Kyoto is one of the most beautiful cities in Japan. And one of the most crowded.

Just visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple, walk through the streets of Higashiyama or arrive at the bamboo forest in Arashiyama and you'll quickly understand why overtourism in Kyoto is becoming more and more talked about.

It's just that Kyoto has a lot more places to offer than the ones you know from Instagram.

And paradoxically, just a few minutes away from the main routes and the atmosphere of the city changes completely.

Choose a hotel in Kyoto by location

During several visits to Kyoto, I discovered places where I found myself in a completely different city. Quieter, slower and much more authentic.

If you're just planning Kyoto, I recommend starting with our itinerary:

• 👉 Kyoto in 3 days

Get inspired by other articles:

• 👉 The most famous temples in Kyoto
• Top Japanese Gardens in Kyoto

Tourist vs. Quiet Kyoto (map)

Below is a simple list of places where I experienced a huge difference in the amount of tourists in Kyoto.

These are not secret spots - just sights that most visitors simply miss.

crowded place	a quieter alternative
Kinkaku-ji	Ryoan-ji / Ninna-ji / Ginkaku-ji
Arashiyama bamboo	Kodai-ji (bamboo garden)
Kiyomizu-dera	Chion-in
Gion	Heian-jingu (gardens)

The temples where I found the most peace in Kyoto

I discovered a few neglected areas in the city that you should definitely head to if you want to discover beautiful temples without people.

The northern temples

One of the biggest surprises for me was the Ryoan-ji Temple.

It's just minutes away from the famous Kinkaku-ji, where buses of tourists head all day long. Yet the atmosphere is completely different.

Sitting on the wooden veranda and watching the famous Zen stone garden is one of the most peaceful moments I've had in Kyoto.

Ninna-ji Temple is also just a few minutes away. Huge grounds, a beautiful pagoda and minimal visitors - just the kind of place to slow down for a while in Kyoto.

If you want to explore the north of the city more comfortably, there are also small organized tours of the temples.

Temples at Kyoto Station

If you have time after you arrive or before you leave in the Kyoto Station area, I would definitely recommend walking 10 minutes to the nearest monumental temples that many tourists completely overlook.

• Higashi Hongan-ji
• Nishi Hongan-ji

Plus, there's free admission and you can take photos inside too!

A pleasant surprise: Ginkaku-ji

Ginkaku-ji Temple (Silver Pavilion) is known as the beginning of the famous Philosopher's Walk.

Still, I felt the atmosphere was much quieter than the more famous temples when I visited.

Maybe it's because most tourists end up at the Golden Pavilion. Or maybe I was just lucky.

Either way, the gardens and views of the surrounding hills are some of the best in Kyoto.

Surprisingly quiet places close to the centre

The biggest contrast I experienced was right in the city centre.

Just step off the crowded streets of Higashiyama and within minutes you'll find yourself at Kodai-ji Temple.

The gardens, bamboo grove, and teahouses have a much quieter atmosphere than the surrounding tourist streets.

I had a similar feeling at Chion-in Temple.

It's one of the largest temples in all of Kyoto, with a huge gate and monumental staircase - and yet there's often hardly anyone around.

From here I continued on towards the northeast and to give me a bit more variety in my day, in addition to the temples I also visited the interesting Biwa Canal.

Biggest surprise: Kamigamo Shrine

If I had to pick one of my favorite places in Kyoto, it would be Kamigamo Shrine.

It's one of the oldest Shinto temples in the city and a UNESCO site.

Yet it's surprisingly sparsely crowded.

The reason is simple: the temple lies a little off the main tourist routes far to the north of the city.

But that's why you'll find a completely different atmosphere than the most famous monuments.

How to avoid the crowds in Kyoto

Aside from choosing your seats, a few simple tricks help. And if you follow them, you can see even the most famous places without crowds.

Start your day early in the morning

For example, Fushimi Inari, the Higashiyama district and Kiyomzu-dera are all very different in the morning than in the afternoon.

Visit lesser-known temples

Kyoto has over a thousand temples - most tourists only see a few. I describe recommendations for the most peaceful ones above.

Stay overnight in Kyoto

A large number of visitors come for just a day trip from Osaka.

If you stay overnight in the city, you can enjoy a quieter evening atmosphere.

View rates for hotels in Kyoto

When to go to Kyoto if you want fewer tourists

The biggest crowds tend to be during:

• Sakura season (March-April)
• Autumn foliage season (November-December)

Quieter periods tend to be:

• January
• February
• May
• June
• October

Off-season flights to Japan are also cheaper.

Compare prices for flights to Osaka / Tokyo