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What you may want to know before autumn sightseeing in Kyoto
News
What you may want to know before autumn sightseeing in Kyoto
On this page:
1. Travelling without burden
1.1. "HANDS FREE KYOTO", a luggage-free sightseeing information website
1.2. Introduction of new HANDS FREE bus
1.3. Baggage delivery service at Kyoto Tourist Information Center
1.4. New temporary information desk and luggage delivery/storage point at Kyoto Station
3. Guidelines
4. Enjoying the season to its fullest
4.1 New incentives for autumn by the Saga-Arashiyama area
Travelling without burden
"HANDS FREE KYOTO", a luggage-free sightseeing information website
Visit website：https://hands-free.kyoto.travel/?lang=en
Introduction of new HANDS FREE BUSES
New HANDS FREE BUSES will be introduced to Kyoto in autumn of 2024.
They will travel from Kyoto Station to a number of main accommodation areas. Equipped with additional space for storing belongings, they will be an optimal way of smoothly leaving your luggage right after arriving in Kyoto.
Visit the official website for more information: https://hands-free-bus.kyoto.travel/
Baggage delivery service at Kyoto Tourist Information Center
Starting from October 1st, 2024, Kyoto Tourist Information Center will begin to offer a baggage delivery service for tourists. Those who use it will be able to send baggage to their accommodation in Kyoto Prefecture or Osaka City, even within the same day. Requesting the service can be done at a consultation desk of Kyoto Tourist Information Center.
Click here to learn more: https://kyoto.travel/en/info/tourist.html#anchor0
New temporary information desk and luggage delivery/storage point at Kyoto Station
To alleviate congestion on bus routes connecting Kyoto Station with tourist sites, a new information desk and luggage delivery/storage point will be temporarily set up.
(1) Information and guidance from Kyoto Station to tourist areas （*This service has ended）
Location: Kyoto Station Square (in front of the Central Gate)
Dates available: November 16th (Sat), 17th (Sun), 23rd (Sat & Holidays), 24th (Sun), 30th (Sat), December 1st (Sun), 2024
Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Supported languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean
(2) Temporary luggage delivery and storage （*This service has ended）
Location: Kyoto Station Square (in front of Hotel Granvia Kyoto)
Dates available: November 4th (Mon & Holidays), 16th (Sat), 17th (Sun), 23rd (Sat & Holidays), 24th (Sun), 30th (sat), December 1st (Sun), 2024
Time: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM (Same-day delivery service is available until 2:00 PM)
Fees:
Luggage delivery: 1,500 yen per piece (same-day) / 1,400 yen per piece (reservation in advance)
Luggage storage : 1,000 yen per piece (same-day) / 800 yen per piece (reservation in advance)
Click below for reservations:
"Ecbo cloak" baggage storage service:
https://cloak.ecbo.io/en/space/W_9KZXxi
"Ecbo delivery" same-day baggage delivery:
https://delivery.ecbo.io/en.kyoto/
Click here or on the image to enlarge it
Transportation and avoiding the crowds
New express buses useful for sightseeing
Learn how to use the new buses here: https://kyoto.travel/en/see-and-do/new_limited_express_buses_and_increased_frequency.html
Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass tickets
For sightseeing in Kyoto, please use the convenient and economical "Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass" (1,100 yen)!Kyoto City has two subway lines - the Karasuma Line running north-south and the Tozai Line running east-west, as well as a number of buses, including the City Bus. By taking the subway to the station nearest your destination and then transferring to a bus, you can travel smoothly to sightseeing spots while avoiding congestion.
Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass cards can be purchased at Kyoto Tourist Information Center "Kyo Navi", City Bus and Subway information centers, commuter pass sales offices and City Bus sales offices.
*The Bus 1-Day Pass was discontinued as of September 30th, 2023.
Click here to learn more: https://kyoto.travel/en/info/transportation/in_Kyoto.html#anchor1
Kyoto Travel Congestion Forecast
In order to help prevent overcrowding, we share real-time information and forecasts on the congestion levels around the tourist areas of Kyoto.
You can access that data both in the form of a map as well as through live-stream of cameras set up in a number of spots throughout the city. Please make use of it while visiting to ensure a smooth and stress-free trip.
Click here to learn more: https://kyoto.travel/en/info/maps-apps/congestion.html
Live camera broadcast of tourist locations
Portable cameras have been installed in popular tourist locations to broadcast the congestion status in real time.
*In order to protect personal information, some parts of the footage are blacked out and the image resolution is lowered.
Period of implementation: November 15 (Fri) to December 1st (Sun)
Broadcast locations:
Gojozaka (Kiyomizu-dera Temple) bus stop (*this broadcast has ended)
Kyoto Station Karasuma Exit taxi stand
Disposing of garbage in tourist areas
Many tourists are expected to gather in the most popular destinations of Kyoto in November.
Kyoto City is implementing additional incentives to help keep its streets clean of litter.
In Arashiyama:
1) Stickers in multiple languages reminding the visitors to always dispose of packaging, lefovers and etc. at the store they bought them in.
Posters and other materials that encourage the disposal of garbage will be displayed in various places such as stores, in front of cash registers and near eating spaces.
2) Implementation of the "Heart Back System" in which commemorative items will be gifted to people who throw away trash at the same stores they got it from.
Small items such as a commemorative good luck charm or sticker will be given to tourists who comply with the guidelines and dispose of garbage in the shop they bought food or drinks in.
3) Implementation of "Cleaning Time" during which everyone is encouraged to clean up at a fixed time evey day.
On the main street of Nagatsuji-dori, the Arashiyama Shopping District will take the lead in carrying out fun cleaning activities around each store of the area. During the clean-up time, a theme song will be played to encourage tourist and locals alike to participate in the activity.
4) Volunteer group "Samurai Hidetaro" that teaches tourists good manners. (*this event has ended)
Date: November 30th (Sat), 2024
Time: 11:00 am ~ 5:00 pm
Description: "Samurai Hidetaro" is a volunteer group dressed in vivid samurai and princess costumes that educates foreign tourists on history and samurai culture. They will additionally appeal to visitors to follow the garbage disposal guidelines in order to avoid littering.
Throughout the city:
5) Additional measures
- Garbage containers will be equipped with plates that prevent crows from entering them, as well as crow repellent stickers.
- Preventing leftover food from being put into garbage containers and posting notices encouraging people to take their garbage home.
Enjoying the season to its fullest
New incentives for autumn by the Saga-Arashiyama area
1. Introduce a digital map: "Saga-Arashiyama Tour Guide".
2. Organize a digital stamp rally.
3. Install live cameras to provide real-time congestion information around the area.
1. New digital map: "Saga-Arashiyama Tour Guide"
A new digital map that helps tourists enjoy sightseeing in Arashiyama has been released this November.
Date of release: November 1st (Fri)
Main functions:
- Displays current location using GPS
- Shows the location of trash cans, public bathrooms, etc.
- Recommends courses for sightseeing.
- Provides information on tourist spots and limited-time events in Saga area.
*Available in Japanese and English.
Click here to view the "Saga-Arashiyama Tour Guide" digital map
2. Stamp rally（*This event has ended）
Period: November 1st (Fri) - December 1st (Sun)
How to participate: Open the digital map to start the stamp rally (no registration required)How to play: Turn on your GPS, visit the stamp rally spots, check in and get a stamp. You clear the game when you collect two stamps.
Prize for clearing the stam rally: Receiving a coupon (5% discount coupon) that can be used at participating stores by displaying the coupon screen at checkout.
*Click here for a list of participating stores
Stamp rally spots:
- Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple
- Daikaku-ji Temple
- Gio-ji Temple
- Jojakko-ji Temple
- Seiryo-ji Temple
3. Live camera broadcast of congestion status
Two live cameras have been installed in the Saga-Arashiyama area (at the north end of Togetsukyo Bridge and the bamboo forest path) and real-time congestion status is being broadcast on YouTube.
Three new live cameras will be installed in the Saga area to visualise its relatively uncrowded conditions as well as showcase its attractions to potential visitors.
Broadcast period: November 1st (Fri) ~
Broadcast locations:
Daikaku-ji Temple
Seiryo-ji Temple
Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street (scheduled to begin broadcasting in late November)
Broadcast method:
- A link to the YouTube broadcast will be posted on the digital "Saga-Arashiyama Tour Guide".
- The link will also be posted on the "Kyoto Travel Congestion Forecast" page.
Kyoto Autumn Leaves Calendar
Each year, we release an up-to-date calendar of the current state of maple tree leaves. This year's version has not been released at the end of October and will be accessible until around the middle of December. Please make use of it while visiting during the changing foliage season to see which area is currently most worth visiting.
Click here to learn more: https://kyoto.travel/en/autumnleaves/