r/KyotoTravel

Having a fascination with samurai and budo culture, I will be visiting Kyoto in mid June and wondering if there are any must do locations or tours others have taken or visited. I know about temple and ceilings, and obviously know about the other kitschy stuff like putting on a hakama or practicing kendo. Looking for more unique experiences, places to visit, favorable guides, etc. Guidance appreciated.

Daytime is mostly figured out. Higashiyama one day, Arashiyama another, Fushimi Inari early one morning, fourth day flexible. The bit i cant get a handle on is what people actually do between like 5pm and 9pm.

Most temples close around 4:30 or 5. The autumn lightups at places like Kiyomizu and Kodaiji dont really start until late october at the earliest, so late september is still well before that window.

Pontocho keeps coming up but half the comments say its a tourist strip now with food thats not really representative of kyoto. Gion sounds beautiful for a stroll but seems more of a late afternoon geisha-spotting thing. Proper kaiseki dinners apparently need booking weeks ahead which we should probably start doing now if we want a shot.

Im not trying to fill every evening with a second activity, im fine slowing down. But sitting in the hotel by 6:30 every night feels like a waste of being there. Mostly trying to get a feel for what normal evenings looked like for people who werent there during peak lightup season.

I already know about the geisha makeover, ninja classes, and the muscle girl bar lol .....

what other hidden gems do you know?

I'm traveling to Kyoto for a week during the first week of June, and am explore its incredible arts and crafts heritage. I have great interests in textile and would love to take a workshop class. I already practice weaving in Taiwan, so I'm hoping to find a hands-on textile or Nishijin-ori (西陣織) workshop that offers a bit more depth than a standard beginner experience, that can be done within a day. Do you have any suggestions for me? Thank you!!

I live in Kyoto and enjoy sea fishing and river fishing.

If you're planning a trip to Kyoto, I can recommend some fishing shops.

There are also several second-hand shops.

If you want to fish in a river, I can also tell you where to buy a license.

Thank you.

Hi everyone,

My partner and I will be in Kyoto for three days starting May 23rd. The forecast is looking like a mix of "once-in-a-decade" heat (29°C+) and a 60% chance of rain. I’m a bit anxious about the humidity and looking for some quick advice:

1. Packing: Shall I pack a full rain gear or would a light parka work? Should I pack heavy fabrics or light?
2. Rainy Day Itinerary: If it pours, are Ohara (Sanzan-in) and Nara Park still worth the trip? I’ve heard the moss in Ohara is beautiful in the rain, but I’m worried about the commute.
3. Indoor Gems: Aside from the usual Nishiki Market and Kyoto National Museum, are there any other air-conditioned or covered "hidden gems" to dodge the heat/rain?

My girlfriend and I are heading to Japan this July with a few friends, and I'm planning to propose. Since I've never been to Japan, I'm not sure how realistic it is to find a scenic spot without crowds around.

I'm currently deciding between two locations — the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Maruyama Park. I'm also looking to hire a hidden photographer to capture the moment.

My main questions are:

How crowded do these spots get, even in the early morning?

Is there a third option I should strongly consider?

I'm after somewhere that looks natural, with no buildings in the background.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

We will be in Kyoto from 12 July (Sunday) to 16 July (leaving for Hiroshima).

I know July will be hot, and Sunday is the worst day to avoid the crowds, but we will be there, so have to make the best of it.

So my question is: what is worth visiting in Kyoto that isn't overcrowded on Sunday?

Our check out of Kyoto is at 10AM and our flight home from Narita is 6PM. I'd like to get to Narita about 3PM just to be safe. Is Kyoto to Shinagawa to the Narita Express the best route? I've heard we should avoid Tokyo station if possible on the way back. Also, it looks like the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Shinagawa is about 2 hours so I feel like an 11AM train out of Kyoto should work but I'm sure I am not considering something if you all have suggestions. Thanks!

I’m hoping to get some feedback from folks who have done the hike from Kurama-dera to Kibune in summer, on your experience with mosquitos on the trail.

This hike and the whole area looks so lovely and I would really like to add it to our itinerary, but I have seen some blogs say the mosquitos are pretty bad up there. And I have “skeeter syndrome”, where mosquito bites turn into massive, painful welts.

I’m already planning to pick up insect repellent pretty much the second we arrive in Japan, and I will pack lightweight long pants and long sleeve, but I’d like to get some thoughts on whether the mosquitos are really bad enough that it would warrant a pass on this activity for me. We will be visiting late June/early July. Thanks!

Hello,

Can anyone provide any feedback on the below hotels? Or suggest something else? Looking for a family of 4 (2 adults 2 children 5 & 7 years old). Staying in November and would prefer something with a kitchen so we can have some meals at the hotel. Staying for 7 nights. Would like to keep the cost under $3000 AUD.

Thanks!

* Minn Gion

* Hotel Mondonce Kyoto Gojo

*Hiz Hotel

Visiting Kyoto between 15-19 June and taking 2 daytrips(Arashiyama and Nara). Is it worth taking a very touristy tour from apps like klook? I wanna retain the traveller, learning vibe as opposed to a very regimented experience. I have figured out the train route and spots to be covered though. Worried about potential language issues and train hurdles coming in between. Travelling with family including 3 members.