Kyoto on 1 January

We will be at Kyoto on 1 Jan 2023, and wondering where will be the best place to be at, that is open and not too crowded? I am thinking to visit Kyoto Aquarium coz it seems to be open on this public holiday.
Any other suggestions?
We will arrive at Kyoto for few days before, so plan to go for the major attractions before 1 Jan.

Kyoto prefecture is a popular destination.so you need transportation pass.you cant see whole of kyoto on foot.so A Lot of pass exist

Kyoto bus pass =700 yen
Kyoto subway pass =800 yen
Bus and subway 1 day pass=1100 yen
Subway,randen 1 day =1200 yen
Kyoto bus,randen 1 day=1200 yen
Eiden rail 1 day=1200 yen
Keihan rail 1 day kyoto pass=800 yen
Keihan rail 1 day kyoto,osaka pass=1300 yen
Kyoto rail museum odekake pass=2300 yen

If it were me (and actually I will be in Kyoto for that week as well) I would actually go to Fushimi Inari Taisha. Yes, it will be incredibly crowded but that’s the experience. Don’t just see that shrine as a tourist attraction but see it as it is being used.

Agree with @LikeBike. Go to a temple or shrine, it's really an experience. We're going to be in Tokyo on the 1st until we head north, and I'm thinking of going to Meiji Jingu because of the crowds and the experience.

I never use transport passes in Kyoto - for me, not worth it.
I will also be in the city on Jan 1st, but not the full day. I have selected things that will be open, as well as some select temples/shrines to visit for my time in the city. Certainly the famous/popular ones will be massively crowded, but I'm not planning on Inari for NY, a few days before will still be busy.

Tks for the advices! We have 5 pax with elderly and kids, so I am trying to avoid overly crowded places. Is there shrine/temple that is smaller or not as pack as the popular ones?

Although it is information from two years ago, it may be helpful for Kyoto during the year-end and New Year holidays.
https://ja.kyoto.travel/news/format.php?id=220
I think that shrines and temples far from the center of Kyoto are somewhat less crowded.
Fushimi Inari is the busiest in Kyoto (5th busiest in Japan) and should be avoided.
The second is Yasaka Shrine.

Thanks, we will be staying near Kyoto station, mayb will find a shrine/temple nearby!

One of the largest temples near Kyoto Station is Honganji (one I like), but it will be crowded as it is an important destination for many people (but not so much western tourists).

I've never been to Nishi Honganji, but I heard that Higashi Honganji and Shoseien will open on January 1st. I have been to Higashi Honganji once.
http://english.higashihonganji.or.jp/english_top/
https://www.higashihonganji.or.jp/about/guide/shoseien/
It can get crowded (I think it's less crowded than around Shijo), but I also like Toji and it's close to Kyoto Station.
I think Tofukuji is also good, but the train is likely to be crowded with people going to Fushimi Inari.

I would select one within walking distance from your hotel if you want to avoid trains / buses.
If you’re staying near Kyoto station then Honganji is handy as suggested above. Worthy of a visit.

https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/1194/


https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3920.html

Two years ago I visited Higashi-honganji and noticed the water of the moat is very clear. This is not the tourist spot so there are not so many people (of course it might be because of the Covid-19, in part). After coming back home I learned that the moat had been dirty until a Ducth guy Paul Pepping living in Kyoto for many years settled his machine in the moat to clean the water.

If you just walk around Kyoto, you might discover some interesting things/places like this even on Jan 1st.

It might get a little crowded, but Aeon Mall Kyoto has been open since January 1st, so it might be a good idea to go play, shop, and eat.
https://kyoto-aeonmall.com/
Although next year has not been decided yet, such an event was held at Toei Movie Village on January 1st of this year.
https://newscast.jp/news/7210610
I think there are probably not many people.
It's a little far from Kyoto station, but the JR Sagano line doesn't pass through the center, so trains won't be too crowded. About 13 minutes on foot from Hanazono Station.
https://www.toei-eigamura.com/
Personally, I like Maitreya Bodhisattva at Koryu-ji Temple, which is very close by.
https://www.kyoto-kankou.or.jp/info_search/?id=283&r=1475676397.904
https://ja.kyoto.travel/tourism/single01.php?category_id=7&tourism_id=...
I thought Arashiyama Monkey Park would be good, but it seems that January 1st is a holiday.
http://www.monkeypark.jp/

↑
After confirming, it seems that Toei Kyoto Studio Park（movie village）'s event on January 1st will be held.
https://www.toei-eigamura.com/event/detail/102
https://www.toei-eigamura.com/event/detail/247

Thank you so much for all the replies!

I didnt know about Higashi Hongan-Ji! I was looking at Rokusonno Shrine through combing through google map on nearby shrine/temple. Now it seems like Honganji is nearer!

Aeon mall is a great idea for last min shopping as we are departing on the next day!

Can I know if Kyoto Tower's observation deck is open on 31 Dec/1 Jan? The web seems to indicate daily but not sure if it is same for holiday.

Hi!

Based on the website for Kyoto Tower in both English and Japanese, the Tower itself is open on January 1st. The shops and restaurants within the Tower have their own hours and may or may not be open. I suspect at least some of them will be open, much like the Aeon Mall. Since it's now December, most places should have out their calendars with their opening and closing dates.

Good luck!

Nishi Honganji (Honganji) is a World Heritage Site (Higashi Honganji is different), so it might be a good idea to visit Nishi Honganji and Higashi Honganji as a set.
Kyoto Tower will open from 6:30 to 8:00 on January 1st.
Perhaps it will open for first-day customers.
Other hours may not be open.
They wrote that they will inform you on the event page when the details are decided.
https://www.kyoto-tower.jp/faq/
About hatsuhinode
https://matcha-jp.com/en/1518

Close to Kyoto Station, underground shopping mall Porta has restaurants and cafes open from 11:00 to 21:00, and food stores (Porta Kitchen, Kyokonomi, Baikal, and Jupiter) open from 10:00 to 19:00.
https://www.porta.co.jp.e.sd.hp.transer.com/info/detail/170
Kyoto Station Building Specialty Store Street The Cube is open from 10:00 to 19:00 on the 1st and 2nd floors. The basement floor is also open.
https://www.thecube.co.jp.e.aia.hp.transer.com/news/detail/110