OVERTOURISM in Kyoto - How bad is it? (Japan Travel Experience)

How bad is the overtourism Problem in Kyoto, Japan? That's all we mostly heard about before going to Kyoto. Japan has been in the headlines recently for a lot of overtourism problems and Kyoto is probably the epicenter of that because everybody wants to see the traditional, historic Japan. Kyoto delivers exactly that. We went and explored the city by ourselves and we found stark contrasts: from concert-like Tourists crowds to mythical, quiet mountaintops - Kyoto got it all! And of course we try some fancy food in this video as well.

Let us know if you think overtourism has gotten too bad in Kyoto, in Japan or anywhere around the world!
#Japantravel #overtourism #kyoto

Timestamps:
00:00 Overtourism in Japan
00:37 Budget Tip
01:08 Arriving in Kyoto
01:51 Kyoto's famous Temple
03:49 Crowds
05:36 Streets to Gion
07:48 Calm Sushi Restaurant
11:52 Kyoto's famous Geisha district
12:25 Busy City Center Market
13:18 Calmer Side Streets
13:45 Japanese Food at Kamo River bank
17:31 Crowds at famous Tori Gates
19:11 Big Turn of Events

► Check out “American Girlfriend Tries German Bakery Items!

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DEANA AND PHIL STUFF ►

DEANA’S STUFF ►

PHIL’S STUFF ►

[DeanaandPhil]

Have you ever been to Kyoto? What are your thoughts?
Previous Japan Videos:

[katrintill]

I totally understand your stress level was higher with all the people around you. I have the same problem ( the crowded it gets, the more I feel more panicked and it gets worse with each year) I always want to visit Japan but I think I would avoid some tourist spots due to the mass of people. I really enjoy your videos 🙏🫶

[charissaalarcon]

makes me want to go to Japan right now

[johnson.n.a.fog]

Oh wow, Kyoto is beautiful, dude. I love the temples, hills and trees. They truly have some amazing food öhö.. 🤗

[bkm]

Like Deana, I am not a fan of crowds too much of the wrong kind of energy for my psyche. Love the architecture of old Japan, it’s esthetically pleasing to the senses. Shushi looked really tasty, I only cringed when you said mackerel, too strong and greasy for my taste and apparently yours. Wish it was less crowded, maybe there is a time of year that would be better? Thanks for taking us along, always great to see you 🏯⛩🍣💕👍

[ronschellekens]

I've been there. We visited the Fushimi inari shrine at 5 o'clock in the morning!! We saw 10 people!

[margaritakhachatryan]

Used to watch your Germany related content a lot when i was back in my home country planing my move to Germany, now I’ve been here for almost a year and am planing a one month Asia trip(Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand) and your videos couldn’t be more helpful, thanks for all the tips and info!!🫶🏼🫶🏼

[geraldine]

I guessed it was gonna be the Starbucks right before Phil said it 😅

I miss Kyoto! Looking forward to go back one day

[devind]

I've seen busier lines at my local Costco! Joking aside, I would like to try that cheesecake cube.

[crantheman]

Loved the sound effects of Deanna eating! I found it hilarious! Thanks for the videos guys!

[MioRaem]

I think a popular destination is simply what you make of it. Even in Kyoto there are so many other shrines and temples on the outskirts of the city, particularly near Arashiyama, where there are hardly any tourists. In my four years in Japan Ive been to Kyoto several times, and I always enjoyed it thoroughly. Of course, Fushimi Inari-Taisha and Kiyomizu-Dera are THE two attractions in Kyoto that everyone wants to see, with the Golden Pagoda a close third. They are bound to be busy, but Kyoto has many quiet, highly enjoyable areas, too.

[flashhughes]

I appreciate that you needed to be respectful to others in the sushi restaurant. Tourist aren't always very respectful. You did sound like that SNL PBS sketch about Schweddy Balls though. :)

[ColorHoles]

Fantastic video! A lot of great insight on what to expect when visiting Kyoto!

That osmo pocket 3 footage looks fantastic!

[KitsuneHB]

I really like how you lower your voice in a quite place like the sushi restaurant. It's a very nice behaviour. The price for the sushi was still cheap compared to fresh sushi in Germany. It also looked very delicious.
And I laughed about the Baden-Württemberg-Sticker. :D They are everywhere!

[terryrutherford]

I can tolerate crowds, but I dislike them too. I'm glad you guys pushed on to a less populated place on the trail. Thanks for the video!

[michellevonjaeger]

I feel you on the too many people!! Beautiful though.... Thanks for sharing😎

[psa]

I was to Kyoto and Nara in 1989 (also Tokyo). Fortunately, my wife is Japanese, so not only was she familiar with history and where to go but also did not have to deal with everything being in Japanese. Anyway, I remember a lot of tourists but nothing like you experienced. Even some of the temples were pretty empty. In fact, my kids got yelled at by the priest for being too noisy. I do not think I would have enjoyed it as much if we encountered the crowds you did.

I was really impressed that the temples I saw were all built hundreds of years ago and they are all held together by interlocking of the framing, no nails or pegs.

Lastly, you guys are so fun to watch. Thanks.

[SakuraTaishi]

Hotels in north of Kyoto station are a little expensive than hotels in south of Kyoto station.
And regarding tourists place,
Only several famous for foreigners are super crowed
such as Kiyomizu dera, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kinkakuji, Nishiki market, bumboo forests. However, there are so many temples and shrines where are not famous among foreigners but famous and popular among Japapese.
And those kind of places are less crowed and less foreign tourists.

[potatophil]

Very happy with the Sushi and the cheesecake here! :)

[MrChvic]

Touching food together with chopsticks like you did at the beginning of your video is really bad manners in Japan, it takes years of living here to navigate Japanese manners. Informative vid.