Veer away from the guidebook, and the crowds.
In the past few years, tourism in Kyoto has nothing short of exploded. Of course, this clearly indicates that Kyoto has tons of beautiful tourist sites that are worth visiting! But, at the same time, spending precious hours every day during your trip waiting in lines or shuffling along with crowds can get a little exhausting, right? That’s where we comes in!
This guide will give you a ton of great options that you can add to your trip itinerary, to get away from the crowds and take in the sights that Kyoto residents keep coming back to, despite being surrounded by the city’s beautiful sights daily.
Rev up your Google Maps, and let’s wander!
1. Nijo Castle
Renowned as one of seventeen of Kyoto’s designated historic ancient monuments, the Nijo Castle grounds sprawl across 8,000 square meters of land with several buildings to visit. Despite all the history and beauty within these castle walls, there are relatively few visitors compared to other historic sights! You can take your time learning about the area and taking in the sights in a calm atmosphere.
Getting there: Take the Tozai Line train right to Nijojo-mae Station, and you are there!
Why locals love it: Visitors love to spend time leisurely taking in the two palaces within the complex: Ninomaru and Honmaru Palaces. If you only have time for one, we would recommend Ninomaru Palace! Not only is it filled with intricate designs, gold accents, and beautiful carving, it is also home to the unique nightingale floors: floors that seem to “chirp” when stepped on, in the same way a nightingale sings.
Insider tip: Book your tickets online in advance to skip any lines at the ticket gates when you arrive! If you book online, there are also set tickets available for a slightly lower cost. The online ticketing portal is available through the castle’s official English website here.
Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rafRN38zUKBYWVYr8
2. Sanjusangendo
If you’ve never seen a Buddhist statue before, how about seeing 1,000 at once? Or, 1,001 to be exact! Sanjusangendo is a Buddhist temple whose main feature is an incredibly long temple room housing 1,001 life-size statues of the Thousand Armed Kannon, the temple’s main deity. Each is carved with a different design and with an incredible level of detail, so we highly recommend this temple for art lovers!
Getting there: Many people choose to walk from Kyoto Station as it’s a fairly straightforward 20-minute stroll, but you can also take the 86, 206, or 208 city buses to Hakubutsukan Sanjusangendo-mae, and you’ll be dropped off right at the entrance!
Why locals love it: Not only is the statue hall a striking sight to take in, but the surrounding temple grounds are also incredibly peaceful and well-kept. Visitors hail it as as world of its own within the bustling city, perfect for when you need some peace and serenity.
Insider tip: Photos are prohibited within the statue room, so please make sure to respect this rule. However, you’ll surely be too busy reading the fascinating history of each individual statue written there to even notice!
Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bg6VUpDGWBci9yZZ8
3. Kurama Temple
Located outside of central Kyoto, Kurama-dera Temple is perched near the base of Mount Kurama, meaning that you can cross both hiking and temple-viewing off your list at once! It’s about a 45-minute hike in all, but you’ll get to see absolutely beautiful nature views on your way up before arriving at the temple! And, you can end your day at Kurama Onsen to reward your tired muscles after the hike.
Getting there: From Kyoto Station, take the 206 city bus to the Eiden Mototanaka stop, and then walk 1 minute to Mototanaka Station. Board the Eizan Line train there and head to Kurama Station. From there, you start your hiking journey!
Why locals love it: From the Eizan Line train to the temple itself, visitors are surrounded from start to finish with Kyoto’s natural beauty. For those interested in the spiritual side of things, Kurama Temple is heavily connected to the long-nosed Tengu, which are supernatural beings said to inhibit mountains in Japanese folklore. Separately, some also credit Kurama Temple as the founding spot of reiki!
Insider tip: There is a cable car available that can take you part of the way up from Kurama Station to the temple, but many visitors say it’s not worth the time and money as it won’t take you all the way to the top. Of course, we advise you to not overwork yourself and take it if needed! Hiking sticks are also available along the route to make your journey easier.
Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8SQwdVCFKykYvtXeA
4. Nyan Nyan-ji
Cat lovers absolutely cannot miss this stop; Nyan Nyan-ji, which translates to Meow Meow Temple, is a cat-themed museum built by a family with a deep love of cats. This incredibly unique museum features not only the family’s own handiwork, but also artwork and handcrafted goods from artists around the country. Kids and adults alike will have an ameowzing time!
Getting there: Take the Karasuma Line to Kokusaikaikan Station, and from there, hop on city bus 19 going toward Ohara. Get off at the Mikogafuchi stop, and Nyan Nyan-ji is just a 2-minute walk from there!
Why locals love it: Nyan Nyan-ji is the world’s first museum made to look like a temple, so it’s incredibly unique in concept. The family’s daughter painted the majority of the museum, and her work has won accolades both in Japan and internationally. With over 150 artworks painted both by her and other guest artists featured in the museum’s gallery, visitors have the chance to appreciate a variety of artistic styles, all with an adorable cat theme!
Insider tip: The family has recently opened a second location, Nyan-paku (Meow Expo) that’s located about 5 minutes from the museum and showcases historical cat exhibits. They’re now selling bundle tickets, so you can see both for a great deal!
Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1vjzjSYLUYF6ud2JA
5. Kamogawa Delta
Especially if you plan to visit Kyoto during the summer, it’s important to find a place where you can cool off. Locals love to visit Kamogawa Delta in the summer, a nature-filled bay where two rivers adjoin right inside of Kyoto. Both sides of the delta are conveniently lined with stepping stones, but the water isn’t too high that you can’t splash around in the river itself either. Whenever you’ve had your fill of the city in Japan, this is a great daytime nature escape!
Getting there: Take the Keihan Main Line to Demachiyanagi Station. The station entrance is right next to the river, so you’ll be able to see it as soon as you exit!
Why locals love it: Besides being a peaceful place to cool off, the unique and striking appearance of the delta has recently made it a popular location for movies and anime. If you watch a lot of Japanese media, you may recognize it!
Insider tip: While it’s not for everyone, some in Japan believe that certain places are what’s known as “power spots.” These places hold good energy and can bring increased luck and fortune to those who visit them! If you need a refresh in more ways than one, this place could potentially help you more than you think.
Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Zz8QNixakatd38ax9
6. Jounan-gu
While it’s part of Kyoto’s five-shrine pilgrimage, Jounan-gu is significantly less crowded than other shrines in Kyoto, which is surprising when considering just how beautiful the grounds are. It’s especially famous in the spring for its massive rows of blooming pink plum trees, but the pristine shrine grounds and surrounding nature offer a serene atmosphere year-round.
Getting there: Take the Kintetsu-Kyoto Line or the Karasuma Line to Takeda Station. It’s an 18-minute walk from there to the shrine, but the walk itself takes you through a very quiet and residential area of Kyoto that you wouldn’t get a chance to see in the main city areas. Both the journey and destination make it worth the trip!
Why locals love it: The shrine’s main deity is a guardian of transit and travel, making Jounan-gu a very popular stop for those planning a trip. They will often stop here to pray for safe and successful journeys, and the shrine’s amulets also reflect those properties.
Insider tip: Multiple times each day, the shrine maidens do traditional dance rituals in the shrine grounds. The bells that they ring sound out around the temple and create a very unique atmosphere. If you’re able to spend a bit of time at the shrine, we absolutely recommend sticking around for it!
Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8HJPyJY1yeNbsF996
7. Tofuku-ji
Boasting the oldest Zen gate in all of Japan, Tofuku-ji Temple is a must-visit in all seasons, but especially in the autumn. Each November, locals and visitors alike flock to the temple’s Tsutenkyo Bridge to see the dense sea of maple trees in their stunning autumn colors. However, even if you’re visiting outside of the autumn, there’s still a lot to see at this temple! Many of the buildings offer free entry and feature incredible artwork, one of which is the temple’s famous massive blue dragon painting.
Getting there: Take the JR Nara Line or the Keihan Main Line to Tofukuji Station. The temple is a quick 10-minute walk from there!
Why locals love it: Aside from the main buildings, the temple grounds house a number of gardens, each with a different design theme. Tofuku-ji is also known for its unique rock garden, which wraps entirely around one of the temple buildings.
Insider tip: Tofuku-ji generally closes its grounds at 5PM, but if you visit in the autumn, they have special late night hours until 8:30 PM where you can see the autumn leaves illuminated. This is a very popular time and thus, to avoid crowding, many evenings are reservation-only. You can make reservations via their official site here (only in Japanese, but page translators do work on the site!).
Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZUNMDiMxHx66mos89
8. Loco Chicken
You might wonder how an unassuming chicken sandwich shop made its way onto this list, but it is genuinely (from both this author and many other staff’s point of view) the best chicken sandwich shop we’ve ever tried in Japan. Located incredibly close to GenkiJACS Kyoto itself, we have to recommend everyone to try this place, whether you’re studying with us or not!
Getting there: Take the 205, 7, or 4 City Bus to the Kawaramachi Matsubara stop, and it’s a quick 4-minute walk from there. You’ll pass our school on the way! 🙂
Why locals love it: Simply put, it’s delicious! The chicken is cooked well and very flavorful, the sauces they use are unique and delicious, and the mochi buns have a great texture that you won’t find from many other shops. If you’re looking for a drink to pair with it, the Hawaiian lemonade is our top recommendation!
Insider tip: The interior itself is super cozy and small, which makes for a great atmosphere but does mean wait times can be long for a seat. They also offer takeout, so don’t hesitate to stop in and pick up a quick lunch or dinner to go!
Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WSv1dR3A2KnVW7D78
9. Pizzeria Marita
This pizzeria is so renowned by locals that the lines out the door rival Black Friday sales, but it’s absolutely worth the wait — even our Italian staff said so, so you know it’s amazing pizza! The head chef (and only chef) of Pizzeria Marita trained extensively in Italy, and he’s brought that authentic taste right to Kyoto.
Getting there: Take the Karasuma Line to Shijo Station, and walk about 10 minutes from there to reach the pizzeria.
Why locals love it: While they offer a variety of pizza toppings, customers rave about the margherita pizza specifically. All of the pizza is made to order in the store’s brick oven, ensuring a crispy crust and amazing aroma.
Insider tip: The chef only makes a limited number of pizzas per day, so they’ll often sell out before closing time. There are two open periods during the day: 11:30 AM to 2 PM, and again from 5:30 to 9:00 PM. Lines will form before the doors open, so we recommend to head over sooner than later. You won’t regret it!
Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tuBuqDyjyAUC2cyr9
10. Coffee Cattleya
For those wanting a taste of Japan’s unique cafe culture, this is the spot in Kyoto! Coffee Cattleya has been in business for over 80 years. It has quite a simple menu but, with how well-made all of their staple options are, variety is not missed. If you’re in need of a quiet moment with a great coffee, sweet cake, or even a refreshing beer, this cafe is a must.
Getting there: Take the 106 or 206 city bus and get off at the Gion stop. The cafe is a quick 2-minute walk from there!
Why locals love it: As we mentioned above, Coffee Cattleya does all of their staple menu items exceedingly well, so locals know it as a dependable option. Our staff, however, recommended their lemon float specifically! Soda floats are very often served in traditional Japanese cafes, but lemon is quite rare. The cafe offers unique limited-time floats based on the seasons, so be sure to check out what’s being featured when you visit!
Insider tip: As with many more traditional shops in Japan, this cafe is cash only. Kyoto is home to many such shops, so we recommend to always have about 10,000 to 20,000 yen in your wallet during your outings.
Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/smRhKgDi28fNhU3R6
So, what’s this series all about?
This article is the second installment in our Not the Tourist series, where we collect the best-kept secrets from our Genki staff in each city to give you a deeper look at what life is really like there. We’re posting one article per month until we’ve covered each city that our schools are in! Tokyo was first, and after Kyoto we’ll be covering Fukuoka! Keep an eye out for the city you’ve been looking to study in, or read through them all to see if a city you hadn’t even considered might be an amazing fit for you.
Both Kyoto and Fukuoka will be hosting summer programs for teens in 2026! Applications are open now, so if you’d like to check out some of the places you’ve seen here and build a great foundation in Japanese at the same time, please feel free to apply!
The summer course information and application are here on our website:
If you have any questions about the course, feel free to email at [email protected] 🙂
If you have any questions about the article or spots we recommended, feel free to leave a comment or contact us via our website! We’re happy to chat anytime.
Looking forward to seeing you in Kyoto soon!
