Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera Day Trip 2026: Getting There from Osaka, Itinerary and Sights
This is a Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera day trip guide covering how to get there from Osaka, how to plan the day, how to see the four main stops, and 3 private car day trip routes.
- By JR from Osaka to Inari, change once at Kyoto Station: about 34 minutes on the train, 840 yen per adult
- By Keihan from Yodoyabashi: 480 yen to Fushimi-Inari, 490 yen to Kiyomizu-Gojo or Gion-Shijo
- Kiyomizu-dera opens at 6:00; during the autumn night viewing (Nov 21–30) it stays open until 21:30 (last entry 21:00)
- It is about a 25-minute walk from Kiyomizu-Gojo Station, and only two slopes lead up to the temple: Kiyomizu-zaka and Chawan-zaka
- The four stops plus lunch take a full day; with older parents or kids, see the private car routes below
How do you get from Osaka to Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera?
There are two ways to reach Fushimi Inari from Osaka: JR or Keihan. On JR, take the Special Rapid from Osaka Station to Kyoto, then change to the Nara Line for Inari Station, which is right outside the shrine. On Keihan, ride the Keihan Main Line from Yodoyabashi to Fushimi-Inari Station and walk about 5 minutes east.
| Route | How to ride | Adult one-way |
|---|---|---|
| JR Osaka → Inari |
Special Rapid to Kyoto, about 29 min Nara Line, about 5 min |
840 yen |
| Keihan Yodoyabashi → Fushimi-Inari |
Keihan Main Line | 480 yen |
JR child fare 420 yen. Inari Station is right at the shrine; Fushimi-Inari Station (Keihan) is about a 5-minute walk east.
Kiyomizu-dera has no station at its gate. The nearest is Keihan Kiyomizu-Gojo, about a 25-minute walk, or you can take a city bus from Gion-Shijo or Kyoto Station and walk about 10 minutes from the stop. The temple also notes that only two slopes lead up to the grounds, Kiyomizu-zaka and Chawan-zaka, and map apps sometimes send you along routes that do not get in.
| Start | How to reach Kiyomizu-dera | Walk |
|---|---|---|
| Keihan Kiyomizu-Gojo | Walk uphill | About 25 min |
| Keihan Gion-Shijo | City bus 207 to Kiyomizu-michi |
About 10 min |
| JR Kyoto Station | City bus 206 or 100 to Gojo-zaka |
About 10 min |
Keihan adult fare from Yodoyabashi to Kiyomizu-Gojo or Gion-Shijo is 490 yen.
Can you see Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera in one day?
Yes. Both are on the east side of Kyoto, with Fushimi Inari to the south and Kiyomizu-dera and Gion to the north, so you can link them by heading north along the Keihan Main Line. Lanytrip's private car tour leaves Osaka at 8:00 and covers Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, Yasaka Shrine and Gion, with 1.5 hours for lunch.
You can do it by train too, with more changes: switch at Kyoto Station to reach Inari, ride Keihan north and walk 25 minutes uphill to Kiyomizu-dera, then take Keihan from Gion-Shijo back to Yodoyabashi. The tiring parts are the climb to Kiyomizu-dera and Kyoto's city buses, which are often packed in peak season, so plan around everyone's energy if you travel with older parents or kids.
How to see Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Ninenzaka and Gion
The stops below follow the order and suggested times of Lanytrip's private car itinerary. Visit Fushimi Inari in the morning and Kiyomizu-dera next, then walk downhill through Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka to Gion in the afternoon.
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Suggested stay: about 1 hr 30 min
Mount Inari, behind the shrine, rises 233 meters and is the southernmost of Kyoto's 36 Higashiyama peaks. The shrine says about 10,000 torii gates line the paths across the mountain, and the famous Senbon Torii sits behind the main hall, where rows of vermilion gates form tunnels.
With 1.5 hours, you can walk through Senbon Torii and on to the Okusha Hohaisho area without climbing to the summit. If you want a prayer ceremony at the main hall, prayers are held any time from 8:30 to 16:30; register by 16:00. The shrine is open every day of the year.
Kiyomizu-dera
Suggested stay: about 1 hr 10 min
Kiyomizu-dera is best known for the Kiyomizu Stage in front of the main hall, with views over central Kyoto. The temple opens at 6:00 every day, and closing time changes with the season; in autumn and winter it is mostly 18:00:
| Period (2026) | Open – close |
|---|---|
| Sep 1 – Nov 20 | 6:00–18:00 |
| Nov 21 – Nov 30 Autumn night viewing |
6:00–21:30 (last entry 21:00) |
| Dec 1 – Dec 31 | 6:00–18:00 |
No reservation is needed for the autumn night viewing. The Jojuin garden is also specially open during the same period.
There is no parking on the temple grounds, so the car parks nearby and you walk up Kiyomizu-zaka. During the 10 days of autumn night viewing, the evening session starts at 17:30; for the night view, see Route 3 below.
Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka
Suggested stay: about 45 min
Walking down from Kiyomizu-dera, Sannenzaka leads into Ninenzaka toward Yasaka Shrine, one of Kyoto's classic stone-paved slopes. Old machiya shops line both sides, so plan about 45 minutes to browse before lunch and Gion. There are stone steps along the way, so take care if you are pushing a stroller.
Yasaka Shrine, Gion and Hanamikoji
Suggested stay: about 2 hr 5 min
Yasaka Shrine is open for prayer 24 hours a day, with the shrine office open 9:00–17:00, and it is about a 5-minute walk from Keihan Gion-Shijo Station. Gion spreads out to the west, and Hanamikoji is Kyoto's most atmospheric teahouse street, with wooden lattice machiya along a stone-paved lane.
With just over 2 hours here, you can wander Gion and stop for tea before heading back to Osaka. The Gion sights are linked on foot, and your driver will agree on pick-up and drop-off points with you, so you simply meet the car there when you are done.
Is a private car a good fit with older parents or kids?
The hardest part of this trip is changing trains and walking: you change at Kyoto Station to reach Inari, ride Keihan and walk 25 minutes uphill to Kiyomizu-dera, and Kyoto's buses are often crowded in peak season. A private car picks you up at your hotel door in central Osaka and drives you between stops:
- No transfers: Fushimi Inari to Kiyomizu-dera is about 20 minutes by car, with no train ride or uphill walk from the station.
- Bags stay in the car: leave jackets, strollers and souvenirs in the car and walk Ninenzaka and Gion hands-free.
- One price per car: fully private, never shared, 10 hours of use, a Chinese-speaking driver, and a choice of an Alphard or HiAce.
What private car routes cover Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera?
Route 1 is a tour Lanytrip already sells; Routes 2 and 3 are variations in the same area. We can adjust the order to your start time and the places you want more time at.
Route 1: Kyoto Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera Classic
Get a 1-on-1 quoteCentral Osaka hotel → Fushimi Inari Taisha → Kiyomizu-dera → Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka → Yasaka Shrine, Gion, Hanamikoji → Central Osaka hotel
- Best forFirst-time visitors to Kyoto, families and older parents who want Senbon Torii, the Kiyomizu Stage and Gion in one day.
- How to planLeave the hotel at 8:00, reach Fushimi Inari at 9:00 and Kiyomizu-dera at 10:50, browse Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka and have lunch around noon, walk Yasaka Shrine and Gion in the afternoon, and head back to Osaka at 16:50.
- Short on timeAt Fushimi Inari, just walk Senbon Torii and keep Kiyomizu-dera and Gion.
Route 2: Kiyomizu-dera First, Then Fushimi Inari
Get a 1-on-1 quoteCentral Osaka hotel → Kiyomizu-dera → Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka → Yasaka Shrine → Fushimi Inari Taisha → Central Osaka hotel
- Best forCouples and friends who want morning photos at the Kiyomizu Stage.
- How to planKiyomizu-dera opens at 6:00, so leave early and start there, then walk down Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka to Yasaka Shrine. Visit Fushimi Inari and Senbon Torii in the afternoon, then head south straight back to Osaka.
- Short on timeSkip Yasaka Shrine and keep Kiyomizu-dera and Senbon Torii.
Route 3: Kiyomizu-dera Autumn Night Viewing
Get a 1-on-1 quoteCentral Osaka hotel → Fushimi Inari Taisha → Yasaka Shrine, Gion → Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka → Kiyomizu-dera night viewing → Central Osaka hotel
- Best forTravelers in Kyoto from Nov 21 to 30 who want to see Kiyomizu-dera at night.
- How to planLeave after noon, see Fushimi Inari and Gion in the afternoon, walk up Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka toward evening, and enter Kiyomizu-dera after 17:30, before last entry at 21:00.
- Short on timeSkip Gion and keep Fushimi Inari and the Kiyomizu-dera night viewing.
Have this ready when you ask about a private car on LINE
- Your hotel (name or address)
- Date of use
- Number of people and luggage (strollers, large bags)
- Your planned itinerary
For a faster, more accurate quote, please send all of the above in one message on LINE.
Where in Osaka is the easiest place to start?
The private car picks up and drops off at hotels in central Osaka, so you can start from any area. If you go by train, choose a base that matches your line: for JR, stay around Osaka Station and Umeda, where the Special Rapid departs; for Keihan, stay around Yodoyabashi or Kyobashi, so you can ride straight back from Gion-Shijo.
Summary: what to watch for and how to plan the day
What to watch for
Kiyomizu-dera has no station at its gate: it is about a 25-minute walk up from Kiyomizu-Gojo, and only Kiyomizu-zaka and Chawan-zaka lead to the grounds. The temple opens at 6:00 and mostly closes at 18:00, with night viewing until 21:30 from Nov 21 to 30. Senbon Torii is behind the main hall at Fushimi Inari, and the best stretch runs up to the Okusha Hohaisho area.
How to plan the day
Fushimi Inari in the morning, Kiyomizu-dera at midday, Gion in the afternoon: go from south to north and follow Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka downhill to Yasaka Shrine and Hanamikoji. For morning photos at the Kiyomizu Stage, reverse the order; in autumn, you can save Kiyomizu-dera for the night viewing.
Why a private car helps
The tiring parts are the change at Kyoto Station, the climb to Kiyomizu-dera and crowded buses. A private car picks you up at your hotel in central Osaka, Fushimi Inari to Kiyomizu-dera takes about 20 minutes by car, and your bags stay in the car all day. To plan one, see the 3 private car routes above or talk to us on LINE.
Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera day trip FAQ
How long does it take from Osaka to Fushimi Inari?＋
Take the JR Special Rapid to Kyoto and change to the Nara Line: about 34 minutes on the train, 840 yen per adult. Keihan from Yodoyabashi to Fushimi-Inari is 480 yen per adult.
Can you see Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera in one day?＋
Yes. Fushimi Inari in the morning, Kiyomizu-dera at midday and Gion in the afternoon; the private car tour leaves at 8:00 and heads back to Osaka at 16:50.
What time does Kiyomizu-dera open?＋
It opens at 6:00 every day and mostly closes at 18:00 in November and December. During the night viewing from Nov 21 to 30, it stays open until 21:30, with last entry at 21:00.
How do you get from Fushimi Inari to Kiyomizu-dera?＋
Ride Keihan north to Kiyomizu-Gojo, then walk about 25 minutes uphill. By private car, it takes about 20 minutes.
What does the private car tour include?＋
10 hours of use, a Chinese-speaking driver, and pick-up and drop-off at your hotel door in central Osaka. One price per car, never shared, with an Alphard or HiAce.
