Tokyo to Kyoto in 6 days — honest trip report

Got back from this a few weeks ago. Six days sounds short and it is, but the trip moves well and you don't feel cheated.

Our CEO Fuji was excellent throughout. Walking tours in Tokyo and Takayama, good at reading the group, knew when to push and when to leave people alone.

Group was 16. Felt right for the trip. Big enough that you always had someone to explore with, small enough that nobody got lost in the shuffle. By Kyoto we were a proper group.

Takayama was the best day on paper. The old town streets are beautiful, sake breweries, completely different pace from Tokyo. But the accommodation was the low point of the trip. Propane heater that had to be lit manually, cold room, felt a bit rough. Tokyo and Kyoto hostels were genuinely good so Takayama stood out for the wrong reasons.

The ryokan experience and the onsen were worth it despite the room. First time in an onsen, not the last.

Practical note: the Shinkansen luggage restriction is real. Under 160cm total. Measure your bag before you go, not at the station.

No meals included. Budget around 3000 yen a day and eat where locals eat. Convenience stores in Japan are genuinely good, not a backup option.

Kyoto needs more than 2 days. I extended by 3 days after the trip and still felt rushed. Book extra time if you can.