The ancient capital of Japan is breathtaking, historic and utterly spellbinding. So much so that it’s in danger of being loved to death. So here are 40 things to do in Kyoto without contributing to the problem.
We loved Fushimi Inari as much as the next person, and were lucky enough to visit many, many years ago when beside a smattering of tourists, the only faces we saw were on the kitsune (fox statues). But today? Standing behind 47 selfie sticks waiting to photograph the same orange torii gate that’s already been Instagrammed 3.2 million times, Kyoto starts feeling less like magic and more like an exercise in crowd management.
But Kyoto’s soul isn’t in crowded attractions. It’s in the quiet sake district where grandmas still bow on cobbled streets, in bamboo groves where you can actually hear the bamboo rustling instead of wannabe influencers discussing their ring light angle, and along riverside paths where the only other humans are locals jogging to work.
Yes, the iconic attractions in Kyoto like Nishiki Market, the Philosopher’s Path, Kinkaku-ji and Kiyomizu-dera absolutely deserve the adulation, but right now they’re being crushed by their own popularity. And if we want Kyoto to survive in all its quiet, magical glory, it’s up to us to help resuscitate them. That doesn’t mean staying away. It means becoming more mindful visitors by visiting the attraction early, slowly or better yet… going somewhere else entirely.
Here are 40 things to do in Kyoto where your visit helps instead of hurts.
Things to do in Kyoto
Temples & Shrines
Otagi Nenbutsu‑ji. Photo by David Greer on Pexels
1. Kifune Shrine
This mountain shrine north of the city becomes magical at dusk when stone lanterns light the forest path upward. In summer, people float paper lanterns down the river carrying wishes. The steps, about 300 of them, are steep but worth it for the atmosphere and the much quieter alternative to more famous shrines. The surrounding forest smells of cedar, and in winter, the snow makes everything hushed and pristine. Few tourists make this trip, which is exactly why you should.
2. Kamigamo Shrine & Traditional Village
This UNESCO-listed shrine predates Kyoto itself and is surrounded by historic streets that feel quietly untouched by time. Narrow lanes wind past traditional homes, small streams run alongside paths, and the shrine itself sits in spacious grounds under ancient trees. Walk the neighbourhood slowly, and you’ll find machiya (traditional wooden houses) open as shops and galleries, and the whole area moving at a pace the modern city forgot.
3. Ujigami Shrine
Japan’s oldest existing shrine building sits quietly in Uji, about 30 minutes south of Kyoto. This UNESCO World Heritage site predates most of Kyoto’s famous temples but sees a fraction of their visitors. The simple wooden architecture and tranquil grounds offer a glimpse of ancient Shinto design without the crowds. Combine it with a visit to nearby Byodo-in Temple and Uji’s famous tea shops.
4. Mikane Shrine
This small shinto shrine tucked into the Nakagyo district has a striking golden torii gate and is visited by those seeking financial luck and prosperity. It’s tiny, but the gleaming gate catches your eye. Local business owners come here regularly to pray for success. Its quiet backstreet location and the shrine’s very specific purpose give it a neighbourhood-secret feel. If you’re in the area, or at the stage of your holiday when you might need to pray for a little extra yen in the coffers, it is worth popping by.
5. Okazaki Shrine
The bunnies here have done what bunnies are known to do. Multiply. Rabbits are literally everywhere here in the form of stone statues, carvings and decorations. This adorable shrine in a quiet neighbourhood near Heian Shrine is dedicated to safe childbirth, with the rabbit as a fertility symbol. Surrounded by small gardens and trees, the abundance of bunnies makes it playful and photogenic. It’s not profound or historically crucial, just charming and sweet, particularly if you’re travelling with children.
6. Yasaka Koshindo
This tiny temple in Higashiyama is covered in hundreds of colourful kukurizaru – cloth balls representing bound monkeys and symbolising wishes or resolutions. People write their wish on a ball and hang it up, creating a crafty explosion of colour against the temple’s red walls. It takes only about ten minutes to visit but photographs beautifully, and the atmosphere is joyful rather than solemn. It’s on the walk between Kiyomizu-dera and other Higashiyama temples, so it’s easy to stop at as you pass by.
7. Otagi Nenbutsu‑ji
Up a gentle hillside in western Arashiyama lies Otagi Nenbutsu‑ji, a Buddhist temple unlike any other in Kyoto. The main draw is its extraordinary collection of about 1,200 stone rakan statues, disciples of the Buddha, each carved with its own character and expression. Some are contemplative, others cheeky, some caught mid‑gesture, and all enchantingly moss‑touched amongst the forest paths and small shrines. This blend of devotion and whimsy makes a stroll here feel like wandering through someone’s thoughtful, slightly surreal daydream.
8.. Shimogamo Shrine
Shimogamo Shrine, officially Kamo Mioya Jinja, is one of the oldest and most significant Shinto shrines in Japan, with roots stretching back over a thousand years. The approach to its vibrant vermillion gate winds through Tadasu no Mori, an ancient forest whose towering trees soften street noise and give the grounds a natural, woodland hush. Along its shaded paths you’ll see small shrines for the zodiac, historic torii gates and stones associated with song and legend, making it a peaceful and photogenic alternative to some of the more crowded Kyoto shirnes.
9. Kennin-ji Temple
Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple sits in Gion but somehow dodges the crowds. The twin dragon ceiling painting is spectacular, but the real draw is the gardens, most notably the karesansui rock garden that you can contemplate from tatami rooms. Unlike busier temples, you can sit here in actual silence. Its subtemple, Ryosoku-in, has a beautiful moss garden that feels completely private, and nearby Kodai-ji’s bamboo groves are similarly peaceful if you visit after 4pm.
10. Entoku-in Temple
Right alongside the popular Kodai-ji, Entoku-in remains mysteriously empty. The moss garden here is one of Kyoto’s finest, with lanterns emerging from green carpets and maples providing dappled shade. The temple’s connection to Samurai lord Hosokawa Tadaoki gives it historical weight, but mostly it’s just peaceful. Late afternoon light through the leaves creates patterns on the garden paths.
11. Komyō-in Temple
Near the tourist-heavy Tōfuku-ji but worlds apart in atmosphere, Komyō-in specialises in quiet contemplation. The garden slopes gently around a central pond, and gravel paths lead to secluded viewing spots. Ivy climbs stone walls, and the sound of water features provides a gentle soundtrack. It’s small enough to explore in thirty minutes but compelling enough to keep you for an hour. Few people make it here, which means you get to experience the actual Zen a Zen garden should provide.
12. Gio-ji Temple
Kyoto’s boss of moss, this small temple in Arashiyama is carpeted in lush green moss that covers the stones, ground and paths that rest under a canopy of maples. It’s one of Kyoto’s most photographed moss gardens, but few tourists come here because it’s off the main paths. The thatched temple building and the way light filters through leaves create an almost otherworldly atmosphere. Autumn adds red maples to the green, making it even more stunning.
13. Daigo-ji Temple
This sprawling mountain temple complex in southeastern Kyoto remains blissfully uncrowded despite being a UNESCO World Heritage site. One of Kyoto’s largest temple complexes and best-kept secrets, the grounds stretch across the hillside with multiple temple buildings, pagodas and gardens connected by forest paths. Spring brings spectacular weeping cherry blossoms to the lower Shimo-Daigo area, while autumn maples set the mountains ablaze. The hike to upper Daigo takes about an hour but rewards you with mountain views and near-total solitude.
Gardens & Bamboo Groves
Kyoto Gyoen National Garden. Photo by Pourya Gohari on Unsplash
14. Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Bamboo Path
On Arashiyama’s far edge, this hillside temple is famous for its 8,000 stone statues, but the bamboo grove leading to it is equally stunning and virtually empty. The path winds through towering bamboo that creates the same cathedral-like atmosphere as its famous counterpart, but you’ll have it mostly to yourself. The temple is surrounded by bamboo and forest, isolating it from the city. Every August 23-24, there’s a ceremony lighting candles among the statues, which is hauntingly beautiful but does draw the crowds.
15. Kodai-ji Temple Bamboo Grove
Right in Higashiyama but mysteriously overlooked, Kodai-ji’s bamboo corridors offer the classic Kyoto bamboo experience without the selfie sticks. The grove is smaller than Arashiyama’s but perfectly formed, with lit pathways that make evening visits particularly atmospheric. The temple grounds also feature beautiful rock gardens and tea houses, and if you visit after 4pm, you’ll often have the bamboo grove entirely to yourself.
16. Okochi Sanso Villa
This 1930s villa in Arashiyama’s hills offers what Kyoto promises but rarely delivers… space and silence. Stone paths wind through meticulously kept gardens where koi drift in ponds and tea houses perch on hillsides with sweeping views. Your ticket includes matcha and sweets served with a view over the Hozu River valley. Visit mid-morning when soft light filters through the pines. The garden takes about an hour to explore properly, and you’ll likely have whole sections to yourself.
17. Kyoto Gyoen National Garden
This massive walled park in central Kyoto surrounds the Imperial Palace but is relatively peaceful despite being right in the city centre. Wide gravel paths wind past centuries-old pine trees, ponds and shrines, with enough space that even when people are present, they dissolve into the landscape. The park is particularly beautiful during plum blossom season in early spring and when the maples turn in autumn, but it’s lovely year-round for a quiet walk or picnic.
18. Kyoto Botanical Gardens
Japan’s oldest municipal botanical garden sits north of downtown and remains relatively uncrowded despite being gorgeous year-round. The massive greenhouse holds tropical plants and orchids, while outside, themed sections transition between cherry blossoms, roses, hydrangeas and autumn maples depending on the season. The conservatory alone needs an hour and the garden deserves a lazy afternoon. Bring a bento and picnic under the trees like the locals do.
19. Garden of Fine Arts
The Garden of Fine Arts in northern Kyoto isn’t a traditional strolling garden of moss and koi but an open‑air art space built around large reproductions of world‑famous paintings on ceramic tiles. Conceived as the first permanent outdoor museum of its kind, its concrete terraces and shallow pools are studded with faithful ceramic versions of masterpieces by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh and more, their colours shimmering in light and reflection. It’s a quiet, modern counterpart to Kyoto’s ancient gardens, and perfect for a reflective stroll.
20. Hakuryu-en Garden
Open only during spring cherry blossom season and autumn foliage, this private garden near Tenryu-ji requires advance booking, which is why it works. Limited numbers mean you can actually photograph the meticulously landscaped grounds without strangers in every shot. ,. Spring brings weeping cherry blossoms; autumn delivers fiery maples. Next door, riverside café Kajikasō offers authentic matcha and seasonal Japanese sweets, which are best savoured while taking in the garden’s tranquil views. Advance booking required via their official site or partner booking platforms.
Walks & Neighbourhood Strolls
Pontocho Alley. Photo by Julien on Pexels.
21. Kamogawa River Paths
While everyone crushes onto the Philosopher’s Path, locals escape to the Kamogawa. Walk north from Shijo Bridge and you’ll find joggers, cyclists and people picnicking on the wide stepping stones that cross the river. In the early evening, couples sit along the banks watching herons fish. The path continues for miles, passing under willow trees and past small cafes that open onto the water.
22. Horikawa Promenade
This tree-lined canal walk in central Kyoto gets overlooked because it’s not ancient or famous… just lovely. Small shrines nestle between residential buildings, local cafes serve breakfast to neighbourhood regulars and stone lanterns reflect in the water at dusk. In spring, the canal becomes a tunnel of cherry blossoms. Walk it early morning when shopkeepers are sweeping their storefronts and you’ll see the Kyoto that actually lives here, not the one performing for tourists.
23. Pontocho Alley
This narrow lane running along the Kamo River lights up at dusk when lanterns glow and restaurants open their riverside platforms. It’s touristy but undeniably atmospheric with its traditional wooden facades, the sound of the river and the possibility of glimpsing geiko heading to appointments. Walk it early evening before dinner crowds peak, then pick a restaurant based on what smells good or looks welcoming. Many places display English menus. The alley gets packed after 7pm, so either arrive early or embrace the crowded charm.
24. Fushimi Sake District
Fifteen minutes south of Fushimi Inari’s torii gates, the crowds vanish and you’re left with narrow lanes lined with sake breweries. The air is thick with fermented rice, and historic wooden buildings lean towards canals where willows dip their branches. Stop by Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum to learn the brewing process, then sample amazake (sweet sake) and crisp ginjo at small tasting rooms. Many brewers speak enough English to share their craft, and the unhurried atmosphere is a world away from tourist Kyoto.
25. Kamishichiken District
Kyoto’s oldest geisha district operates quietly north-west of Kitano Tenmangu, and most tourists never find it. Wooden ochaya teahouses line the streets, and you might see maiko (apprentice geisha) heading to evening appointments if you’re here around dusk. You can’t just walk into the exclusive teahouses, but you can walk the atmospheric streets, peek through gates at beautiful courtyards, and soak up the traditional architecture. In spring, the Kitano Odori dance performances offer a rare chance to see geisha arts.
26. Nishijin Backstreets
West of the Imperial Palace, Nishijin is all narrow lanes, old workshops and houses that still hint at the area’s textile past. There’s no set route here. Just wander and see what turns up. You’ll pass kura storehouses, tiny neighbourhood shrines and elderly residents tending plants outside their doors. It’s quiet without feeling empty, and you’re far more likely to hear a radio playing than another language. This is Kyoto at its most domestic and unpolished and perfect for a slow wander rather than a snap for the ‘Gram.
27. The Kurama to Kibune Trail
This mountain hiking trail passes through several pristine bamboo groves that see only hikers, not tour buses. The bamboo grows naturally along the forested path, creating spontaneous tunnels of green between the cedar trees. It’s bamboo as part of a living ecosystem rather than a manicured attraction, which somehow makes it more magical. The two-hour hike connects Kurama and Kibune villages, and the bamboo sections provide cool, shaded relief during the climb.
Markets & Shopping
Displayed Fermented Radish on a Stall. Photo by Eva Bronzini on Pexels
28. Demachi- Masugata Shopping Street
Skip the Nishiki Market crowds and visit to Demachi-Masugata Shopping Street, a genuine Kyoto neighbourhood market street where locals shop for dinner. In this covered local shopping street, you’ll find stalls selling mochi shaped like seasonal items, fresh mountain vegetables, roasted chestnuts in autumn and pickles of every description. Demachi-Masugata Shopping Street sits where the Kamo and Takano rivers meet, and you can grab breakfast (the mitarashi dango are excellent) and eat by the water. It’s open daily until around 2pm.
29. Kitano Tenmangu Flea Market
On the 25th of each month, this shrine hosts Kyoto’s best flea market with hundreds of stalls selling vintage kimono, antique ceramics, old toys, vinyl records and curiosities spanning decades. It’s crowded but not touristy, as most shoppers are locals hunting bargains. Arrive early for the best selection, bring cash and be ready to dig through piles of stuff. Even if you buy nothing, wandering past vermillion gates while vendors call out deals feels distinctly Kyoto.
Immersive Experiences in Kyoto
Samurai Kembu © Aleney
30. Traditional craft workshops
Kyoto’s craft heritage lives in small workshops tucked down backstreets. Taikenkobowaraku in Gion offers sessions making traditional incense, kanzashi hair ornaments or Japanese sweets. Marumasu-Nishimuraya near Nijo Castle teaches Kyo-Yuzen silk dyeing, where you paint designs onto silk using traditional techniques. Classes run in English, last 1-2 hours and you keep what you make as a cultural, and way more memorable, souvenir. Reserve online beforehand.
31. Private cooking classes
Several companies offer small-group classes where you learn to make traditional Kyoto cuisine like yuba (tofu skin), vegetable tempura and dashimaki tamago and popular Japanese treats like Hanetsuki Gyoza. Cooking Sun and Wak Japan run excellent sessions in residential kitchens where you shop at local markets first, then cook and eat together. You’ll learn actual techniques you can recreate at home, hear stories about Kyoto food culture and eat something more memorable than any restaurant meal.
32. Samurai Kembu Theatre
This small venue teaches choreographed samurai sword dancing in hour-long sessions where you dress in traditional hakama and learn actual kata movements. It’s theatrical, slightly ridiculous, and genuinely fun. You’ll stumble through the forms, then perform together at the end. From experience, we can attest that The Samurai Kembu instructors are patient and encouraging, and you leave with photos of yourself looking unexpectedly badass. Classes hold about ten people maximum.
33. Early morning zazen
Several temples offer zazen (seated meditation) sessions for visitors, usually starting around 6 or 7am. Kennin-ji, Shunkoin, and Kodai-ji run regular sessions with English instruction. You sit on cushions in temple halls as morning light filters through shoji screens as a monk explains the basics, then meditate in silence. Legs will go numb and thoughts will wander, but there’s something profound about starting your day this way. Sessions last 30-60 minutes and some temples request advance reservations.
34. Nishijin Textile Centre
Kyoto’s textile district centres on this building where you can watch traditional looms create the intricate silk brocades used in kimono. Demonstrations run several times daily and show how weavers translate patterns into woven fabric through impossibly complex sequences. The gift shop sells everything from full kimono to small accessories. Daily kimono fashion shows at specific times demonstrate different wearing styles. It’s free to visit and fascinating even if you’re not into textiles.
35. Funaoka Onsen
This vintage public bathhouse in north-west Kyoto has operated since 1923, and the beautiful tile work and carved wooden details remain intact. If you do visit, you’ll have to follow proper onsen etiquette. And yes, that means nude. (check out our etiquette guide here). The water is mineral-rich and gloriously hot. Locals come regularly, so observe what they do and you’ll be fine. It’s closed on Tuesdays and offers an authentic slice of local Kyoto life tourists rarely see.
Museums
Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art. Photo by Dmitry Romanoff on Unsplash
36. Kyoto Railway Museum
Yes, a train museum! But even if you’re not a trainspotter, it’s genuinely fascinating. Fifty-three locomotives, from steam engines to bullet trains, fill the halls, and you can climb into driver’s cabs, operate turntables and ride a steam locomotive on a short loop track. Kids love the hands-on exhibits and train simulators, while adults appreciate the beautiful restoration work and the rooftop terrace overlooking the tracks. It’s a different side of Japanese precision and nostalgia and completely unlike anything else in Kyoto.
37. Kyoto International Manga Museum
This museum holds 300,000 manga volumes and many are available to read on the spot. Sprawl on the lawn with a stack of comics, explore exhibitions on manga history and techniques or join drop-in drawing workshops. It’s housed in a converted school building, which gives it a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. English manga selections are limited but growing. The museum café serves themed food. It’s a window into a big part of Japanese culture and hours will vanish effortlessly.
38. Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art
Located in Okazaki Park, this recently renovated museum hosts rotating exhibitions alongside permanent collections of Japanese and European art. The architecture alone, a 1930s building updated with contemporary elements, is worth seeing. The sculpture garden and café terrace overlook a peaceful courtyard. Unlike Tokyo’s museums, this one rarely feels crowded. Exhibitions change regularly, so check what’s showing.
Day Trips From Kyoto
Sagano Scenic Railway. Photo by Emiliano Lara on Pexels
39. Ohara Mountain Village
An hour north by bus, Ohara feels like Kyoto exhaling. Sanzen-in Temple has moss gardens that put most famous spots to shame, and the surrounding village sells homemade pickles, crafts, and mountain vegetables. Stone paths climb past Jizo statues into forests where you might see exactly three other people. The air is noticeably cleaner and the pace noticeably slower, so pack a lunch, take your time and resist the urge to rush back to the city.
40. Sagano Scenic Railway
This 25-minute train ride along the Hozugawa River feels like travelling through an old woodblock print. Open-air carriages let mountain air and birdsong pour in as you pass bamboo forests, shrines and rocky gorges. Go midweek and you’ll have the carriage to yourself. The spring cherry blossoms and autumn foliage are stunning, but honestly any season works. Book ahead online, as the romantic train ride sells out on weekends, but weekday tickets are usually available.
How Kyoto is helping visitors do tourism more thoughtfully
Kyoto hasn’t just thrown up its hands at overtourism. It’s actually doing something about it. Working with the Kyoto DMO, local businesses and residents, the city has launched a comprehensive strategy to preserve what makes it special while keeping it liveable for the people who actually live there.
An award-winning travel writer and photographer, Aleney de Winter was fresh from school when she first set off to explore the far reaches of Australia with a two-man tent and a beaten-up Kingswood for company. Three decades, and two kids later, and she's still on the go, with her itchy-footed offspring in tow. 