The 16 Best Non-Temple Things To Do In Kyoto
Last Updated on November 14, 2025 by Charlotte
Kyoto is known as the city of a thousand temples. Wander in any direction and you’ll find moss-covered shrines, incense-swirled courtyards, and moss gardens that look like a painting. It’s beautiful. It’s sacred. And if you try to see it all in one trip? It’s exhausting, and temple fatigue is real. Even the most architecture-loving, history-chasing traveler can hit a point where their feet hurt, their brain fogs over, and they can’t possibly look at another shrine. If that’s you (or if you simply want to experience a different side of Kyoto), this list is for you! Let’s explore Kyoto beyond the shrines!
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1. Become a Samurai or Ninja (at Least for a Photo)
Book a costume session at a local studio or the Samurai & Ninja Museum. Many packages include photos and a short sword-handling lesson. You can learn more about the Samurai Experience on their official website.
2. Hang Out with Red Pandas at Kyoto City Zoo
Japan’s second-oldest zoo is compact and kid-friendly, with adorable red pandas, elephants, and a menagerie of charismatic megafauna. You can learn more about the Kyoto City Zoo on their official website.
3. Cook Like a Local in a Kyoto Kitchen
From sushi to wagashi, hands-on cooking classes let you connect with Kyoto’s culture in a fun, delicious way. Many include a recipe booklet to take home.
4. Dress Up in Kimono for Your Dream Kyoto Photoshoot
Kyoto is one of the best cities to rent a kimono or yukata and snap photos against traditional backdrops. Rentals near Fushimi Inari and Gion often include hairstyling and accessories.
5. Binge Manga at the International Manga Museum
With walls of manga in multiple languages, rotating exhibits, and reading rooms, this is a pop culture haven that is perfect for rainy days or anime lovers.
6. Beat the High Score at a Japanese Arcade
Try your hand at taiko drumming, crane games, or neon-drenched racers. Arcade culture is a huge thing in Japan, so odds are you’ll be the worst player there!
7. Get Lost in the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Towering stalks of bamboo line this famous forested path in Arashiyama. Get there early to beat the crowds and to get that classic photograph. You can learn more about how to visit this iconic spot in our Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Travel Guide.
8. Sip Coffee with a Shiba Inu (or Hedgehog)
Sip a latte while cuddling cats, shiba inu, owls, or hedgehogs. Make a reservation if possible, especially for more niche spots.
9. Shop Stylishly in Downtown Kyoto
Explore Kawaramachi and Shijo-dori for independent shops, aesthetic stationery, beauty products, and gifts you won’t find anywhere else.
10. Soak Away the Day at a Local Onsen
Soak away your sore feet in a local sento or onsen. Many welcome tourists and have English signage. Just brush up on etiquette first.
11. Eat Everything at Nishiki Market
Known as Kyoto’s Kitchen, this narrow arcade is packed with local treats, specialty shops, and lunch counters. Come hungry and sample as you go.
While you technically don’t need to go on a tour to visit Nishiki Market, a guided tour can be a great option if you don’t know what to order, or aren’t comfortable ordering in Japanese.
12. Hike with Monkeys and a View at Iwatayama Monkey Park
After a short forested climb, you’ll reach a hilltop clearing filled with panoramic city views and curious Japanese macaques. At the Iwatayama Monkey Park, you can feed them from inside a human-sized cage (yes, really), while they roam freely.
13. Snack Your Way Through Arashiyama’s Streets
This neighborhood is packed with street food. Try taiyaki, matcha soft serve, yuba croquettes, or spiraled sweet potato chips as you stroll.
14. Get Crafty with Traditional Kyoto Arts
Try your hand at fan painting, gold leaf design, or traditional calligraphy. These hands-on experiences are ideal for creative travelers.
15. Slow Down with a Matcha Tea Ceremony
Part mindfulness, part art, and part snack break, a tea ceremony is a way to experience the more traditional side of Japanese culture.
16. Follow the Lanterns Through Gion at Night
As lanterns glow and geiko slip down side alleys, the streets of Gion come to life. End your evening with dinner in Pontocho Alley, or take a quiet walk by Shirakawa Canal.
Finding Your Kyoto
You don’t need to visit 30 temples to experience the magic of Kyoto. Sometimes the best times are had while running away from a monkey that’s trying to steal your cellphone, failing to win a crane game, or tasting the perfect matcha parfait. This city invites you to wander, to play, and to rest, and that includes saying no to another staircase of stone lanterns or torii gate. So whether you’re here for the food, the forests, or trying something new, Kyoto is ready to meet you where you are.
