Kyoto travel guide: what to know before you go

Best time to visit

Late March to early April has cherry blossom, and mid-November to early December has autumn leaves. These are the most beautiful and the most crowded periods, and hotels book out early. Late spring and early autumn are calmer. July and August are hot and humid. Winter is cold, with few crowds and occasional snow on temples.

The Gion Festival in July brings large crowds, and the Obon period in mid-August and the New Year holiday also change opening hours.

How many days you need

Three days is a good plan. That fits Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera and the Higashiyama streets, the Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji area, and Arashiyama with its bamboo grove.

Add a fourth day for Nara, which is under an hour by train, or for Osaka.

Getting from the airport to the centre

Kyoto has no airport. Most visitors use Kansai International (KIX) near Osaka. The JR Haruka limited express runs to Kyoto Station in about 75 minutes. Airport limousine buses also run to Kyoto and take about two hours.

Osaka Itami (ITM) is used for domestic flights, and a bus runs to Kyoto. From Tokyo, the Shinkansen bullet train reaches Kyoto in about two hours and 15 minutes.

Getting around

Kyoto has two subway lines, JR and private railway lines, and a large city bus network. Buses reach most temples but get very crowded in peak seasons, so consider trains where possible. A Suica, ICOCA or similar IC card works on buses, subways and trains. The city bus-only day pass was withdrawn in 2024, but a subway and bus one-day pass is still sold, so check whether it saves money for your plans.

Bicycles are a good way to move between close sights in the flatter parts of the city. Taxis are available and useful for groups. Some luggage delivery services can send your suitcase to your next hotel, so you can travel lighter.

Where to stay

The Kyoto Station area is convenient for trains, but is less atmospheric. Gion and Higashiyama have traditional streets and are close to temples, but hotels are costly. Kawaramachi and Shijo are central, with shops, restaurants and easy transport. Arashiyama is calm in the evening and suits visitors who want a quiet stay, but is farther from the city centre.

What to book in advance

Hotels book out first, especially in spring and autumn. Tea ceremony experiences, kaiseki dinners and geisha performances need reservations. Katsura Imperial Villa and Shugakuin Imperial Villa need an advance application with the Imperial Household Agency. Many temples and gardens do not require reservations, but a few popular ones use timed entry.

Kyoto charges an accommodation tax to all overnight guests, collected through the hotel. New rates took effect on 1 March 2026, and they depend on the price of the room per person per night.

Common mistakes to avoid

Relying on buses in autumn and spring. Use trains and walk when you can.

Arriving at popular temples in the middle of the day. Go early in the morning.

Chasing or photographing geisha and apprentices in Gion without permission, and entering private alleys. Fines and restrictions apply in some areas.

Trying to see too many temples in one day. Choose a district and move slowly.

Booking hotels late in cherry blossom or autumn leaf seasons.

Money, tipping and practical notes

Japan uses the yen. Cash is still useful at small restaurants, temples and shops. Tipping is not customary. Remove shoes when entering temples and many restaurants. Be quiet in temples and traditional districts.

The plug type is A and B, at 100 volts. Tap water is safe. Since 1 November 2026, tax-free shopping in Japan works as a refund system: you pay the tax-inclusive price and claim the refund at departure. Visa rules depend on your nationality, so check the official Japanese government site.

Facts on this page were last checked in November 2026. Routes, rules and opening days change, so confirm important details with the official source before you travel.

Things to do in Kyoto