Hi everyone
I'm a 25-year-old Japanese grad student living in Kyoto.
I recently started a Substack newsletter in English where I write about:
- Hidden, peaceful places in Kyoto (not the usual tourist spots)
- Weekly life with my British exchange student friend (lots of cultural discoveries!)
- Japanese movies, and travel tips — from a local's point of view
I noticed there are many amazing guides out there, but few are written by people actually living here.
So I wanted to share my version of Kyoto — quiet gardens, underrated museums, and the daily life that tourists don’t always see.
If you're into Japan, slow travel, or cross-cultural life, I'd be happy if you check it out:
https://hiddenkyoto.substack.com
Would love to hear your favorite spots in Kyoto or Japan too. Thanks for reading!
by BeautifulProperty499
2 comments
We’re planning a trip to Kyoto for next year (Sep. ’26), so this is interesting to me as we don’t really like crowds. I don’t know how this fits in with your interests or writing plans, but I can tell you what I’m interested in:
– a couple of different traditional Japanese breakfasts to try
– some traditional Japanese street food items to try
– Western-style coffee (ie. espresso, pourover), but not dark roasted–preferably something light to medium. But, also with Western-style baked goods or sandwiches (sourdough or other artisan bread). The coffee is for me, but–and I know this from experience–my mother-in-law will have difficulty eating non-Western food all the time.
– places that don’t require a lot of walking to see the beautiful parts (my mother-in-law can’t walk far)
Good luck with the Substack. I look forward to reading it.
Sounds wonderful. I live in Kyoto too and am always looking at hidden gems and spots to explore. Will subscribe to your substack! ✌️