Not crowded places in Kyoto at the end of November
 

We are planning to be in Kyoto the last week of November. Can you please recommend temples, gardens and other places in Kyoto and nearby that won't be too crowded? I do understand that it is the fall foliage season and most of places will have plenty of people. Which attractions will have be reasonable in terms of crowds?

I'm trying to figure out how to answer this in a helpful manner but am at a loss because "too crowded" and "reasonable in terms of crowds" are undefined. If you're a claustrophobe, some places are worse than others.

The various sites are . . . varied in terms of land they occupy and where you can walk around. Kinkaju-ji (Golden Temple) is bad enough outside of high season, it'd probably suck during the koyo time. Similarly, Kiyomizu temple will likely be a mob scene but it depends upon time and weather.

The Fushimi Inari shrine has a LOT of room to explore so its patron density may be less awful. Similarly, Nijo-jo is spread out, not built up so the tourists will be all over the compound. And Arashiyama is a district more than a specific site, so that may work better. We liked the Kannon fest in Sanjusangendo Temple but no clue what that'd be like in high season.

We found that Arashiyama was less crowded than temples right in Kyoto. But you certainly will see plenty of other visitors, no matter where you go in the Kyoto area.

How about going to temples and monasteries that are not on the top of most tourists' lists, but are beautiful nevertheless?

For example, I visited Chion-in and Nanzhen-Ji, after going to Kiyomizu-dera (all on the eastern hills). All beautiful with nice abbot gardens. There are tonnes of such places in and around Kyoto, so those are just my examples.

http://rkkwan.zenfolio.com/kyoto0809

if you go to any of the places you mention just before they open you will find a lessened to no crowd. START EARLY is my advise. just before noon we are finding a lunch spot and then heading back to our machiya or hotel for a rest before heading out for early dinner (again avoiding crowds). If you wait till 10:00am to go to venues or after 18:00 for dinner you will find crowds all over Kyoto especially during that time of year. Just my experiences.

Aloha!

Any site listed on the normal tourist guides will be crowded, especially in a season enjoyed by both domestic and overseas visitors for the autumn colour.

That doesn't make them less worthy of visiting, some of these places are really incredible.

Toji Temple I think was not so crowded, though it was on Flea Market day, held on the 21st of each month. We love flea markets (and there was a food market there too) so we enjoyed that, despite the crowds.

Yasui Konpira-gu Shrine was far less busy than most of the big name ones, though still a steady (but small) stream of people checking out the famous stone of breaking and bonding: http://www.kaveyeats.com/2013/02/mes...of-love-2.html

Likewise, check out the tiny but interesting Yasaka Koshin-do / Kongo-ji.

You may also like this little refreshment option near the last temple I mentioned: http://www.kaveyeats.com/2013/05/jap...suke-jaya.html

thank you very much for the suggestions!

rkkwan, that is exactly what I am looking for "temples and monasteries that are not on the top of most tourists' lists, but are beautiful nevertheless". You put it well.

BigRuss, yes, I am looking for less popular places or places that are popular but have more space.

Kathie, I realize it will be a busy time but it would be nice not to be in huge crowds all the time.

hawaiiantraveler, that makes sense, thank you

Kavey, thank you for the suggestions!

You are most welcome.