Kyoto Warning or Danger Tips by j-san

Taxi drivers, bicycle riders, little old ladies... roads in Kyoto are very narrow, footpaths often non-existent. No one walks on the 'left-side', so keep your eyes and ears open and remember- there is no logic to it. If you move to the left, the person riding behind you will most likely move to the left too. If you move to the right, they'll move to the right. Strangely this never happened to me when I was in a "crowded" place like Delhi or Tokyo. Someone exasperated once said about Kyotoiites "They want to make you stop!!!". Sometimes I wonder...

This is by the western side of the Imperial Palace park. A bicycle will pass you (within inches) every few seconds.

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May is lovely with spring blossoms and blue skies most of the time. October and November have the cool autumn air and red maple leaves.

That aside, here are the seasons to avoid: June is the rainy season and while it can be pleasant for the first week or so, the rain and humidity arrive one day and then it's very oppressive. Even if it's not pouring outside 90%humidity is not unusual. July and August are then swealtering. Stay out of the sun during the day, best to sleep the day away and head out for dinner and beers at night!

Then there is September with lovely typhoons making their way to Kyoto with increasing frequency in recent years. Though not so dangerous here, they are not fun. During a typhoon listen to news updates on NHK (available in english during a typhoon) and stay indoors until it passes. Other than that February is the coldest month, with some snow but I rather like it, as the temples are DESERTED! The sightseeing spots like those around Kiyomizu Temple can seem like another world - a Kyoto as it once was.

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