When in Japan for the first time, it’s almost a given to visit Kyoto.




This mainly means different kinds of temples, but I would urge all of you who have never been to Kyoto to keep your expectations in check. Most areas of the city don’t look that “different” from what you may already be accustomed to (depending on where your journey through Japan starts). This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s something to keep in mind so you’re not disappointed when you arrive.





Apart from some of the more obvious stops, like Senbon torii, you can always very easily avoid crowds by simply visiting some of the more remote temples in the outer parts of the city. So, if you’re getting overwhelmed, you can just have a look at your maps app and take a small detour.