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Questions tagged [kyoto]

The former capital and most traditional city of Japan, full of historic buildings and monuments. Kyoto is located in the Kansai region, near Osaka and Kobe.

Kyoto.

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Cheap way to get around Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka - alternatives to the JR Pass?

Me and my friends are going to Japan 2 weeks from now. We'll stay for 4 days in Tokyo, overnight in Hakone, 3 days in Kyoto (with a side visit to Nara) and 2 days in Osaka (Summer Sonic!!). So my question is, what is the most cost effective way to…
Mel
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Cheapest way to travel from Osaka Kansai airport to Kyoto and back?

I will be travelling to Kyoto for one week and would like to know the cheapest method of travelling from Osaka Kansai to Kyoto and back. I have looked into the JR east pass which costs ¥2060 for one day. Of course I will need to buy two of these,…
Keir Simmons
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Accommodation in Tokyo for a party of four

We are going to Japan in the beginning of April and we are looking for good accommodation in Tokyo and Kyoto for two adults and two teenagers. We would like interesting options that take us into the Japanese culture as far as possible. As…
froderik
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Where to buy zafu (can be secondhand) in Tokyo or Kyoto

Tomorrow I will be travelling to Tokyo, and later to Kyoto. I am interested in buying a new or secondhand zafu, which is a special cushion for zazen meditation. I already asked a similar question (but regarding Samue). I tried to search around, but…
bluszcz
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Is a European driving license valid in Japan?

I have a European driving license. Would it be valid in Japan for a car or kart rental?
Justas
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Male alternatives to dressing up as a geisha in Kyoto

In Kyoto, there are plenty of maiko henshin (or maiko makeover) studios where (presumably) female tourists can pay to be made up and dressed to look like a maiko (apprentice geisha). What options are available for men in Kyoto? Are there any…
Golden Cuy
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Best public transport card for Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka? Is debit card enough?

I’m flying into Tokyo Haneda Airport on April 28th and will be traveling around Japan as follows: Stay in Tokyo until May 2nd Take the Shinkansen to Kyoto on May 2nd Spend a few days in Kyoto and Osaka Fly out from Osaka to Budapest on May 8th I…
Cikson
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What effect will the new hotel tax have on hostel dormitory prices in Kyoto?

Apparently from March 2026 accommodation taxes are going to rise substantially in Kyoto. Here are some details for individual rooms that I found: The tax for rooms costing between 20,000 to 50,000 yen will double to 1,000 yen per person per…
hippietrail
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Where in Kyoto can I visit a traditional wood workshop?

I'm taking my dad (an avid hobby wood worker) for a few days to Japan, specifically the Tokyo and Kyoto region. Would anyone have some recommendations or know of a traditional Japanese wood workshop that could be visited in that region?
MrMat
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Parking a bike in Kyoto in front of temples

I'm planning a trip to Japan next year - Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. We would like to rent a bike in Kyoto, can you tell me your experience with parking them in front of temples? I assumed there was a dedicated parking spot; I was just wondering if they…
Mysteria8
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Zen meditation in Kyoto, Japan

A while ago I've read that in the Engaku-ji or in the Kencho-ji in Kamakura everyone is welcome to try zazen (seated zen meditation) and that the zazen session is really noob-friendly. Since I'm a noob myself and I always wanted to try this type of…
Geeo
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Health retreats in Japan

I am looking for health retreats in Japan. Specifically places that offer meditation (not necessarily zen), healthy food, a relaxing environment and beautiful scenery. I would like to stay somewhere in the mountainous area around Nagano, or perhaps…
Synesso
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Best connection Tokyo - Kyoto

I'll travel to Tokyo during the first 2 weeks of November. What's the fastest and not too much expensive way to reach Kyoto from Tokyo? As reported here: a Shinkansen ticket form Tokyo to Kyoto is around 13,200 yen. I also discovered that Japanican…
Maverik
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Where in Kyoto can I rent a road/touring bicycle?

I plan to go on a 2+ weeks cycling trip in Japan. Coming by plane with my own bike will cost me 200€, plus the inconveniences and the risk of my bike being damaged. So I wonder if it's not easier to rent a bike directly in Japan. As I will arrive…
Shan-x
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Dressing up as a Geisha/Maiko in Japan

While visiting Kyoto and Tokyo, I would like to dress up as a Geisha/Maiko and have professional photographs taken (I will be a solo traveler). So far I have found two studios in Kyoto (one and two) offering various plans including dress-up, photo…
Rabbit
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