Broader spaces, directed progression
PlayStation’s final preview describes the game opening into larger spaces. This can coexist with a structured story; “not open world” does not mean every area is a narrow corridor.
What that means before buying
If your priority is unrestricted sandbox exploration, do not assume it from the Kyoto setting alone. This page explains structure, not specific routes, maps or progression steps.
Questions, answered
Is it one seamless open-world map?
The sources checked do not establish that. The director’s genre description and later preview support a more directed structure.