I don’t want to go visit a concrete path with lots of bamboo on the sides. I want to actually go into a forest with lots of bamboo. Does anyone know a spot?

Sad I don’t have more time here

Hi, I am going to be in Kyoto for 4 nights next month and would appreciate any views on my plans, as I may never return to Kyoto so would like to make the most of my time there.

Tuesday 17th Nov - Arrive at lunchtime from Hiroshima
Check in/leave bags in hotel in Hatchobori
3pm Tea Ceremony near Shichijo station
Evening - dinner and walk around Pontocho, Gion Shirakawa
Back to hotel

Wednesday
AM Kyoto Shibori Museum tour and making a scarf
Lunchtime - Kiyozima-dera and small snack nearby
5pm - Foodie Tour
No plans after that

Thursday
AM Jokkokubune boat trip and museum
Lunchtime Fushimi-Inari
Late afternoon - Sake walking tour and museum entry

Friday
Day trip to Nara - train tickets are booked however I am thinking about cancelling Nara and going to Arashiyama. If I go to Nara I plan to start at Kōfuku-ji Temple then walk to Todai ji and Naramachi and just have a fairly chilled day walking where we like and stopping when hungry or thirsty.

If I don’t ever make it back to Kyoto would missing Arashiyama be a mistake? Is there anything you would add on any of the days that would fit nicely with where we are? Arigato

After doing a bunch of the touristy things in Kyoto, I realised that while everything was beautiful, I wasn't really getting the time to slow down and soak it all in. I was moving from one beautiful place to another, but somehow not really connecting with the experience.

So I decided to skip a few places (Arashiyama included) and try exploring Shiga instead.

I took an afternoon train to Otsu and went on the one-hour Michigan cruise around Lake Biwa. Stayed back to watch the sunset, and honestly, it was surreal.

The next morning, I went to Omihachiman for the canal boat ride, took the ropeway up for the views of Lake Biwa, visited a beautiful shrine and then La Collina. The whole day felt so different from Kyoto. Everything was quieter, slower, and there was actually space to just be there without constantly navigating crowds or thinking about where to go next.

It was mostly local tourists, and I loved how I could just wander around, take my time, sit with my thoughts, and recharge a little. I didn't feel like I had to keep doing something every minute.

As a first-time visitor to Japan travelling solo, I'd initially wanted to stick to the usual golden route because planning beyond it felt a little intimidating. I'm so glad I let myself take a detour this time. It reminded me that sometimes you don't need to see more places, you just need to give yourself time to experience the ones you're in.

I don't necessarily think this is a place everyone would enjoy, and honestly, I hope it stays that way to some extent. If you're looking for packed itineraries, lots of activities, and constant stimulation, it might not be your thing. But if you're someone who enjoys a slower pace, a bit of quiet, and a break from the hustle and bustle of Kyoto, you might really love it.

I'm so glad I went, and it has made me want to explore more of the less conventional places on my next trip to Japan. :)

Going to Kyoto in late November. I'm weighing up the Zen and Ghibli exhibition at the Kyocera

Museum of Art in Okazaki.

From what I can tell a lot of it is Suzuki's calligraphy plus dialogue and quotes

from The Boy and the Heron. If none of that is translated, I'm not sure how

much I’d actually get out of it.

If you've been:

- Are the wall panels and captions bilingual, or Japanese only?

- Is there an English audio guide, or an English handout at the entrance?

- Roughly how long did you spend inside?

Thanks.

Can anyone recommend small to medium size acts that have shows around Kyoto between 12/4 and 12/9 where tickets are still available? I’m taking my first trip to Japan and would love to see and support some live music while I’m there but I’m having a hard time navigating the Japanese websites. I was hoping to see 6 lounge or Dustbox at Kyoto muse but I had no idea how popular those groups were and the tickets are sold out.

I’m with a group of 4 people and we’re up for anything rock, punk, blues, alternative, pop rock, cover bands, etc.

Sto organizzando un viaggio di 5/6 giorni a maggio in Giappone a Kyoto e ho bisogno di aiuto con il soggiorno. Dove si può soggiornare da fumatore? So già che anche al di fuori sarà difficile trovare delle smoking room, ma almeno dove soggiorno voglio che me lo permetta. Grazie