7 travel tips after living in Kyoto
Years ago, on my first trip to Japan in 2011, I read a lot of “travel tips” to make travel in Kyoto, and Japan, “better”.
For example:
Go to temples early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds.
Use a bicycle; don’t take slow buses.
Bring cash.
Look for Geisha at Gion and Ponto-cho.
These are all pretty valid but things have changed so much even in the short time since my first visit to Kyoto in 2011. JETRO reports that tourist numbers in Japan went from around 6 million tourists in 2011 to over 30 MILLION in 2019.
The tips above are a little different these days.
The early morning and late afternoon temple visit advice is still valid and buses are still pretty slow but they’re useful! Not everyone wants to cycle for hours to get around the city. Arashiyama is not close to Higashiyama. Even if you opt for a bicycle, there are still traffic lights you need to stop and wait at… Cash only? Not likely these days. Most people are paying with apps these days. Geisha at Gion and Ponto-cho? Good luck with the crowds :,)
In 2014, I spent more than a year living in Kyoto as a student and used almost every day after class to explore something new. People that know me understand that I have an insatiable appetite to go and find new stuff… and honestly, I don’t know many people who have the same desire to walk around and look at things… without a real plan or goal.
Here are some tips I can provide after that experience and from subsequent visits every year since.
Lunch is cheaper than dinner. Eat fancier stuff at lunch to save money.
Do a hybrid of buses, bikes, and trains to maximize your time in Kyoto. The bus day pass with unlimited rides is 700 yen for adults and 350 for children. Avoid riding the bus in Higashiyama area! You can even get a bus and train pass for 1,100 yen. Details can be found here in the official Kyoto City Guide.
Flea markets are great for something different and you might find some decent souvenirs. Here’s a Kyoto City official link to all the flea market locations and times.
Walk or cycle along the Kamogawa River to get from north to south or vice versa. This will help to avoid traffic and the millions of traffic lights.
Speaking of Kamogawa, if you decide to picnic along the river, which you should, watch out for the swooping falcons! They will steal your lunch. Sit under a tree or a bridge while you eat :,)
Stay here in this area! It’s a great place to stay because you have all the train lines close by, it’s a short walk to some great cafes and bakeries, and when things get quiet at night you still have Yodobashi camera to explore - a multi-level store open till late. You can also do day trips from Kyoto if you want to head to Osaka or Nara. Personally, I would always choose to stay in Kyoto because Kyoto has so much more to offer in my opinion.
Trade your time at Gion for Kitano Tenmangu. Gion has become overrun with tourists and it feels more like a theme park these days. Kitano Tenmangu still has an authentic feel with geisha and maiko still in the area, a kabuki theatre, a great temple, and a lot of traditional wagashi, or Japanese sweets, stores. These places have been around for hundreds of years. But Kitano Tenmangu isn’t too far behind… Check it out while you can.
So, there you go! I hope you find these tips helpful for your trip to Kyoto. Take some extra patience and be prepared for the hoards of tourists while you travel around.
Happy travels!
