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.
Code of Conduct for Sustainable Tourism in Kyoto
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.
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
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.
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.
https://kyoto.travel/info/tax-rules/regulations/l0fe8b0000000znp-att/a1582006250906.pdf
https://www.japan.travel/en/guide/bathing-manners-and-tips/
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.
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.
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.
https://www.mlit.go.jp/en/koku/uas.html
Understanding by infographic tools
We have put together some tips about manners in Kyoto.
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.
”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
https://kyoto.travel/en/info/enjoy-respect-kyoto/local-rules.html
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