18 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Kyoto - Atlas Obscura

Unusual Attractions in Kyoto

Sagano Bamboo Forest

The sound of swaying stalks in this stunning grove has been named a governmentally recognized sound.

Nishiki Market

This 700-year-old street food market features baby octopus and soy donuts.

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

The Ten Thousand "Torii" Shrine.

Yokai Street

This neighborhood thoroughfare is haunted by dozens of homemade monsters.

Sanjūsangen-dō

1001 carved statues of the Buddhist God of Mercy, each with a unique face.

Ryōan-ji

The quintessential Japanese rock garden has existed for more than 500 years.

Tenryu-Ji Shrine's Bamboo trail

A beautiful bamboo trail tucked in this famous Japanese Shrine.

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji

Twelve hundred stone carvings guard this off-the-beaten-path Buddhist temple.

See All 18 Things to Do in Kyoto See All 18 Places

Partner Experience

Art of Ancient Woodblocks postcards

Partner Experience

Tea picking and Hiking in Wazuka Kyoto

Wazuka, Soraku District

Partner Experience

Green Tea Town, relaxed half day tour

Partner Experience

Secret path【Fushimi inari shrine】Kyoto

Unique Food & Drink in Kyoto

Shojin Ryori

Japan's traditional temple cuisine features meals that are nutritionally and visually balanced.

Saezuri

In Japan, whale tongue is a disappearing delicacy.

Community Forums / East Asia / Japan

Top Discussions in the Japan Travel Forum

Post	Replies	Views	Activity
Any interesting/fun/crazy things to do or eat in Japan in fall? Nature&City	17 June 28, 2019	1762	June 28, 2019
Crepe Vending Machine	4 September 26, 2019	2164	September 26, 2019
Traditional fishing village wood buidling	0 June 28, 2019	720	June 28, 2019
Ashizuri Underwater Observation Tower	3 July 16, 2019	1948	July 16, 2019
Chicken Sashimi	5 December 28, 2019	645	December 28, 2019

New Post Visit the Forum

Explore Kyoto, Japan

Launch Map

Kyoto Leaderboard

Places Added

Places Edited

Places Visited

Recent Kyoto Activity

brittchris1994 wants to go to Rokuon-ji Temple

brittchris1994 wants to go to Starbucks Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya

brittchris1994 wants to go to Yasui Kompira-gu Shrine

brittchris1994 wants to go to Tenryu-Ji Shrine's Bamboo trail

brittchris1994 wants to go to Ryōan-ji

Stories About Kyoto

The Ghostly Japanese Fireball Spirits That Live On in Pokémon

The digital descendants of 'yōkai' can be spotted in many Japanese games.

by Sabrina Imbler

October 29, 2019

A baker makes fortune cookies at Hougyokudo in Kyoto, Japan.

The Japanese Bakeries Still Selling Fortune Cookies

Although widely considered Chinese American, the well-known treat was invented in Japan.

October 11, 2019

A flirty tanuki, or racoon dog, crafted by artist Masatami in the late 18th century.

These Cheeky Statuettes Were Part of Edo-Era Japan’s Answer to Pockets

Ornate netsuke were practical status symbols.

by Sabrina Imbler

Sneaky foxes like to rob Nagaokakyo residents' shoe racks.

Found: Foxes Stealing Shoes in Japan

And they would have gotten away with 40 pairs, if it weren't for the police.

by Christina Ayele Djossa