How to Find Authentic Moments in Kyoto

When people picture Kyoto, they imagine narrow lanes, wooden machiya houses and locals gliding past in elegant kimono. 

That image isn't wrong, but it’s incomplete. And yet it’s one that the Japan travel & tourism industry (and content creators) have leaned into. 

But sometimes, what looks like authenticity is something else entirely.

On a recent walk through downtown Kyoto, we witnessed two moments, only minutes apart, that highlight the gap between expectation and reality when traveling in Japan. Together, they say a lot about how travel in Japan really works today.

TL;DR

• Kimono rentals are fine, but don’t mistake them (or their wearers) for cultural authenticity

• Nishiki Market is crowded and commercial; if you go, go early, but know better places exist

• The Real Kyoto is still out there, just not where everyone else is looking

The Kimono That Wasn’t What It Seemed

We saw a family of four walking through central Kyoto, each wearing kimono. 

But these weren’t locals, or even Japanese. More likely Taiwanese, as they were speaking Mandarin.

Kimono rentals are popular with visitors from across Asia and around the world, and Kyoto has entire streets lined with shops offering them. For many tourists, it’s a fun way to step into the atmosphere of Japan for a few hours.

Across the street, a European couple noticed this kimono-clad family. Instead of carrying on, they crossed the road, slipped in behind the group and quickly snapped a photo before rushing back to their travel companions, laughing.

To them, this was the perfect snapshot: a “Japanese family” in traditional dress, captured in their natural habitat. The irony, of course, was that the family wasn’t Japanese at all. 

The photo wasn’t a cultural documentary. It was a projection of the tourists’ assumptions.

Why it matters:

• Taking photos of strangers without consent is problematic in itself

• Making assumptions about people based on appearance, then using them as props in your travel scrapbook, turns the moment into a caricature

• Authentic travel in Japan isn’t about chasing stereotypes

If you’re seeking authenticity on your Japan trip, it might just take a little effort. Go beneath the surface, set aside the narrative and dig deeper to explore the realities you might not have expected.

Nishiki Market and Kyoto’s “Famous” Problem

Five minutes later, we cut through Nishiki Market. 

I use the term “market” loosely here.

Once called “Kyoto’s pantry,” it was historically home to generations of shopkeepers selling tea, pickles and fresh seafood. 

These days, Nishiki is better described as a tourist corridor (even that is generous). It’s wall-to-wall tourists, and locals don’t go there anymore.

We walked by one stall selling food on sticks. 

That phrase alone, food on a stick, tells you much of what you need to know about the shift from craftsmanship to quick turnover. If you’re a tourist eating food on a stick in Japan – outside of a local festival – you can pretty much bank on three things:

• You paid too much

• It’s neither local not authentic

• Someone nearby is mocking you

This is especially true at one of the three famous “markets” – Nishiki in Kyoto, Tsukiji in Tokyo and Kuromon Ichiba in Osaka. Caveat emptor.

Anyhow, we were checking out crowd levels at Nishiki by intentionally walking a block into the “market” section, before quickly making a right turn away from the crowds and eventually back towards a quieter, more local version of Kyoto elsewhere.

As we passed the food-on-a-stick stall, the man working the grill sneezed. He turned his head a little, but didn’t cover properly, didn’t wash his hands, didn’t make any effort to reset. He just kept cooking.

It was a small moment, but it told a larger story. 

Nishiki’s reputation still trades on the idea of heritage and authenticity. Allegedly.

But many stalls are now staffed by people with no connection to the market’s history. High standards and pride of craft, once non-negotiable, are often missing. The merchandise and the vendors, not to mention the clientele, are no longer local (often all are imported). 

Our advice to clients: if you feel you must go, go early, and go knowing it’s more spectacle than substance. Better yet, spend your precious time elsewhere.

What do these moments teach us about travel in Kyoto?

In the space of ten minutes, two scenes showed us how easy it is for visitors to confuse surface with substance.

• A photo of tourists in rented kimono masquerades as “Japanese tradition”

• A food stall in a historic market masquerades as “Kyoto culture”

The truth is more complicated. 

Authenticity in Japan rarely appears under neon lights or with long lines. It hides in family-run shops that still take pride in their work, in backstreets where the rhythm of daily life carries on, in moments that aren’t set up for Instagram.

Reworking your Japan itinerary with a focus on authenticity will make for a more memorable Japan trip.

Why do these realities matter for your Japan trip?

Kyoto still has depth. But you won’t find it by chasing images. 

You find it by slowing down, by knowing where to look, by asking questions (and listening). 

At Japan Travel Pros, that’s exactly what we help our clients do: avoid the tourist funnel, skip the tired stereotypes and discover a Japan that still feels real.

Ready to see the real Japan?

If you’d like to make the most of your time in Japan without wasting hours on tourist traps, schedule a free consultation with Japan Travel Pros. 

We’ll help you plan a trip that cuts through the noise and gets you closer to the experiences you actually came here for. Use the calendar below to get started.

Is wearing a kimono in Kyoto considered cultural appropriation?
In Japan, kimono rentals are widely marketed to both Japanese and international visitors. Locals generally see it as part of the tourism economy, not necessarily as appropriation (though some might). The key is to wear it respectfully and understand it’s a rental experience, not a cultural rite of passage.

Is Nishiki Market worth visiting?
Nishiki once was “Kyoto’s pantry,” but today it functions more as a tourist center. If you want to go, visit early in the morning before crowds build, and go knowing you’re seeing a commercial version of Kyoto. For more authentic food culture, look beyond Nishiki. Check out local “shotengai” (shopping streets), e.g. Kyoto’s Sanjo Shotengai which is just a 20-minute walk west of Nishiki.

Where can I find authentic experiences in Kyoto?
Authenticity in Kyoto is found in family-run shops, smaller neighborhoods outside the main tourist funnel, and experiences that aren’t designed for Instagram. Working with a knowledgeable guide or travel planner can help you discover them.

Why do so many tourists wear kimono in Kyoto?
Kimono rentals are affordable, easy to arrange and make for memorable photos. It’s a fun activity, but it shouldn’t be confused with a traditional cultural practice.

What should I avoid doing in Kyoto?
Avoid making assumptions about people based on how they look (such as mistaking tourists in kimono for locals). Know that 80% (or more) of international tourists in Japan come from China, South Korea, Taiwan, HK & SE Asia. Also, avoid overcrowded tourist traps where quality has declined. Respectful curiosity will take you further.

Want to see everything we’ve written about authentic Japan travel in one place? Visit the Authentic Japan Travel Hub for curated articles on hidden gems, off-the-beaten-path destinations, cultural insights, and travel planning advice to make your trip memorable and uniquely yours.