A a solo traveler, Japan is always the perfect destination. This was my first time in Kyoto, and I had only one must-do: bike along Kamo River (鴨川, the main river across the city). That was it. Everything else? I’d just go with the flow.
Here are some dos and don’ts from my experience:
Dos:
😁Wake up super early for an empty Kyoto scene.
😁Bike along Kamo River.
😁Visit a Sento 銭湯 (public bath) once, or many times.
😁Bring a book and read by the river.
Don'ts
🤨Eat wagyu BBQ alone at dinner time.
🤨Take the bus during peak hours or in crowded areas.
Getting to Kyoto
I landed at Kansai International Airport (KIX) and took the Haruka train — 80 minutes straight to Kyoto Station. I booked my ticket through KKDay and redeemed it with a QR code. I was too lazy to figure out how to reserve a seat, so I went for the non-reserved option. It worked out fine; I arrived at the platform 20 minutes early, hopped on, and found a seat without any trouble. I saw people who arrived later couldn’t find seats tho.
Getting Around Kyoto
Bus, metro, biking.
I used my Suica card in Apple Wallet and tapped my way around. Super easy, and I could top it up with Apple Pay. If you’re planning on using the bus or metro frequently, I’d recommend getting a pass — it’ll save you some money.
Bus
The buses can get really busy depending on the time and place. My first bus ride was at 6 pm on a Saturday, heading to my hostel from the main station to Sanjo area. It was so packed that I was thankful for my mask. The traffic was terrible, too — a 15-minute ride turned into over 30 minutes. No wonder locals have strong feelings about overtourism in Kyoto.
Metro
The metro is straightforward and efficient. Sure, it gets busy sometimes, but at least there’s no traffic.
Biking
Kotobike: My Bike-Saving Grace
How to Use Kotobike:
1️⃣Download the app and register with your email.
2️⃣Link a credit card for payment.
Pros:
😁No phone number registration needed — lifesaver!
😁Easy-to-use app with an English version.
😁Flexible pricing: pay by the minute or choose hourly passes (6/12/24/48/72 hours).
😁Temporary parking option and unlockable via the app.
😁Lots of bike stations with real-time availability shown on the app.
Cons:
I had some trouble unlocking bikes at my first station — none of them worked, which was frustrating. I moved on, planning to contact support for a refund, but tried again at a different station, and it worked! Finally, I was off on my happy bike ride.
Accommodation
Sento 銭湯(Public Baths): My Relaxing Retreat
I visited two sentos: Kamogawa-yu and Umeyu, both tattoo-friendly. Umeyu even offers an English tutorial. If you’re new to sentos, I suggest reading up on the rules beforehand. Here’s a quick guide:
🛀Bring your own towel (or rent one at the front desk).
🛀Strip down completely and put your belongings in a basket in the locker.
🛀Wash yourself thoroughly before entering the bath. Tie your hair.
🛀Enjoy doing nothing — just soak and relax.
🛀Don’t forget to grab a drink afterward in the front area.
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