4.2 Kyoto Autumn Leaves Calendar

Travelling without burden

"HANDS FREE KYOTO", a luggage-free sightseeing information website

 

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

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

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

Starting from June 1st, 2024, Kyoto City has introduced new buses that go directly to popular tourist destinations, as well as increased the number of regular city buses operating in the key areas of the city. 



Learn how to use the new buses here: https://kyoto.travel/en/see-and-do/new_limited_express_buses_and_increased_frequency.html

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

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.

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

In order to encourage tourists who tend to focus on standard routes and locations in the Saga-Arashiyama area to travel to less crowded areas, we are working with the local community to:

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

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. Though this year's version has not yet been released, it will be accessible around the end of October. 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/