Chances are, if you are planning a solo trip to Japan, you are planning on also visiting Kyoto. Due to its century-old temples and idyllic environment, I highly recommend taking a Kyoto solo trip. 

However, due to Kyoto’s popularity, the city is notorious for crowds, packed trains, and long lines, which is not an ideal setting for a solo trip. Also, many residents’ quality of life has decreased because of the actions of some foreign tourists. 

Luckily, I lived in Japan and know firsthand how to have an enjoyable Kyoto trip. I will share everything you need to know in this guide before taking a Kyoto solo trip. Then, I will share the best things to do alone in Kyoto that won’t leave you stressed and overstimulated.

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Why Should You Take a Solo Trip to Kyoto?

You should take a solo trip to Kyoto because of Kyoto’s historical importance to Japan. Kyoto is known as the cultural capital of Japan, and the city is home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites. 

Visiting Kyoto is a rewarding way to experience Japan’s long history of harmony and hospitality. It is a very transformative place where you can learn at every corner. 

Is It Safe To Travel to Kyoto?

Kyoto is extremely safe to visit, making it a great place to visit alone. Solo female travelers have even reported feeling safe walking around Kyoto at night. Of course, when you travel solo, you should take precautions and be prepared for emergencies, but you will likely avoid unsafe situations in the city. 

Where Should You Stay During Your Kyoto Solo Trip?

A great place to stay in Kyoto on a budget is Backpackers Hostel K’s House Kyoto. It has a spacious kitchen, an outdoor terrace, and a large common room. You can rent a bike from the hostel for 1,000 yen a day.

Visiting Japan? Read more about my favorite hostels in Japan

The amenities are excellent, but my favorite part about the hostel is its location. It is a 10-minute walk from Kyoto Station and a 20-minute walk to the famous Gion district. Also, if you are a solo traveler who wants to meet people during your travels, this hostel is the place for you.  

How Do You Get Around Kyoto During Your Kyoto Solo Trip?

It is easy to get around Kyoto because it is compact. If you don’t want to walk, you can take buses, subways, and trains around the city. If you plan to visit Kyoto and Tokyo, I recommend purchasing the JR Pass to travel nationwide. 

Visiting Tokyo? Read: How to Spend 48 Hours in Tokyo With Only $100

Without a rail pass, you will pay nearly 15,000 yen for a one-way trip between the cities. If you purchase a JR Pass and visit Tokyo, Kyoto, and other cities like Sendai or Hiroshima, it will be the most cost-effective way to travel by train.

Although regional passes are cheaper, like the JR West Kansai Wide Area Pass, you cross three different regions when you travel from Tokyo to Kyoto. Therefore, you need the JR Pass for the whole country. 

You can use the JR Pass to take JR trains around Kyoto for free. For example, to reach Arashiyama (a popular area with temples and bamboo forests), take the JR San-In Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station. From there, you will have to walk about 20 minutes to most temples and gardens. 

When Should You Take Your Kyoto Solo Trip?

If you want the most pleasant experience, visit Kyoto during the winter. November to February is an ideal time to take your Kyoto solo trip because it is the least busy season.

Fall and spring are hectic times in Kyoto. Summer in Japan can be very uncomfortable and humid. There are fewer foreign tourists in the winter, and you won’t be covered in sweat. However, you should wear warm layers since average temperatures are between 30-40 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Accommodation will be cheaper, and your overall experience will be enhanced in the winter. Visiting the city during New Year’s is unforgettable because everyone flocks to shrines to bring good fortune for the New Year. 

1. Tour the Okochi Sanso Garden

One of the most peaceful things to do alone in Kyoto is to tour the Okochi Sanso Garden. These gardens are hidden behind the Arashiyama bamboo forest, one of Kyoto’s most overcrowded tourist spots. 

For 1000 yen, you can escape Arashiyama’s crowds and tour the former residence of a Japanese period film star. Visiting this property with its maze of carefully manicured gardens is a must-do. At the end of your tour, you can drink a cup of green tea and feel the true peace of Kyoto.

At the main housing structure on the property, you will find an overlook with sweeping views of Kyoto. This viewpoint provides a more intimate and picturesque photo spot than the bamboo forests. 

2. Get Lost in the Charming Gio-Ji Temple

During your Kyoto solo trip, you should also head to Gio-ji, a charming temple covered in moss close to the central hub of Arashiyama. Visiting Arashiyama is unforgettable if you get off the tourist trail and lose yourself in the silence.

The Gio-ji Temple is a great place to do just exactly that with its quant design and famous moss gardens. It is a small property but a great place to visit when you are alone in Kyoto. I recommend purchasing a ticket for 600 yen that includes admission to the nearby Daikakuji Temple. 

3. Wander a Former Imperial Palace

If you want to escape the crowds, walk 15 minutes from Saga-Arashiyama Station to Daikaku-ji. This high-ranking Buddhist temple was once home to the imperial palace.

As mentioned above, you can get a combination ticket to visit Gio-ji and Daikaku-ji for 600 yen. Daikaku-ji is a hidden gem since it is a long walk from the tourist center in Arashiyama. 

While Gio-ji is small and quaint, Daikaku-ji is expansive and ornate. Since the temple was originally a palace belonging to Emperor Saga, it is unlike touring most temples in Kyoto. If you are a history fan, you will enjoy visiting this temple during your Kyoto solo trip. 

4. See Views of Kyoto From an Underrated Temple

If you are visiting Arashiyama mid-day and don’t want to brace the crowds of Tenryu-ji, a famous Zen temple that is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, head to the nearby Jojakko-ji Temple.

For 400 yen, you can climb a wandering path of stairs to a complex temple structure with views of Arashiyama. At the top, you will find a few trails that lead to an even higher observation deck.

This serene temple also has a small bamboo forest, making it a perfect place for the solo traveler who wants photos in a bamboo forest without weaving through the crowds that acclimate at the Arashiyama bamboo forest. 

5. Take Pictures in the Gion District at Sunrise

The Gion area in Kyoto is one of the most famous tourist spots in the entire city. Gion is renowned for spotting geisha, female performers who have trained for years in traditional art styles.  

Alongside geisha (who, if you ever see them, should not be approached or photographed), Gion is full of traditional merchant houses that transport you back into Japan’s Edo period (1603-1868). 

One of Japan’s most iconic photo areas is down Ninenzaka Street, where you can get a shot of the Hokan-ji Temple, also known as the Yasaka Pagoda. Since this image is one of the most famous in all of Japan, I recommend coming here at sunrise. Chances are you won’t be alone here, but sunrise is the best way to avoid the constant crowds in Gion.

6. Head to the Iconic Kiyomizu-dera Early

Five minutes away by foot from the Yasaka Pagoda is Kiyomizu-dera, one of the most famous Buddhist temples in the entire country. This differs from your average temple as it is one of the most celebrated temples in Japan. 

Kiyomizu-dera features a large wooden platform that is carved into the mountainside. The temple complex also features many shrines that say to offer luck, love, and success.

Admission to the temple is 500 yen, and it opens at 6:00 a.m. During your Kyoto solo trip, try to visit here as early as possible so you can explore the grounds without feeling rushed. 

7. Walk Under a Massive Torii Gate

Located in the Higashiyama district, which is just a bit north of Gion, you will find the Heian Shrine. Although this classic Shinto shrine is impressive, the most exciting feature here is the shrine’s Gigantic Otenmon Gate.

When this Torii gate was built, it was the largest in the country. Now, it is only the largest torii gate in Kyoto. Even if this gate is technically not the largest in the country, you will still be stunned by the sheer size of the structure. 

8. Marvel at Brick Aqueduct

If you walk 15 minutes from the Otenmon Gate, you can reach Nanzen-ji. This Buddhist temple has a free temple ground you can tour. If you wish to see the temple’s zen garden, you must pay to enter.

Although the zen garden is beautiful, the most exciting feature on the property is a large brick aqueduct on the temple grounds. This canal system used to bring water to Kyoto from Lake Biwa (Japan’s largest lake).

9. Walk the Philosopher’s Path

At Nanzen-ji, you will find a mile-long walking path that connects Nanzen-ji with another famous temple, Ginkaku-ji. The trail gets its namesake from Nishida Kitaro, a renowned philosopher who would practice meditation daily on this walking route. 

Although this path is most famous during cherry blossom season, it is pleasant to do alone in Kyoto anytime. I recommend walking this mid-day when crowds are at their highest in Kyoto’s temples. 

This walking route features various shrines, smaller temples, and even some restaurants. If something sparks your interest, check it out. You should remember the purpose of walking this path is to mediate and feel enlightened. 

10. Explore Ginkaku-Ji, the Silver Temple

At the end of the Philosopher’s Path, you will find Ginkaku-ji, known as the Silver Temple. You won’t find silver in this temple, but you will be blown away by the temple’s “moon viewing room” and many viewpoints. 

Ginkaku-ji is a famous temple, especially for the Japanese. You can expect some crowds if you visit here. However, the grounds are extensive and provide a lot of space. Visiting this temple will be a highlight of your Kyoto solo trip. Admission to the temple is 500 yen. 

11. Relax in Yoshidayama Park

If you need a place to recharge after visiting Kyoto’s many temples, head to Yoshidayama Park. This charming local park is a 20-minute walk from Ginkakuji. It is an excellent place to picnic or sunbathe during your solo trip to Kyoto.

Around the park, you will find the charming Yoshida-jinja Shrine and the private Takenaka Inari Shrine. Add visiting this park to your Kyoto solo travel itinerary if you want a space without tourists. 

12. See the Infamous Kinaku-ji at Sunset

In northern Kyoto, a bit spread out from Arashiyama and Gion, you will find one of the most “touristy” temples, Kinaku-ji. This temple is known as the Golden Temple because the structure is entirely covered in gold leaf.

Unlike the Ginkaku-ji (the silver temple), Kinaku-ji gets uncomfortably busy. Therefore, I recommend arriving early morning, around 9 a.m., when it closes or around 4 p.m., before it closes at 5 p.m.

If you visit during winter, you can see Kinaku-ji light up at sunset for the most dramatic photos. Unfortunately, this is a popular activity and not the most peaceful for a Kyoto solo trip. 

Despite the crowds, the Golden Temple is remarkable. For 500 yen, you can see an impressive structure with an engaging history. In the 1950s, a monk set fire to the temple out of protest. Undoubtedly, this ornate temple will fascinate you on your Kyoto solo trip. 

13. Check out Nishiki Market

One of the best places to find street food in Kyoto is at Nishiki Market. You will find a wide variety of storefronts that serve authentic Japanese cuisine. Just refrain from eating and walking here since that is considered bad manners by the Japanese. 

The tasty food is worth visiting the market, but this place is a must-see even if you aren’t hungry. This shopping street has been a vital commerce district for hundreds of years. There are so many exciting sights and smells to discover here. 

14. Tour Nijo Castle 

If you want a break from exploring temples, head to Nijo Castle during your Kyoto solo trip. This castle is known for having some of the best-surviving examples of castle architecture from Japan’s feudal era.

The castle grounds are extensive and expansive. If you choose to visit here during your Kyoto solo trip, do not rush your visit. Exploring the castle’s various gardens, rooms, and gates takes at least two hours. 

15. Bike Around Kyoto Gyoen 

Before 1868, Kyoto was Japan’s capital and home to the Imperial Palace. You can find the former Imperial Palace in Kyoto Gyoen, also known as Kyoto Imperial Park. 

Kyoto Imperial Park is also home to shrines and other historic buildings, making it an enjoyable place to tour on a bike. Kyoto Gyoen’s extensive gravel paths make for a fantastic pedaling adventure if you enjoy biking. 

16. Climb to the Top of the Fushimi Inari Shrine

Perhaps the most iconic shrine in Japan, the Fushimi Inari Shrine is beloved for its intricate network of thousands of torii gates that weave along the mountainside. 

This is another place you should visit during your Kyoto solo trip at sunrise. Quickly, this iconic site gets packed. Almost every review on Google recommends coming to the shrine around 6 a.m. Even transportation to the shrine can get busy, especially at the JR Inari Train Station. 

The best way to have an enjoyable solo experience here is to hike to the mountain’s summit, about 3 miles roundtrip. Most tourists stay where the torii gates begin. If you want a peaceful visit, follow this trail map and make your visit to Fushimi Inari double as a hike. 

Take a Kyoto Solo Trip

Kyoto is one of the most desirable cities to visit in Japan and worldwide. Its rich history, stunning architecture, and “old Japan feel” make it a premiere spot. 

Although the crowds here are overwhelming, if you plan out your itinerary and visit busy sites early, solo traveling here will be transformative. 

Remember to be respectful at all times during your Kyoto solo trip. You are a visitor to this harmonious land. Try to keep it that way.