Driving in Kyoto?

[Gymrat76]

Hi,

Planning to visit Kyoto for hanami 2018. Since my wife and I are bringing our parents along, there will be a party of 6. Rather than braving the public transportation, I thought that perhaps I could rent a car to get around to the sights and eateries. Is that recommended or should we stick to bus/train/taxis?

 

[anyhowsaysay]

Within Kyoto, I think public transports will be enough (Taxi if you want to splurge).

By driving, Kyoto not easy to find parking and traffic quite bad also

 

[Gymrat76]

Within Kyoto, I think public transports will be enough (Taxi if you want to splurge).

By driving, Kyoto not easy to find parking and traffic quite bad also

Thank you. In terms of accommodation, we're looking at AirB&B since for 6 pax it's probably more practical (and works out cheaper!) than a hotel. Looking around the Marutamachi station area.. saw that there's not a lot of food in the area, but it's near attractions and easy to get to from the Kyoto station (will arrive by Shinkansen from Tokyo). Any other places to recommend that I look at?

 

[anyhowsaysay]

Thank you. In terms of accommodation, we're looking at AirB&B since for 6 pax it's probably more practical (and works out cheaper!) than a hotel. Looking around the Marutamachi station area.. saw that there's not a lot of food in the area, but it's near attractions and easy to get to from the Kyoto station (will arrive by Shinkansen from Tokyo). Any other places to recommend that I look at?

Slightly further away but then that is fine.
If you want could look at Shijo or near Kyoto Station

Kyoto Station -> Gojo -> Shijo -> Sanjo -> Murutamachi

 

[limweeli]

I drove in Kyoto for half a day during the last sakura season. We were on the way to return the car but it was early so we headed to 2 sakura spots. The traffic is slow (typical city traffic) and parking is limited at the tourist spots. I guess it's ok if you are willing to wait. Parking is quite expensive, I recall it's 200 yen for 20 or 30 mins of parking.

 

[shizuka_b]

hi i did drive in Kyoto, when my clan went Japan. Traffic is bad, like what ahss said. But we found it very useful when visiting slightly far away places like arashiyama, kinkakuji, inari fushimi. With the car we actually can save a bit on accomodation because u can stay outside of Kyoto, where it is cheaper. We stayed in Shiga.

Actually we drove from Nagoya, to Hokuriku, Kyoto, and thenback to Nagoya.

 

[kifo]

hi i did drive in Kyoto, when my clan went Japan. Traffic is bad, like what ahss said. But we found it very useful when visiting slightly far away places like arashiyama, kinkakuji, inari fushimi. With the car we actually can save a bit on accomodation because u can stay outside of Kyoto, where it is cheaper. We stayed in Shiga.

Actually we drove from Nagoya, to Hokuriku, Kyoto, and thenback to Nagoya.

excellent planning! yes it would be fantastic to stay somewhere in otsu with a breathtaking view of biwako and then there are many fantastic driving routes around biwako