Etiquette & rules in Kyoto
The rules visitors most often break, taken from the official pages of Kyoto City Tourism Association, shrines, temples and local councils. Each line links to its source.
Gion Minamigawa (around Hanamikoji)
- Do not stop, touch, follow or photograph without permission geiko and maiko who are walking. Following or blocking their way can lead to detention of under 30 days or a petty fine of under ¥10,000 under the Minor Offenses Act; pulling at hands or clothes can lead to up to 6 months in prison or a fine of up to ¥500,000 under local ordinance. ↗
- Do not enter nearby shrines, temples or private land without permission, and do not damage property. Trespassing can lead to up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to ¥100,000; damaging property can lead to up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to ¥300,000. ↗
- Do not block the road by waiting on the pavement, stopping to take photos or spilling onto the roadway. Obstructing traffic can lead to a fine of up to ¥50,000. Hanamikoji Street is not a pedestrian-only street. ↗
- Do not litter. It can lead to a fine of up to ¥30,000 under local ordinance. ↗
- Do not make loud noise (please respect residents’ daily lives). ↗
All of Kyoto City
- Smoking in the street: please do not smoke while walking anywhere in the city. Smoking in the street in designated areas is penalized. ↗
- Do not litter. You may be penalized. ↗
- Photography: blocking the road to take photos, or entering private land to take photos, may be penalized. ↗
- Entering the tracks, or obstructing train operation while taking photos, may be penalized. ↗
- Even where photography is allowed, please refrain from photographing children and local residents without permission. ↗
- Narrow streets and alleys: actions that obstruct traffic or create danger may be penalized. ↗
- Residential areas: do not enter private land, and do not sit in front of homes or shops. ↗
- Cultural properties: do not touch cultural properties, exhibits or old buildings, and follow the signs. ↗
- Deliberate damage such as graffiti or vandalism may be penalized. ↗
- Bamboo groves and plants: damaging bamboo, or breaking, pulling off or taking away cherry or maple branches, may be penalized. ↗
- In public facilities, shrines and temples, please keep your voice down. ↗
- Central Kyoto: cycling violations may be penalized. Watch for no-entry zones in the city centre. ↗
- Do not eat while walking; enjoy meals and sweets inside the shop or in designated areas. ↗
- Do not use unlicensed paid rides (unregistered taxis). Even with a ride-hailing app, check the vehicle, the operator and the booking details. ↗
Fushimi Inari Taisha
- Do not eat or drink on the grounds except in the designated place (the free rest area), including eating while walking or standing. The shrine lists this as a prohibited act.In force from 2022-01-01 ↗
- Commercial photography, and photography in places where it is prohibited, are not allowed.In force from 2022-01-01 ↗
- Do not take photos on narrow approaches in a way that blocks other worshippers.In force from 2022-01-01 ↗
- Flying drones or other flying objects is prohibited.In force from 2022-01-01 ↗
- Smoking and open flames are prohibited on the grounds.In force from 2022-01-01 ↗
Nijo Castle
- Photos and videos are prohibited inside Ninomaru Palace and Honmaru Palace. Monopods and tripods cannot be used in the castle. ↗
- Flying drones on the grounds is prohibited. ↗
- Eating and drinking are not allowed in the castle except in designated places. Drink at rest areas and do not drink while walking. ↗
Kinkaku-ji
- Photos and videos on the grounds are limited to casual snapshots with a small camera for personal enjoyment. Shooting intended for publication to third parties (including social media), commercial shooting, group photos, video streaming and flying drones are prohibited. ↗
Bamboo groves (Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari)
- Carving letters or marks into bamboo counts as damage to property and can lead to a fine of up to ¥300,000 (per the original text of the tourism association’s English official page). ↗
Kyoto City Bus
- Etiquette on city buses and at bus stops: do not make loud noise. Turn your phone off near priority seats; elsewhere set it to silent mode and avoid calls. ↗