April 10, 2025, 6:06 a.m. | Reading time: 6 minutes
Kyoto is famous for its beautiful temple complexes, traditional tea houses and the geisha district of Gion. To make your visit to Japan's former imperial city an unforgettable experience, there are a few things to keep in mind. Seven tips from Sunnytrips author and Japan lover Katharina Kunath for a relaxing stay in Kyoto.
For more than 1,000 years, Japan's Emperor ruled from Kyoto, Japan, the “Land of the Rising Sun.” It was not until 1868, when the shoguns' rule came to an end, that the capital was moved to Tokyo. The metropolis of Kyoto, which today has around 1.5 million inhabitants, is located in the west of the island of Honshu and is considered one of the most beautiful travel destinations in the country. The wealth of sights from the imperial era is impressive: there are two palaces, more than 1,600 Buddhist temples, hundreds of Shinto shrines and countless extraordinary gardens and parks. In addition, Kyoto is still the center of traditional Japanese handicrafts, which are valued worldwide. Sunnytrips reveals seven tips for a successful stay.
Temple visit: It's worth being early
Always have cash with you
Don't take photos of geishas!
West of the Kamo
Don't necessarily travel during peak season
Beautiful tradition: the stamp book
Plan time for day trips
Temple visit: It's worth being early
Whether it's Fushimi Inari-Taisha or Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto's famous landmarks are often crowded. No wonder: whether the endless red-orange torii arches, the golden Kinkakuji pavilion or the 1001 statues of the Buddhist temple Sanjūsangen-dō - the local temple complexes are unique in their beauty.
If you really want to enjoy the magic of these places, you should plan your visit well. The best chance for an undisturbed stay is early in the morning, ideally right when it opens - or in the evening, shortly before it closes. During the day there are countless tour groups that are driven from temple to temple in coaches.
Rainy days are also good for a visit: the temple complex is usually less visited, and the soundtrack of gently pattering rain creates a very special atmosphere.
My extra tip: When it rains, be sure to buy a transparent umbrella from one of the many convenience stores! These have been very popular outside of Japan at least since the classic film “Lost in Translation” - and can also be easily transported back to Germany in hand luggage as a souvenir.
Always have cash with you
Although Japan is considered ultra-modern, many smaller shops, temples and traditional restaurants in Kyoto are still cash-based. It may happen that card payments are not possible, especially at market stalls or in small ramen restaurants. If you want to buy a cool drink from one of the many vending machines on the go, you will often need coins to do so. That's why it's important to always take enough yen with you!
Don't take photos of geishas!
In Kyoto's famous geisha district of Gion, you can occasionally see real geishas or maikos (geisha students) on the way to their engagements. Even though they are beautiful to look at, it is disrespectful to take photos of them without asking or to follow them. Nevertheless, there are always pushy tourists who even block their way just to take photos.
The city of Kyoto therefore took a drastic measure in 2024: Some streets in the old town will now remain closed to tourists in order to protect geishas and maikos. If you want to admire the tradition, you can instead take part in a geisha performance or book a cultural tour.
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West of the Kamo
Kyoto has much more to offer than its world-famous Gion and Higashiyama districts. The city also has a very modern side and is reminiscent of Tokyo in many places. West of the Kamo River, behind the large Kawaramachi shopping street, there are trendy cafes, hip boutiques and cool bars. The Kyoto International Manga Museum is also a highlight for fans of Japanese pop culture. If you are looking for a contrast to the more traditional districts and want to be a bit away from the tourist hotspots, you should definitely take time for Kyoto's “more modern side”.
Don't necessarily travel during peak season
Kyoto is at its most beautiful - but also at its most crowded - during the cherry blossom season in spring and when the leaves are changing in autumn. Not only foreign tourists, but also the Japanese themselves like to travel to the city during this time. If you want to avoid the tourist crowds, come to Kyoto in late winter (January-February) or early summer (May-June) instead. Then the prices are lower, the temples are emptier and the city shows its somewhat quieter side. My extra tip: Midsummer in Kyoto is only for the hardy: In July and August it not only gets extremely hot, but the humidity is also enormous. In the hot months, ice-cold electrolyte drinks from the supermarket, such as “Pocari Sweat” or “Aquarius”, are indispensable companions. The Japanese also swear by small electric hand fans, fans and cooling wet wipes.
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Beautiful tradition: the stamp book
If you like visiting temples and are looking for an individual travel souvenir, you should definitely get a goshuincho, a stamp book. These books can be bought in many places in the city and then, for a small fee, can be decorated with artistic seals and calligraphy in temples and shrines. Each stamp is unique and makes the book a personal souvenir of the trip.
My extra tip: Train stations, public buildings and parks also have their own stamps. However, under no circumstances may these be stamped into the official Goshuincho! And the other way around: You should never expect the calligraphy masters in the temple complex to put a seal in a simple notebook - this is considered disrespectful and will be politely but firmly rejected.
Plan time for day trips
Kyoto is surrounded by places that are perfect for a day trip. Arashiyama with its bamboo forest, the ancient samurai city of Nijo or Nara with its free-roaming deer are just a short train ride away. Japan's second largest city, Osaka, can also be reached quickly. If you have time, you should definitely make a detour!
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