Secret Kyoto – Unseen by Most Tourists

Secret Kyoto – Unseen by Most Tourists

[Music] Welcome back to our journey across Japan. This time we’re taking you off the beaten path. If you’ve heard of Kyoto, you probably heard of the famous King Kakshi Temple, the Shiminari Shrine, and all those big landmarks that everyone goes to and that are normally super super full. So, I think today is all about the other places that you can go to in Kyoto that not as many people go to. And we’re starting with a place called Genkoan. So, let’s go. [Music] On the way to Genkoan, there’s no people, no tourists. It just seems like a totally different Kyoto and Sakura [Music] Genko, a peaceful Zen temple hidden in Kyoto’s northern hills. This temple is famous for its two symbolic windows. The window of enlightenment, a circle representing harmony, and the window of confusion, a square symbolizing the human struggle. Looking through them feels like a literal window into Zen philosophy. Genko an is also known for its bloody ceiling. Yes, really. The ceiling uses floorboards from Fushimi Castle stained with the blood of samurai who committed sepuko during a siege. Wait, if you are new to the channel, welcome. I’m Vasco and I’m Sarah. And if you like Japan and traveling in general and vlogs and cool experiences, consider subscribing. We quit our jobs and we came all the way to Japan for a full year to discover all it has to offer. So yeah, we’re on the road to reach 1k followers and without you, we can’t do it. So, you know, follow along. Back to the video. Very close to the King Kakuji Temple, the Golden Temple, is the Hano Shrine, which is a spot famous locally for its cherry blossoms. It’s been a Sakura destination for over thousands of years, and every spring, the shrine grounds fill with pink trees and festival energy. During Sakura season, the shrine transforms into a mini matsuri, complete with food stalls and games. It’s less crowded than the more famous sites, but just as festive. Hey, taking a picture, I see. [Music] Now for something totally different. Oh, also we had a very cool interaction back at Enkoan with an old man. We asked like, “Can we take a photo?” He was like, “Yeah, of course, like 200 yen.” We’re like, “Okay, no problem. I was going to give it to them.” And he was like, “No, no.” I was just joking out. Take it. Take it. No, no, no. It’s fine. And then we ended up having a cute conversation about his dog, his little Shiva Inu. He was Yonai, so four years old. And yeah, he asked us where we’re going, where we came from. It was super funny. Super funny. And we got some cool shots as well. [Music] This is a small shopping street in the Itori area and it’s inspired by Japan’s supernatural folklore. Yokai are mythical creatures and spirits. Some are spooky, some are just silly and the shops here each have their own handmade Yo-kai statues. It’s fun, weird, and a great way to experience Japan’s most playful traditions. There’s even a little local festival here every summer celebrating the Yo-kai world. Hi. Looks disgusting. I’m joking. How dare you? The best. I really don’t like that. But yeah, plus the lady was super nice and she gave us little origami figures. I can’t enjoy red bean. It’s so strange. It’s so good. [Music] Next up is Kitano Tmangu Shrine. One of the most important tenjun shrines in Japan. It’s dedicated to Sugawara Noi, the deity of learning. So, it’s a popular place for students to pray before exams as well. The grounds are especially beautiful during plum and cherry blossom seasons, and they hold monthly markets with antiques and street food. And right here, next to the shrine, we found something unexpected. In the middle of checking out a shrine, we actually ended up found finding another Portuguese coffee, but this time they specialize in casta, which is our pond and ectart. So, we’re going to try it out. Castella Dupalu is a small Portuguese cafe next to the shrine. [Music] They serve Castera cake, a fluffy sponge cake brought to Japan by Portuguese missionaries in the 1500s. This fusion of cultures is a delicious reminder of Kyoto’s long and surprising history of international exchange. It’s also so quiet here. It’s a completely different vibe from the center of Kyoto. Next, we visited Daihi, also known as Simbong Shakadu, one of the oldest surviving wooden buildings in Kyoto, dating back to the year 1227. While it’s known for its steep historical roots and peaceful grounds, what took our breath away was this, a massive cherry blossom tree seen through a large open window inside the temple. looked like a living painting. This spot isn’t packed with tourists, but it offers one of the most poetic Sakura views we’ve ever seen. Last but not least, we ventured north to the mountain village of Kurama and the sacred Kina shrine, which is quite far away from the center of the city of Kyoto, roughly 1 hour and a half, but it is definitely worth it. Kina sanctuary looks a little bit like Sushimi Shrine, but since it’s far away in comparison, normally has less people. [Music] It’s tucked away into the cedar covered hills. This area is believed to be home of Tangu, mystical mountain spirits from Japanese folklore. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] For those who don’t know, Tori gates for example of course are from the Shinto religion and supposedly like this is the human side and once you step towards it, this is the spirit side of the toriate. It’s meant to symbolize the difference between the human world and the spirit world. Once you step into a tori, the path through them is both literal and spiritual. The full hike here at the Kuramadada takes about 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours on foot, depending on your pace. It winds through cedar forests, ancient temple grounds, and quiet mountain trails. It’s not too bad, but there’s quite a few stairs, so just keep that in mind. [Music] Along the route, you’ll pass several sacred spots, including hidden shrines and stone markers tied to centuries of spiritual practice. This hike is probably one of Kyoto’s bestkept spiritual secrets. You’ll of course end your journey at Kun Shrine. Finally reached Kithune Shrine and we’re going to try to have some lunch. If you want to do the whole thing, it’s like up and down in a mountain with ven venomous like insects around you because they make sure to tell you before you go. So [Music] the advices we would give you e is even though Google maps or tableau tells you that it’s like a 3.7 out of five or 3.2 just try it because most of the times for us that’s like a five because Japanese have a very high standard. Uh so don’t be shy about it. Don’t go to the most Instagrammable and most famous places all the time. and also try the other ones cuz it’s where you have the greatest experiences. Kuna Shrine is dedicated to a god of water and rain and people come here to pray for relationships, safe travel, and good fortune. That’s a wrap on Hidden Kyoto, a side of the city full of surprises, legends, and quiet beauty. These spots may not be in every guide book, but they’re absolutely worth the detour. If you enjoyed this video, please like, subscribe, and comment. And I guess we’ll see you in the next one. [Music]

Hey everyone! In this episode we’re diving into the hidden side of Kyoto — the spots you won’t find in the usual guidebooks. We explored peaceful temples like Genko-an, Hirano Shrine, and Daihoonji, soaked up the history at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, and wandered through the spooky and fun Yokai Street.

We also escaped the city buzz with a visit to Kurama-dera and Kifune Shrine, tucked away in the mountains — absolute must-sees if you want a break from the crowds!

And here’s a fun surprise: we stumbled upon a charming little Portuguese café called Castella do Paulo, where we tried some authentic Castella cake — definitely a hidden gem in Kyoto’s food scene!

If you’re planning a trip or just love discovering unique places, come wander with us and uncover Kyoto’s best-kept secrets. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more adventures!

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