City trip Kyoto

When is the best time to go?

Kyoto is a year-round destination, but two periods stand out above the rest. Mid-March to mid-April (sakura season) is the most spectacular: the city turns into a sea of pink blossom along Philosopher's Path, in Maruyama Park and in Arashiyama.

This period is very crowded and significantly more expensive; book accommodation at least 2 to 3 months in advance and plan for early mornings to beat the crowds at popular spots.

November is the best month for autumn colours (koyo): temples like Tofuku-ji and Eikan-do turn fiery red and orange, and the light is ideal for photography.

May to early June (before the rainy season) and September to October are excellent shoulder-season options with pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists. Summer (July to August) is oppressively hot and humid; winter (December to February) is cold but quiet, with far fewer visitors than in spring or autumn.

Best neighbourhoods in Kyoto

• Gion (geisha district) The most iconic neighbourhood of Kyoto: narrow streets, machiya townhouses and the chance to spot geiko and maiko in the early evening. Hanamikoji Street is the most atmospheric. Best explored on foot between 5pm and 9pm.
• Higashiyama The historic eastern district with the famous stone-paved Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka lanes, Kiyomizudera Temple and dozens of traditional shops and teahouses. Very touristy, but unavoidable.
• Arashiyama The green western suburb of Kyoto with the bamboo grove, the Tenryu-ji garden (UNESCO), the Togetsukyo bridge and the monkey park. A full half-day excursion from central Kyoto by bus or tram.
• Fushimi Home to Fushimi Inari-taisha, the 10,000-torii-gate mountain sanctuary, and the Fushimi Momoyama sake district with historic sake breweries. Quieter than the city centre; about 20 minutes by train from central Kyoto.
• Nishiki Market A covered market street in the centre nicknamed "Kyoto's kitchen": more than 100 stalls selling pickled vegetables, fresh tofu, skewers and street food. Free to enter and browse; opens around 9am, closes around 6pm.

Top 5 things to see and do in Kyoto

• Fushimi Inari-taisha (free) The iconic red torii gate tunnel winding up Mount Inari: more than 10,000 vermilion gates donated by businesses over the centuries. Open 24 hours, completely free. The full mountain trail takes 2 to 3 hours; the lower section (to the first plateau) takes about 30 minutes. Go before 8am or after 6pm for the best light and fewest visitors.
• Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) The three-storey golden Zen pavilion reflected in Kyoko-chi pond is one of the most photographed sights in Japan. Entrance JPY 500 (about EUR 3). Gets very crowded; arrive at opening time (9am) or plan for a weekday.
• Kiyomizudera The wooden stage temple on the hillside in eastern Kyoto with a panoramic view over the city. Entrance JPY 500 (about EUR 3). The surrounding slope is crammed with traditional shops; arrive before 8:30am for quiet.
• Arashiyama Bamboo Grove A short but impressive walk through towering bamboo along a narrow path near Tenryu-ji temple. Free to walk through, always open. Very crowded between 10am and 4pm; come early morning or at dusk. The adjacent Tenryu-ji garden costs JPY 500 (about EUR 3).
• Nijo Castle The 17th-century shogunate palace with the famous "nightingale floors" (squeaky floors designed to alert against intruders) and beautiful momoyana-style paintings. Entrance about JPY 800 (about EUR 5). More impressive interior than the Forbidden City; fewer tourists than other Kyoto highlights.

Flights and transport from the Netherlands to Kyoto

There is no direct flight to Kyoto; the nearest large airport is Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX, 75 minutes from Kyoto by train) or Osaka Itami Airport (ITM, 65 minutes from Kyoto). KLM flies direct from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) in about 11 hours 30 minutes. From Eindhoven Airport there are no direct long-haul flights; you can fly via Amsterdam, Frankfurt or Brussels.

From Tokyo to Kyoto: the Shinkansen Nozomi takes 2 hours 15 minutes (JPY 14,720, about EUR 93 one-way). The Hikari stops at a few more stations and takes about 2 hours 45 minutes.

Buy a JR Pass before departure if you plan multiple Shinkansen journeys (7 days, about EUR 360). From Tokyo Narita Airport take the N'EX express to Shinjuku (about 90 minutes, JPY 3,070) and then change to the Shinkansen at Tokyo Station.

From Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) to Kyoto: take the Haruka express to Kyoto Station in about 75 minutes (JPY 3,330, or less with a JR Pass). KIX is sometimes cheaper for flights from Europe via Middle Eastern hubs.

Within Kyoto: use the city bus network (JPY 230 per journey, or a day pass for JPY 700), the Subway (JPY 220-350), or rent a bicycle (about JPY 800 to 1,500 per day). Many temples are best reached by bus from Kyoto Station or the city centre.

What does a Kyoto trip cost?

Hostel from about JPY 2,500 per night (about EUR 16); mid-range hotel JPY 15,000 to 30,000 per night (about EUR 95 to 190); a traditional ryokan inn with kaiseki dinner from JPY 30,000 per person (about EUR 190) but an unforgettable experience. Food is cheap to expensive: a bowl of ramen JPY 800 to 1,200, a lunchtime bento JPY 500 to 1,500, dinner at a kaiseki restaurant JPY 8,000 to 30,000 per person. Individual temple entrances cost JPY 500 to 800. Shinkansen return Tokyo-Kyoto about JPY 29,440 (about EUR 185). Daily budget all-in (excluding flights and Shinkansen) realistically JPY 8,000 to 20,000 per day (about EUR 50 to 125).