Kyoto might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of weird and unusual things to do in Japan. Turns out, there are plenty of unique experiences in Kyoto waiting to be explored! While the city is best known for its serene temples and traditional culture, there are plenty of hidden gems and one-of-a-kind activities here.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor looking for something off-the-beaten-path or returning to discover something new, this guide will uncover the wonderfully unique things to do in Kyoto. Get ready to see a different, hidden side of this ancient city!
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1. Explore Kyoto's Yokai (Monster) Street
Tucked away in the quieter streets of northwest Kyoto is the Taishogun Shopping Street, or the Ichijo Yokai Street. On the surface, looks like a regular neighborhood commercial street. If you look closely though, this 400m stretch of road is home to many Japanese yokai statues and mascots.
Yokai are mythical creatures from Japanese folklore and legends, with popular ones being the kappa, a frog-like creature who lives in rivers, oni, or demons with horns and a club, and other human-like creatures.
The yokai statues that call Yokai Street home are often homemade, and looked after lovingly by the neighborhood patrons and store owners. Visiting Yokai Street is definitely a weird and unique thing to do in Kyoto!
2. Drink, dance, and play games with a Maiko (a geisha in training)
Experience a fun and unique Kyoto experience by spending an evening partying with a maiko! Maiko are geisha or geiko in training, but are nonetheless highly skilled artists trained in dance, music, and conversation.
While in Kyoto, join a maiko dinner and drinks experience where you can savor delicious Kyoto food and all-you-can-drink sake, enjoy graceful maiko performances, and ultimately participate in the fun and games yourself! This unique experience offers a glimpse in to the world of geisha and Japanese traditions.
If you don’t drink or are looking for a kid-friendly experience, you can also opt for a dance plus tea ceremony experience with a maiko.
If you’re looking for the most authentic Kyoto experience, check out this private group geiko, maiko, and jikata (geiko who specialize in music and singing) performance, plus kaiseki dinner and drinks experience.
3. Join an evening ghost tour of Arashiyama bamboo forest
Step into the spooky world of Arashiyama after dark, as part of this Arashiyama ghost tour!
Starting at 7:30pm, this night tour of Arashiyama brings guests into the deep darkness of the bamboo forest. Learn about eerie Japanese folklore and other spooky tales from your guide, while surrounded by the forest’s shadows.
Other points of interest explored during this trip are the kimono forest which is illuminated beautifully at night, and a moon-lit Togetsukyo Bridge crossing.
This ghost tour isn’t your typical Kyoto experience – it’s a thrilling and unusual way to experience Arashiyama’s dark side.
Book this Kyoto Arashiyama night tour here. If you prefer a day tour, don’t worry, those are available here too!
4. Eat weird matcha-flavored foods
Kyoto and neighboring town Uji are famous for their high-quality matcha production.
Matcha is a finely ground powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves. It is an integral part of Japanese tea ceremonies, and is exploding in popularity around the world due to its vibrant color and many health benefits.
While matcha, when not in tea form, is often found in sweets (think ice cream, parfaits, and cakes), it can also be found in food! Kyoto has a number of restaurants where you can try unique matcha-infused foods like matcha soba noodles, matcha udon noodles, matcha gyoza dumplings, and even matcha takoyaki!
Your best bet in finding these weird matcha-infused foods is in Uji, where the main streets leading up to its famous Byodoin Temple are covered in matcha tea shops, cafes, and other matcha-inspired restaurants. Two examples are Nakamura Tokichi Honten and Itoh Kyuemon restaurant.
5. Become a ninja at the Ninja Experience Cafe
Live out your childhood (or adult) dreams by transforming into a ninja at the Ninja Experience Cafe in Kyoto!
Visitors to this weird and unusual activity in Kyoto will dress up in ninja attire, and learn from master ninjas the art of being a successful ninja. Throw shuriken ninja stars, learn how to strike enemies with blow darts, and wield a ninja sword as part of this unique experience!
Café meal options are available to add-on to the ninja experience (with vegan and halal options available too).
This activity is perfect for families with young kids, or anyone who’s dreamed of becoming a ninja themselves! Book your spot for this weird Kyoto activity here.
6. Try spices so hot, even Maikos lose their cool
Kyoto is filled with specialty stores that feature Japanese traditional crafts, food, and art. One shop that has always been popular with the locals but is gaining international attention is Ochanoko Saisai – a store which sells chili pepper seasoning that is commonly used in Japanese cuisine.
The number one product here is “Maiko-han hee hee“, a spicy chili powder which has a picture of two maikos on the front. Maikos are known for being modest, demure, and in control of their movements… however this chili is said to be so spicy it even makes maikos break their poise!
This spice with a funny background story, which you can try in-store, is a weird and unique experience in Kyoto that will have you losing your cool too!
This store is also home to the kyo-rayu (chili oil) furikake seasoning which is a popular souvenir from Kyoto.
The main Ochanoko Saisai branches are in Nishiki Market, Sannenzaka near Kiyomizudera, and Arashiyama.
7. Experience six Japanese traditional arts in one sitting
If you’re short on time in Kyoto but want to experience the highlights of Japanese culture in one whirlwind of an hour, head to Gion Corner.
Gion Corner is a cultural theater designed for tourists to experience eight different Japanese traditional arts and culture in one spot. This unique Kyoto destination showcases tea ceremonies, ikebana (flower arranging), koto stringed instrument playing, Kyoto-style dancing by a maiko, bunraku puppet theater, and more.
It might seem a little weird to cram everything in to one hour, but when short on time, Gion Corner shows are a great introduction to elements of Japanese culture and tradition that are not otherwise easily accessible.
Book tickets to this traditional arts performance here.
8. Taste international onigiri flavors
Kyoto Station is home to a weird and unique fast food store: Onigiri in the World, or “sekai no onigiri”. Onigiri are the nori seaweed-wrapped rice balls that we all know and love from Japan. While traditional fillings include pickled plums, tuna mayo, or cod roe, Onigiri in the World takes onigiri to a new level.
They make onigiri using popular dishes from around the world as filling. Example items include chili con carne onigiri from Texas, USA, ratatouille onigiri from France, cheese fondue onigiri from Switzerland, and even lomo saltado onigiri from Peru!
Shown in their Instagram photo below is their fish and chips onigiri!
Try this weird and unique Kyoto food stall at the second floor of Kyoto Station.
9. Eat mini octopus on a stick at Nishiki Market
Nishiki Market, also called “Kyoto’s Kitchen”, is a historic market place that has been operating for over 400 years. Today, it still houses over 100 stalls and shops selling everything from fresh fish to spices, to local handicrafts and souvenirs.
One of the weirdest and most unusual street foods you can try at Nishiki Market in Kyoto is the octopus on a stick, or “tako tamago”. This quirky street food is a baby octopus, complete with its little tentacles, stuffed with a small quail egg, cooked with a sweet soy sauce glaze.
It’s a surprising burst of flavor and texture, and a staple street food in Kyoto! For a deeper dive into Kyoto’s unique street food, be sure to join a food tour where a local guide can show you the best spots in Nishiki Market.
10. Eat pufferfish, a meal that could kill you!
Daring foodies in Kyoto can try fugu, or pufferfish – a fish which is famous for being deathly poisonous. Pufferfish are a delicacy in Japan, however one fish contains enough poison in its one puffy body to kill eight humans!
Despite the possibility of death, over 10,000 tons of it are consumed each year in Japan, much of it in Kyoto which is known for refined Japanese cuisine. Chefs are required to train for years, and pass a national written and practical exam before they are allowed to prepare are serve fugu to customers.
Enjoy fugu at Guenpin Fugu, one of Kyoto and Japan’s most popular pufferfish restaurants. Reserve a table and meal through Klook to and yourself to a traditional Japanese meal… and hopefully walk away with your life.
Read more about eating pufferfish in the Food & Wine Article, “How to Eat Pufferfish and Not Die.”
This activity also features on my list of weird & unusual things to do in Tokyo!
11. Visit a foot bath cafe
Everyone knows that travelling in Japan means 20,000+ steps per day, right? Your feet will thank you for adding this weird and unusual activity to your Kyoto itinerary. Relax, have a snack and a drink, and get a foot massage at a Kyoto foot bath cafe!
While ordinary foot bath cafes (if that is a thing) just have a onsen-style shared footbath for all guests to put their feet in, this one is different. Each guest gets their own personalized, mini wooden tub, and can choose from green tea, flower, bath salt, and matcha foot baths. Trained masseuses then give you a rejuvenating foot massage.
Treat yourself after a long day of exploring to this unique activity in Kyoto!
Available locations include Arashiyama, Gion, and Fushimi Inari, which means you’re never too far away from a relaxing foot massage. Book here through Klook.
12. Join a traditional Kyoto tea ceremony
Taking part in a tea ceremony in Kyoto is a special way to connect to traditional Japanese culture and history. Tea ceremonies in Japan are an art form, channeling on harmony, respect, and mindfulness.
As part of the tea ceremony, guests will be guided through the steps of preparing matcha green tea, including the meaning behind specific gestures and the care that goes into the ritual. Tea ceremonies also often take place in historic buildings, including charming wooden houses or garden teahouses.
Slow down and experience this quiet tradition in Kyoto through these tour providers:
- Tea ceremony at Jotokuji Temple from GetYourGuide – a centrally located tea ceremony inside a serene temple.
- Tea ceremony and Japanese sweets-making class from Klook – a budget-friendly option for tea ceremony in Kyoto (sweets-making is an add-on).
- Tea ceremony and sweets at Sasaya-iori villa from Wabunka – a tea ceremony in the villa of 300-year old Japanese confectioner Sasaya-iori.
- Tea ceremony with a Maiko – with additional add-ons including dancing and playing games with maiko.
- Casual tea ceremony from Klook – perfect for families and guests who may struggle to sit still in a more formal tea ceremony atmosphere.
Image courtesy of Wabunka
13. Bow to deer in Nara
Kyoto is the gateway to experiencing one of the most delightful and unusual activities in Japan: interacting with the friendly (sometimes bite-y) deer at Nara Park.
The deer at Nara are regarded as messengers of the gods in Shinto tradition. This is why they are cared for and protected as sacred animals in Nara.
What makes this experience truly weird and unique is that the deer have learned to bow politely to visitors in exchange for receiving deer crackers, which are sold at stands around the park.
This weird activity near Kyoto can’t be experienced anywhere else in the world! Deer can be found at Nara Park here.
14. Admire Lego Kyoto Station
Kyoto Station has a delightful little secret – on the east side of the building lies a hidden gem: a LEGO replica of Kyoto Station! This intricate model, made with amazing attention to detail, showcases the station in all of its architectural wonder in a miniature form. It was built in 2012 to commemorate the building’s 15-year anniversary as well as Lego’s 50 years in Japan.
This unusual Kyoto tourist attraction is a must-see for LEGO and architecture enthusiasts, or anyone who has some time to kill while waiting for their train at the station!
Learn more about this LEGO brick Kyoto station and find a map of it here.
15. Visit the Ninendo Museum and Ninendo Store
The Nintendo Museum is a new Kyoto attraction that can’t be experienced anywhere else in the world! Kyoto is the birthplace of Japanese gaming company Nintendo, known for popular characters like Mario and Bowser, and for gaming consoles like the Nintendo Game Boy, Switch and Wii. The museum offers an interactive journey through the history of Nintendo consoles and characters, and has an awesome gift shop too.
The Nintendo Museum is still notoriously difficult to get tickets to. They can be purchased via a lottery-based system each month from their official website.
If you’re not able to secure Nintendo Museum tickets, check out the next best thing at the Nintendo Store in Kyoto. In addition to the Nintendo Store in Shibuya, Tokyo, it’s the best place to purchase Nintendo goods and toys in Japan.
16. Dress up in Hakama, traditional Kyoto-style kimono
Dressing up in kimono in Kyoto to take photos around the city is a wildly popular tourist experience. Even locals love to partake in this tradition to get Instagram-worthy shots. Did you know Kyoto as a special version of kimono that are worn for graduations and other special events?
The Hakama is a beautiful Kyoto alternative to kimono, which is known for its distinct high-waisted pleated skirt (or pleated wide-legged pants). Hakama are commonly worn in Kyoto during graduation ceremonies, Shinto rituals, and other ceremonial or artistic occasions.
Try this unique Kyoto experience to get authentic and traditional photos in Kyoto here.
17. Sever past relationships at Yasui Kompiragu Shrine
Yasui Kompiragu Shrine is a funny and unique shrine in Kyoto that’s a hot spot for visitors wanting a fresh start.
The iconic feature of this shrine is a massive en-musubi stone covered in paper talismans. Visitors write their wishes on the paper and stick it to the stone before crawling through the hole in the stone. This act symbolizes the cutting away of bad relationships, bad habits, or any other unwanted presence, and the welcoming of new and positive connections into your life.
The atmosphere at this shrine is light-hearted, in part due to its theme of personal growth and new relationships, but also because it’s a funny sight to see people climbing through the stone!
Yasui Kompiragu Shrine is located near Gion here.
18. Forge your own kitchen knife
Kanetaka Cutlery is knife-maker and blade-smith with a seven-generation history in Kyoto. They offer the unique experience of making your own Japanese kitchen knife, which you can take home with you as a souvenir.
The guide for this unique Kyoto activity is Yoshitaka Yamada, who is part of the seventh generation in his family working at this same blade-smith. He is quoted saying “Japanese knives are hard enough that they can cut through a bullet!” Work with Yamada from start to finish to craft your personal Japanese knife. Start by selecting the steel and hammering it into the shape you prefer, then sharpen it on the whetstone.
This rustic knife-making experience with a true master of the craft is one you’ll never forget!
Book this unique experience through Wabunka here.
Courtesy of Wabunka
19. Find a beer vending machine
When wandering around Kyoto, you might stumble upon a unique and convenient treasure: a beer vending machine! Although beer vending machines in Japan are more commonplace in rural areas or if you’re staying in an onsen ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) sometimes you find them around bigger cities as well!
If you’re coming from a country with strict alcohol laws, you might think this is strange. But there are no ID checks involved, just drop in some coins and push the button like any other vending machine!
For far I’ve found two in Kyoto, one here near the bridge to the famous Shorin-ji Temple, and the other one here on the streets leading up to Kiyomizu temple.
Find a place to stay in Kyoto:
- Stay in an elegant, traditional Japanese inn – Best Kyoto Ryokan Stays
- Splurge on a private onsen hot spring – Kyoto Ryokan with Private Onsen
- Stay in a historic Kyoto townhouse – Best Kyoto Machiya Stays
- Find a cool and unique hotel – Coolest Hotels in Kyoto
- Explore more – Weird and Unusual Hotels in Japan
20. Join a Kintsugi workshop
Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. This art form embraces the beauty of imperfection, transforming cracks and breaks into something that is one-of-a-kind.
Join a kintsugi workshop in Kyoto to learn more about this tradition and try it yourself. You won’t only be repairing broken pottery, you’ll be experiencing a reflective practice that celebrates resilience and renewal.
This unique Kyoto activity is perfect for artists or anyone else who love hands-on activities. It’s a meaningful way to connect with Japanese traditions and take home a personal souvenir too!
Book a kintsugi experience at a laquerware studio here or a historic Japanese villa here.
Courtesy of Wabunka
21. Photograph the colorful Yasaka Koshin-do Temple
Yasaka Koshin-do Temple is a super unique Kyoto temple located in the history Higashiyama district of the city. This temple is a burst of color, thanks to the kukurizaru cloth balls that hang from the temple’s main buildings. These cloth balls are talismans that visitors write a wish on, then leave at the temple for it to come true.
This Instagram-perfect temple in Kyoto is popular among local Japanese tourists as well, who come to take photographs when dressed up in colorful kimono and yukata.
Find this unique Kyoto temple near the 5-story Yasaka pagoda here.
22. Watch the Kyoto Station stair light show
The Kyoto Station stairs light show is a hidden and mesmerising experience in the heart of the city. On the upper floors of Kyoto Station on the western side, a grand, multi-level staircase showcases a light show every day after nightfall.
The special part about the light show is that the displays are seasonal. You can admire these stairs during each one of your visits to Kyoto! Tokyo and Osaka train stations don’t have this either, making it a wonderfully unique Kyoto experience.
Kyoto Station has a lot of areas to explore, including an outdoor rooftop space at the top of these stairs, light-up walkways that connect each wing of the station, and more.
23. Learn the way of the Samurai
Step in to the world of the samurai with a hands-on kendo and samurai experience in Kyoto, including using a real sword.
As part of this unique Kyoto activity, guests learn the basics of kendo (Japanese swordsmanship) and practice authentic samurai techniques with a skilled instructor.
In addition to being a fun and interactive experience, you can take home photos of you wearing samurai attire. Plus, you get to epically slice in half a tatami bamboo pole at the end of your training!
Book this super fun Kyoto activity through GetYourGuide.
If you’d prefer this activity as a private group, a separate kendo and samurai experience is available through Wabunka.
Courtesy of Wabunka
24. Explore temples with bloody ceilings
It’s no surprise that out of over 1,000 temples and shrines across Kyoto, some of them have sinister pasts. Kyoto is home to a number of temples with bloody ceilings and floorboards, from a history of seppuku (or ritual killings) and clan warfare in general during the time of the samurai.
Visiting these temples is undoubtedly a weird and unique thing to do in Kyoto, and a dark tourism activity as well.
Below are examples of these blood ceiling temples in Kyoto and where to find them on the map.
25. Dress up as a Maiko or Oiran
Transform yourself into a piece of living history by dressing up as a maiko (apprentice geisha) in Kyoto. Since Kyoto is the capital of traditional geisha culture, it’s the perfect city in Japan to try this unique experience.
Take your dress-up one step further and transform into an Oiran, which a high-ranking courtesan from the Edo period, known for their lavish attire, hair and makeup. You’ll feel like you’ve just stepped out of an anime!
If you’re worried about cultural appropriation – don’t fret. Young Japanese people also love to dress up, and when foreigners do it respectfully, it’s common to receive complements or requests to take photos together when out in public.
26. Visit the bunny shrine, Okazaki Shrine
Among the weird and unique Kyoto shrines – here’s a cute one for your itinerary: Okazaki Shrine which is dedicated to rabbits. Since it’s Japan, we’re not talking about raggedy wild hares, we’re talking about small, round, super cute and fluffy bunny rabbits!
Since rabbits are often associated with fertility due to their reproductive abilities, this shrine is a place where people can pray for blessings related to fertility, the desire to have children, and the safe delivery of babies.
A black granite rabbit awaits visitors at the purification fountain at the entrance to the shrine – if you pour water over it and rub its belly, it is said that you will be blessed with children and have an easy delivery. You can also purchase rabbit omamori amulets at the shrine, and small rabbit charms and statues.
Okazaki Shrine is located in east Kyoto near the Heian Jingu shrine. And yes, some people bring their actual rabbits here for a photo shoot!
27. Tour the Suntory Kyoto Brewery
The Suntory Kyoto Brewery is located just outside of Kyoto, and offers tours and tasting experiences perfect for Japanese beer enthusiasts. Although Suntory is known most for their whiskey’s, this brewery is where some of Japan’s most loved beers are created, including The Premium Malt’s brand.
As part of a guided tour, visitors can learn about Suntory’s brewing process, see the brewery’s high-tech and high-precision facilities, and taste some really good beers of course!
Not a beer person? Suntory’s Yamazaki Whiskey Distillery is also a short train ride away from Kyoto, but requires a lottery-based ticket to enter.
Kyoto is home to a famous craft gin distillery too, the House of Ki No Bi, which is also a unique stop on any Kyoto itinerary.
28. Visit the Toei Kyoto Studio Park
The Toei Kyoto Studio Park is a weird and unique Kyoto theme park that’s part historical film set, and part amusement park. The Japanese name for the park is “Toei Eigamura”, which translates to “movie world”. A trip here is like stepping back in time to the Edo period, through authentic-looking Japanese villages straight off a samurai film movie set.
Visitors can take part in immersive experiences like learning how to swordfight like a samurai, or use ninja weapons. Similar to Universal Studios, the park also hosts themed shows featuring ninja battles and Edo-era samurai performances.
Lastly, you can view real actors and real sets for Japanese Edo-era movies and TV shows which are still popular today.
29. Discover Kunjyukan, a world of scents and incense
Kunjyukan is a museum of scents where you can flex your smelling skills – a weird and unique Kyoto experience. This “smell museum” is run by Shoyeido, which is one of Kyoto’s oldest incense manufacturers.
Visitors here can explore the history and art of Japanese incense making, while smelling different ingredients and incense components. The smell boxes shown below are fun exhibits where you can stick your head in the box to be fully immersed in unique smells. You and even try your hand and mixing your own aromatics to make custom incense to take home!
Visiting Kunjyukan and learning about different aromatics and incense is a weird and wonderful Kyoto activity that’ll leave you appreciating the many smells of Japan.
30. Visit the Kyoto Manga Museum
The Kyoto International Manga Museum is a weird and unique Kyoto destination, and a must-visit museum for anyone interested in Japanese manga culture and art. The museum houses a collection of over 300,000 manga spanning different decades.
From the Wall of Manga, visitors can pick their own manga to read in the Manga Museum’s cozy nooks and bean bags or outdoors in their courtyard. Rotating and interactive exhibits also feature a deeper dive into the history of famous Japanese manga and how they shaped pop culture today.
The large gift shop here also has special edition and rare manga that you might not find anywhere else!
Are You Prepared For Your Trip To Japan?
Be sure to check out my Japan home page for Japan travel information, insider tips, reading list, and must-haves for traveling to Japan!
- Book Your Flights – To find the cheapest flights, flexibility is key. I use both Google Flights for their low fare calendar, and Skiplagged, which uses airfare loopholes to get the lowest prices. For a trip to Japan, check flights to both Tokyo airports (Haneda, Narita) and to Osaka (Kansai).
- Getting Around Japan: Prepare your JR Pass and Suica transit card before you depart.
- Book Your Accommodation – Check out Booking.com for the largest selection of accommodation in Japan. Consider having a bit of fun at one of these Weirdest Hotels in Japan too 🙂
- Book Local Excursions – Don’t miss out on world-class experiences, like Teamlab Borderless or Tokyo Disneyland, by booking tickets online now. Check GetYourGuide and Klook for fun experiences all around Japan.
- Stay Connected: Order a pocket WiFi for airport pickup if you’re traveling with family or with a large group. Solo traveling to Japan? Order a SIM card just for you.
- Pack Your Essentials – Check out my posts about Long Term Travel Gear, and Carry-On Luggage Packing Essentials.
- Read more on my Travel Resources page!