The biggest savings in Kyoto come from carrying enough small cash for temple fees and cash-only market stalls, avoiding airport-counter exchange markups, and using an IC card for the city’s buses and trains.
Cash for temples and markets
Kyoto leans more heavily on cash than typical city shopping districts, mainly because of its many temples, shrines, and traditional markets, so keeping small bills on hand avoids repeated ATM trips.
Exchange smart, not first
If you are arriving via Kansai Airport, exchanging only a small amount there and doing the rest in the city avoids the widest markup on your whole trip budget.
Tip: Kyoto’s bus network in particular is much smoother with an IC card than buying individual tickets for every ride.
Small habits that add up
None of these tips require much extra effort, just a little planning before you land, and together they meaningfully change the total cost of a trip.
SAVE ON YOUR EXCHANGE
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Show this coupon at any SMART EXCHANGE machine for a better rate than the counter, no sign-up required.
