Landyn
& Kieren

Arriving by Air

The nearest international airport is Osaka Kansai (KIX), approximately 75 minutes from Kyoto by train — this is the easiest option for most guests. Osaka Itami (ITM) handles domestic connections. If you're flying into Tokyo (Narita or Haneda), you can reach Kyoto via the Shinkansen (bullet train) in about 2.5 hours — a seamless and scenic journey.

Getting to Kyoto

From KIX: Take the Haruka Limited Express train directly from the airport terminal to Kyoto Station (~75 min, no transfers needed). Tickets cost around ¥3,600 (~$25 USD) and can be purchased at the station with a credit card. If you have a Japan Rail Pass, the Haruka is fully covered.

From Tokyo airports: Make your way to Tokyo Station, then board the Tokaido Shinkansen — Japan's iconic high-speed bullet train — to Kyoto Station (~2 hrs 15 min). Tickets are around ¥14,000 (~$95 USD) one-way. Japan Rail Pass holders ride free.

A note on payment: It's worth having some Japanese Yen (¥) on hand — especially for taxis, small shops, and buses. You can withdraw yen from ATMs at the airport (7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs are reliable).

Where to Stay

We recommend staying in the Higashiyama, Gion, or central Kyoto neighborhoods to be close to the venue and the city's most beautiful streets. Based on our own stays and trusted recommendations, here are some favorites:

Our picks: Hotel Okura Kyoto Okazaki Bettei · Park Hyatt Kyoto · The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu · The Celestine Kyoto Gion · ACE Hotel Kyoto · Luxury Hotel Sowaka · Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo Premier · Six Senses Kyoto

One of the things we love about Japan is that you genuinely don't need to splurge on a luxury resort to have a beautiful, immaculate experience — the standards across the board are exceptional. That said, if a truly special stay is on the agenda, the Park Hyatt Kyoto and Six Senses are stunning options.

Beyond these picks, Kyoto has wonderful ryokan (traditional Japanese inns), smaller boutique brands, and great Airbnbs throughout the city. We especially recommend looking for a hotel with a public bath (onsen) — it's a truly restorative part of the Japanese experience.

Getting Around

Hiramatsu Kodaiji is best reached on foot from Gion or by taxi from elsewhere in the city. Kyoto is a wonderful city to explore on foot — wandering between Higashiyama, Gion, Nishiki Market, and the canal streets of Pontocho is a joy in itself. Taxis are easy to hail from anywhere in the city and accept credit cards. City buses cover most major areas and cost a flat ¥260 (~$2) — just note that you pay once when exiting the bus, so have yen coins ready. We also recommend adding a Pasmo card to your Apple Wallet before you travel — it works on trains and buses across Japan. Note that Mastercard and Amex reload most reliably; Visa can be hit or miss with non-Japanese cards.