Kyoto on a Budget
A shrine with thousands of torii gates and a bamboo grove that both cost nothing to walk, here’s how to keep the rest of the costs down too.
Kyoto is one of the more affordable major cities in Japan to visit, several of its most iconic sights, Fushimi Inari, the Arashiyama grove, cost nothing at all. Here’s how to keep the rest of the costs down without cutting the trip short.
Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama are free
Walking Fushimi Inari’s torii gates and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove costs nothing, only Tenryu-ji Temple and the Golden Pavilion charge admission, both modest by international standards. Gion’s streets are free to wander too.
Visit outside cherry blossom and autumn foliage season
Spring’s cherry blossoms and autumn’s foliage bring Kyoto’s highest hotel prices and heaviest crowds, both properly spectacular but considerably more expensive to see. Summer or winter instead offer noticeably lower rates.
Use the bus and train over taxis
Kyoto’s public transport is genuinely efficient and considerably cheaper than taxis for nearly every journey. A day pass covers unlimited bus travel, worth it if you’re moving between multiple districts.
A convenience store or noodle stand beats a tourist restaurant
Japanese convenience stores, genuinely good and cheap, offer a proper budget meal without sacrificing quality. A ramen or udon shop remains one of the better mid-range options too, considerably cheaper than a formal kaiseki dinner.
Consider a guesthouse over central Gion
Hotels right in Gion sit at the top of the price range given the location. A guesthouse or business hotel elsewhere in the city runs noticeably cheaper while staying well connected via train or bus.
That’s everything I’ve got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government’s latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
