Hidden Gems in Kyoto — The Attractions Tourists Miss

Philosopher's Walk — the canal path in cherry blossom season

The Philosopher's Walk (Tetsugaku-no-michi) is a 2km canal-side path through northern Kyoto, lined with cherry trees, small temples, and old wooden houses. It was named after the philosopher Nishida Kitaro, who used to walk it on his morning meditations. The Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) is at the southern end, Nanzen-ji at the northern end. Go in early April during cherry blossom season or in late November for autumn color — the maple trees reflected in the canal are extraordinary.

Ohara — mountain village temples

Ōhara is a mountain valley 30km north of Kyoto, once the site of a major temple that burned down in the Muromachi period. The remaining temple complex of Sanzen-in (founded 778) is set in deep cedar forest. The omuro moss garden is one of the most beautiful in Kyoto, and almost completely free of tourists even in peak season. Combined with lunch at Yoshida Sanso (mountain inn, open to day visitors for lunch, excellent tofu kaiseki).

The Monkey Park Iwatayama (Arashiyama)

The Iwatayama Monkey Park is a hilltop park in Arashiyama populated by 170 Japanese macaques. You walk up (30 minutes from the station, or take the chairlift), and the monkeys roam freely around you. The park has a feeding station (you buy apples at the entrance); the monkeys come to you rather than the other way around. The view from the summit over Kyoto is excellent. The monkeys are wild — do not feed them human food.

Daigo-ji Temple (South Kyoto)

Daigo-ji (正式名稱: 醍醐寺) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the southern edge of Kyoto, founded in 874. The shoin (study hall) rooms have original 16th-century wall paintings. The gomado (five-story pagoda) is the oldest five-story structure in Kyoto. The hillside garden, redesigned by the tea master Sen no Rikyu in 1598, is best in November when the maple trees turn. Combined with a walk to Fushimi for sake tasting — the district has 40 breweries.

The Kurama-dera Temple hike (North Kyoto)

Kurama-dera (鞍馬寺) is a mountain temple 30 minutes north of Kyoto on the Randen Keihin line. The hike from the lower cable car station to the main hall takes 60–90 minutes through cedar forest, with views over Kyoto. The temple is one of the oldest in Japan, and the mountain is considered sacred in Shugendo (mountain asceticism). Take the earliest possible train, eat lunch at the temple's vegetarian restaurant, hike down through the forest.