Kyoto is a city in the central part of the island of Honshu, Japan and a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area with its population close to 1.5 million today. Kyoto is 310.686 miles away from Tokyo and 31.0685 miles away from Osaka. The Kyoto Basin is surrounded on three sides by mountains known as Higashiyama, Kitayama and Nishiyama, which are all lower than 3280.84 feet above sea level. The south side of the city is flat. Three famous rivers flow through central Kyoto. To the east of the Kyoto Basin flows the Kamo-gawa River, to the west the Katsura-gawa River, and to the south the Uji-gawa River. Central Kyoto City is situated mostly on the flat area, with its prime sightseeing spots scattered along the base of the mountains.

Kyoto’s winters, like its summers, are moist, thus making it feel colder than it really is, with temperatures averaging 5C (41F). There is little snowfall in Kyoto City and southern Kyoto, while northern Kyoto sees heavy snowfall. There is nothing quite like the breathtaking sight of Kyoto’s finest temples and shrines under a thin blanket of snow.

Be sure to dress warmly in a jacket or overcoat. However, all major facilities, such as museums, hotels, and department stores use heating, so include these stops in your itinerary for a break from the cold as needed.

135 min. Shinkansen Nozomi.
Board the Shinkansen Nozomi at Tokyo Station. It will go directly to Kyoto Station.

165 min. Shinkansen Hikari.
Board the Shinkansen Hikari at Tokyo Station. It will go directly to Kyoto Station.

8 hours. Night Bus.
Dream Kyoto, operated by JR, is an overnight bus that departs at 10pm from the stop at the Yaesu South exit of Tokyo Station. It arrives in Kyoto at 6 in the morning. You can buy tickets at the Bus Ticket Center located there at the exit. For those interested, a women-only bus called the Lady’s Dream Kyoto leaves and arrives an hour later than Dream Kyoto.

75 min. Airport Express Haruka
These Kyoto-bound trains, operated by JR, depart from the airport every half hour between 6 in the morning and 8 at night. If you have a Japan Rail Pass, you can ride the Haruka for free.

90 min. JR Rapid Service
If you're not pressed for time and would like to save a little money, you might consider riding the Kansai Airport Rapid Service train to Osaka Station. From there take a Special Rapid train to your destination in Kyoto.

120 min. Airport Limousine Bus
Airport limousine buses will drop you off at selected destinations in Kyoto, including some hotels, for a fairly low price. Multiple limousine bus companies have offices in the airport’s arrivals hall.

120 min. Shuttle Taxi Service
Reservations are usually required at least two days in advance, but shuttle taxi services provide a convenient way to reach your destination directly from the airport. For a fixed fee of a few thousand yen, they will drop you off anywhere in Kyoto for a fixed fee of a few thousand yen.