Jul
Solo Female Travel, Asia, Travel Destinations, Travel Inspiration
Kyoto Solo Female Travel: Everything You Need to Know
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I believe everyone should travel solo in Japan at least once. Even if you’re a nervous flyer like me or feel daunted by visiting Asia alone, Japan is a spectacular destination that will change your mind and heart. Misty temples in mountains, hot bowls of ramen, onsen after a long night of sightseeing, I could go on and on about the benefits of traveling to Japan.
I love this country fiercely, and I am counting down the days when I can visit once again.
Where do you go? What do you see? Where do you spend your hard-earned money and time?
However, if this is your first time in Japan, I strongly recommend checking out the “big” and “popular” cities, such as Tokyo (solo female travel in Tokyo is amazing), Osaka, Hiroshima, and (of course), Kyoto.
Kyoto, in particular, is a beautiful blend of traditions and UNESCO World Heritage Sites with all the amenities of a modern, thriving city.
As a solo traveler, Kyoto was perfect. Truly everything.
So, without further ado, this guide about Kyoto solo female travel will help you plan your trip to this incredible city.
Kyoto Solo Female Travel: My Experience
As a solo female traveler in Kyoto, I was a little nervous, not because Kyoto was an intimidating destination, but rather because of the abundance of choice. I had soooo many temples and shrines that I wanted to visit. On my Google maps, I think I labeled (at least) twenty temples, and I knew in my heart that I wouldn’t be able to see them all on a single visit.
Additionally, Kyoto is actually rather spread out, and the subway and bus systems do not go everywhere of interest to tourists (more on that later). I was also a little worried visiting in early summer and rainy season, because I had heard that Kyoto is notoriously hot and humid this time of the year.
Fortunately, my fears were unfounded!
In Kyoto, I ate incredible food, both on my own and on food tours, saw the most exquisite temples, hiked through nature, and built an even stronger level of confidence within myself.
And as for the temples I missed? There’s always next time.
Should You Travel Alone to Kyoto?
Absolutely. Kyoto is a wonderful destination for solo travel.
Despite its popularity, you can still find areas of spiritual reflection and beauty in the hustle and bustle of Kyoto. Personally, I loved experiencing all of the temples alone, because I could take my time admiring all the buildings, as well as pause to pray and think about the world. Zero rush.
Furthermore, as a popular international destination, Kyoto has more than enough to see and do, so you won’t ever feel bored as a single person.
However, with all that said, it is important to be mindful when visiting Kyoto, even as a solo traveler.
Overtourism n Kyoto
Although I adored this city, I would be remiss if I didn’t discuss the very real problem of overtourism in Kyoto. Kyoto is popular and in recent years, the city has struggled to accommodate sooooo many visitors flocking to the biggest attractions. Tourists are actually banned from certain residential streets because of bad behavior.
My advice? Do whatever you can to travel in a sustainable way in Kyoto.
For example, perhaps avoid the high season in spring (cherry blossoms) and autumn (fall leaves). Kyoto is unbearably crowded during those times. Instead opt for a less crowded time, such as rainy season in June when I decided to visit. While the weather might not be perfect, you’ll be able to experience a more “magical” Kyoto without the impact of crushing crowds.
You might also want to include some “lesser known” temples and shrines on your visit to take breaks from the crowds. I adored visiting Otagi Nenbutsu-Ji Temple with its 1200 moss-covered statues. However, since it was hard to reach by public transportation (I opted for a taxi), most tourists stayed away and I was able to enjoy peace and quiet.
Why You Should Travel Solo to Kyoto
I mean, why NOT? I feel like this is a very obvious question, because Kyoto is fantastic.
However, if you’re still on the fence about visiting Kyoto on your solo trip to Japan, here are a couple reasons why you ought to at least spend two nights in this amazing city.
Cultural Opportunities
Kyoto is literally the best city for new solo travelers to fall in love with Japanese culture and history. There are plenty of guided experiences where you can learn about the culture respectfully without being intrusive of the locals and the Geisha (as a side note, please don’t take pictures of them without permission, thanks).
For instance, one of my favorite experiences in Japan was booking a private tea ceremony at Camellia Flower Tea House, which is located in the heart of the Higashiyama Ward. You also had an option to rent a kimono through them. It was beautiful and relaxing, and I feel like I learned a great deal.
Take this opportunity to connect with Kyoto’s traditions.
Easy and Fast Train Connections
Kyoto is perfectly located between many other major Japanese cities. It only takes about two hours on the Shinkansen or bullet train to reach Kyoto from Tokyo. You’re also very close to Osaka and Nara, and are able to do day trips to both cities without much hassle at all.
If you love Kyoto’s vibes and aren’t into switching accommodations every few nights, then I would definitely look into making this city your base for a couple days, and add both Osaka and Nara to your sightseeing journey.
Kyoto’s location is ideal for sightseeing throughout Japan.
However, keep in mind that Kyoto’s public transportation doesn’t go everywhere of interest to tourists. You need to split up your itinerary by neighborhood to keep yourself from burning out.
Incredible Food Scene
Kyoto (and really, all of Japan) is positively perfect for solo diners. You have soooo many great restaurants to choose from. My suggestion is to go to the Gion District in the evenings and then stroll around until you find a place that “speaks” to you.
And if you don’t want to have a sit down meal, never fear! Kyoto is home to the wonderful Nishiki Market, which is an expansive and historic market. You can find everything here, from seafood to Waygu beef to traditional sweets, and it’s an ideal spot to relax in the middle of the day.
Finally, as a solo traveler, you can easily book yourself onto a food tour if you don’t want to figure dinner out on your own. I went on the Kyoto Night Foodie Tour and absolutely loved every second! We had a lot to eat, as well as generous sake tastings, and everyone in my group was fantastic!
Stunning Nature
Kyoto has abundant natural beauty all around the city. You don’t have to go far to find it.
The best part is that most of Kyoto’s nature is accessible to all sorts of fitness levels and abilities. I’m not a “hardcore” hiker, and yet I had zero problems walking through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, strolling the entirety of Philosopher’s Path, or hiking to the top of Fushimi Inari Shrine.
I liked experiencing Kyoto’s nature alone. I’m not the greatest hiker, so giving myself permission to stop, listen to the birds, sip from my water bottle, and take pictures was perfect, because I had zero pressure to “catch up” to a travel buddy.
Temples Galore
Like I already said, Kyoto’s major draw are its temples. Did you know this city is home to over 1600 temples? Yup, you correctly read that. 1600 temples.
It’s hard to pick what temples to choose from. Not to mention, as a solo traveler, sometimes it’s easier to have someone else make decisions for you. Try not to worry, though.
My advice is to pick one or two temples each day to focus on, and then write the rest of your itinerary based around those temples. The temples are spread out, so you need to be mindful of how much time you are spending on public transportation and taxis.
If you really don’t want to stress, then I suggested booking a full day tour of Kyoto that stops at the most popular sites, such as Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Kinkaku-ji Temple.
Very, Very, Very Safe
I could write about Japan’s safety for hours. In particular, Kyoto felt very, very, very safe as a solo traveler.
I walked all over Gion at night and not a single person bothered me. Public transportation was also clean and reliable, and I never even thought to checked my wallet once. Cat-calling was also non-existent.
Truthfully, I can’t think of anywhere else where I can walk down a random dark alley to a bar, and not feel remotely uncomfortable about it.
As a solo female traveler, you definitely don’t have much to worry about as far as physical safety goes. Of course, I never like to say never, so still take normal precautions that you would anywhere else in the world. Don’t get super drunk at 3 am, or hike into the mountains without water.
Otherwise, you ought to be just fine!
Kyoto Solo Female Travel Essentials
Last but not least. I wanted to include a few suggestions for what to bring as a solo traveler in Kyoto. I also wanted to drop a few ideas for where to stay in the city.
Obviously, the end decision is up to you, but I figured to at least give you some “food for thought” before researching further into your big adventure.
What to Pack for Kyoto
Honestly, you can buy a lot of what you need on the ground in Kyoto. For instance, umbrellas are super cheap and high quality in Japan, so you don’t need to waste the luggage space.
However, I do suggest bringing a couple of the following essentials.
- Comfortable and Water-resistant Shoes: You neeeeeeeed comfortable shoes when you visit Kyoto. You’ll walk a lot of steps and don’t want your feet to absolutely despise you. I wore these cozy Cole Haan sneakers all over Japan and never had any issues.
- Day Bag: You need to have an easy, lightweight backpack for sightseeing around Kyoto. I personally love this Just In Case Foldable Backpack by Tumi, which produces high-quality luggage.
- Lonely Planet Japan Guide: Despite all the online resources available, I still love traditional guidebooks. I used the Lonely Planet Japan Guide to help me plan my vacation, and recommend that you check it out!
- Portable Smartphone Charger: If you plan on taking lots of photos and videos in Kyoto, then always have a portable smartphone charger with you as you travel throughout the city.
- Travel Insurance: It is so, so, so important to have travel insurance for any solo trip, even in a super safe destination like Japan. I personally use World Nomads Travel Insurance for my overseas trips.
Where to Stay in Kyoto
Kyoto has plenty of wonderful accommodation for solo female travelers. As for me, I stayed at the Hyatt Place Kyoto using my points and free night awards, and it was a great choice for my needs!
I especially loved the location and laundry services. Hyatt Place Kyoto is directly above the Marutamachi subway, so it’s incredibly easy to get around the city. The hotel also has washing and drying machines that you can take advantage of, although I recommend going in the middle of the day because literally every single guest was trying to clean clothes at midnight when I went, haha.
If you’re more of a hostel goer, then never fear! Kyoto has plenty of hostels for connecting with other travelers. For instance, Piece Hostel Kyoto also has plenty of top-notch reviews and is centrally located in the city.
No matter what, Kyoto has a lot of great accommodation to suit your needs. Every solo female traveler is different.
I hope this Kyoto Solo Female Travel guide helps inspire you to plan an adventure in Japan. You will absolutely love it! As always, feel free to reach out and tell me all about your adventures.