For a first-time visit to Kyoto, the absolute must-sees are the thousands of red torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha, the golden pavilion of Kinkaku-ji, and walking through the historic streets of the Higashiyama district (including Kiyomizu-dera). Also essential are the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and experiencing the traditional atmosphere of the Gion district.
Here are some things I consider must-see attractions and activities in Kyoto: Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, Japanese gardens, a night in a ryokan, Japan's exquisite traditional accommodation, a meal in a Japanese restaurant, whether gourmet or hole in the wall, an evening stroll through the Gion entertainment ...
Perhaps the single most impressive sight in all of Kyoto, bar none, Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine is the most important shrine in the entire city. Don't miss it! Ginkaku-ji temple, the “Silver Pavilion”, has magnificient halls and gardens, with a tremendous viewpoint over the entire temple compound.
Higashiyama Eastern Kyoto (Old Kyoto) – Higashiyama generally represents Old Kyoto and it oozes with the Japanese traditional atmosphere which you imagine Kyoto to be. This is where you can find most of the beautiful temples and shrines, well preserved historical Japanese houses and cobble stoned streets.
The rule stems from years of problematic tourist behavior. Unfortunately, the women who work in Kyoto's geisha district are often treated as tourist attractions, with visitors aggressively trying to photograph them without their permission. The issue got really out of hand in 2019.
The best places to see geisha in Kyoto are Hanami-koji-dori in Gion (the section between Shijo-dori and Kennin-ji Temple) and at the Shijo-dori end of Pontocho. The best time to see them is around dusk (early evening), especially on weekends and holidays. You probably won't see any on Monday evenings.
The best times to visit Kyoto are October/November (fall) and March/April/May (spring). You can visit Kyoto at any time of year because the weather is temperate. Summer (June/July/August) in Kyoto is hot and humid. Winter (December/January/Febuary) in Kyoto is cold.
It is caused by the collision of cold northerly and warm southerly air masses, which results in a relatively stable bad weather front over the Japanese archipelago. In most of Japan, the rainy season lasts from the beginning of June to mid July, while it affects the islands of Okinawa about one month earlier.
Downtown Kyoto is loaded with hotels, shops, restaurants, bars and clubs. It's not a main sightseeing destination, but there are some good sights scattered about.
The Japanese diet is said to be one of the healthiest in the world, and the traditional Japanese breakfast of rice, fish, and vegetables is often given as an example of an ideal, nutritionally balanced morning meal.
People in Kyoto usually eat dinner at around 6 or 7 pm, with many places taking last orders at around 9 pm. Of course, this varies significantly by restaurant, and you can find Kyoto restaurants that close earlier or later.
In Japan, it's not common to tip for services such as those provided in bars, cafes, restaurants, taxis, and hotels. However, there is a custom in Japan of giving a gratuity, called ""kokorozuke"", (coming from the heart), in some situations. There are certain situations where tipping might be considered appropriate.
The rules for visiting a Japanese temple or shrine are not as strict as those in, say, Thailand, but keep in mind that temples and shrines are religious places and you should dress and act accordingly. Neat casual clothes are fine, but sloppy or revealing clothes are not.
Kyoto is a compact city with a well-developed transport network. It's very easy to get around. The subways and trains are the most convenient way to get around the city. Buses are less convenient, but cover almost the whole city.
Do not stop, touch, follow, or take unauthorized photos/videos of any geiko (regional term for geisha) or maiko (apprentice geisha) you see walking around the district. The geiko and maiko are not mascot characters.
