Our 2022-2023 Kyoto, Japan information presents planning ideas & tips, lodge suggestions, finest temples & shrines, transportation hacks, the place to eat, crowd data, why we love the town, and extra. Earlier than we get to the fundamentals, we’ll supply a quick word on journey to Kyoto later this 12 months. (Up to date September 27, 2022.)
For the primary time in a very long time, it’s now attainable that a few of you studying this are within the midst of planning a visit, needing pressing recommendation on what to see and do within the instant future. It is because Japan Will Reopen to Particular person Vacationers in October 2022. There are nonetheless some unknowns, however Japan’s Ministry of International Affairs has provided new steering that we’re overlaying in Japan Reopening to Particular person Vacationers: FAQ, Guidelines & Tips. That’ll enable you put together for arrival, and doubtlessly save time on the airport.
What is sure is that you just’ll be capable to go to for this 12 months’s autumn leaves or sakura season in 2023! In actual fact, we’ve already booked our November 2022 return journey to Japan, which features a few weeks in Kyoto. Throughout that point, we might be researching what’s new, well being security guidelines & social expectations, the expertise of being a overseas customer throughout reopening, and far more.
We may have many extra on-the-ground updates to share from our journey, so subscribe to our FREE e mail publication for updates and keep tuned!
With that word about present occasions out of the way in which, let’s start with the Kyoto planning information in earnest…
Kyoto is our favourite metropolis on the earth, and a spot we fell in love with the primary time we visited. Whereas we don’t stay in Kyoto full-time, now we have spent a number of months there over the course of the final a number of years. We now journey to Kyoto a number of instances per 12 months to maintain our sources on this website present.
When you’re nonetheless debating whether or not you must go to Kyoto throughout a visit to Japan, learn Why We Love Kyoto, Japan. That’s our love letter to the town. Our opinion that Kyoto is the best metropolis on the earth is hardly distinctive, however hopefully our perspective is. Whereas we could possibly be described as unofficial cheerleaders for the town, we try to maintain it actual, overlaying each good & dangerous–what to do and what to keep away from.
We additionally purpose to supply planning recommendation past the superficial ‘better of’ lists. Though visiting standard temples is enjoyable, Kyoto shouldn’t be handled as merely a spotlight reel of temples. You’ll get a lot extra out of a go to to the town with a assorted mixture of main points of interest and hidden gems–and encounter fewer crowds within the course of.
When you’ve already made the very sage resolution to go to Kyoto, our planning information will enable you fill within the particulars…
Issues to Do in Kyoto
When you’re planning on visiting Kyoto, hopefully you want temples, as a result of that’s the primary draw. With that mentioned, there are many different issues to do. Though we don’t consider its museums measure as much as Tokyo’s, Kyoto does have a good variety of them, and between its area of interest artwork museums and unbiased galleries, Kyoto has a thriving arts neighborhood.
Meals is one other factor. Few cities on the earth have as many Michelin-starred eating places as Kyoto. Nice ramen, udon, tempura, and different cheap choices additionally abound in Kyoto. The town is legendary for tea ceremonies, however it’s the unbiased espresso scene that’s really flourishing.
Wandering aimlessly (let’s name it “exploring” to sound extra purpose-driven) is one other factor to do. Kyoto is a gorgeous, quirky metropolis and discovering what makes it tick is a part of the enjoyable. That could possibly be weird artwork that includes the human anatomy (which you’re positive to see when strolling from Kiyomizudera to Yasaka Pagoda) or an vintage store down a slim alley.
In our case, it’s petting or photographing feral cats and canines, selfies with tanuki statues, marveling at meticulously handcrafted signage, and skimming 100 yen shops. The treasures you’ll uncover when aimlessly wandering can’t be planned-for, and having your personal distinctive expertise is a part of the enjoyable.
Kyoto 1-Day to 1-Week Itineraries
When you’re searching for itineraries that mix slightly of every part, now we have a number of completely different itineraries in our 1-Day to 1-Week Kyoto, Japan Itineraries. These supply multi-day itineraries, together with a number of not listed under which are season-specific, in addition to single day choices which you could mix to see completely different sides of the town that curiosity you probably the most. Listed here are a number of the finest ones:
Multi-Day Kyoto Itineraries
Single Day Itineraries:
Seasonal Itineraries
When you’ve got the Japan Rail Cross and are keen on venturing past Kyoto throughout your keep in Kansai, we suggest consulting our Japan Itineraries for Kyoto, Tokyo, and Past. Clearly, these cowl Kyoto and Tokyo, however we even have ones for Nara, Kobe, Osaka, Nagoya, and extra.
Debating different day journeys from Kyoto? We cowl our high suggestions of cities, huge and mall, to go to in our High 10 Kyoto Day Journeys listing.
These itineraries are heavy on temples (and strolling!), however we really feel they’re pretty balanced and supply sampling of Kyoto’s most fascinating factors of curiosity. A part of that is out of necessity (there are over 1,600 temples in Kyoto) and a part of it’s out of practicality. Temple fatigue is an actual factor, and you need to be cautious to keep away from scheduling too many temples into your itinerary as a result of they’ll all begin to blur collectively.
Except you’re making an attempt to hitch the excessive stakes recreation of temple running a blog (it’s each bit as profitable and glamorous as you’d count on–which isn’t in any respect) you must in all probability purpose to go to round one dozen temples throughout your time in Kyoto. There’s completely no motive to see each single main temple in Kyoto. Take a much less is extra strategy and savor your time at every in order that they make a definite impression.
Greatest Temples & Shrines in Kyoto
As there’s an awesome variety of temples, shrines, and different issues to do in Kyoto, we’ve put collectively the listing under of our high 25 choices. When you do one in every of our multi-day itineraries above, you’ll go to many or most of those (relying upon what number of days you will have).
If you wish to construct your itinerary itinerary, this listing is an efficient start line. Select a couple of dozen of these, plus a few wildcard temples and different issues that attraction to you, you’re going to have an amazing journey.
For many who have extra time in Kyoto, or simply need one thing complete, now we have a “High 100 Temples & Shrines in Kyoto, Japan.” Sure, actually. We’ve visited over 200 temples and shrines in Kyoto, and the highest 52 are all nice. Any one in every of high 52 on that listing could possibly be your ‘shock favourite’ temple or shrine in Kyoto.
When you’re on a decent price range, now we have a listing of the Greatest Free Temples & Shrines in Kyoto. When you’re visiting throughout a very busy time, our Hidden Gem Temples & Shrines in Kyoto can be an amazing useful resource for avoiding the crowds. This provides you loads of selections for experiencing the true serenity of Kyoto, even when you go to throughout the busiest nationwide vacation of the 12 months! Each of those lists compile the perfect choices which are within the high 52.
Beneath is a listing of our high 25 issues to do in Kyoto. It’s largely temples and shrines, however you’ll discover a number of museums and districts which are notably noteworthy, too. Click on on any of those names to open our posts about these factors of curiosity in new home windows, the place you may see and be taught extra about them.
25. Eikando Temple
24. Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
23. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
22. Kennin-ji Temple
21. Kodai-ji Temple
20. Okochi Sanso Villa
19. Daitokuji Temple
18. Sanjusangendo Temple
17. Ryoanji Temple
16. Ninnaji Temple
15. Kokedera Moss Temple
14. Daikakuji Temple
13. Kyoto Railway Museum
12. Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji Temple)
11. Katsura Imperial Villa
10. Thinker’s Path
9. Silver Pavilion (Ginkakuji Temple)
8. Nanzenji Temple
7. Gion (Geisha District)
6. Kyoto Monkey Park Iwatayama
5. Yoshiminedera Temple
4. Higashiyama District
3. Kiyomizudera Temple
2. Kuramadera Temple
1. Fushimi Inari Shrine
When you’d moderately take the phrase of the United Nations Instructional, Scientific and Cultural Group over us, our Listing of the UNESCO World Heritage Websites in Kyoto, Japan covers all 17 UNESCO-listed areas in Kyoto (and ranks them).
Lastly, particular occasions. As we indicated elsewhere on this information, Kyoto is a metropolis of the seasons. Every is sort of distinct, and Kyotoites have a sure reverence for the seasons. That is evident not simply within the climate and surroundings, however in a prolonged listing of particular occasions that happen all year long. We’ve performed a number of posts on seasonal occasions in Kyoto, beginning with the 2 largest ones:
Word that inside every season, there are quite a few particular occasions. Whereas most guests to Kyoto in fall or spring come for the foliage or sakura, however much less understand there are scheduled occasions, such because the Cherry Blossom Nighttime Illumination at Kiyomizudera Temple. The dates of those occasions–and generally the temples which are open–change yearly.
There are websites on-line that supply calendars of occasions, however we’ve been burned by these earlier than. Somewhat than completely consulting the web or journey guidebooks for a particular occasions calendar, we’d suggest making tentative plans earlier than arrival, after which stopping into the town’s many vacationer data facilities upon arrival. They’ll have fliers and knowledge for each single occasion happening throughout your go to.
When to Go to
The preferred instances to go to Kyoto are for sakura (cherry blossom) season in early April and fall colours season in mid to late November. Kyoto is totally beautiful throughout these peak seasons, however the crowds are chaotic.
In our When to Go to Kyoto, Japan submit we provide strategies on journey ranges that assist keep away from peak crowds whereas nonetheless having fun with these completely resplendent seasons. It’s attainable to get pleasure from fall colours or sakura season with out encountering tons of different vacationers, you simply must get the timing proper. That’s one factor we break down in our When to Go to submit. We additionally undergo every month to evaluate execs and cons.
When you do decide to go throughout Kyoto’s peak seasons, our Suggestions for Beating Kyoto’s Crowds submit, will enable you keep away from the worst congestion. No matter once you go to, it’s crucial that you just don’t simply present as much as standard temples in the midst of the day–that’s the recipe for a nasty time.
Exterior of the height seasons, neither summer season nor winter are notably busy, save for holidays and varied festivals (Gion Matsuri, particularly) that draw massive numbers of home vacationers. Nonetheless, we typically keep away from each of those seasons except you will have a selected motive to go throughout them for one easy motive: climate.
The opposite extremely vital variable to think about is climate. Kyoto has 4 very distinct seasons. Throughout winter months, it may be chilly sufficient to snow. Whereas a recent blanket of snow makes for stunning surroundings, you’re extra more likely to simply have freezing climate, and that’s not precisely probably the most snug for touring. By spring, the climate is as soon as once more temperate, and it stays nice by means of late Could.
On the different finish of the spectrum, there’s summer season, which is simply as dangerous from a climate perspective each by way of each precipitation and debilitating humidity. Crowds are solely average in summer season, however not low sufficient to justify braving the climate in our opinion.
The upside to summer season is the festivals, most notably the aforementioned Gion Matsuri, which happens all through the month of July, and is probably the most well-known competition in Japan. This celebration of Yasaka Shrine culminates with a grand procession of floats (Yamaboko Junko) on July 17, adopted by a smaller second parade on July 24.
An ancillary consideration in relation to climate is the place you’ll be staying. When you plan on renting an Airbnb or staying in something aside from a lodge, it’s essential bear in mind that many properties and flats in Kyoto are older and moderately spartan. We’ve stayed at items in Kyoto that didn’t have ample warmth or air-con. The previous was true on one in every of our prolonged stays, and we ended up shopping for fleece layers, thicker socks, and slippers…to put on to mattress.
How Lengthy to Go to
Between our personal first-time expertise and suggestions we hear from others, we all know that the typical first go to to Kyoto is 2-3 days. Most individuals view Kyoto as an add-on to a Tokyo journey, spending nearly all of their time in Japan’s largest, extra well-known metropolis and leaving solely slightly time to scratch the floor of Kyoto in a rush to see its main temples.
Whereas we love Tokyo, we’d strongly encourage you to strike one thing nearer to a 50/50 steadiness between the 2. It’s one factor to discover Tokyo with a chaotic tempo, as the town is itself a frenzied place awash with neon and normal zaniness. Such an strategy solely feels pure and becoming.
If Tokyo is the 4 Loko (OG fashion) of cities, Kyoto is the positive wine. It’s meant to be sipped. It’s an expertise to relish, and its finest factors of curiosity are deserving of drawn-out, deliberate paces. For optimum affect, it’s not the type of place you do ‘guidelines fashion’ (no judgment there–it’s a mistake we made our first go to!).
To that finish, we suggest no less than 4 days on your first go to in Kyoto. When you can swing it, extra time is all the time good. This provides you someday in Arashiyama, someday in Higashiyama, one in Central/Downtown Kyoto, and one versatile ‘different’ day.
We might warning these of you planning first time visits to Japan days towards making an attempt to see too many cities except you will have a few weeks. There’s the temptation to additionally go to Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, or Himeji along with Tokyo and Kyoto, however these ought to actually be reserved for longer stays or second visits.
These are all great locations that we’d strongly suggest you go to…finally. In your first go to to Japan, allocate extra time for Tokyo and Kyoto. Clearly, there’s the draw back of lacking these different cities solely if there isn’t a second journey to Japan, however conversely, there’s the draw back of barely scratching the floor of Japan’s two best cities when you attempt to do an excessive amount of.
When you do find yourself disagreeing with our recommendation, you may all the time do day journeys from each Kyoto and Tokyo, notably you probably have the Japan Rail Cross, as there are a number of main cities inside an hour or so of each Kyoto and Tokyo. What we’re in the end cautioning towards is altering inns/lodging quite a few instances over the course of a primary journey to Japan. It’s exhausting.
The place to Keep
There are a number of elements to this resolution, all of which we cowl comprehensively, itemizing the professionals and cons of every and providing particular suggestions, in our The place to Keep in Kyoto, Japan submit. Somewhat than rehashing that, we’ll share some further ideas since we wrote that.
First, staying north of Kyoto Station. If yow will discover a location that’s a couple of 10 minute stroll from the station and a 15 minute stroll from Downtown and 20 minutes from Gion, you will have pretty handy practice entry and handy restaurant entry. (We additionally like this location as a result of it’s solely a ~25 minute stroll from the Higashiyama District, which will be frustratingly robust to entry by way of public transit.)
If eating or consuming are vital to you, Gion is the place for you. The overwhelming majority of Kyoto’s Michelin-starred eating places are in Gion, and there are different stylish and ingenious choices close to there on the cheaper finish of the spectrum, too.
We additionally respect that Gion is among the few areas of Kyoto that doesn’t shut down at 6 p.m.; lots of the eating places are open till midnight, which means you are able to do an extended day of temple-touring, return to your room and get some relaxation, after which exit for dinner or an evening in town.
There are numerous nice Airbnb items in all of those areas, and with out query, we suggest going that route over staying in a lodge. Not solely is Airbnb considerably cheaper, however it gives extra spacious lodging and in addition means that you can stay like a neighborhood, whether or not meaning performing some laundry midway by means of your journey or getting meals to organize you personal meals. (You should use my sign-up hyperlink for a free credit score your first time utilizing Airbnb!)
We’ve all the time discovered inns, notably U.S. chains, to be notably costly in Kyoto. Extra not too long ago, we’ve discovered the hole between lodge costs and Airbnb to be vital. We’re speaking spacious items for ~$125/evening versus that very same worth for a matchbox measurement lodge, and exponentially extra for a Western-sized lodge.
Airbnb is a very good choice for households with youngsters or anybody wanting extra space, however not wanting or with the ability to splurge on the 4 Seasons Kyoto (pictured above), Westin, Ritz-Carlton, or Hyatt Regency. If you wish to splurge, our absolute favourite lodge in Kyoto is the brand new Park Hyatt–learn and see extra in our full Park Hyatt Kyoto Assessment.)
Through the low season, spacious Airbnb items will be booked for below $100/evening. We’re speaking flats which are double the dimensions of dearer lodge rooms. Sadly, even Airbnb can get costly throughout peak vacationer instances, notably fall colours and sakura seasons. We suggest pricing out lodging earlier than reserving airfare so if it’s essential modify journey dates barely.
Backtracking a bit, in relation to selecting the place to remain throughout the Kansai area as a “dwelling base,” we extremely suggest Kyoto over Osaka. This may sound like bias in direction of our favourite metropolis, however hear us out. Osaka, Nara, and Kobe–the key locations for vacationers throughout the Kansai area–are all simply accessible from Kyoto and that’s with out taking the Shinkansen.
From Kyoto Station, you will get to any of those locations in below 60 minutes (once more, with out taking the Shinkansen). The identical wouldn’t be true when you stayed in any of the opposite cities. (As good and centralized as Osaka is, it’s not as handy for accessing Nara.)
Nonetheless, the larger motive for staying in Kyoto is as a result of it has the most well-liked factors of curiosity, and beating the crowds to many of those spots is actually vital. Against this, the one place in Osaka that it’s vital to reach at tremendous -early is Common Studios Japan. (Talking of which, it’s important to rope drop USJ. Learn our Common Studios Japan Technique Information & Suggestions submit for extra on that.)
Moreover, we suggest 3+ days in Kyoto, whereas much less time is critical in Osaka, Kobe, or Nara (when you do these cities in any respect). It’s all the time higher to remain nearer to the place you’re going to be spending the majority of your time, which is why we suggest a Kyoto home-base on your go to to the Kansai area of Japan.
Transportation
Flights to Japan from america are 10+ hours, which is clearly numerous time within the air. Luckily, the bigger planes used for these flights are far more snug than your regular planes used for home flights. Complimentary in-flight leisure (together with the newest motion pictures and tv reveals) additionally makes issues simpler.
If your journey dates and don’t have any flexibility as to once you journey, we suggest ITA Software program to seek for flights. ITA is the easiest way to search out the bottom costs on airfare for set dates of journey. When you’re within the preliminary levels of researching your flight, use fare alerts on Airfarewatchdog.com.
Airfare prices fluctuate dramatically dependent upon metropolis of origin, time of 12 months, and many others., with round-trip airfare out of Los Angeles to Japan’s main airports frequently within the <$600 vary. No matter your location, your full airfare bundle ought to value below $1,000/particular person with some effort. When you’re reserving on the final minute or don’t do any work to search out offers, the sky is the restrict on the higher finish of airfare pricing.
Earlier than you even get to that step, it’s essential decide which airport to fly into and out of. Doing a roundtrip by means of Tokyo is probably the most simple choice, with a Shinkansen (bullet practice) journey to and from Kyoto for that leg of the journey. If that’s your plan, both HND or NRT will work as arrival airports.
Flying into Osaka is a neater choice, and can prevent from having to take the Shinkansen to Kyoto. The draw back to flying into Osaka is that it’s often dearer, has extra layovers, and presents a reasonably negligible time-savings by way of the practice commute regardless of being considerably nearer in distance to Kyoto. When you’re utilizing the Japan Rail Cross–and we extremely suggest that you just do–you’re in all probability higher off simply doing a roundtrip by means of Tokyo. Plus, the Shinkansen is a enjoyable expertise that’s value having twice!
When you arrive in Kyoto, you’ll use the town’s huge community of metropolis buses, railways, and the subway. We cowl this in higher depth in our Getting Round Kyoto, Japan submit. Suffice to say, you will get wherever in Kyoto both by foot or by rail, and though engaging low cost passes can be found for them, we largely suggest skipping the buses.
What to Pack
Our What to Pack for Kyoto, Japan information covers the entire requirements, together with some issues that may assist enhance your journey to Japan. To reply some widespread questions, no voltage converter is critical for Japan, and also you don’t want issues like a neck pockets for the sake of security like you may want in Europe, since there’s just about no crime in Japan.
Nonetheless, there are some things you may need to pack for the lengthy worldwide flight. Sarah had hassle sleeping on our first couple of flights to Japan, and now she has a number of issues she swears by to assist her sleep, all of that are lined in that packing listing. I may sleep on a pile of hay throughout a loss of life metallic live performance, so I don’t use something particular.
As we’ve confused a number of instances now, Kyoto is a metropolis of 4 distinct seasons. Spring and fall are each pretty, temperate instances of the 12 months, however it will get actually sizzling and humid in the summertime, and it snows within the winter. When you’re visiting Japan throughout the summer season, issues like Frogg Togg Chilly Pads can even turn out to be useful. When you’re visiting within the winter, you’ll need to pack layers, together with outerwear.
Ideally, we’d suggest packing this all in a single roller-bag. Navigating Japan’s public transportation will be traumatic, and that’s doubly the case with baggage. We’ve seen the appears of horror in traveler’s eyes whereas dragging two suitcases and making an attempt to dodge commuters throughout rush hour at practice stations. (We’ll additionally usually pack an inexpensive/light-weight duffel bag inside our suitcase that we then for souvenirs bought at our final cease.)
The place & What to Eat
Eating is a large wildcard in your Kyoto planning price range. You would eat for below $20 per day by frequenting family-run neighborhood eating places or fast service chains, or simply spend an upwards of $1,000 on kaiseki. Our Eating Information to Kyoto, Japan presents our particular restaurant suggestions and generalized recommendation for consuming nice meals–and doing so on a price range.
That eating information comprises every part: what to not eat, the place to search out price range kaiseki, the significance of eating at 7-11 (severely!), and a lot extra. Being a standard metropolis brimming with tradition, Kyoto has a mess of eating choices, and so they’re all detailed there. We’re notably a fan of noodles; our favourite choices are lined in Greatest Ramen Eating places in Kyoto, which is the results of “analysis” at over 50 ramen retailers in Kyoto.
When you’ve got extra time within the metropolis or need to spend extra time consuming, think about kaiseki. It is a conventional multi-course Japanese meal that’s as a lot about suave presentation and omotenashi as it’s in regards to the meals itself. Kaiseki choices abound in Gion, and usually begin at over $100 per particular person.
Kyoto can be recognized for its seasonal greens, in addition to its burgeoning unbiased espresso scene. There are a variety of remarkable espresso retailers in Kyoto, so don’t accept Starbucks…with one exception. See our Greatest Espresso Retailers in Kyoto listing for extra particular suggestions.
Even when you’re not a vegetarian, we’d suggest making an attempt tofu, which is ready in a mess of the way in Kyoto, and is the town’s primary specialty dish. There are a lot of devoted tofu eating places, and in addition ones that use tofu plus Kyo-yasai (
It’s also possible to discover loads of izakaya, tempura, soba, udon, ramen, katsu, unagi, sushi, and okonomiyaki eating places all through the town. We’ve began a sequence compiling a number of the metropolis’s finest eating places in Our Favourite Kyoto Eating places – Half 1 and Half 2 posts. Elements 3 – 17 might be coming quickly, and we’ll in all probability have much more installments after that. We like to eat, and have had dozens of nice meals in Kyoto.
One factor we see come up so much is that “[insert name of restaurant] is simply too touristy.” Except you’re visiting some critical hole-in-the-wall in a quiet neighborhood or the suburbs, nearly any restaurant in Kyoto has the potential to be touristy. You simply could not understand the opposite patrons are vacationers as a result of they’re home vacationers or aren’t Western vacationers.
We’d encourage you to be extra receptive to touristy eating places in Japan. Not like in america the place quintessential vacationer lure eating places are Bubba Gump, Rainforest Cafe, Cheesecake Manufacturing unit, and something with Man Fieri–bland choices that lean closely on cheese, butter, and salt, that’s not the case in Japan.
Many eating places you may name touristy in Kyoto are those pushing the culinary envelope, making an attempt daring issues with flavors. Whereas Kyotoites get pleasure from these eating places, many want the conservative approaches of decrease profile institutions that use tried and true flavors. Simply as you’re not going to the flowery French haute delicacies restaurant in your space with regularity, neither are they.
When you stay steadfast in your place as a vacationer who’s averse to vacationers, you’ll typically discover fewer vacationers at izakaya (after work pubs), eating places with out English menus exterior, and low-cost low-key locations that aren’t ranked extremely on TripAdvisor and aren’t on Michelin’s radar. You’ll be able to count on loads of vacationers at any kaiseki restaurant, and wherever in Gion.
Random 12-seat ramen areas down alleyways are nice for a neighborhood ambiance. McDonald’s and KFC are additionally good spots to keep away from vacationers (it is a glib suggestion, however I’m not kidding), however when you’re so anti-tourist to stoop to that, a reevaluation of priorities is likely to be so as.
Different Suggestions
Right here we’ll supply an assortment of different random ideas that aren’t fairly deserving of their very own headings, however are frequently-asked questions, nonetheless…
Etiquette – “Kyoto-ites are fairly fastidious!” That’s how a flyer is titled that describes etiquette in Kyoto, and use of the considerably arcane time period “fastidious” tells you nearly every part it’s essential know. It’s a quiet metropolis with residents who take note of particulars and are involved with the cleanliness and tradition of their hometown.
Being a cultural outsider will get you a giant go on numerous specific and implicit cultural norms and expectations in Japan, however not on every part. Issues like taking off your sneakers earlier than coming into temples or some companies are strictly enforced, as are not any pictures guidelines.
In actual fact, just about any rule you see posted someplace is zealously enforced. Irrespective of if it is smart to you, observe it. Whereas the Japanese have a repute for being well mannered, that needs to be modified to “well mannered however agency.” The tradition is unyielding in relation to guidelines, and that is in all probability probably the most difficult factor for People who break guidelines each day. (Don’t be offended–every part from jaywalking to requesting a modified entree at a restaurant counts!)
Within the final a number of years, Kyoto has seen a surge in overseas guests, and lots of Kyotoites are displeased with how they deal with the town. In consequence, Kyoto partnered with TripAdvisor to distribute pamphlets to overseas guests in English and Chinese language, that cowl a variety of subjects from tipping (don’t do it–it’s offensive) to learn how to use bogs (don’t stand on them).
All through the town, you’ll additionally see storefronts with “Kyoto Fashion” fliers within the window that encourage guests to speak quietly and throw away their trash. Once we stayed close to Fushimi Inari, we noticed a big banner go up alongside one street politely encouraging guests to stroll in a single file line and never congest the roads. (It is a huge downside in lots of touristy areas, and one which’s exacerbated by an absence of sidewalks.)
Language Barrier/Consolation Zone – Touring to Japan is exterior consolation zones. From the lengthy worldwide flight to the prospect of navigating a overseas nation with out talking its native language, a visit to Japan will be daunting. There are two items of fine information right here.
First, most Kyotoites converse no less than slightly English (though it’s to not the diploma as in Tokyo), and all vital signage is in each Japanese and English. Between that and Google Maps, getting round in Kyoto is way simpler than you may count on.
Second, Japan is the nicest, most useful, and hospitable nation on the earth. “Omotenashi” is the Japanese time period for this, which is the tenet for wholehearted Japanese hospitality with nice consideration to element. These manifests itself in myriad methods, from transactions at 7-11 to getting instructions on the practice station.
Basically, when you’re a customer to Japan, you may count on to cheerful, encounter VIP-caliber service throughout the board.
Money/Credit score Playing cards – Forex in Kyoto is the Japanese Yen, and you’ll most undoubtedly need paper foreign money on your go to. Whereas Japan is among the most technically-advanced societies on the earth, most individuals conduct enterprise in money. Bank cards are broadly accepted at main chains, however the overwhelming majority of mother and pop eating places are money solely, as is almost each single temple.
We pay with bank card every time attainable, however because of eating places, merchandising machines, small eating places, temples, and random different transactions, we discover ourselves spending so much per particular person in money. This isn’t one thing over which we fret; whereas we suggest bringing some money (transformed to yen) with you in your first journey, we seldom convey greater than $20 with us now.
As a substitute, we withdraw yen as mandatory utilizing our debit playing cards from ATMs within the ubiquitous 7-11 and Lawson comfort shops. Our financial institution reimburses us for overseas transaction charges and converts at full market price, so that is the most suitable choice for us. Your mileage could differ on this one relying upon your financial institution’s insurance policies.
7-11/Lawson – Talking of 7-11 and Lawson, they’re your pals. These comfort shops are in every single place and needs to be utilized. We suggest these two chains over Household Mart and others as a result of each are likely to have the perfect choice of ready meals and in addition labels which are in English.
These seize and go meals are literally good, and you must undoubtedly plan on a meal or two coming from 7-11 or Lawson. When now we have a busy day deliberate (or if it’s a vacationer season when eating places have lengthy strains), we’ll skip consuming at a sit-down restaurant and simply do one thing on the run from a comfort retailer. Think about this one other “culturally genuine” expertise, as many Kyotoites do the identical. See our “The Pleasure of Japanese 7-Eleven” for extra on what we suggest shopping for at these shops.
On a remaining word, when you journey to Japan this 12 months or in 2023, you’ll profit from the nation’s preparations for the Tokyo Summer time Olympics. Though no overseas vacationers have been allowed for the Video games, that was not all the time the plan. Japan spent years and vital cash to extend within the quantity of English signage and knowledge, and a concerted effort to supply data to vacationers.
I do know this simply begins to scratch the floor of planning for a visit to Kyoto, however we’re already over 5,000 phrases so I’m pondering possibly it’s time to chop this brief earlier than I lose everybody with one thing that’s overly lengthy. My objective was to supply detailed data for planning a visit, but additionally have it function a leaping off level with extra thorough posts elaborating on sure subjects to forestall it from being so lengthy that it’s intimidating. I’ll replace this information frequently with hyperlinks to new posts and new data, so relaxation assured that the knowledge right here is, and might be, present.
When you loved our Kyoto planning information or discovered it helpful, we’d drastically respect it when you’d depart a remark under and/or share this submit on social media by way of the sharing buttons under. This information has been in draft kind for a number of months now, and we’ve put a lot of labor into it, so we’d love for as many individuals to have the ability to use it as attainable. Thanks a lot on your help!
Your Ideas
Have you ever been to Kyoto? What did you assume–do you agree that it’s one of many best cities on the earth? Planning a visit to Japan and have questions? When you’ve visited or live in Japan and have ideas of your personal, please add them within the feedback. (I would simply borrow them for the information itself.) Listening to suggestions about your experiences is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas!
