With Seishun 18 Kippu, how far can we travel from Nagoya? This Pass is valid only for three limited durations of time (Winter, Spring, and Summer, explained in this post), but if you happen to be in Japan during these periods, no travelers, domestic or international, should miss this wonderful opportunity to cut down their travel expenses.
You COULD use this Pass for a long journey, literally from Tokyo to Hiroshima (16 hours) (for more info, see our previous post). However, Tune In Nagoya recommends that the Pass should be used in its combination with the major travels, such as ones between major cities, by Shinkansen (English: Bullet Train).
This means that this Pass is good for one- or two-day trip from your base City Nagoya. After short trips to the neighboring city/cities in Nagoya metropolitan area, you can move to another destination by other transportation means, such as Shinkansen (Bullet Train). This way is the most effective in terms of both time and money.
Here are THREE recommended day trips from Nagoya.
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| The Golden Dolphin, Nagoya's symbol, placed on the top of Nagoya Castle |
1) Yes, definitely KYOTO: A one-day Trip from Nagoya to KYOTO
Whether you have visited Kyoto before or not, Kyoto beats any other destination for the day trip from Nagoya. Yes, you COULD visit Kyoto from Osaka (definitely easier access from Osaka than Nagoya), but you can save the Seasonal/Promotional Pass for later visits further south from Osaka.
If you have never visited Kyoto before, you SURELY should because you cannot feel Japan without visiting Kyoto as most international and domestic travelers always comment on its beauty. Even for frequent visitors, Kyoto always provides unique discoveries in every season (Cherry blossoms decorate ancient temples and shrines in Spring and red-colored tree leaves in Autumn) upon each trip.
If you have never visited Kyoto before, you SURELY should because you cannot feel Japan without visiting Kyoto as most international and domestic travelers always comment on its beauty. Even for frequent visitors, Kyoto always provides unique discoveries in every season (Cherry blossoms decorate ancient temples and shrines in Spring and red-colored tree leaves in Autumn) upon each trip.
How to get to Kyoto from Nagoya
Useful Tip for this train ride: The train from Gifu Station OR Ogaki Station to Maibara Station is probably crowded. Also, usually, the departure train bound for Maibara leaves from the different platform, which means you have to change plaforms after arriving at Gifu OR Ogaki Station. We would hurry to the departure platform asap. Your comfortable trip definitely depends on how to navigate this crowded route.
In Kyoto, you can buy a one-day Subway/Bus Pass for 900 yen. (You can buy a cheaper pass only valid for the bus ride for 500 yen, but we recommend the 900 yen Pass because you can jump onto subways whenever necessary, instead of waiting long for the crowded buses' late arrival). This saves a lot of time!
More importantly, with this Pass, you can visit one of the MUST places in Kyoto, namely Ohara Area, which rejuvenates you for sure (see below). Of course, with this Pass, you can visit the following popular temples, shrines and historical/cultural sites.
Major and MUST sites for first-time travelers in Kyoto
All the following 6 sites (from the top) are designated as National Heritage sites.
West:
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Ryuuan-ji (Moss Temple)
- Ninna-ji
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| Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion) |
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| Ryuuanji-ji Temple's Rock Garden |
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| A replica of the rock/sand garden (above) displaced at the entrance |
- Kiyomizu-dera (Kiyomizu Temple)
- Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
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| Kiyomizu Temple |
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| Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) |
- Kamigamo-jinja (Kamigamo Shrine)
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| Kamigamo-Jinja (Kamigamo Shrine) |
- Gion & Yasaka no Tou (Yasaka Pagoda)
- Fushimi Inari (Fushimi Inari Shrine)
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| Yasaka Pagoda |
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| Fushimi Inari (Fushimi Inari Shrine) |
2) Four other MUST places Tune In Nagoya strongly recommends
- Byodou-in, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture
Byodo-in is one of the World Heritage sites and national treasures, which provides some insight into Japanese history and culture. It is a Buddhist temple built in late Heian Period (from 794 to 1185), when Kyoto was the capital of Japan before its being moved to Kamakura in 1192. Byodo-in Hoou-do (English: Phoenix Temple) is the main attraction here, but Buddhist statues designated as national treasures should not be missed. Byodo-in Hoou-do is depicted on the Japanese 10-yen coin. You can easily imagine how important it is to Japanese people! In addition, since Uji is very famous for Uji-cha or Matcha (English: Green Tea), you should stop by at a Matcha shop where Matcha cake or dessert is also served.  |
| Byodo-in Hoou-do (Phoenix Temple) |
How to get to Byodou-in, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture
With the Pass, take a JR train from Nagoya to Uji Station. You have to change trains twice at Gifu Station OR Ogaki Station, and Maibara Station (as explained above) in the same way to Kyoto Station, but you keep riding on the train (instead of getting off at Kyoto Station) to Uji Station. The extra 27-minute ride from Kyoto Station takes you to Uji Station for no extra charge with the Pass. From the Uji Station, just follow the sign to reach Uji Bridge, where you turn right and keep walking along the Uji River for 10 minutes.
- Ohara Sanzen-in Temple, in the Ohara area in Kyoto (North)
- Hosen-in Temple and Jyakou-in Temple in Kyoto (North)
Ohara Sanzen-in Temple is located in the north of Kyoto City. It is a little far away (about 1 hour from Kyoto Station by subway and bus) from the center of Kyoto, where famous historical temples and shrines are concentrated, but this pristine place is REALLY worth visiting. It is the best place for busy and a little exhausted people. Through Goten-mon Gate, you can start exploring several Halls and two beautiful Japanese gardens (Shuheki-en Garden and Yusei-en Garden) in its sanctuary.
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| Ohara Sanzen-in Temple |
Hosen-in Temple, which is closely located to Sanzen-in Temple, presents a magnificent view of its garden through the wooden frames of the windows, as if the garden looked like a picture placed in the wooden frames (see the pictures below). While viewing the picture-like garden accompanied by a little sound of rippling water, you can enjoy Matcha.
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| Hosen-in Temple |
If you have extra time left, you can visit another famous and historical temple called Jyakou-in Temple. Jyakou-in Temple is in the most secluded area in Ohara and is said to be founded by Shotoku Taishi (English: Prince Shotoku) and closely related to Heike Monogatari (English: the Tale of Heike), which depicts the battle between two famous clans, the Taira clan and the Minamoto clan (the latter clan is the founder of Kamakura Shogunate).
How to get to Ohara Sanzen-in, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
3) A one-day Trip from Nagoya to Mt Fuji, Shizuoka Prefecture
Mt. Fuji is 3776 meters high that it can be seen from almost anywhere (unless the view is blocked) in Shizuoka Prefecture. Several spots to view the Mountain include Gotenba City, Fuji City, Fujinomiya City, Shimizu City, Yaizu City, and Omaezaki City (Omaezaki City is the closest to Nagoya among these cities). Tune In Nagoya focuses here on Mt. Fuji viewing and eating mouth-watering Tuna dishes (e.g., Tuna Sushi, Tuna Bowl, and Tuna Sashimi). So, we pick Shimizu City, which is located between Shizuoka City and Fuji City (see the map below).
Shimizu City is a port city and really famous for Maguro (English:Tuna Fish). Over 50 percent of Tuna Fish consumed in Japan is captured in Shimizu Port. There is a fish market called Fish Market Kashi no Ichi, where you can buy and eat Tuna Fish for a very reasonable price (from 1000 yen to 1500 yen with Miso Soup)! It is easy access from JR Shimizu Station. Yes, you can view Mt. Fuji from the Station!! Mt. Fuji watches you while eating that delicious tuna dish for lunch.
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| Kaisen don (海鮮丼) |
For more general information about sightseeing spots in Shizuoka Prefecture, click here.
How to get to view Mt. Fuji from Nagoya
To reach Miho no Matubara, you have to take a bus (operated by Shizuoka Tetsudou) bound for Tokai University Miho Aquarium (東海大学三保水族館) and get off at the Stop of Hagoromo/Miho no Matsu Iriguch (羽衣/三保の松入り口). From the Bus Stop, it is a 10-minute walk. Check the route map of the Bus so that you should not miss the Stop. The time table of the bus service is also available．
Useful Tip for this train ride: The train ride from Hamamatsu Station to Shimizu Station is pretty long (about 80 minutes). We suggest that you seriously look for a seat.
A Model Trip from Nagoya to Shimizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Here is info about train schedule given to get some sense of the train ride.
Outbound:
1) Nagoya Station (07:18) on July 20th (by JR Tokaido Line)
2) Toyohashi Station (08:13)
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2) Toyohashi Station (08:13)
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2) Toyohashi Station (08:19) (by JR Tokaido Line bound for Kakegawa)
3) Hamamatsu Station (8:54)
3) Hamamatsu Station (8:54)
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3) Hamamatsu Station (09:10) (by JR Tokaido Line bound for Kozu)
4) Shimizu Station (10:33)
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5) The bus ride from Shimizu Station to Hagoromo/Miho no Matsu Iriguchi
5) The bus ride from Shimizu Station to Hagoromo/Miho no Matsu Iriguchi
The ride is 24 minutes for 360 yen.
Shimizu Station (11:30)
Hagoromo/Miho no Matsu Iriguchi (11:53)
For the early or late departure, check this interactive bus schedule
Exploration at Shimizu Station and Miho no Matsubara (for 3 or 5 hours)
You can enjoy lunch and a nice view of Mt. Fuji on the seaside.
Inbound:
1) Shimizu Station (20:17) (by JR Tokaido Line bound for Shimada)
2) Shizuoka Station (20:29)
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2) Shizuoka Station (20:31) (by JR Tokaido Line bound for Hamamatsu)
2) Shizuoka Station (20:31) (by JR Tokaido Line bound for Hamamatsu)
3) Hamamatsu Station (21:43)
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3) Hamamatsu Station (21:44)
4) Nagoya Station (23:12)
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