Friends
Open to Sunrise walk at Fushimi Inari
About Shrines and early mornings
Meet like-minded people in Kyoto
On your own in Kyoto? Check in for the days you're there, say what you're open to, and other travellers and locals who chose to be seen can ask to join. They see your city, never your exact spot.
Kyoto is Japan's cultural heart, with more than a thousand temples and shrines, from the red torii gates of Fushimi Inari to the bamboo groves of Arashiyama. Solo travellers love its calm pace, tea houses and beautiful walks, and meeting others is easy on early-morning visits to popular sights. Travellers gather around Gion and Pontocho alley, near Kyoto Station, and along the banks of the Kamo River on summer evenings.
Meeting people in Kyoto: what works
- Stay in a social hostel near Kyoto Station or Gion, many of which run temple walks and evening meetups.
- Visit popular sights like Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama early in the morning, when other solo travellers are out and crowds are smaller.
- Join a guided walking tour of Gion or a tea ceremony class to learn about local culture with others.
- Hang out by the Kamo River in the evenings, a popular spot for locals and visitors to relax and chat.
Stay safe
Kyoto is very safe; be respectful in Gion's lanes, where photographing geiko and maiko without permission is discouraged and some private alleys are off-limits.
Meet in public places, tell a friend where you’re going, and never send money to someone you met online.
Cards people might post in Kyoto
Examples of what you could be open to. Post your own in a minute.
Ideas
Open to Tea ceremony experience
About Japanese tea culture
Date
Open to Evening stroll through Gion
About A quiet, beautiful evening
Friends
Open to Cycle to Arashiyama
About Exploring Kyoto by bike
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