Dear Reader, it is a well known fact, that anybody who had some cash to spare this year, has opted to go visit Japan. In fact, this was the case since a year ago, though, I must say I was lucky enough to visit while the great waves of tourists had yet to descend with great noise, fanfare, and camera clicks upon the otherwise calm vistas of Kyoto, Hakone, and the likes. So much so that the sight of a handful of ‘foreigners’ like myself in Kyoto, rather broke the fourth wall.
Some crowded spaces are, I’m afraid, unavoidable. Not having had a chance to see them last time around, I think I may have to contend with a serious number of visitors to find a spot in the Kiyomizu-dera, or Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. It doesn’t matter that you can get up as early as 05:00 and be there for 06:00, to hear the morning prayers. There is a good chance that someone else may have made the same connection and there you have it, a potential friend you did not count on making.
Even so, there are ways of making the most of a difficult situation. Here, the same rules apply as anywhere else: Get off the [main] road! Side streets are where the treasure finds are – and oftentimes at a better price, if you’re after souvenirs. Smaller temples with quiet gardens, not necessarily advertised in popular blogs. Some may even require pre-booking, which means there is no way you’ll find yourself without a seat, so to speak.
Walk, as much as you can. Yes, there are buses and most are to be used by locals. I’m not a fan of tour buses myself, but I do like to walk as much as I can. It is good exercise if you keep it light (walk first, shop later), and you may discover hidden gems that others will miss.
“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.”
If you still intend to brave the busy spots, then earlier or later than the rush hour would be a good start. Going further than the rest, will also help (this is true for Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari shrine). Avoid National Holidays, and weekends. Lastly, respect the queues, and have patience. We’re all here to enjoy the sunset/sunrise and there’s no need to stick a phone in front of anyone, while trying to immortalise a moment that’s better seen with one’s eyes than through a lens anyway.