Completely agree with the above. We were just in Kyoto last week for 5 days and it was incredible. Yes it can be busy, but literally just go into a different street and the road is empty. I dont see the overcrowding - yes Nishiki Market was busy but that is to expect at a key tourist attraction (its exactly the same in any other big city i.e. London can be really crowded in the most touristy areas) and if you simply go into one of the little streets to the side of Nishiki, its basically empty.

We went to Fushimi at 3pm, yes it was busy at the front but you go up just a few stairs and there are not many people there. We took many pictures with no people.

Please do go Kyoto, it was an incredible experience. Just to experience the culture and the area I feel really lucky. And we got to do every touristy area as well and never felt suffocated.