The Best Day Trips from Kyoto to 4 Major Regions Nearby

When you think of Kyoto’s “outskirts,” you might think of spots like Amanohashidate, the boat houses of Ine, or Uji. But beyond these classic spots, Kyoto is also home to many pristine landscapes that are well worth visiting. Kyoto Prefecture is divided into four areas: Kyoto by the Sea, Woodland Kyoto, Kyoto Tea Country, and Otokuni Bamboo Grove. Each offers a different side of Kyoto, from red-brick port towns and thatched-roof villages to peaceful bamboo groves and historic architecture.

In this article, we’ll step slightly away from the crowded classic routes and focus on hidden gems that can be explored by train, rental car, or chartered taxi. Find a day trip itinerary that matches your interests, whether you’re looking for seascapes, history and culture, food and shopping, or photo opportunities, and come experience a different side of Kyoto.

A Comparison of Day Trips in Four Areas Around Kyoto

Located along the Sea of Japan, the Kyoto by the Sea area encompasses Maizuru, Miyazu, Kyotango, and Fukuchiyama. In addition to Amanohashidate and the boat houses of Ine, the port town of Maizuru is another destination well worth a visit. Nishi-Maizuru to the west retains the atmosphere of a former castle town, while Higashi-Maizuru to the east is known for its history as a naval port and its collection of red-brick warehouses. With sea views, modern architecture, and the distinctive culture of a port town, this trip offers a side of Kyoto that’s quite different from the image of the ancient capital.

Recommended Route: 1. JR Kyoto Station → 2. JR Higashi-Maizuru Station → 3. Maizuru Red Brick Park / 4. Red Brick Museum → Seafood lunch → 5. Maizuru Port sightseeing cruise → 6. Walk around Kitasui Pier → 2. JR Higashi-Maizuru Station → 1. JR Kyoto Station

If you take a limited express train from JR Kyoto Station, you’ll arrive in Maizuru in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Begin your trip at Maizuru Red Brick Park, a collection of red-brick warehouses more than 100 years old that have been renovated for modern use. After visiting the Red Brick Museum, enjoy fresh local seafood or specialty “navy curry rice” for lunch at the complex or nearby. In the afternoon, take a sightseeing cruise and enjoy views of naval vessels, shipyards, and Maizuru Bay as you enjoy the refreshing sea breeze. This route allows you to experience the history and charm of Maizuru as a military port from both land and sea.

Since the majority of this trip’s highlights are concentrated in the Higashi-Maizuru area, it’s perfect for anyone traveling without a car. Note that the number of sightseeing cruises varies depending on the date and season, so you’ll want to check the cruise’s official website and make a reservation in advance.

More to Explore
・Related Article:「The Port City of Maizuru: From Spectacular Scenery to Pleasure Cruises and Navy Heritage」
・Transportation Information: Maizuru City Free Sightseeing Shuttle Bus」

Woodland Kyoto is located in the heart of Kyoto Prefecture, and is characterized by its mountains, clear streams, rural landscapes, and traditional mountain villages. It’s iconic Thatched Roof Village in Miyama features many homes with traditional thatched roofs, where visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons. You can also savor the bounty of the mountain villages in the surrounding area, with foods like wild mountain vegetables, sweetfish, black soybeans, and chestnuts. It’s a great destination for a leisurely driving trip, with stops at roadside stations along the way to shop for local specialties and more.

Recommended Route: 1. Kyoto City → 2. Miyama Thatched Village → 3. Roadside Station Nagomi → 4. Mizuho no Sato/Sarabiki Roadside Station → 5. Arashiyama → 1. Kyoto City

Depart Kyoto City in the morning and drive to Miyama’s Thatched Roof Village. Take a leisurely stroll through this traditional thatched-roof village surrounded by mountains and soak in the tranquil scenery. Next, head to Roadside Station Nagomi, nestled between the mountains and the Yura River. Enjoy locally-sourced dishes and café fare as you take in views of the river, or shop for local agricultural products, like Wachi black soybeans. Your next stop is Mizuho no Sato/Sarabiki Roadside Station, which just reopened in July 2026. Inside the newly renovated facility, be sure to pick out some souvenirs unique to Kyotamba. On the way back, make a detour to Arashiyama and take a short walk around Togetsukyo Bridge to bring your relaxing road trip to a close.

Kyoto Tea Country is an area in the south of Kyoto Prefecture, and includes the towns of Uji, Yawata, Kyotanabe, and Wazuka. In addition to Byodo-in Temple, Ujigami Shrine, and long-established matcha shops, there are many National Treasure shrines and temples along the Keihan Railway, as well as facilities for experiencing tea culture. This itinerary will have you travel from Yawata to Uji to enjoy the various different facets of Kyoto Tea Country, from vermilion shrine buildings to a Chinese-style zen temple, and a matcha tea experience.

Recommended Route: 1. Kyoto City → 2. Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine → 3. Obaku-san Manpuku-ji Temple → 4. Uji Tea Experience at Chazuna, Uji City Historical Park → 1. Kyoto City

Head to Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine on the Keihan Railway, then transfer to the <a href="https://www.kyototourism.org/en/sightseeing/26998/" target="_blank"Iwashimizu-Hachimangu-sando Cable Car to ride up Mt. Otoko. Visit the National Treasure Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine, famous for its vermilion-painted shrine buildings, and take in views of southern Kyoto. Next, transfer to the Uji Line at Chushojima Station and get off at Obaku Station. At the National Treasure Obaku-san Manpuku-ji Temple, founded by the Chinese monk Ingen Ryuki, admire architecture inspired by Ming Dynasty China. Finally, head to Chazuna, the Historical Park of Tea and Uji Land, near Keihan Uji Station. Learn about the history of Uji tea through the exhibits, then grind tea leaves and try your hand at making your own matcha.

You’ll mainly use the Keihan Railway for transportation. Since the tea experience has limited capacity, making a reservation in advance is recommended.

More to Explore
・Related Article: Yawata: A must-visit Gem Between Kyoto and Osaka
・Related Article:A Day-Trip Plan in Uji: The Guide to Matcha Sweets, Local Cuisine, and Exploring Byodo-in Temple
・Related Article:Uji’s Temples and Shrines: Uncover the Spiritual Beauty of Uji, Kyoto
・Related Article:5 Amazing Experiences in Uji City Related to Uji Tea

The Kyoto Otokuni Bamboo Grove area spans Muko City, Nagaokakyo City, and the town of Oyamazaki. In addition to being known as one of Kyoto’s leading producers of bamboo shoots, the area is home to the former site of Nagaoka-kyo (once a capital location even before Kyoto City!) and numerous historic temples, shrines, and buildings. Compared with the bamboo groves of Arashiyama, bustling with tourists, this area offers a more leisurely experience. Come experience the beauty of Kyoto here throughout the year as you stroll through spaces filled with the rustling of bamboo leaves, flowers blooming beside ponds, flower-filled temple purification basins, and art.

Recommended Route: 1. Kyoto City → 2. Take-no-Michi (Muko Bamboo Path) → 3. Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine → Lunch → 4. Yanagidani Kannon Yokoku-ji Temple → 5. Asahi Group Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art → 1. Kyoto City

Depart Kyoto City via chartered taxi and begin your day at the Muko Bamboo Path, about 1.8 km in length, and admire its unique bamboo fences crafted from natural bamboo. Next, head to Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine, and stroll around Hachijo Pond and its overwater bridges; the scenery here shifts with the seasons, offering beautiful displays of cherry blossoms, azaleas, lotus flowers, and autumn foliage. In the afternoon, visit Yanagidani Kannon Yokoku-ji Temple, which is famous for its hanachozu (purification fountains specially filled with flowers). Finally, head to the Asahi Group Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art to explore the Taisho era (1912-1926) villa, the modern annex designed by architect Tadao Ando, ​​Monet’s Water Lilies, and the museum’s beautiful gardens.

The sights on this route are spread out across a wide area, so a chartered taxi is the best way to see them and save time. This itinerary is perfect for couples, groups of friends, photography enthusiasts, and families alike.

More to Explore
・Related Article: Kyoto’s Muko Bamboo Path and the Artisanal Mastery Behind It
・Related Article:Find Peace in Otokuni’s Bamboo Groves on a One-Day Taxi Trip

Q1: What are some of the best areas to visit around Kyoto that are reachable by train?
If you like ocean scenery or historical buildings, you should check out Maizuru, which is accessible on the JR limited express train. If you’re more into shrines and temples or an Uji tea experience, take a Keihan Railway train to travel around Iwashimizu Hachimangu, Obaku, or Uji.

Q2: Will I be able to enjoy the areas around Kyoto without a car?
Yes, you definitely can. You can reach Maizuru by JR train, and from there, you can travel around by bus or on foot. Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine, Obaku-san Manpuku-ji Temple, and Uji are all located along the Keihan Railway line, too, so they’re great destinations for a day trip from Kyoto without a car.

Q3: What is the best season to visit the four major areas around Kyoto?
All four areas offer their own unique charms throughout the year. Spring and fall are perfect for strolling through port towns or taking a drive through mountain villages. In summer, the lush green tea fields and fresh greenery of the bamboo groves are lovely to see, while winter offers seasonal seafood and snowy landscapes. The Otokuni Bamboo Grove area also has plenty to see, from flowers in spring to the greenery of summer and the colorful leaves of autumn, so we recommend picking a time to visit based on the type of seasonal scenery you’d most like to enjoy.