Why Tourists Regret Kyoto: 8 Things I Wish First-Timers Knew (by a Local)
I’m Japanese living in Kyoto and I’m sharing the essential tips for first-timers.
I hope this video helps you avoid any regrets and makes your Kyoto trip an amazing memory!
・Recommended Japanese guidebook
・Crowd forecast service
https://ja.kyoto.travel/comfort/
39 Comments
I LOVED Kyoto.
I completely agree with you. I used taxis during my recent trip to save time and enable us to see key sites. Use Gemini to help to plan your Kyoto strategy and mention that you are open to considering taxis.
Is this woman AI generated?
Good, accurate information. My first time to Kyoto was 1992. It's changed so much since then (Remember the old train station? You're probably too young.) I was just there a few months ago for dinner, and the crowds were unreal. 🙁 I have Japanese friends who love Kyoto, but won't go anymore because of the crowds. Walking shoulder-to-shoulder with an army of tourists is not my idea of Wa (和).
Great video, Okini! ❤❤
Anyone who assumes that they can get correct information in Japan by asking Japanese people questions in a language other than Japanese is asking for trouble.
Thank you! So helpful and thoughtfully presented 😊
With respect to Kyoto, sadly it is being loved to death. Many first time travellers to Japan feel like Kyoto is a "must see". Maybe the thing to do is start as early as possible and visit popular places early or late in the day, and go to less popular places in the middle of the day? In order to avoid crowds, try to avoid Kyoto on public holidays and weekends. At these times, there will be more Japanese tourists. If you really want to avoid crowds, also avoid the most popular times of year, like Spring and Autumn, but of course that means you won't see the spring blossoms or autumn shades of red and gold. The least crowded experience I've had of Kyoto was in summer, but then it was really hot and humid.
By the way, please don't hold a lapel microphone (aka lavalier microphone) up to your mouth. It's designed to be attached to your clothing. Holding the micrphone like that distorts the sound and looks uncomfortable. If you wear it as intended, you can relax a bit more, and speak to the camera more naturally.
Wow.. fruitful tips 🎉🎉🎉
I will come back to Kyoto anytime… I love the slow pace, small town feel, culture and above all I love watching Maiko-san. 🥰
Wow, thanks for the insight! I am planning to go on May 2027 and definitely would like to see "locals' spot" than the tourists'
My only regret about Kyoto was not going in fall instead of spring
Kyoto is one of my favorite places and I don't mind the buses, trains and walking at all. but I guess for some it might be a hassle.
We just took taxis with 4 people and it was often cheaper and faster than busses and you got to ride in a cool retro taxi!
Well done. Thank-you
6:55 as an Italian, I can absolutely relate to this. On one hand you feel pride, on the other sadness
My family and I spent a wonderful week in Kyoto last year in spring. I choose a location delibrately near bus stops but also not too far from the trains too! While the train lines are limited they are helpful and easier to travel with luggage.
My wife and I loved philosopher's walk and my kids . . . well they loved universal studios but that's because they dumb 😛
Beautiful explanation and tips shared here. Arigato Gozaimasu!!
We are sad this beautiful place has become so overcrowded and is often shown disrespect by tourists. It is a treasure!
Although I’m confident using subway and trains, I was worried about using the bus in Kyoto. I did it to get to Kiyomizu -dere and it was fine. Crowded but that’s expected in Japan. Kyoto was lovely and way more diverse than I expected.
My wife and I were in Kyoto last November and we were surprised by how amazing the city is! on our first evening we went to the Kyoto Tower and some temples, that were closed, but beautifully lit in the night. We had amazing food, some free time to just walk around getting to know the city, exploring, Seeing temples and gardens, the city and the cities around, like Nara and Uji. Using the trains, walking around and having as little luggage as possible was essential. We avoided buses, but took some when needed. No rush, just waited. They could be delayed, but so are the busses where we live, in Brazil, so it's fine! It was a bliss, we ranked kyoto on the top of our "I would definetely live here" rank.
I wish I had seen this video before my trip!
I love Kyoto. But working out which transport pass to buy can be confusing. I am surprised last time that coins are still used widely. What I don't like are noisy pushy tourists, which I know Kyoto locals don't like either.
Thank you for your recommendations!
I enjoy your video a lot. I have been in Kyoto few times, and honestly, it is my favourite city in Japan. The only thing that I do not like about Kyoto is the bus fare. It doesn’t matter you ride it for one or 10 stops, you still pay the same per ride 😅 But I never regret going there. In fact, I am going back in March..
i love kyoto, i can chill on the riverside for hours
Her recommendations are spot on! Well thought of!
thank you for your tips! very helpfull
Thank you for your recommendations. They really can make travels across Kyoto easier.
I have been for Kyoto for the first time last summer. It is really beautiful city.
I know Japanese language only a little bit from Duolingo courses, but I always tried to start conversation on Japanese. It looked to me that people felt more comfortable, if i started to talk on their native language (despite my pronunciation is terrible, i presume).
I used GPS in the phones and a paper map to find places i needed. It really helps.
It was really a good time. I hope to return to Kyoto someday and see the places i missed.
I just booked a hotel 10meters away from the things I wanna see 🫡 20meters from there is a bike rental shop. With it its kind of near to visit 70% if all temples in the east of the city. And to the palace, castle, and other things I drive by taxi.
I'm planning my second trip to Japan for October, so this is super helpful! My friends and I want to hike Fushimi Inari Taisha and also wanted to visit Arashiyama, but I've been warned about the crowds. I found Kodaiji Temple through a recommendation and saw it also has a peaceful bamboo forest and isn't nearly as crowded, so we're planning on that instead!
I loved my time last trip, I’m in Japan now and heading to Kyoto in a couple of days to spend over a week there, as I regret NOT spending ENOUGH time there last trip around. Last time I was there I walked all over the city, and loved it.
I always travel on a tight budget, so I walk a lot. If you can only use public transport, I recommend that after a long day of walking, you take a hot bath or, preferably, soak your legs in hot water. And ill follow youre chanel i react badly to crowds but its my dream to visit Kyoto
I visited Kyoto with a couple of Japanese friends, if it weren't for them being able to call taxis and tell them exactly were to go I probably would have done 75% less than what I ended up doing. Having a plan and knowing how to get around was huge.
Great information thank you.
What a wonderful and helpful video. Thank you!
It makes me sad because Japan really needs the tax income from tourism. Many people are coming to Japan for the first time and this is a great chance to introduce the country to travelers and get them to come back. Unfortunately, the Japanese government, media, and business owners seem to be clueless about how to take care of foreign visitors and get them to come back. I think many places will close because they are unwilling to be flexible and don’t have the proper support to accommodate international tourists needs. So many travelers I’ve met recently have had their enthusiasm for learning about Japanese people, culture, and history crushed even though they have done most or all of the things suggested in this video. Most of the problems mentioned could be easily fixed making Kyoto locals, Japanese tourist, and international tourists happy.
So much good information I do not find elsewhere, thank you kindly.
AI-generated footage takes away credibility from this video.
Kyoto is and will be my favourite city ever. I have been many times and of course it gets busy, but when you get off the beaten path, there are soo many quiet places too. Kyoto has a unique atmosphere…