Kyoto Solo Travel Guide: Ultimate 2025 Tips

Heading to Kyoto? This short, sharp guide skips the fluff—get the essentials for an epic trip (top hostels below)!

QUICK FACTS

Located on the island of Honshu, with a population of around 1.46 million people.
Once the imperial capital of Japan, Kyoto is one of the oldest cities in Asia.
Known for its beautiful historical structures and parks.
Nicknames: Ancient City, City of History.

Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY). Symbols: ¥, 円 or 圓.
Spoken languages: Japanese (English is also widely spoken in tourist areas).
Best time to visit: from March to May, and from October to December (when the city is not too humid or wet).
Best time for natural beauty: late March–early April for cherry blossoms and mid–late November for fall foliage.
Great festival to catch: Gion Matsuri in July.
Arriving via airport: from Osaka (Itami) International Airport:
– Bus to town for ¥1300.
– Train for ¥650 (two transfers required).
From Osaka (Kansai) International Airport:
– Train: ¥2,870 (Haruka Express to Kyoto Station, 75 mins)
– Bus: ¥3,200 (direct limousine bus, 90 mins).
Emergency phone number: 110 for police

Best Kyoto hostel for solo travelers: Ryokan Hostel Gion. Exceptionally clean, many amenities included, and the staff will make you feel right at home.
– A perfect base from which to explore historic Kyoto.
– Book ahead to reserve your spot – travel to Japan continues to rise in popularity.
Traveling to Kyoto is very popular with both Japanese and foreigners. Most budget and midrange hotels can be found near either the Kyoto Station or Karasuma-Oike.
The upscale hotels in Kyoto are split between the downtown core and Higashiyami.

Walking: explore Gion and Higashiyama on foot to discover hidden shops and shrines.
Kyoto’s tourist attractions as spread all over the city, so learning how to use the train/subway system is crucial. A one day pass costs Y600 and is well worth it.
The bus network will sometimes be the only practical way to get to an attraction, as many are located outside of the city. Luckily, most buses depart from Kyoto Station so the network is friendly to foreigners who don’t have time to learn the routes.
For those planning to use trains or buses extensively, a Suica or ICOCA card is a convenient way to pay for rides. They also work in convenience stores.
Taxis are readily available, but are not cheap.
One very common method for exploring the city is to rent a bicycle. Many hotels and shops rent out bikes cheaply – armed with a city map, you can easily see many of city’s sights quickly. ¥1,000–¥1,500/day with pickup at shops like Kyoto Cycling Project.
Kyoto hop-on/hop-off bus: 1-day pass (¥3,500) covers 15 UNESCO sites.

Drinking age is 20.
Kyoto’s nightlife scene largely caters to the needs of the locals and is focused in Central Kyoto (around Kiyamachi).
Great bars for foreigners: Bar Fishbowl, Kyoto Beer Lab (brewpub), barcode (fun Karaoke), and In The Moon (great rooftop views).
Nightclubs are not common in Kyoto – visit Osaka for a more active scene.

Kinkaku-ji Temple in Northern Kyoto is the Golden pavilion, and is a symbol for the city. This beautiful temple, located on a park lake, is simply too picturesque to miss.
Iconic temples: Fushimi Inari Shrine (open 24/7, free) and Ryoanji Zen Garden (¥600 entry).
The Shimogamo Shrine predates Kyoto becoming the Imperial capital of Japan, and was one of the most revered shrines in the Imperial court. The Shrine is set in a small forest, and is host to many festivals throughout the year.
Built by the Tokugawa Shogunate, Nijo Castle is set among sculpted gardens. Take a walk through the various imperial chambers and reception rooms.
Gion is the heart of the geisha district, once renowned throughout Japan. Visit a tea house and get a photo with one of the made up geishas. Be warned: the tea houses are not cheap!
Sanzen-in Temple, a peaceful place located in the mountains of Ohara, is known for its beautiful gardens and serene ambiance (often less crowded compared to city landmarks).
Samurai Ninja Museum: Evening sword lessons (¥4,500)
Miyagawacho Kaburenjo Theater: Reopened geisha performance venue (¥2,500 tickets)
TOEI Kyoto Studio Park: Renovated Edo-era streets with shops (¥2,400 entry).

The Philosophers Path runs through Eastern Kyoto, and boasts numerous shrines and temples to see and explore.
– View the cherry blossoms (late March) and autumn leaves (November)
The Imperial Park in the center of Kyoto is a massive enclosed park that is also home to the Imperial Palace. Guided walking tours are available throughout the park.
Explore the Kyoto Botanical Garden, especially if visiting during the cherry blossom in March and April. This is Japan’s first botanical garden, and is worth the ¥200 entry fee.
Walk the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, a visually stunning path. Tip: come before 8 AM to avoid crowds.
TOEI Studio Park’s Edo streets: Immersive historical walk with food stalls.

Signature local dishes to try: Kyoto-style sushi (Mizuhiki) or Yudofu (tofu hot pot).
Great restaurants for solo travelers: ofuro (オフロ) for dinner, Manjirou (hot pot), Tenkaippin (ramen), Gosho Ungetsu (great for kaiseki – traditional multi-course Japanese dinner), Isomatsu (modern Japanese – make a reservation), Onikai (Izakaya).
Ryoanji Garden Café: Try yudofu (tofu hot pot, ¥1,800) with temple views.
Where to find good cheap eats: go for a bowl of udon or ramen – look for small owner-run restaurants away from the tourist areas. If in doubt, see where the office workers and students break for lunch.
If you’re on a tight budget, check out the hot dish offerings at grocery stores.
Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson) offer ¥500–¥800 bento boxes.

Try going for a public bath. This has been a cornerstone of Kyoto society for a long time. Some baths still emulate the traditional architecture of 13^th century bathhouses.
Try to visit Kyoto during the cherry blossom time of year (March). The city is famous within Japan for its various cherry blossom festivals.
Tea ceremony experiences: Sannenzaka (¥2,500) or Jotokuji Temple (¥3,000). Perfect for the solo traveler!
You can use coin lockers (¥300–¥500/day) at stations to store luggage.
Avoid crowds: Visit Kinkaku-ji at 4 PM or Kiyomizu-dera at 7 AM.
Etiquette: No photography on private Gion streets; respect geisha space.
Dangerous areas: for the most part, Kyoto is very safe. Pickpockets and scams are not common, and you are unlikely to encounter any trouble here.

Recommended trip duration: 3-4 days