There is a specific kind of pain in watching someone walk past a 45-minute line because they have a QR code on their phone.
Kyoto is old, but its tourism infrastructure is slowly, painfully modernizing. For years, cash was king. You stood in line, you handed over 500 yen, you got a paper slip. This is still true for many smaller temples. But for the heavy hitters—Nijo Castle, the Kyoto Railway Museum, the Kyoto Tower—the game has changed.
The question is not "how much does it cost?" The price is usually the same. The question is "what is your time worth?"
The "Cash Only" Reality. Most temples (Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera) still operate on a cash-at-the-gate basis. You cannot pre-book these. You just have to show up. This is why I always tell people to carry at least 10,000 yen in small bills. The ticket window is not the place to break a 10,000 yen note if you can avoid it.
The old world meets the new. Knowing which one you are dealing with saves hours.
The "Pre-Bookable" Exceptions. However, there are specific venues where pre-booking is not just a convenience; it is a survival tactic.
Nijo Castle: The line for tickets can stretch across the parking lot. Pre-booking lets you walk straight to the turnstile.
Kyoto Railway Museum: If you have kids, this is non-negotiable. The ticket line moves at the speed of a toddler.
Kimono Rental: Never, ever walk in. The good patterns are gone by 9:30 AM.
If you are planning to visit these specific high-volume spots, or if you are looking to bundle transport with experiences (like the Kansai Thru Pass), buying digital vouchers beforehand is the only way to guarantee you spend your time looking at history, not the back of a stranger's backpack.
But remember: for the temples themselves, cash is still the key. Do not be the person waving a phone at a monk who just wants 400 yen. Respect the mix of analog and digital, and you will glide through the city while others stumble.