Day 7: Day trip to Kyoto
I love Kyoto. I thought it would be swarming with tourists but I guess maybe it’s the low tourist season now as the weather is rather warm. It’s a lovely city with a good mix of old and modern buildings.
🚆Osaka to Kyoto
We took this limited express train from Osaka station to Kyoto for about SGD13 per pax. It took us about 30 mins for us to get there via Thunderbird train but the train fare purchase was so confusing! You need to purchase a base fare ticket and a separate train ticket for the ride. We ended up running up and down the train station and asking the station masters for help. We got the non-reserved tickets but the train only had reserved seats. We were still confused about it. But we still took the train anyway as it was only 2 stops away. Thankfully we managed to reach Kyoto safely!
🍤 Nishikin Market
We went to Nishikin market to grab some breakfast but things there were way to expensive! It’s a super touristy spot with overpriced food. Some snacks were quite tasty but too expensive. I would totally skip this.
👻 TOEI Kyoto Studio Park
Then we headed to TOEI Animation park. If you are a fan of Evangelion or Kamen Rider, it is worth a trip. Otherwise, there isn’t much to see. On weekends, there’s a Yokei festival parade. Don’t forget to catch the Ninja show where you are there.
🍵IPPUDO tea
Then we rushed off to IPPUDO teahouse before it closes. We tried their matcha latte for 12,000 yen. That’s around SGD10++ for a small cup. Matcha was smooth and pleasant tasting but it isn’t my favourite.
🌸Flower & Matcha Footbath
Then we went to a spa to try out their foot baths. We didn’t make an appointment so we didnt get a slot. But they allowed us to try their 15-min foot bath for 27,000 yen. A short foot bath but it was an instant relief for both of our feet. The soreness literally left our feet after the 15-min foot bath. They added bath salts in it too! Highly recommend to try this!
🍤Loosen up! Tendons
We had Tendon in this small quaint restaurant. Food was pretty good but not outstanding. The owner was really kind and polite though.
🚞Kyoto to Osaka
We took their subway back this time. It took us around 1hr 20 mins to get home but it’s cheaper. It’s only 690 yen per pax.
If you plan a day trip from Osaka to Kyoto like I did, there are a few things that can make your journey smoother. First, when buying train tickets for the limited express Thunderbird, remember you may need a base fare ticket plus an additional express ticket. Non-reserved seats can be confusing, so asking station staff early helps avoid last-minute hassle. For food lovers, while Nishikin Market is lively and offers many local snacks, prices can be steep and touristy. Considering alternatives for breakfast might save your budget. On the other hand, smaller local restaurants like the quaint Tendon spot I found can offer tasty meals with warm hospitality. A unique highlight I found was trying the matcha latte at IPPUDO teahouse and the flower & matcha footbath at a nearby spa. Though a bit pricey, the footbath provided instant relief after walking all day — a hidden gem if you're looking to relax. Booking ahead is best as slots can fill quickly. If you enjoy theme parks, TOEI Kyoto Studio Park offers a niche but fun experience for fans of Evangelion and Kamen Rider, with ninja shows and occasional parades. However, it might not appeal to all travelers. Last but not least, consider taking the subway back to Osaka for a cheaper option, though it takes longer. Balancing cost and travel time helped me get the most out of my day trip. Overall, Kyoto blends tradition and modernity wonderfully, and even a short visit can offer rich memories.
