Alternative, Less Crowded Temples and Shrines in Kyoto
Words and photos for Tokyo Weekender’s Kansai Weekender 2024
Excerpt:
Kyoto’s image as a city overrun with tourists often stems from a concentrated focus on a handful of Instagram-famous spots. These photogenic sites, such as Fushimi Inari, Ninenzaka and Kinkakuji, are undeniably beautiful, but they have become almost synonymous with heavy crowds and congestion.
Just outside these well-trodden paths, however, are hundreds of temples and shrines, each with its own rich culture and story, that are often overlooked and waiting to be explored. Here are a few lesser-known temples and shrines in Kyoto that we think deserve a visit next time you’re in town.
