Kyoto itinerary advice

[riiya86]

Hi all! I am going to Kyoto this 22-25Nov.. Is it considered peak season? I plan to cover these places in Kyoto but i am not sure how to group my destinations in most efficient route.

I would like to visit

- Gion / Pontocho

- Arashiyama

- Fushimi Inari

- Nishiki Market

- Kinkakuji

- Kiyomizudera

- Nijo Castle

- Toei Eigamura (worth going? Is it suitable for younger kods?)

I will reach Kyoto around 3pm which after check in, I will start touring about 4pm. I stay near Kyoto station, i intend to visit Gion/Pontocho and is it possible to squeeze Kiyomizudera as well for the evening?

Also, is it better to go to Nara from Kyoto or Osaka? I will be leaving for Osaka on 25th.

Thank you in advanced for your comments!

 

[MajiMax]

23th Nov, Japan national holiday, prepare to be swamped by domestic and overseas tourist.

 

[anyhowsaysay]

23 that day will be super super super crowded. Horror story. I been to Kyoto many times during that period, normally what i do is stay in Kyoto but then go for day trips to less crowded places out of Kyoto.

This year the holiday 23 then 24,25,26 might be crowded as well.
I will also go Kyoto for the 7th times and arrive in Japan start of Nov before going to Kyoto from 24 onwards. But then on 25, 26 i will go day trip to Miyajima and Okayama to avoid the weekend horror crowd during Koyo.
Then 27 onwards the crowd to be less and then i spend the 5 days weekday to see Koyo.
Koyo crowd in Kyoto is mostly domestic japanese crowd. So weekend and national holiday especially crowded.

 

[riiya86]

Thanks for highlighting but unfortunately i only have this period to go Japan
Will it be so crowded that we cannot take the public transport?
In this case, can i just focus the few main places of interests?

Day one: reach Kyoto and check in at 4pm --> Nishiki Market --> Gion--> Pontocho

Day 2: Arashiyama --> Fushimi Inari --> Nijo Castle

Day 3: Kinkakuji --> Kiyomizu-dera

 

[anyhowsaysay]

Thanks for highlighting but unfortunately i only have this period to go Japan
Will it be so crowded that we cannot take the public transport?
In this case, can i just focus the few main places of interests?

Day one: reach Kyoto and check in at 4pm --> Nishiki Market --> Gion--> Pontocho

Day 2: Arashiyama --> Fushimi Inari --> Nijo Castle

Day 3: Kinkakuji --> Kiyomizu-dera

Train still fine but train in Kyoto not useful
The Bus is really crowded, i saw the queue before super long. In Kyoto, even peak period their frequency also not so good.
I don't really recommend 23! Most hotel tends to charge highest rate on national holiday but then u don't get good experience because of the crowd.

If you Day 2 is 23 then good luck. Arashiyama the bamboo grove will be full of people until photo not nice. Same for Fushimi Inari, can't get good shot due to huge amount of tourists. Japanese always aim for those famous sites, Arashiyama, Kinkakuji, Fushimi, Kiyomizu those kind.

Day 2, you plan is a bit erratic, if u spend half day at arashiyama u might not be able to go Nijo Castle since last admission is 4pm.

Day 3, Seems fine. u can add in Ryoanji or Ninnaji since those are nearby from Kinkakuji. Kiyomizudera now is under renovation for the main hall which is 99% of Kiyomizu. I don't think it will be interesting to go since the main hall covered up by now. The next chance to see Kiyomizu will be 2020.

 

[riiya86]

Train still fine but train in Kyoto not useful
The Bus is really crowded, i saw the queue before super long. In Kyoto, even peak period their frequency also not so good.
I don't really recommend 23! Most hotel tends to charge highest rate on national holiday but then u don't get good experience because of the crowd.

If you Day 2 is 23 then good luck. Arashiyama the bamboo grove will be full of people until photo not nice. Same for Fushimi Inari, can't get good shot due to huge amount of tourists. Japanese always aim for those famous sites, Arashiyama, Kinkakuji, Fushimi, Kiyomizu those kind.

Day 2, you plan is a bit erratic, if u spend half day at arashiyama u might not be able to go Nijo Castle since last admission is 4pm.

Day 3, Seems fine. u can add in Ryoanji or Ninnaji since those are nearby from Kinkakuji. Kiyomizudera now is under renovation for the main hall which is 99% of Kiyomizu. I don't think it will be interesting to go since the main hall covered up by now. The next chance to see Kiyomizu will be 2020.

Ya lo day 2 is 23rd, hosei lo sigh. Or should i switch day 2 with day 3 to siam the crowd so i can better view Arashiyama?

 

[riiya86]

btw, are taxis generally cheaper in Kyoto and more cost effective (if sharing) and faster than to take the buses?

 

[cpuer]

btw, are taxis generally cheaper in Kyoto and more cost effective (if sharing) and faster than to take the buses?

Can use a taxi fare calaculator to test out

https://www.taxifarefinder.com/main...9999998&toCoord=34.9948561,135.78504629999998

Example from Kawaramachi stn to Kiyomizudera cost 1015 yen, quite accurately reflecting the actual. Bus fare is 230 per ride. So if 4 pax, take cab is better. And bring you right up the slope. take bus still have to walk up the slope from bus stop.

 

[purpleberry]

Taxi fare in Kyoto is more or less similar to here with peak hour surcharge, CBD and such. Still affordable compared to Tokyo.