Author's Note
How to Use Real Kyoto

PART 01 Kyoto at a Glance
Kyoto is so close
Kyoto in Numbers
A Look Inside Kyoto's Different Regions
5 Kyoto Travel Keywords to Read in One Bite
A must-do when visiting Kyoto! 10 must-do experiences in Kyoto
Useful Kyoto Travel Information

Recommended travel course
Kyoto 2-night, 3-day basic course
Kyoto 2-night, 3-day value course
Kyoto Intensive Exploration 4 Nights and 5 Days
1-day museum and art gallery tour
One-day cherry blossom viewing course
One-day fall foliage viewing course

PART 02 How to Travel Kyoto Most Coolly
Must-Do Things in Kyoto
experiential travel
Museum & Art Gallery Tours
Night view tour
Bookstore Tour
Light-up travel destination

Must-Eat Things in Kyoto
Ramen
Udon
Soba, Japanese home cooking
Donburi, tonkatsu
Sushi, traditional Japanese sweets
Bakery
Cafe & Roastery
Tea and Dessert
Japanese food menu

Must-buy things in Kyoto
Department stores, shopping malls
Edit Shop
A long-established store in Kyoto
General store
drugstore, supermarket
Kyoto Exclusive Hot Shopping Items
Best drugstore shopping items!
Best Supermarket Shopping Items!
Best shopping items at Japan's top 3 convenience stores!
Best Japanese sake!
Japan's duty-free system

PART 03 Time to experience the real Kyoto
From city travel to public transportation
Getting from the airport to downtown Kyoto
Traveling between Kyoto and major cities
Getting around Kyoto City
Kyoto Ekimae/Shijo Kawaramachi Bus Stop
Key passes required for traveling to Kyoto
Kyoto by District

REAL GUIDE
ICOCA, a transportation card that allows you to travel and shop all with one card

Kyoto Station, the gateway to Kyoto
Kyoto Station Transportation
Detailed map
Recommended spots
Kyoto Station Travel Q&A

REAL PLUS
Fushimi Inari Shrine

Experience the true charm of Kyoto at Kiyomizu-dera and Gion
SECTION A Kiyomizu-dera
Kiyomizu-dera Transportation
Detailed map
Recommended spots
Kiyomizu-dera Travel Q&A

SECTION B Temperature
Temperature and traffic
Detailed map
Recommended spots
Temperature Travel Q&A

REAL GUIDE
Enjoying Nishiki Market
The most Japanese festival, Gion Matsuri
Top 6 Popular Stores in Daimaru Department Store's Food Hall

The pleasure of a leisurely walk at Ginkakuji
Ginkakuji Transportation
Detailed map
Recommended spots
Ginkakuji Temple Travel Q&A

Nijo Castle & Kyoto Imperial Palace, the center of Japanese history
Nijo Castle & Kyoto Imperial Palace Access
Detailed map
Recommended spots
Nijo Castle & Kyoto Imperial Palace Travel Q&A

REAL GUIDE
A Tour of Nijo Castle, a Symbol of Tokugawa Power

Kyoto's Hidden Gem: Northern Kyoto
Kyoto Northern Transportation
Detailed map
Recommended spots

REAL PLUS
Kibune and Kurama
Ohara

The dazzling golden pavilion of Kinkaku-ji
Kinkakuji Transportation
Detailed map
Recommended spots
Kinkakuji Travel Q&A

REAL PLUS
Amanohashidate
Funaya

Arashiyama, a beautiful landscape loved by nobles
Arashiyama Transportation
Detailed map
Recommended spots
Arashiyama Travel Q&A

REAL GUIDE
Deep into Arashiyama! By bike and bus
The best way to enjoy Arashiyama! Hozugawa River

Uji, where green tea and the Tale of Genji meet
Uji Transportation
Detailed map
Recommended spots
Uji Travel Q&A

PART 04 Preparing for a Fun and Exciting Trip
Travel Preparation Calendar
Entering Kyoto
Kansai International Airport Entry Procedures
Filling out a declaration form on board
Information Center Information
How to use the Internet while traveling?
Popular accommodation areas in Kyoto
Tips for buying cheap airline tickets
Information needed in case of emergency
Japanese public holidays
Kyoto Festivals
Real Japanese Travel Conversation

INDEX

A complicated Kyoto trip, made easy with just one read

"Real Kyoto" is the perfect companion for anyone, from first-time travelers to repeat travelers.
The book covers over 150 spots that the author personally visited and covered, including essential Kyoto destinations such as Kiyomizu-dera, the Philosopher's Path, Ginkaku-ji, Kinkaku-ji, and Arashiyama, as well as popular local destinations like Uji, Kurama, and Kibune.
"Real Kyoto" provides essential information for travelers who are wondering where to start and how to travel on a short trip, and which destination is right for them, in an easy-to-understand and friendly manner.
A concept map that allows you to grasp travel destinations at a glance, a must-see list of must-see destinations, and a recommended course that covers the entire day from morning to night alleviate the burden of travel preparation.
In addition, it includes practical travel tips and historical knowledge that you should know about the old capital, allowing you to enjoy an even more diverse trip.

A personalized travel guide, perfectly analyzed and organized by experts.

Kyoto, Japan's capital for a thousand years, offers countless attractions, including ancient ruins and cultural assets, charming alleyways, and beautiful natural scenery.
To properly see all these places in a short period of time, the most important thing is the travel itinerary.
This book contains the 'culmination of Kyoto travel courses', which is the result of over 20 years of experience suggesting courses for countless travelers in the Japanese travel community.
Each destination has a Q&A based on frequently asked questions to answer travelers' questions, and it also contains detailed transportation information such as complicated bus usage, transportation passes to save money, and purchasing and using IC cards, filling it with practical tips that can actually help you during your Kyoto trip.
Also, if you scan the QR code, you will be connected to a Google map with the spots in the book, and you will get real-time travel information. So, if you are even a little worried before traveling to Kyoto, I hope you will trust in this book and follow it.

Information on restaurants filled with Kyoto sensibility and trends

When traveling, the pleasure of eating is as important as sightseeing.
Kyoto offers a wide variety of food, from Kyoto cuisine (Kyo cuisine) to soba made with 100% buckwheat, original Kyoto-style mackerel sushi marinated in vinegar, and unique tofu dishes made like pudding.
Dishes that bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients are a delight to both the eyes and the mouth with their sophisticated and beautiful appearance and soft taste.
Not only that, but there are also numerous desserts made with green tea from Ujisan, one of Japan's best green tea producing regions, and even Japanese confectionery that goes well with tea. The food you can enjoy in Kyoto is truly diverse.
In addition, the author has carefully selected and personally visited recommended shops, including bakeries that are popular enough for Japanese people to come from all over the country to enjoy bread tours, coffee shops where baristas roast and personally serve coffee beans, and trendy cafes with endless lines every day.


Shopping for souvenirs in Kyoto is even more special, and I enjoy it just the way I want.

In countless shops with a history as old as the buildings themselves, new works are created every day by the hands of artisans.
From oil-blotting paper and cosmetics, famously favored by geishas, ​​to postcards made with traditional Japanese paper, brushes, and fans, a variety of handicrafts, a set of Japanese confectionery that is both beautiful and delicious, and the special experience of engraving your name on a pair of one-of-a-kind chopsticks—all of this can be found in Kyoto.
And that's not all.
As the headquarters of the world-famous IT entertainment company Nintendo is located in Kyoto, the Nintendo Shop in Kyoto is also a must-visit spot.
This book offers recommendations for shopping spots that are perfect for you, valuable information on duty-free benefits, limited-edition souvenirs only available in Kyoto, tips on finding great deals at supermarkets and drugstores that are essential for shopping in Japan, and even a list of popular items, ensuring that you can enjoy shopping and get the most out of it.

Complete coverage of the Kansai region, including the surrounding areas that you won't want to miss.

For those who want to enjoy a more colorful trip, we also provide detailed information on the Kansai region outside of Kyoto.
The special supplement Plus Book introduces day trip courses and must-visit attractions, restaurants, and shopping spots in key Kansai tourist destinations such as Osaka, Kobe, Nara, and Himeji.
Travelers who are spending a few days in Kyoto and are curious about the scenery of other cities can just take this book and go on a day trip.
We've selected must-see destinations in the Kansai region, including Osaka, the gateway to Kansai, Kobe with its breathtaking nightscape, and Nara, where you can encounter deer amidst tranquil scenery. We'll introduce them in a concise one-day itinerary.
There is no need to worry about anything complicated, just grab your Plusbook and get on the subway.