plugs and places to work. I'd just suggest going early to grab a seat because it does get very crowded. That's so cool that you'll also be working remotely there soon!

[@duran5111]

@remishimazu where can you get those passport books from in Kyoto/Osaka? I have been wondering about that for a few videos now.

[@remishimazu]

I got it from a Kikokuniya bookstore! Mine is from one near Hakata Station but they have locations all over Japan and a few in the US.

[@hiitsjean]

Thanks for the video. We’ll be going to Kyoto soon. Is credit card widely accepted ? And does PIN required? we don’t use pin for credit card purchases here in the states? Hope it’s the same in Kyoto. Thank you! One more question, is Uber available in Kyoto?

[@remishimazu]

hi! i'm glad you enjoyed the video :) credit card is accepted in Japan but there are a lot of places that are cash only. You can also use a Suica or other IC cards to pay electronically as well. I haven't had to use a pin for past credit card purchases. I've also personally never tried using Uber in Japan but it's really easy to catch a cab! Especially if you're near a station. Or if you're catching it from your hotel, the front desk can call one for you! I hope this helps!

[@hiitsjean]

Thank you so much for your reply. It’s very helpful. You have good quality videos!

[@remishimazu]

Thank you!! I hope you have an amazing time on your trip!

[@mogumaplanning]

Kegonji Temple in Kyoto is recommended. Jizō will come to grant you one wish. If you don't mind, please.☺

[@remishimazu]

love that! wow thank you for all these recommendations. adding to my list!

[@monborja1501]

Whats the name of the restaurant that was close when you went there in Arashiyama River? Thanks

[@remishimazu]

Kameyamaya! I hope you get the chance to go!

[@oceanbreeze1110]

Since your dad is moving to Japan you will have more reasons to come back and visit Remi. I saw you had a power brick. Interesting it was hard for you to find shops with ports. I would think Japan would be more modernized and accommodating to technology.

[@remishimazu]

Oh yes, I will definitely be back in Japan as often as I can. I love it. & there are actually a lot of coffee shops in Japan with outlets but it gets really crowded! I've even found outlets on trains lol but yeah, I struggled in Kyoto because I honestly didn't do much research into where I wanted to work for the day. I had much more success in Tokyo when I took the time to find blogs about the "best places to work" so suggest doing that if you ever plan to work out there! :)

[@lifeneedsmorechill]

Why no videos of the buildings at kodaiji temple can I know?

[@remishimazu]

I’m not exactly sure why to be honest. They just have signs everywhere saying no recording but photography is ok!

[@tonymnla]

In Arashiyama you were headed to a restaurant for lunch but it was closed, what is this place? -thanks!

[@remishimazu]

Kameyamaya!! Ooh I hope you have the chance to go!

[@evelynvillavieja6520]

when did you took this videos? planning to go to kyoto in march 2024

[@remishimazu]

ooh fun! this video was filmed early December. I hope you have the best time on your trip!

[@ThisMusicIsToogood]

0:48 It's considered rude to leave pieces of rice apparently?? So I heard

[@remishimazu]

to be honest i have heard such mixed things about this!! I'm definitely not an expert in Japanese manners but generally, it's best not to be "wasteful" and to be mindful of how much you can eat. But, if in the end, you just can't finish it, then don't force yourself.

[@Kaledada4u]

what about the room rent???

[@kphilips2010]

How do you decide where to stay

[@remishimazu]

I look for places that are near train stations! That way you don't have to worry about lugging your baggage to your hotels or worry about calling cabs (which can be expensive).

[@brittneyv8524]

What month were you there?

[@remishimazu]

I was there in December! November/December are my favorite months in Japan because of the weather, fall foliage, and the winter lights!

[@9travel]

9 trqvel

[@larryneiberheim592]

Why are people wearing masks

[@remishimazu]

This video was filmed when the government still required masks in Japan. But masks are nothing new in Japan. They wear masks for multiple other reasons like allergies (Japanese people are prone to hay fever in the spring), when they have a cold (as a courtesy to prevent spreading germs to others especially on public transportation), to keep their faces warm, etc. As of March 2023, masks are no longer required but you’ll still see lots of masks worn. I hope this helps provide some context to masks in Japan!