Kyoto is a twin sister of Tokyo and these are the two main cities in Japan where people mostly end up going to. Although Tokyo is a modern city, Kyoto sticks to being traditional, also famously known as the home of geisha, the birthplace of the Japanese tea ceremony and a city full of temples and shrines. But, that’s not all. Even with a city full of cultural shrines and museums, that’s not the only thing that defines Kyoto. From exploring the doll restaurant to wandering around the markets, there are so many things to do and explore in this city. Keep reading for a list of the best non-touristy things to do in Kyoto, Japan.
1. Find your favorite statue at Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
Nestled in the tranquil hills of western Arashiyama, Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple is a hidden gem waiting to enchant adventurous souls. This temple boasts a remarkable collection of 1200 Rakan statues, representing the disciples of the historical Buddha. The main hall, dating back to the Kamakura period, shelters the temple’s principal image, Kannon, the spirit of mercy.
The statues, adorned with moss and featuring humorous expressions, offer a delightful contrast to the solemnity typically associated with Buddhist temples. Moreover, the temple’s remote location ensures a peaceful visit, making it a must-add to your Kyoto itinerary.
Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
Address: 2-5 Fukatani-cho, Saga-Toriimoto, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8439 JAPAN
Website: Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
Opening hours: 8am – 4:30pm (daily)
Price: 2 USD
2. Visit the oldest zen temple in Kyoto
Discover the timeless tranquility of Kenninji Temple, the oldest Zen temple in enchanting Kyoto. Nestled just south of the renowned Gion entertainment district, this sacred haven is a testament to Japan’s rich spiritual heritage. Founded in 1202 by the visionary monk Eisai, who introduced Zen Buddhism and tea cultivation to Japan, Kenninji exudes an aura of serenity.
Its meticulously designed grounds encompass majestic halls, ornate gates, and intimate gardens, where the beauty of nature meets the artistry of Japanese culture. Kenninji Temple offers a serene escape that beckons you to explore the depths of your own inner peace.
Kenninji Temple
Address: Japan, 〒605-0811 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Komatsucho, ５８４番地
Website: Kenninji Temple
Opening hours: 10am – 4:30pm (daily)
Price: 4 USD
3. Indulge in Kaiseki meal on Gion tour (from USD 201.0)
Indulge in an evening of elegance with a tour of Kyoto’s Gion, the famed geisha district steeped in traditional arts and historic teahouses. Wander along luminous cobbled streets and charming alleys, where you might catch a glimpse of a geisha or maiko. While exploring the picturesque Shirakawa area, delve into Kyoto’s cultural heritage and the geisha’s role amidst classic Japanese architecture and serene teahouses.
The three-hour night tour culminates in a memorable Kaiseki dinner, boasting ten beautifully plated courses showcasing Kyoto’s seasonal produce. Savor Japanese green tea, dessert, and an included drink, all in the birthplace of Kaiseki cuisine.
Gion Tour with Kaiseki Meal in Kyoto at Night
Duration: 3hours
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4. Explore the Pontocho food scene (from USD 160.0)
Discover the enchanting beauty of Kyoto’s Pontocho and Gion districts at night on this byFood experience. Stroll along the atmospheric Pontocho Alley, where warm lights illuminate cobblestone streets, traditional shops, and restaurants. At Gion Shirakawa, a popular cherry blossom viewing site, experience the serene Shirakawa River and explore historic Shirakawa Street.
This tour offers a tranquil escape from the tourist crowds and provides insights into Kyoto’s cuisine, highlighting Sumi Yakiniku, perfectly charcoal-grilled meat, and seafood skewers. Enjoy Japanese Sake tasting and handmade traditional noodles, all while uncovering off-the-beaten-path gems as your guide talks about the local history of these places.
Evening in Kyoto Pontocho Food Tour
Duration: 3hours
5. Witness extraordinary performances at Gear Art Complex
The newest tourist attraction in Kyoto is the Gear Art Complex, where Japan’s first and original non-verbal performance is held. Launched in 2012 with its first show, it proudly continues to this day with crossing over a thousand shows in the year of 2015. The theatre was built on the grounds of Osaka Manichi Newspaper in 1928, still bearing its original appearances to feel the retro atmosphere and welcoming guests from all over the world to witness performances of a one-of-a-kind show. Having trouble with understanding the language? No worries. The non-verbal act is spun around a story, non-verbally, where any age and people from other parts of the world will understand and enjoy the show. Shows are expressed through Robaroids-toy dolls and human robots, mime shows, magic and juggling, break dancing, emotion and dance, without uttering a single word but, affecting all the five senses of a human body. And to bring things to more effect, the theatre brings in the latest techniques including full-colour LED dresses, projection mapping, and laser beams to let you experience something you have never witnessed before.
GEAR theatre
Address: Japan, 〒604-8082 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Benkeiishicho, 56 1928ビル3階
Website: GEAR theatre
Opening hours: 10am - 9pm (daily)
Price: 37 USD
6. Set your ramen on fire at Menbakaichidai Restaurant
If you are wondering what to do in Kyoto, Japan, how does setting your dinner literally on fire sound? Exciting? Weird? Combine all of that and you will devour on Fire Ramen, a speciality dish from a restaurant called Menbakaichidai, located slightly on the north side of Kyoto Castle. The setting is simple. You are served a bowl of chicken, pork, soy broth, green onions, slices of pork and noodle and topped with a layer of oil. Then the chef walks in and sets light to the oil. And Voila! It’s on fire! By doing so, the fire cooks the ingredients in the bowl giving it a smokey taste.
Menbakaichidai Restaurant
Address: 757-2, Minamiiseyacho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-8153, Japan
Website: Menbakaichidai Restaurant
Opening hours: 11am - 11pm (daily)
Price: From 9 USD
7. Be mesmerized by the views of Kimono Forest
While you take a breather at Arashiyama Station, another thing to see in Kyoto are the six-foot-tall cylindrical tubes covered in colourful fabrics, surrounding you. And that is the Kimono Forest, an art installation made by the artist Yasumichi Morita. Explore over 600 pillars where 32 different fabrics are on display, and if you have time to go to Arashiyama in the evenings, enjoy witnessing all the tubes light up, making it one colourful show you can walk around.
Kimono Forest
Address: 35-28 Sagatenryuji Tsukurimichicho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8384, Japan
Website: Kimono Forest
Opening hours: Open 24hrs
Price: 4 USD
8. Get your wish granted at the Pom Pom Temple - Yasaka Koshindo
Yasaka Koshindo is by far one of the busiest areas of Kyoto. Every road on the Higashiyama district is flocked with people shopping, roaming around in kimono, temple hopping, and hogging on instagrammable foods such as gold leaf ice-cream one can easily find around. As you walk around, you will stumble upon a temple filled with colored balls. It is said when you write your wishes on one of the pom pom balls and hang them up after, one of the three monkeys who guard the decorated temple will grant your wish. Even though your wish comes true or not, this is an experience especially when a monkey can grant a wish.
Yasaka Kōshin-dō
Address: 390-1 Kinencho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0828, Japan
Website: Yasaka Kōshin-dō
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
Price: Free of cost
9. Admire fluffy moss at the Moss Garden
Kyoto is known for temples of different objects, normal to unique deities. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if you hear about a moss temple when you visit Kyoto. True to its name, Giou Ji, the moss temple is a temple covered and dedicated to the moss. You will find a lawn full of moss including roofs, stones, and trees; pretty much everywhere it could get a grip on. Because of its renowned setting, it became a destination filled with too many people. And with too many people, the place gets exposed to a lot of damage. So, if you’d like to visit the place, try booking at least two months prior to your trip and try being as flexible as needed, because the temple is known to have a certain set of sessions per day.
Giou Ji
Address: 32 Sagatoriimoto Kozakacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8435, Japan
Website: Giou Ji
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 2 USD
10. Have an omelette with a life-size doll at Yoshoku
If eating eggs are your favourite and dolls are your thing, combine these two and you get Issen Yoshoku Restaurant. This restaurant is known to serve only one dish, a unique omelette made from eggs, spring onion, dried shrimp, beef, and a few other ingredients. What makes this restaurant stand out is the fact that there are tables placed inside the restaurant with life-size kimono-clad dolls to keep you company. If you are a solo traveller, you will not be solo anymore when you enter this restaurant.
Issen Yoshoku Restaurant
Address: 238 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0073, Japan
Website: Issen Yoshoku restaurant
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11am - 3am; Sun: 10:30am - 10pm
Price: 5 USD
11. Solve your hair woes at Mikami Jinja Shrine
One unique thing to do in Kyoto is to visit this shrine if you are suffering from hair loss or thinning hair. The only shrine in the world, Mikami Jinja is a holy shrine at Arashiyama, Kyoto, where the god of hair is worshipped by the people. This shrine is often visited by those people who have hair troubles such as bald patches, hair thinning and balding from all over the world. With multiple deities worshipped in Japan, the god of hair is one such deity and shrine that can be worshipped only at this temple.
Mikami Jinja Shrine
Address: 10-2 Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8394, Japan
Website:
Opening hours: 10am - 3pm (daily)
Price: Free of cost
12. Bind your relationship at Yasui Konpira Gu Temple
Ever wanted to break a toxic relationship or bind an old one? You must visit Kyoto’s Yasui Konpira Gu temple. A piece of paper is all you need to either break or bind a relationship, where enkiri means to cut, while ensmusbi protects and covers all kinds of ties, connections, and relationships. The relationship could be with anything: people, things, or habits. At the temple, buy a piece of paper from the stall and write your name on it. Fold the paper and hold on to it while you climb through the hole in the shrine. But ensure you go the right way around. To mend the relationship, one must go through the hole back to the front and if you want to break a relationship, you must go the other way around.
Yasui Kompira Gu temple
Address: Japan, 〒605-0823 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, 松原上ル 下弁天町 70 Higashioji-dori Ave
Website: Yasui Kompira Gu temple
Opening hours: Open 24 hours; the amulets can be purchased from 9am - 5.30pm
Price: Grounds are free; Ema Museum 4 USD
13. Go on a culinary adventure at Nishiki Market (from USD 258.0)
Your Kyoto trip isn’t complete without a three-hour Kyoto Food Tour at Nishiki Market. Explore the market, devour a variety of foods, and learn about the traditional Japanese food, or washoku, which has been placed under UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Get to indulge your taste buds with varied and nuance cuisine, while exploring the market and also learn and discover the ingredients in Kyoto’s food, detectable by the taste buds, only found in Japanese cuisine.
Kyoto Nishiki Market Private Walking Tour with Scholar Guide
Duration: 3 hours
14. Experience Kyoto like a Samurai (from USD 107.0)
Ever watched Samurai Movies? Wanted to be a ninja? This experience will be your dream coming alive. Take part in a Samurai sword experience and feed your inner warrior a set of Samurai skills. At the Samurai and Ninja Museum, you will have time to learn Samurai skills from a trained professional in a safe setting. Other than using a real Samurai sword, which is the best experience one could imagine, you will also tour around the Samurai and Ninja Museum and learn the Japanese Samurai sword martial arts of Tameshigiri.
Samurai Sword Experience in Kyoto Tameshigiri
Duration: 2 hours
Your bucket list is ready
There you go. Which one is your favourite on the list? Which one are you going to explore first? With these 10 attractions, you can both avoid the tourist crowds and immerse yourself in the true grandeur of Kyoto.
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