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Think Local

Think Local

While it is important that tourists fully enjoy the charms of Kyoto, it is also important that tourism contributes to the local community and enrichens the lives of the residents while respecting local culture.
The Code of Conduct for Sustainable Tourism in Kyoto has therefore been formulated as a list of things we wish for the tourism industry and its workers, tourists, and residents—thus, all who are involved in Kyoto tourism—to keep in mind in order to do each of their part with mutual respect in sustaining this invaluable city into the future.
We request your understanding and cooperation to keep Kyoto the wonderful and amazing city that it is.

Message from Mayor of Kyoto City

 Kyoto Mayor, Kadokawa Daisaku, has prepared a message for visitors to the city.
Have a look before your visit.

Requests to Ensure a Comfortable Kyoto Sightseeing Experience for Both Locals and Tourists

We are beginning to see some positive signs following the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. We look forward to welcoming visitors to Kyoto with our uniquely Japanese hospitality. 
We have several requests for tourists visiting Kyoto. 
To improve levels of satisfaction for locals, tourists, tourism businesses, and tourism workers, we are aiming to achieve sustainable tourism practices to ensure benefits for all parties. We ask that all visitors enjoy their time in Kyoto while taking note of our tourism objectives. 
 
1. Instead of coming by car, we recommend that visitors to Kyoto use public transport.
 
2. We recommend combining use of the subway, train, and bus services when sightseeing around Kyoto. ( One convenient option for sightseeing in Kyoto is  the Subway&Bus 1-DayPass )

Access information for major sightseeing spots in Kyoto:
 
3. To ensure that bus rides are comfortable for all, when carrying large bags please consider using taxis or trains instead. Alternatively, consider using hands-free travel services and have your bags looked after or delivered to your destination.  

Hands-free sightseeing with Hands Free Kyoto:
https://hands-free-kyoto.jp/?lang=en
 
4. The best way to enjoy the depths of the city’s charms is by staying overnight. We ask that you enjoy sightseeing in the city while avoiding congested times and places. 

Morning and nighttime sightseeing in Kyoto:
https://kyoto.travel/en/see-and-do/morning-nightlife.html

Kyoto’s best bits:
https://totteoki.kyoto.travel/

Kyoto sightseeing congestion map:　
https://global.kyoto.travel/en/comfort/
 
5. Local citizens continue to go about their daily lives. Please maintain good manners and be considerate of local lifestyles and areas when sightseeing.  
 
 
We ask for your cooperation in making Kyoto a wonderful place to live, visit, and work. Thank you. 
 
Mayor of Kyoto City
Daisaku Kadokawa

Kyoto Travel Congestion Forecast

 We provide useful information for avoiding congestion, by forecasting comfort levels around popular spots, real-time information from live cameras, and attractive sightseeing spots that are relatively empty even during the daytime. 
Please enjoy sightseeing in Kyoto comfortably while skillfully avoiding crowded times and places. 

Kyoto Travel Congestion Forecast
https://kyoto.travel/en/info/maps-apps/congestion.html

The Kyoto City Tourism Association shares live camera feed of popular tourist areas with predictions of how pleasant each place would be to visit at each time of the day.
 
Kyoto City Tourism Association YouTube channel
 

MIND YOUR MANNERS

 These are rules and tips that we hope visitors to Kyoto will keep in mind during their visits.Please show your consideration to local communities and take responsible actions to help keep Kyoto's environmental and cultural heritages remaining sustainable for the future.

MIND YOUR MANNERS



Kyoto Sustainable Tourism

To maximize your appreciation and enjoyment of Kyoto:
(Contributing to the local culture and community while promoting harmony between residential life and tourism)
1. Support the transmission and development of the history, culture, and traditions of Kyoto while respecting the daily life of the residents by behaving in accordance with local rules and customs.
 
(Preserving the natural environment and scenic landscape)
2. Protect the beautiful, natural landscape and townscape of Kyoto as well as the global environment: Show consideration for the local natural environment and scenic landscape while engaging in environmentally friendly tourism.
 
(Mutual understanding and cultural exchange)
3. Make your visit to Kyoto a valuable experience of learning about another region’s community and engaging in mutual cultural appreciation: Actively interact with the people and community of Kyoto and inform others of the charms of Kyoto.
(Establishing resilient tourism against crises such as disasters and infectious diseases)
4. Enable everyone to live in peace and safety by exercising precautions towards disasters, infectious diseases, or accidents, and take appropriate actions at the time of a crisis.
 

Etiquette in Kyoto

Etiquette by situations

covid-19


  • We ask for your constant attention for “not getting infected,” “not infecting others” and to “not spreading the infection.”
  • In order to enjoy your trip with peace of mind, please avoid going to places at times when they are crowded as much as possible. Please also check the live camera feed of popular tourist areas with predictions of how pleasant each place would be to visit at each time of the day.

Covid-19 Information
https://kyoto.travel/en/info/safety/covid-19.html

Airing of live camera feed to check congestion levels around tourist destinations
（Kyoto City Tourism Association YouTube Channel）
https://www.youtube.com/c/DMOKYOTO

Train＆Bus
  • You will find priority seating on all buses. Yield these seats to seniors, people with disabilities, and people with infants, etc.
  • Refrain from talking loudly or making phone calls on the bus.
  • It is recommended that tourists use a luggage delivery service, so as to enjoy riding the bus unburdened. 
Hands Free Travel in Kyoto

Taxi
  • Taxi doors open and close on their own.
  • Catching taxis at intersections is prohibited.If at all possible, use taxis at stations and hotels, or catch one at an official taxi stand when available.
Residential areas
  • Refrain from talking loudly in the residential areas.
  • Do not spread across the road.
  • Do not eat while walking.
Museum
  • Refrain from touching old buildings and objects
  • Do not take pictures where prohibited in some areas in the museum
  • Do not eat and drink where prohibited in some areas in the museum
  • Refrain from touching the exhibits
Temples & Shrines
  • Try to be quiet and respectful in shrines and temples
  • Refrain from  touching old buildinig and objects
  • Do not take pictures where prohibited in someareas in shrines and temples
  • Take your shoes off before stepping on tatami
  • It is useful to have a bag to carry your own shoes when necessary.
  • Check in/store your luggage or carry it in front of your body when visiting temples and shrines, in order to prevent accidentally damaging valuable cultural properties.
Restaurants
  • Don’t bring your own drinks and foods to a restaurant.
  • Don’t cancel reservations at the last minute.
  • Please line up in an orderly way.
Shop
  • Do not eat while walking.
  • Bring your own reusable shopping bag and drink bottle.（Tip）
  • Support local businesses and buy locally made crafts.（Tip）
Toilet
  • Please sit down to use the toilet.（European style）
  • Please squat down to use the toilet.（Japanese style）
  • Do not throw the toiletpaper away in the trash bin. Please place the toilet paper in the toilet and flush. 
How to use toilet（European style / Japanese style）
 
Photography
  • Don’t take the photos where prohibited.
  • Be polite when asking maiko and geisha for pictures.
Littering
  • Littering is prohibited in Japan.
  • Please take all trash  with you when you leave a place.
  • Please be aware that if you litter within a Beautification Enforcement Area, you will be fined up to 30,000 JPY.
How to sort and dispose of garbage
https://www.city.kyoto.lg.jp/kankyo/cmsfiles/contents/0000000/35/ryokoushanominasamahe.pdf

Smoking
  • Smoking on streets and sidewalks is very dangerous. Please smoke only in designated smoking areas.
Smoking on the Street
 
Enjoy Bicycling life in Kyoto
  • Please follow traffic rules when riding a bicycle.
  • If you park your bicycle outside a designated bicycle parking area it will be removed and you will be charged ￥2,300 for its removal. If a rental bicycle is removed, you will also be charged for the cost to return it to the rental company and to keep it until it can be returned.
  • Do not bicycle under the influence.
Enjoy Bicycling life in Kyoto
https://kyoto.travel/en/info/transportation/bike.html

Minpaku (Residence Rental) Accommodations
  • For guests staying within Kyoto, for your safety, peace of mind, and for genuine hospitality, please stay at a licensed accommodation.
Public Bath（Onsen ／ Sento）
  • Do not take a bath when drunk.
  • Do not jump into a bathtub! Also refrain from swimming around in the tub.
  • Do not put your towel in the bathwater. Leave it folded on the edge of the tub, etc. 
  • Do not let long hair soak in the bathtub. Tie it back, etc.
  • Sit rather than standing when taking a shower, and do not splash water on other people.
  • Do not use more than one space in the washing area or one locker in the dressing room. Be considerate of others.
Guide to Bathing in Japan（JNTO）
 https://www.japan.travel/en/guide/bathing-manners-and-tips/

Fireworks
  • There have been a variety of problems concerning the use of fireworks, including individuals lighting fireworks late at night, fireworks producing loud noise, and bottle rockets flying into nearby neighborhoods.
  • Make sure that the type of firework you plan to use is allowed in the place where you intend to use it; some types of fireworks are restricted, and there are areas where fireworks are prohibited altogether.
https://kyoto.travel/en/info/tax-rules/regulations/fireworks.html

Safety Rules on Unmanned Aircraft (UA) / Drone
  • An amendment to the Aeronautical Act was issued on Sep. 11, 2015 to introduce safety rules  on Unmanned Aircraft (UA)/Drones.
Japan’s safety rules on Unmanned Aircraft (UA)/Drones

Understanding by infographic tools

  ”Enjoy Respect Kyoto Stickers“
In order to further public awareness regarding manners amongst foreign visitors to Kyoto who may have different customs and cultural backgrounds, “Enjoy Respect Kyoto” stickers have been created for distribution. If you spot one of these stickers during your travels in Kyoto, please act in accordance with the rules.



 

Read more

Etiquette by Area

Tips for Visiting the District of Gion
Tips for Visiting the Nishiki Market
Tips for Visiting the Arashiyama