Front gate of the bamboo temple with towering trees behind it

22 Places to Escape the Crowds in Kyoto

Kyoto is one of the most popular places to visit in Japan, and as such, it can get very crowded; however, most of the crowds tend to congregate around the same few sights. If you know where to look, you can find the peaceful Kyoto you crave. 

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LArge double bed with a gold headboard in a room at the Misen hotel Kyoto. Paper screens over the windows give the room a traditional feel

The Truth About Kyoto’s New Hotel Tax

‘Kyoto is slapping on a hotel tax of 10,000 yen (US$65) per person, per night,’ say the headlines. But, headlines don’t always tell the whole truth – so, here’s what’s really happening to hotel prices in Kyoto.

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exhibit at the new teamLab museum in Kyoto

teamLab Opens a New Kyoto Museum in 2025

There’s a hot new ticket in town. The art collective teamLab has opened a new art experience in Kyoto. Called teamLab Biovortex Kyoto, it opened on October 7th 2025. Here’s what to know before your visit.

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Side view of the red pagoda style exterior of Byo-doin in Uji

Taking a Day Trip to Uji

A short train ride from Kyoto, or Nara, the city of Uji is best known for its matcha tea. People come here to do all things green – tea tastings, buying matcha-themed goodies, you can even go a little bit out of town and visit the tea fields. But guess what’s one of the few … Read more