Four Kyoto rules
with real consequences
Kyoto in 2026 is a city actively managing tourist behaviour. The private lanes off Gion's Hanamikoji have been closed to visitors since April 2024, with a fine of up to ¥10,000 — the main Hanamikoji street itself is still open and always has been. The other three are etiquette rather than law: keep large suitcases off city buses, eat standing at the stall in Nishiki rather than walking, and never touch a taxi door.
Four Kyoto rules with real consequences
Kyoto in 2026 is a city actively managing tourist behaviour. These four are enforced, signposted, or both.
Since April 2024 the small private lanes running off Gion's Hanamikoji have been closed to tourists, with signs in four languages. The main Hanamikoji street itself is still open and always has been. Photographing geiko or maiko without their consent has been banned since 2019, and following one down a street is the behaviour that caused all of this. Stay on the public street, keep the phone down when someone in full dress passes.
Up to ¥10,000Kyoto officially asks visitors not to bring large luggage onto city buses, and on a packed 205 you will find out why within one stop. Use a staffed bag drop or a coin locker — though station lockers at Kyoto Station are reliably full by 10:00 in high season — or forward the bag ahead by takkyubin for ¥2,000–3,000.
Walking while eating is discouraged the length of Nishiki, and most stalls now have a small counter or a bin beside them for exactly this. Buy, stand, eat, bin, move. It is not a fine — it is the one piece of etiquette that visibly separates visitors who read something from visitors who did not. More on Nishiki.
The rear left door is driver-operated on every taxi in Japan. Do not grab it, do not slam it. Fares start around ¥500 for the first 1km, cards and IC are accepted everywhere, and there is no tipping in Japan, ever — leaving change on the seat causes a small crisis.