Blog

We write about the city the way a knowledgeable friend would describe it — neighbourhoods that are still in the hands of the neighbourhood, temples that are routinely empty in the early hours, festivals you can stand at the front of, cafes that don't make the lists. We don't do "hidden gems" or must-visit roundups. The places aren't hidden. They're overlooked, mis-mapped, or just not on the route most travellers take.

What you'll find here:

• Festival guides — practical timing and route notes for events like Aoi Matsuri and Golden Week when most of Kyoto turns into a queue
• Day trips and neighbourhood essays on the parts of Kyoto we go back to most
• App and product notes from Kyoto Unknown — a free iOS guide built by locals
• Why we built this — the thinking behind the project

Kyoto Unknown is free forever. Every feature, no paid tier, no ads, no tracking, no account. Built by locals who got tired of watching visitors miss the city we live in.