If you want to avoid the crowds at Kyoto attractions, spend 15 minutes checking the opening times of all the places you want to go and arrive there then.  Yep, it means you might need to wake up earlier and not have a holiday sleep in, but (at least) to me, it’s worth it.  The shrines and temples are that much better when there’s less people around.  At opening times at almost all the best kyoto attractions you’ll get the serious photographers who tend to go it alone and don’t make much noise, and the occasional tour group, but it’s certainly better than going mid morning or god forbid, afternoon.

Kyoto is about 45km from Nara, which is awesome and definitely worth a day trip if you have the time.  Depending on what train you get, it’s only 35-75 minutes.  Or hire a car and just drive there. For car hire, make sure you have an International Driving License. There’s no getting away without one if you want to hire a car.  If you’re out of Kyoto attractions to visit, Nara is just one place to consider nearby.

Kyoto is not really a place for younger kids, like any city in Japan, it’s mostly easy to get around with strollers and younger kids, but how many shrines and temples can a 5 year old really see?  I got a bit bored after a couple on my first visit here (second of about 15 visits to Japan), and even you can make up some games and keep them entertained, you’re not really going to be able to appreciate where you are and the beauty of Kyoto attractions. With all the tourists, it’s that much more difficult.  There’s parks and wide open spaces as usual but not a whole lot of kids-specific activities to do.

Depending on how much you’re into temples, shrines and palaces and the like, you could probably spend a week here, but let’s say you have 10 days in Japan. I’d do 3-3-3 Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.  And yes, I know 3-3-3 doesn’t add up to 10 but I’m allowing for a day trip and travel to and from places for the extra day. That to me would be awesome mix of Japan and let you see a lot of what Japan has to offer.

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