Kyoto is often painted as Japan’s quiet, timeless city, a place of geishas, tea houses and ancient temples. But let’s be real, the tourist hotspots like Kiyomizudera and Fushimi Inari can feel more like busy festivals than peaceful retreats. If you’re craving zen without the zoom lenses, this Kyoto travel guide is your golden ticket.
Here’s your guide to the hidden temples and secret forest trails in Kyoto, where the only sounds are rustling leaves, bamboo groves and the soft ring of temple bells.
1. Honen-in Temple, Northern Kyoto
Tucked away on the Philosopher’s Path but missed by most tourists, Honen-in feels like it was plucked from a fairytale. Covered in moss, wrapped in maple trees, and free to enter, this temple is a breath of serenity just minutes from the chaos.
🧡 Don’t miss: The twin white sand mounds at the entrance symbolizing purification.
2. Kosan-ji, Mount Toganoo
Hidden in the mountains northwest of the city, Kosan-ji Temple is a UNESCO site surrounded by pristine forest trails. Come autumn, the entire valley ignites in fiery colors, but even in summer, you’ll find few tourists.
🧡 Don’t miss: The ancient scrolls stored in the temple’s treasure hall and the steep trail to neighbouring Saimyo-ji, another quiet temple gem.
3. Kurama to Kibune Hike
This scenic forest hike connects two mountain villages through a cedar-lined trail that feels otherworldly. Starting at Kurama-dera Temple, you’ll pass shrines, wooden bridges, and natural hot springs before reaching the quaint riverside town of Kibune.
🧡 Don’t miss: A riverside meal in Kibune, dining on platforms built over the water.
4. Shōren-in Monzeki
Close to Gion but ignored by most visitors, Shōren-in offers a glowing surprise: blue-lit halls and a luminous bamboo forest at night. By day, it’s tranquil with wide tatami-floored halls overlooking peaceful gardens.
🧡 Don’t miss: The illuminated night visits in spring and autumn, magical and uncrowded.
5. Taizō-in
Within the larger Myoshin-ji Temple complex lies Taizō-in, a lesser-known sub-temple famous for its kare-sansui (dry rock garden) and a hidden painting by artist Kano Motonobu.
🧡 Don’t miss: Sitting in stillness at the meditation hall, just you, raked gravel and rustling pines.
6. Tetsugaku-no-Michi Back Trails
While the Philosopher’s Path is well-known, few people wander off the stone walkway into the back trails behind the houses and temples. These forest lanes lead to tiny hidden shrines and bamboo thickets where you’re unlikely to see another soul.
🧡 Don’t miss: Following the tiny signs leading to Otoyo Shrine, guarded by mice statues and rarely visited.
7. Takao Region
An hour from the city center, Takao offers towering cedar forests, riverside tea houses, and three incredible but under-visited temples: Jingo-ji, Saimyo-ji and Kozan-ji. The hiking paths between them are pure bliss for forest lovers.
🧡 Don’t miss: Throwing kawarake (clay discs) from the cliff at Jingo-ji to ward off bad luck.
8. Daigo-ji’s Upper Temple Trail
Most tourists stick to the lower Daigo-ji temple complex. But the real secret? Hiking up to Kami-Daigo, the original, ancient temple site nestled high in the forest. The climb is steep and takes about 1.5 hours, but rewards you with solitude and centuries-old serenity.
🧡 Don’t miss: The panoramic view from the top forests, Kyoto basin and absolute peace.
9. Yoshida Shrine Forest
Right behind Kyoto University lies Yoshida Shrine, surrounded by a peaceful forest that’s largely ignored by tourists. Locals come here to jog, meditate, or simply disappear from the city’s hum.
🧡 Don’t miss: Visiting during Setsubun (early February), when the grounds come alive with a traditional fire festival.
Travel Tips for Discovering Kyoto’s Hidden Side
- Go early or late: Even the quietest spots are best enjoyed at off-peak hours.
- Use the bus: Kyoto’s bus system goes where the subway doesn’t perfect for reaching offbeat areas.
- Respect temple etiquette: These peaceful spots often remain peaceful because visitors treat them with care. Take off your shoes, speak quietly and don’t photograph restricted areas.
- Download offline maps: Many secret trails and forest paths won’t have signage in English.
- Pack light and wear sturdy shoes: Many of these spots involve uneven paths, stairs, or forest trails.
Final Thoughts
Kyoto doesn’t just whisper its secrets, it hides them in mossy corners, mountain paths, and tucked-away temples. The best part of exploring these Kyoto hidden gems is the sense of discovery: no selfie sticks, no tour groups, just you and the soft breath of centuries-old Japan.
If you’re looking for non touristy things to do in Kyoto, this is your ultimate invitation to slow down and step off the beaten path. Because sometimes, the soul of a place isn’t found in the spotlight but in its shadows.
