15 Lesser-Known Alternatives to Kyoto Without the Crowds
Are there any lesser-known alternatives to Kyoto where you can avoid crowds? Yes, and more than you may think… I’ve spent over a decade “blending in” enjoying numerous Kyoto-like experiences all over Japan away from the masses, and put together this guide so you can, too!
Whether you’re drawn to ancient temples or shrines, exquisite gardens, tales of samurai and geisha, the old-world atmosphere tourists love about Kyoto also lingers in numerous locations, but without the crowds that come with it.
If you’re looking for places like Kyoto to visit, my suggestions will help you have a crowd-free trip. But, I also strongly suggest not skipping Kyoto entirely due to overtourism fears if it’s your first Japan trip – I’ll explain why at the conclusion. Read on for more!
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15 Less-Crowded Alternatives to Kyoto for a Stress-Free Visit
They say Tokyo is the capital of Japan, but Kyoto is its heart. While I couldn’t agree more, oftentimes most of these alternatives fly under the radar of foreign tourists. In turn, this means fewer to no crowds which is perfect if you’re wanting to “blend in!”
We’ll start with the least-known spots you likely haven’t heard of and work our way down to the most obvious. I’ve personally visited all these locations and enjoyed each thoroughly.
With gorgeous gardens, preserved architecture, bamboo groves, millennia-old temples, shrines, and each unique in their own way, how many have you heard of?
Ozu, Ehime Prefecture
Known as the “Little Kyoto of Iyo,” the lovely old town of Ozu 大洲 is located Japan’s least-visited island of Shikoku.
Enjoy strolling beside koi swimming in the street canals, stay overnight in Ozu Castle, visit a nostalgic museum from a time long gone, and take in the views from stunning Goryu Sanso, a merchant villa that took 9,000 artisans to complete.
TIP: More details on Day 4 of my 10 Day Shikoku itinerary.
Omihachiman, Shiga Prefecture
An easy day trip from Kyoto itself, Omihachiman 近江八幡 is a gorgeous, compact old town. I’d say this is one of my favourite alternatives to Kyoto on a small scale!
Famed for its cherry blossom river cruises in spring amongst old-world architecture and incredible views over Lake Biwa, Omihachiman is a beautiful little alternative to Kyoto but without the crowds.
I loved the ropeway and a canal cruise beneath the cherry blossoms in spring, what a treat!
TIP: More details in my Omihachiman day trip itinerary from Kyoto or Osaka.
Shuzenji, Shizuoka Prefecture
A beautiful overnight location on the Izu Peninsula, Shuzenji Onsen 修善寺町 embodies several characteristics about Kyoto tourists love.
Stroll through a small bamboo grove without the crush of Arashiyama, enjoy a bite at the riverside cafes, visit temples and shrines with 1200 year histories, and stay in traditional ryokan.
If you’re lucky, you may also be able to see Mt Fuji from your room’s private onsen, as I did!
TIP: More details including where to stay in my Shuzenji Onsen itinerary.
Izumo, Shimane Prefecture
Most people are aware Kyoto was Japan’s capital for 1,000 years, and Nara before that. The ancient area of Izumo 出雲 is credited to being the birthplace of Japan’s kami, or gods in the native Shinto religion.
Once a year, it’s believed millions of kami gather at Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine for a meeting. Would you believe this shrine once stood at 96 metres tall some 1,300 years ago?
Walk amongst the ancient shrine buildings, learn about the Bronze Age finds at the Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo, drive along the beautiful Hinomoseki coast, and enjoy watching the sunset from the shores of Lake Shinji.
TIP: More about Izumo on Day 9 of my alternative Japan 10 day itinerary.
Matsue, Shimane Prefecture
Located in one of the least-visited areas of Japan by foreign tourists, Matsue 松江 is part of the incredibly scenic and historic San’in Region.
Hugging the shoreline of Lake Shinji, Matsue is famed for its blazing red sunsets, Edo Period preserved old town amongst canals, one of Japan’s 12 remaining original castles and highly-regarded gardens.
Yuushien Gardens rival any in Kyoto, and the Adachi Museum of Art has been judged as Japan’s #1 garden for over 20 consecutive years – there is not a leaf out of place!
TIP: More about Matsue on Days 7-8 in my Japan 10 day itinerary to avoid crowds.
Gujo Hachiman, Gifu Prefecture
One of my favourite lesser-known and arguably one of the best places to visit in Japan, Gujo Hachiman 郡上八幡 is nestled amongst the gorgeous Japanese Alps.
Known as Japan’s hidden “water city” for its abundance of rivers and streetside canals,” Gujo Hachiman is an overlooked alternative to Kyoto but without the crowds — and is just one hour from Nagyoya by car! It’s one of the most beautiful towns in Japan I have visited, and could even be a small alternative to Takayama.
With a preserved old town, stunning temple gardens, the home of sampuru making (Japanese replica food samples) and koi swimming in the streets, its striking castle is the main drawcard.
TIP: More things to do in my Gujo Hachiman itinerary.
Arita, Saga Prefecture
Down in Kyushu, Arita 有田 is a charming, sleepy preserved town that isn’t on the mainstream tourist radar. You won’t find it in Japan travel guidebooks! For a small town, it is packed with incredible attention to detail throughout.
Creating porcelain was competitive 400 years ago as Arita became the first place in Japan to produce it. You’ll find pieces of porcelain everywhere, from walls and pavements to handrails and mosaics. The most impressive is the blue torii at Tozan Shrine.
TIP: More details in my Arita day trip itinerary.
Yanagawa, Fukuoka Prefecture
A network of preserved canals spanning 470 kilometres around the old town, beautiful Yanagawa 柳川 in Kyushu, is a leisurely day trip from Kumamoto.
Allow a skilled local boatman to navigate beneath the low-lying bridges and willow trees as he shares stories about his hometown, singing poems by an Edo Period poet as you go.
In April, enjoy the local wisteria festival at Nakayama Kumano Shrine. It’s one of the cities in Japan to visit for old-world nostalgia.
TIP: More details in my Yanagawa day trip itinerary.
Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture
Zipping right past on the way from Osaka to Hiroshima, most tourists completely overlook the compact seaside town of Onomichi 尾道.
An artistic area with lengthy history, cliffside temples and known for cats, gorgeous Onomichi is one not often mentioned in guide books. It’s also a starting point for the gorgeous Shimanami Kaido cycling route, and one of the Japanese cities to visit for ramen lovers.
TIP: More in my one day Onomichi itinerary.
Uji, Kyoto Prefecture
Have you seen the temple on Japan’s 10 yen coin, and phoenix on the back of the 100,000 yen note? These important icons can be found at 1000-year old Byodo-in Temple in Uji 宇治, Japan’s ancient home of matcha.
An important area for trade favoured by nobility during the Heian Period (794 – 1185), Uji rose to fame in the 14th century for its superior green tea cultivation. It’s an easy day trip from Kyoto or Osaka.
Reminding me a little of Takayama crossed with Nikko, Uji’s traditional streets are lined with stores of matcha treats and teaware that make great souvenirs. Don’t miss Mimuroto-ji Temple in late spring and early summer for its incredible display of azaleas and hydrangeas.
TIP: More details in my guide to things to do in Uji and in my Uji day trip itinerary.
Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture
Only 15 minutes away from neighbouring Okayama, you don’t need to venture too far off the beaten track to discover old-world charm in Kurashiki 倉敷.
Known as the “Venice of Japan,” Kurashiki was once a wealthy rice distribution town during the Edo Period (1603 – 1867). Today the traditional warehouses have been converted into museums, art galleries, shops, restaurants and cafés.
TIP: Learn more things to do and where to stay in my guide to Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter.
Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture
Tokyo to Kyoto is about 3 hours on the shinkansen, but this alternative is just 30 mins from western Tokyo! Known as Koedo, or “Little Edo” for its old kurazukuri (storehouses), beautiful temples, shrines and a rich historic culture all of its own, Kawagoe 川越 is one of the Kyoto alternatives near Tokyo.
After WWII, Penny Candy Alley became Japan’s top supplier of candy. Today, the town is famed for lengthy purple sweet potatoes, cute cafés, and beautiful Hikawa Shrine. The nostalgic atmosphere is punctuated by day trippers strolling around enjoying the sights in kimono.
TIP: More details in my Kawagoe day trip itinerary.
Nara, Nara Prefecture
One of the more obvious day trips from Kyoto or Osaka by train, Nara 奈良 was also one of Japan’s ancient capital cities. Most tourists visit the Nara Deer Park and call it a day, however there is so much to uncover in this special old city.
Most of the crowds are around the giant Buddha within the impressive Todai-ji. But if you venture further to the Kasuga Taisha and Todai-ji Nigatsu-do areas, the crowds really thin out. Throw in scenes from Mt Wakakusa, it’s an ideal spot to enjoy nature near Kyoto.
TIP: More details in my one day Nara itinerary.
Takayama, Gifu Prefecture
While it has become more popular in recent years, this doesn’t take away from the fact that Takayama 高山 is still a wonderful, smaller alternative to Kyoto.
The similarities are so striking that Takayama is dubbed as the “Little Kyoto of Hida!”
Indulge in local specialties such as mouth-watering Hida beef, some of Japan’s purest sake, explore its narrow laneways, meander along its canals and discover incredible temples that have stood the test of time.
TIP: Read more in my 2 day Takayama itinerary, things to do in Takayama Old Town and visiting Hida no Sato, a hidden alternative to Shirakawa-go.
Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture
Kanazawa vs Kyoto does come up often for tourists. With traditional wooden townhouses, intriguing tales of geisha, remnants of ruling samurai classes and beautifully preserved neighbourhoods, Kanazawa 金沢 is the most obvious “Little Kyoto” of Japan.
Home to one of Japan’s Top 3 Gardens, Kenroku-en is the main drawcard here. Yet pockets of Kanazawa still evoke old-world nostalgia and charm, whilst also embracing the contemporary.
TIP: Learn more things to do and where to stay in my 2 day Kanazawa itinerary.
Should you skip Kyoto?
As Japan’s capital for over 1,000 years, there is no one true substitute for dear old Kyoto. While my other alternatives above are samples of a few ingredients, Kyoto really is the entire pie. Despite headlines of overtourism issues causing tourists to cancel their Kyoto trips, my advice is don’t skip it in fear.
Within Kyoto, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Fushimi Inari Taisha and Gion are well-worn with tourist love. However even after all these years, I still manage to avoid the crowds during my annual Kyoto visits. This city sings the song of my soul and is my favourite place on Earth. So my aim is to help you see what I love about it despite headlines and influencers claiming it’s overrated.
Everyone’s idea of what not to miss in Kyoto is different. If you’re planning a 2 week Japan itinerary or even 3 weeks in Japan, I recommend spending at least 4 days for a first time visit. I’ve shared how to see the popular spots without crowds in my detailed Kyoto itinerary, including a number of true Kyoto hidden gems, too.
Concluding this guide to Kyoto alternatives
And that’s a wrap for my ideas for less-crowded alternatives to Kyoto! Now you know which are the famous and not-so-famous towns in Japan that encapsulate similar aspects of Kyoto. Which of these will you add to your list of Japanese cites to visit?
Do you have any questions about these beautiful locations, or any you would add to this list? Let me know in the comments below. While you’re here, don’t forget to read all my offbeat itineraries & travel guides throughout the country from over a decade of visiting on my extensive Japan travel blog!
For more ideas to visiting lesser-known locations, my guide to exploring Japan off the beaten track is packed with ideas to inspire your next trip.
Feeling social? Explore beyond the main touristy sights with my dedicated Japan Off the Beaten Path Facebook Group or come and join me on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok and Instagram for more travel inspiration.
Until next time,
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