Many agree that spending the night in Tokyo is worth it. The city offers vibrant nightlife, diverse dining, cultural experiences, and iconic attractions that are best enjoyed over an extended stay. So if you have the time, we recommend staying in the city for at least two to three days.
Is it better to fly or take a train from Kyoto to Tokyo?
Most people find taking a bullet train better than flying. Flying is time-consuming and complicated since multiple transfers are often involved, and you need to travel to a nearby airport before you can catch a flight to Tokyo.
Can you take a taxi from Kyoto to Tokyo?
You can take a taxi from Kyoto to Tokyo, but due to the distance and cost, it is not a common or practical choice. The taxi fare could easily exceed ยฅ100,000 (about $900 or more), depending on traffic and the specific route. That's why those who want to travel by car book with Daytrip.
What is the easiest way to get from Kyoto to Tokyo?
The easiest way to get from Kyoto to Tokyo is usually to take the bullet train. The bullet train is a high-speed train that completes this transfer in about two and a half to three hours. However, it can be expensive, and you won't get to make any sightseeing stops along the way.
What is the fastest way to get from Kyoto to Tokyo?
The fastest way to get from Kyoto to Tokyo is to take the bullet train. A bullet train leaves Kyoto for Tokyo every six to 10 minutes, so you should have no issue securing a seat. However, you should note that delays can occur, and you might not be able to see much of the passing scenery.
How much does it cost to take a train from Kyoto to Tokyo?
Taking a train from Kyoto to Tokyo can cost anywhere from $88 to $96, if not more, depending on when you book and if you are traveling in the peak season. You might be able to pay less if you book far in advance and avoid public holidays and weekend travel.
Tokyo is a fascinating and dynamic city in Japan with a nearly endless array of exciting things to do and see year-round. With its unique culture, interesting history, delicious local cuisine, quirky attractions, and unmatched public transportation, it's unsurprising that it's on many people's travel bucket lists. If you're one of these travelers eager to complete a Kyoto to Tokyo transfer, you've got much to look forward to, not only in the city but along the way, too.
When you drive with a private door-to-door car service like Daytrip, you'll have access to a friendly, professional English-speaking driver. Your personal driver can make stops along the route at several enticing destinations.
For example, you can visit the Hakone Open Air Museum and be captivated by its lush landscapes and outdoor sculpture collection. There is also Gotemba, a town nestled beneath the famous Mt Fuji and known for its amazing shopping experiences.
You can also choose to stop at the Sakitori Shrine, which is dedicated to the god Sakitori, before you make your way to the southern beach of Chigasaki, which is well respected for being the birthplace of Japanese surfing culture. These are only a few of the stops worth considering. Your Daytrip driver will be more than happy to give you insights into the places you want to visit while driving you to Tokyo, where your city adventure will begin!
About Tokyo
Nearly 14 million people call Japan's capital city, Tokyo, home, making it the world's largest capital city by population. If you include the whole Tokyo metropolitan area, Tokyo is home to close to 40 million people! Tokyo is known as Japan's financial, industrial, and cultural center and one of the world's major international financial centers.
Historically, Tokyo was called 'Edo,' and it was first mentioned in the 15th century. Edo was the home base of the powerful military leader Tokugawa Ieyasu. After the Japanese nation was unified, Edo became the capital and remained the capital of Tokugawa until 1868, when the Meiji Emperor conquered the city. With the conquering of the city, it was renamed Tokyo and referred to as the country's 'eastern capital.'
According to accounts, Tokyo rapidly expanded and modernized in the first half of the 20th century. Even after the 1923 earthquake, which killed an estimated 100,000 people, the city remained prosperous. Tokyo even survived World War II, with much construction and renovation occurring after the sustained barrage of air raids. By 1964, Tokyo had fully recovered and continued to grow, especially after the Olympic games.
You will find Tokyo on the Pacific Ocean side of central Honshu, one of Japan's main islands, near the Kanto Plain, the country's largest low-lying territory. Visitors to Tokyo will be surprised to learn that volcanic mountain ranges are on Tokyo's north and west sides. One of these mountains is the much-loved and feared Mount Fuji โ which happens to be the largest mountain in Japan.
Depending on your vantage point, these mountains can be seen from the city and add to its incredible appeal. The city is also known for its many green zones, parks, and cherry blossom trees, which are in full bloom during the spring season.
When you visit, you can tour the city center and look at the Imperial Palace, which overlooks the city's central business district near Tokyo station. If you walk to the south side of the palace, you can see the city's governmental district, which houses the beautifully ornate Supreme Court, Foreign Finance, and Parliament houses.
Today, Tokyo is also known for having several unique attractions and activities. From cultural temples dedicated to various gods, arcade galleries, and nightclubs to hole-in-the-wall eateries, gaming lounges, and alleyways where one can find almost anything, considering the numerous shops.
From Kyoto to Tokyo: travel tips
If you're taking the time to plan a Kyoto to Tokyo trip properly, you need to memorize a few helpful travel tips. Below, we've shared a few tips to help you enjoy yourself when you complete a Kyoto to Tokyo transfer.
Cards are mostly accepted but carry cash, too
Most international credit cards, such as Visa, American Express, MasterCard, and Diners Club, are accepted in Tokyo, so you can use them to pay for things in the city and along the way, including food, attractions, and activities. However, it's important to note that not all hotels, retail shops, vendors, and attractions accept cards, so carrying paper money is crucial to ensure you don't end up in a bind.
### Tipping isn't necessary but is sometimes included
Tipping culture varies wildly from country to country, but in Japan, and thus in places like Kyoto and Tokyo and destinations in between, tipping is often unnecessary. You often won't need to tip at restaurants, hotels, airports, bars, or taxis. However, it is always appreciated, and you might get an additional service charge on specific bills at restaurants that cover wait staff tips.
### There is free WiFi
WiFi is a necessity in the modern world, especially when traveling abroad and locally from Kyoto to Tokyo. Fortunately, unlike many other places in the world where you might travel, this route offers numerous WiFi locations where you can connect. Airports, train stations, cafes, restaurants, and libraries offer free high-speed WiFi. This allows you to video call loved ones, send messages, book transportation, or search for where to visit next.
How to get from Kyoto to Tokyo
Getting from Kyotot to Tokyo is quick and easy, considering it is one of Japan's most popular travel routes. The distance between the two cities is about 225 miles (370 km) โ this was a distance once traversed on foot โ which isn't too far if you travel by bus, flight, Shinkansen high-speed train, or private car transfer service. Let's unpack each option so that you can decide which best suits your travel needs.
From Kyoto to Tokyo by train
The most popular method of traveling from Kyoto to Tokyo is by using a high-speed Shinkansen bullet train. This transportation option is the fastest and most popular choice but isn't always the cheapest. Many people choose to travel via the Shinkansen if they are on a time crunch or want to complete a day trip in Tokyo without spending the night in the city.
You can buy a point-to-point Shinkansen train pass at a few places, such as Rakuten Travel and Klook. Usually, a one-way ticket from Kyoto to Tokyo will have a price of between $88 and $96, and you can expect the trip to take only two and a half to three hours, depending on your train, considering it's a direct route with no stops. It's also worth noting that a Shinkansen bullet train departs every six to 10 minutes between these cities.
However, there is a major downside to traveling by bullet train between Kyoto and Tokyoโluggage. If you have a lot of luggage, and by a lot, we mean a bag bigger than 34 inches by 98 inches (160 cm x 250 cm), you won't be able to take it onboard. Instead, you'll need to send it ahead with a luggage delivery service, which can be frustrating and expensive. Not to mention, it carries the risk of items being lost or damaged.
### From Kyoto to Tokyo by bus
Bus travel from Kyoto to Tokyo is popular with budget-conscious travelers, especially night buses. Taking an overnight bus saves on accommodation and means you have more time to explore Tokyo if you are only visiting on a day trip.
On average, overnight bus tickets cost about $20, and you can book them on Kosoku Bus, an English bus booking site. However, you need to know that booking an overnight bus means sacrificing comfort, and the trip will take about seven hours.
Most overnight buses leave Kyoto just before midnight and deposit passengers in Tokyo around 6:30 a.m. It's also worth noting that women-only buses are available if you're a single woman traveling from Kyoto to Tokyo on your own and want a safer way to travel. In the same breath, Daytripโa private car transfer serviceโcan offer the same option.
### From Kyoto to Tokyo by flight
Surprisingly, flights from Kyoto to Tokyo are pretty affordable. But there is a catch. Although ticket prices can be as low as $23 to $52, you must travel from Kyoto to Kansai International Airport before flying to Tokyo International Airport.
Usually, travelers book with Peach Airways or Jetstar as they offer the most value for money. Flights are also known to take about 90 minutes. However, you must also factor in travel times, especially if you're landing at different airports, like Haneda Airport or Narita Airport, before transferring to Tokyo Airport.
Unfortunately, airport transfer services can be expensive, especially since Kyoto to Kansai is about a 75-minute drive, and this ride costs about $24 on its own during the high season.
### From Kyoto to Tokyo by private car transfer service Daytrip
You might be tempted to drive yourself from Kyoto to Tokyo, but we advise against this. The cost of fuel, tolls, and vehicle hire can often be incredibly high. According to travel sites, the tolls alone would cost you between $66 and $99, and you would need at least one tank of fuel one-way.
Fortunately, if you do want to drive and the main reason for this is sightseeing opportunities, you can book with a private door-to-door transfer service like Daytrip. With Daytrip, you'll have access to a safe, vetted, private English-speaking driver who knows the route between Kyoto and Tokyo. Along the way, your driver can share insights about travel destinations you should explore and can help you decide the best spots along the way to visit that are worth your time.
A Kyoto to Tokyo transfer with Daytrip will set you back about $317, but this includes tolls, fuel, car hire, and your private driver. You will also get to choose when you travel, and your trip will be flexible, with you having control over where you stop and explore along the route. It's also handy that there are no luggage limitations and that your driver will handle them.
Things to do when you get to Tokyo
When it comes to deciding on the best things to do in Tokyo, it comes down to how much time you have to spend in the city. There are high-excitement and relaxed activities, so there is something for everyone.
But if you're planning a trip from Kyoto to Tokyo soon, it's best to arrive with a game plan. That's why we've shared a few of the best things to do in this city. So consider our suggestions, but don't be afraid to get lost in the city and see where your explorations take youโjust remember to stay safe!
### Harmonica Yokocho
Harmonica Yokocho is not so much a specific attraction as an entire alleyway worth visiting.
Only a short walk from JR Kichijoji station, this clutch of narrow alleyways is filled with enticing hole-in-the-wall eateries, bustling bars, restaurants, fishmongers, and traditional sweet makers.
Although this area began as a post-war flea market in the 1940s, it has grown to encompass a network of entrepreneurs worth supporting.
### Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to tour an open green zone with English, French, and Japanese-inspired landscapes? Well, you won't have to wonder anymore, as you'll get to witness this amalgamation of greenery yourself at the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.
This garden in downtown Tokyo is a gorgeous urban oasis comprising 144 acres of lush greenery and unique landscaping styles. You can explore French formal, Japanese traditional, and English garden styles when you visit. As a bonus, there are cherry blossom trees to see in the springtime.
But no matter when you come, these gardens are beautiful. Just remember to bring along a picnic and a camera, as you will want to capture the gardens to reminisce about later.
### Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa
The Senso-ji Temple is the oldest and most visited religious site in Tokyo. It was built in 628 but sadly was razed during World War II and rebuilt, but it's still a beautiful spot to visit.
Not only will you get to see the traditional Japanese style of a temple when you visit, but you'll also learn more about the godโAsakusa Kannonโto which the temple is dedicated.
When is the best time to visit Tokyo?
Those planning a trip from Kyoto to Tokyo must know the best time to visit. This is not the easiest thing to answer, considering Tokyo is beautiful year-round.
However, most travelers agree that Tokyo is at its best in early spring (March) or late fall (November). These seasons offer far more comfortable temperatures, and you can avoid most major crowds. Yet, do not expect to visit Tokyo and encounter no crowds, as this is an impossibility you must come to grips with before planning your trip.
If you're wondering when to avoid Tokyo, you shouldn't plan to visit in August if you can avoid it. In August, the city can be sweltering, humid, and sweaty, which is no one's definition of fun!
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The Hakone Open-Air Museum
This museum beautifully integrates art and nature through a captivating collection of sculptures displayed amidst the lush landscape of Hakone.ย Open-Air Artistryย
Gotemba
Nestled beneath Mt. Fuji, this city boasts Japan's top outlet shopping haven and spectacular Fuji vistas.ย Fuji Outlet Havenย
Sakitori Shrine
This special shrine venerates the great god Sakitori, who is believed to have opened the doors to academic and industrial success in Shinomiya.ย Enlightened Stepsย
Southern Beach Chigasaki
Embraced by the waves of Sagami Bay, this beach has gained fame as the birthplace of surfing culture in Japan.ย Chigasaki Chillย
Taya Caves
This intricate labyrinth of passages and chambers is adorned with a multitude of rock-carved reliefs, from Buddhist deities to mythical creatures.ย Candlelit Odysseyย
Gumyo-ji
Amidst the ever-evolving urban landscape of Yokohama, Gumyoji Temple offers a serene sanctuary steeped in tradition.ย Tranquil Yokohamaย
