6 Hidden Kyoto Gems No one goes to (YET)

6 Hidden Kyoto Gems No one goes to (YET)

You’ve heard Kyoto is crowded. I visited some of Kyoto’s less crowded locations. Is the internet lying? Regardless, here are some incredible locations without maybe some crowds unlike here that you definitely want to add to your Kyoto itinerary. Hey, I’m not here to show you like the fake empty temples and shrines. I’m going to show you as it is. So, there’s going to be people, but that’s the way it is, right? Grab a pen, bookmark this video, and don’t forget to subscribe because this is a Kyoto game changer. And the quiet back streets of Arashyama were already giving me hope. First on the list is Otagi Nutsuji Temple. Online, they say that this is a hidden gem. But is the internet lying? Tucked away in Kyoto’s Arashama district, this location is best known for its collection of around 1,200 quirky stone statues, each carved with unique expressions. However, it’s no longer the quiet retreat it once was. Whilst it’s still far less crowded than the big names like Kiomizera or Fushimari, the temple does draw steady groups of visitors, especially when buses arrive. The trick is timing your visit between those bus loads. That’s when you’ll find pockets of tranquility, a calm atmosphere, and the chance to capture some wonderful photos of the quirky stone statues without the crowds. Getting to Otagin Butsuji is actually quite easy. The bus stop is across the road from Arashyama station and runs around once an hour, taking just over 10 minutes to get there. Buses are crowded as they serve many temples in the area. This temple is beautiful and I actually came here about 2 or 3 years ago and it was not as crowded. Maybe a handful of people. The good thing about this location is that there are plenty of opportunities for photos. Um, there’s enough space even though it does seem a little bit crowded and I’m not going to lie, you can make space for those beautiful photos, beautiful pictures, and I don’t didn’t feel that I had to be like um fighting with tourists for for the perfect photo or anything like that. Slightly on the crowded side, but at the same time, okay. If you are looking for no crowds, then getting off at a less popular bus stop is the winning formula. And that’s exactly what led me to this real hidden gem. No one talks about Seoji Temple, which ended up being a perfect and crowded authentic lunch spot. Guys, just go off the tourist trail for just a little titty little bit. Um, I got off at a random bus stop. I looked on Google Maps and there’s plenty of temples and shrines along the way that are not popular or, you know, people don’t tend to speak about. And I’ve come to this one and um I’ve ended up in the temple’s restaurant tatami mat um green tea tempura lunch and outside at the moment there’s no one there’s a beautiful pagoda and um the temple grounds maybe are not as grand as some of the other ones but if you want your space your peace and your quiet yeah just go off the little a little bit off the tourist tourist map you know get off where nobody else is getting Entry into the temple is free and its spacious grounds, seasonal beauty, and its calmer atmosphere compared to nearby hotspots will really surprise you. And best of all, no crowds. It’s a perfect stop on the way to what will hopefully be your next non-ouristy location. These next two locations promised bamboo without the crowds. But is the internet lying? On my way, I asked a local, “What is your favorite temple in the area?” And she said, “Gue Temple. It’s one minute away.” It wasn’t even on my list of places to visit, but here we go. Gorgi Temple surprised me. Not only was it not on my initial list, but this temple ended up being a shady moss forest with its own small section of bamboo. And although it is said that the temple grounds are especially beautiful in autumn when the leaves change color and stand in sharp contrast to the green moss, I had zero complaints of this quiet retreat in the middle of summer. This next location is the real deal. The internet isn’t lying. This is a hidden gem that’s slightly out of the way, but totally worth the effort. Adashino Nbutsuji Temple is a prime example of how when you walk away from the tourist hubs, you can actually get some peace and quiet with only a handful of people. It really is easy to take great photos here. If I can set up the shot um you know to you know as a tourist would sort of like trying to get no one in the background. I’m going to try and do that too. I actually didn’t believe that it would live up to the hype and expected it to be busy. This was not the case even at 2 pm on a Saturday. I guess it’s distance puts people off. Is this crowded where we are right now? No, absolutely. You tell me. It’s it’s very quiet and it’s just maybe 10 minutes away from the huge uh crowds of the other forest or other part of the forest. You can barely walk. So So if you want nice pictures and don’t wake up at 5:00 a.m., this is the spot right here. It’s 600 p.m. right now. So, if you want bamboo forest photos and a great vibe, this is by far the better spot because the forest ascends up steps, giving you a fuller bamboo atmosphere compared to the main bamboo forest everyone visits. Which is why I just had to bring you to where everyone visits to compare Arashiama’s famous bamboo forest because wow, was it so different there. The Arashyama Bamboo Forest is amongst the top visitor tourist sites in Kyoto and it’s easy to see why. The path is actually known as one of the most beautiful in the world and features in countless guide books. It’s got easy access from Kyoto, a street full of souvenir shops and cafes, but with it comes the crowds. You’ll be able to take your pictures here, no problem. Um, but you might have to wait your turn. This bamboo forest is full of tourists. But with a little bit of patience, you can get your photos. Of course, you can. In this comparison, it’s easy to see why skipping Arashiamyama’s main bamboo forest is a no-brainer. But maybe we should just keep this one to ourselves. Sh. Yasaka Shrine is arguably Kyoto’s most popular shrine, which is why it’s usually a focal point for tourist activity and can get very crowded very quickly. But did you know that just 5 minutes walk away, there’s a whole temple complex that nearly no one goes to? No tourists, no crowds. And not only that, with a free bus shuttle to the main complex for those who might not want to walk up the steps. Shionin Temple is one of those places in Kyoto that a lot of tourists walk past when visiting Yasaka Shrine without realizing how important it actually is. It’s got the largest wooden temple gate in Japan built in 1621 and a dramatic entrance and one of the most photogenic spots in Higashiyama. It’s crazy to think that despite being right next to busy Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park, the grounds are usually quiet and more solemn. It’s a great contrast if you want to step away from the tourist bustel without leaving central Kyoto. With wide staircases, sprawling grounds, and seasonal beauty, this might be my top hidden gem in plain sight of the entire video simply because it’s so easy to access, and nearly every tourist visits Yasaka Shrine next to it, but misses out on this location. How could I have traveled to Japan and Kyoto for so many years and not know about this location? I love castles and I was shocked to discover that Kyoto has its own Fushimi Castle, also known as Monoyama Castle. It’s as if it’s being kept secret and I guess for good reason. This one is a good example of why places can also be empty. And it’s not that they haven’t been discovered, it’s that they’re not that great. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’ve taken some lovely pictures and video in this castle, but there’s a reason why people aren’t here, and it’s not a top secret. Well, I don’t think so anyway. It’s more the fact that this is the replica castle. My understanding is that used to be part of a theme park that went out of business. And um and apart from that, the whole area apparently is not like um up to earthquake standards. So maybe I should get out of here. This castle has one of the most fascinating yet littleknown stories in Kyoto. Originally built in 1592, it was designed as both a lavish retirement palace and a show of power. But its glory was short-lived. The castle was destroyed in an earthquake in 1596, rebuilt and then torn down again, and its stones were even repurposed for other castles and temples across Japan. For centuries, it essentially vanished from the landscape. And what you see today isn’t the original, but a 20th century reconstruction built in 1964 as part of a theme park. The castle itself is pretty um unique and and beautiful and um but there’s very few people here. Like I’ve been here for an hour and maybe three people have come taken a picture and you know off they go. not sort of the the kind of place where you’re going to um spend too much time, but it’s still kind of impressive. Maybe this one is one that you should add to your itinerary, you know, when you’ve run out of things to do. I’m kind of glad that I’ve ticked this one off, though. So, while it might not be authentic like or Matsumoto, Fushimi Castle carries a quirky, almost secret charm. It’s a reminder that Kyoto still holds surprises, even for those who think they’ve seen it all. Perhaps the biggest hidden gem of all, but I’m at two minds whether it’s actually worth visiting. Hi from the studio. Making these videos are timeconuming and costly. So, if you do want to support the channel, you might want to use my affiliate link with Sakura Mobile for your Japan data needs. is a product that I use and at the same time you’ll be able to actually support the channel at no additional cost to you. Plus, it’s something that you are probably going to get anyway whilst you are in Japan. And if you want to go that little bit further, then there’s also Patreon. All the links will be in the video description and on my website. Thanks for watching. Stay positive and be a happy gajen, guys. Bye.

Kyoto with LESS Tourists. Visit these less crowded tourist spots and secret locations that you won’t find on popular itineraries. Explore exactly how crowded kyoto is and escape the crowds while still experiencing temples, shrines, and even a forgotten castle! Perfect if you’re planning your Kyoto itinerary and want hidden gems beyond the busy hotspots.

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In this video:
00:00 Less visited Kyoto itinerary
00:36 Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple
02:09 Seiryōji Temple Arashiyama
03:55 Giō-ji Temple (Secret Moss Forest)
04:19 Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple (Secret Bamboo Forest)
05:40 Busy Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
06:33 Busy Kyoto
06:46 Chion-in Temple
07:50 Fushimi Castle (Kyoto’s Forgotten Castle)
10:20 Final thoughts