5 Secret Kyoto Travel Tips for First Timers
It is no secret that a Kyoto travel experience is highly sought after among the travel community. Being the former ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto (京都) features a plethora of beautiful historical sites ranging from temples, shrines, and even teahouses and restaurants.
Despite this, Kyoto is also infamously known for its overtourism; hundreds of tourists hogging at famous sites including Kiyomizudera, Fushimi Inari Taisha and even the streets of Gion District. So much so that even the local council passed a law to banned tourists from entering certain private streets in the Gion District.
Nevertheless, travelling in Kyoto can be made much more relaxing with these tips in mind. Here are 5 must know secret Kyoto travel tips.
Table of Contents
Kyoto Travel Tip 1: Pick and Area and Focus on It
Given its status as the former capital, Kyoto undeniably offers a wide range of historic temples and shrines to explore. From the famed Kiyomizudera (清水寺) and Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社) to lesser known sites like Kodaiji Temple (高台寺) and Kifune Shrine (貴船神社), it may seem tempting to cover as many sites as possible within a day.
The issue is however, many of these sites are located across different areas of Kyoto and time is needed to travel from one site to another (i.e. travelling between Kinkakuji (金閣寺) to Kiyomizudera will take at least an hour by bus). Rushing through these sites will not only take up a lot of travel time; but also can potentially lead to a temple burnout syndrome.
Instead, I would recommend choosing a specific area in Kyoto and then, take your time to explore the area. Example if you are visiting the Philosopher’s Path (Tetsugaku-no-Michi/哲学の道); pay a visit to the nearby Ginkakuji (銀閣寺 aka the Silver pavilion) instead while at the same time, make a pit stop to one of the cafes along the path for a sip of coffee.
Kyoto Travel Tip 2: Take A Stroll Along the Rivers
Believe it or not, another attraction to bookmark for your Kyoto travel are the rivers. The most famous river in Kyoto is none other than Kamogawa (鴨川). A way to get out of the crowd is to take a stroll along the river; and enjoy the sound of the flowing river and watch the locals conducting their leisure activities.
And if you are at Pontocho (先斗町) during summer, this is the best time to dine in the restaurants with outdoor balconies facing the river. These outdoor balconies are called Noryo-Yuka (納涼床), and they serve as a wonderful dining spot to enjoy the cool evening breeze together with the meals.
In fact, smaller towns such as Uji (宇治) and Kibune (貴船) too are well-connected by rivers; the former by the Uji River (宇治川) and the latter by the Kibune River (貴船川). One should look out for the river cruise and the cormorant fishing experience at Uji River during summer. On the other hand, Kibune River is more famous for its Kawadoko (川床) or river dining where you can catch noodles in an actual bamboo stream.
Kyoto Travel Tip 3: Look Out for the Seasonal Illumination Events
Are you planning to visit Kyoto during spring and autumn? Then, you are in luck as you are just in time for Kyoto’s seasonal light up events. During these seasons, various heritage sites throughout Kyoto will be blessed by the presence of the beautiful cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.
Because of this, these sites will extend their operating hours till evening and host a seasonal illumination event. The ethereal display of lights is a scenery not to be missed; as the soft glow lights amplify not just the beauty of the traditional structures but also the vibrant colours of the cherry blossoms and the autumn leaves.
World heritage sites such as Toji Temple (東寺), Kodaiji Temple (高台寺), Nijo Castle (二条城) and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (北野天満宮) are common sites that will conduct illumination events during spring and autumn every year. Do note however that some such as Kurodani Temple (黒谷寺) hosts illumination events only during certain years. As such, it is advisable to check out Kyoto City’s official website for the timings prior to visiting.
Kyoto Travel Tip 4: Plan a Day Trip to the Nearby Cities
While Kyoto itself is charming historic city on its own right; one mustn’t discount on the other nearby historic cities which are less visited by tourists. And no, I am not referring to just Nara (奈良). Places like Otsu (大津), Omi-Hachiman (近江八幡), Hikone (彦根) offers a similar historic vibe with a much more relaxing vibe.
Otsu is nestled next to the scenic Lake Biwa (琵琶湖) and features a variety of historical heritage sites including the famed Enryakuji Temple (延暦寺). Omi-Hachiman is a castle town known for its attractive moats and canals while Hikone features one of the original and authentic castles in Japan; that is Hikone Castle (彦根城).
Scenery lovers shouldn’t miss out on the nearby Amanohashidate (天橋立), a stunningly beautiful sand bar that is one of Japan’s top three scenic views. And for the ocean lovers, the nearby fishing village of Ine (伊根) is known for its captivating and charming boat houses or funaya (舟屋). These traditional boat houses contain a boat garage on the first floor and a residential space on the upper floor.
These destination are easily accessible via train and bus from Kyoto; making them great day trip destinations. Be sure to check the handy Japan transit planner website, Jorudan for more info on getting there.
Kyoto Travel Tip 5: Explore the Neighbourhoods of Kyoto
And no, I am not referring to just the iconic districts of Gion (祇園) or Pontocho (先斗町). One of the more relaxing Kyoto travel activities to consider is exploring the lesser-known neighbourhoods of Kyoto. Being the former capital of Japan, there are a plethora of traditional buildings across the districts of Kyoto.
Those who are into arts should check out the Ajiki Alley (あじき路地), a tranquil alley known for its atelier shops run by young artists that are housed inside traditional buildings. These shops sell a range of boutique goods; ranging from artistic notebooks to weaving accessories and custom-made hats.
For those looking for an alternative to Gion, look no further than Kamishichiken (上七軒). It is the oldest geisha (芸者) district in Kyoto and is less touristy given it is further from downtown Kyoto. That leaves more room to enjoy the beauty of the Ochaya (お茶屋) or tea houses here as well as catching the sight of the stunningly beautiful Geishas.
Another one which is a personal favourite of mine is the Ayanokoji-dori Street (綾小路通); which was once the home of many wealthy merchants who resided in Kyoto. Many of their mansions are still maintained to this day and there are a couple of cafes to check out along the street for a morning coffee.
Overall Thoughts
And there you have it; 5 secret tips for a more enriching and relaxing Kyoto travel experience. While Kyoto is undoubtedly a tourist hotspot, there is just so many point of interests to explore this beautiful heritage city.
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