Kyoto

Intro – Who This City Is For

What the city actually feels like

Kyoto was Japan’s capital for over a thousand years. When I stepped off the train, I expected to feel like I had entered another century.

Honestly, the area around Kyoto Station felt like any other modern Japanese city. Clean. Efficient. Normal.

You have to walk north toward Gion to get that old world atmosphere. Wooden buildings. Narrow streets. Lanterns. That’s where it starts to feel like the Kyoto you see online. Thankfully, that’s where my hostel was.

Who will love it

If you love temples, shrines, and history, this city is for you.
There are temples everywhere. It almost becomes overwhelming because you cannot possibly see them all.
I took a walking tour with Kyoto Free Walking Tour and highly recommend it. My favorite was the Gion tour. It gave context to everything I was looking at and made the city feel deeper than just pretty buildings. I even saw a few geisha walking quickly through Gion. You don’t see them often, but when you do it feels surreal.

Who should avoid it

If you hate crowds, this city might test you.
Kyoto felt more crowded than Tokyo in the main tourist areas. Everyone funnels into the same temple zones, especially midday. There were moments where I did not fully enjoy the sights because it was shoulder to shoulder.

One personal anecdote: Kyoto is a must see at least once. I hiked Fushimi Inari at night and it was one of the best decisions I made. Standing in front of Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, with the reflection in the water was pretty awe inspiring and testing with so many people there. But the real magic for me was walking through the torii gates at Fushimi Inari with almost no one around. That felt different and fun.

Best Areas to Stay

I stayed in the Gion district. It was walkable to almost everything I wanted to see.

If you want convenience and slightly cheaper options, staying near Kyoto Station makes sense, especially if you are traveling by rail.

Gion District

Who it’s for: People who want that historic Kyoto atmosphere.

Pros:

Walkable to major temples and shrines
Traditional architecture
Quiet at night once day tourists leave

Cons:

Very crowded during the day
Slightly higher prices

Near Kyoto Station

Who it’s for: Budget travelers and rail travelers.

Pros:

Lower accommodation costs
Easy train connections
Modern conveniences

Cons:

Does not feel historic
Requires transport or longer walks to main sights

Where I Stayed

I stayed at Ryokan Hostel Gion.

Type of accommodation: Fancier Hostel with traditional style elements.
Monthly cost: Short stay, $50/night
WiFi speed: Reliable enough for light freelance work
Noise level: Minimal.
Would I stay again? Yes, mainly for the location

Main Areas & Streets

Gion and Pontocho Alley are where you will spend most of your time wandering.

Pontocho especially at night has a great atmosphere. Small restaurants, lanterns, and tight alleyways. Just walk and choose a place that looks good.

Things to Do

There are so many temples and shrines that you simply cannot see them all. Accept that and pick a few.

🌊 Nature

Walk along the Kamogawa River
Explore the hills surrounding the city
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove early in the morning

🍽 Food & Drink

Nishiki Market for street food
Pontocho Alley for dinner
Matcha desserts
Local ramen shops tucked into side streets

🏛 Culture

Fushimi Inari Taisha
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Chion-in Sanmon Gate
Take a guided walking tour with Kyoto Free Walking Tours

🏄 Adventure

Hike Fushimi Inari at night
Rent a bike and explore quieter neighborhoods
Climb up into the hills for city views. Mt. Kurama was the one a few people from my hostel were doing.

🚗 Day Trips

Nara for the deer park
Osaka for food and nightlife
Uji for matcha and tea culture

Working Remotely

I was traveling through but freelancing at the hostel worked fine for a few hours.

Average WiFi speeds: Good in most hostels and cafes
Best cafes: Plenty around Gion and downtown
Coworking options: Limited compared to Tokyo
Power outages: None
SIM / eSIM options: Easy to set up at the airport
Is it productive or distracting? Can be distracting with so much to explore

If you are staying long term in Japan or traveling between countries, I personally use Genki for travel health insurance.

Genki travel health insurance

Transportation

✈️ From the Airport

If flying into Kansai International Airport, take the train into Kyoto Station. From there you can walk, bus, or taxi depending on where you are staying.

🚌 Public Transport

I mostly walked. The Suica card works here just like in Tokyo and makes everything simple.

🚶 Walkability

Very walkable, especially in Gion and central Kyoto.

⚠️ Things to Watch Out For

Extreme crowding midday at major temples
Limited trash cans
Respect photography rules around geisha districts

Cost of Living Estimates

Kyoto is slightly cheaper than Tokyo but still not cheap compared to Southeast Asia.

Rent: Moderate to high in Gion. Hostel was $50/night
Utilities: Standard for Japan
Groceries: Reasonable
Eating Out: Affordable if eating local
Transport: Minimal if walking
Coworking: Limited options
Total: Mid range Japan pricing

Pros

Temple heaven
Smaller and more picturesque than Tokyo
Easy access to nature
Deep historical significance

Cons

Heavy crowds in tourist zones
Can feel overhyped
Locals can seem more reserved

FAQ

Is Kyoto safe?

Yes. Like most of Japan, it is extremely safe even at night.

How many days do you need?

3 to 4 days is enough to see the highlights without burning out on temples.

Is Kyoto better than Tokyo?

They are completely different. Tokyo is modern energy. Kyoto is history and tradition.

Would I Come Back?

Probably not. I am glad I visited. I saw the Golden Pavilion. I walked through the torii gates. I learned about the history. But the crowds took away from it for me. There are other parts of Japan I would explore before returning to Kyoto.

If temples and history are your thing, you will love it. If you are crowd sensitive like me, go early, move fast, and then explore somewhere quieter.