Kyoto has some nice side trips - Nara is a good for Todaiji and the deer. Fushimi-Inari Shrine has impressive shrine gate paths. Both are south of Kyoto.
Travel to Kyoto via Shinkansen, went to Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), walked around Arashiyama area namely the path of bamboo, and enjoyed a Japanese style ryokan inn stay