School trips are moving away from Kyoto for one key reason

Kyoto is apparently one of the top spots for school trips here, and I can understand why, with the wealth of history that the city offers. However, a recent Kyoto municipal survey caught my eye with one specific statistic. While total visitors to Kyoto hit a whopping 56 million in 2024, student trips actually declined by over 7 percent.

A much quieter Arashiyama, during one of the first years I was here.

The reasons are telling, too. Some schools are heading overseas again post-pandemic, but others are avoiding Kyoto altogether because of overcrowding. For decades, Kyoto has been the unshakable first choice, but now schools are branching out.

According to the Japan School Trip Association, Kanazawa and Hakodate are proving especially popular. I've been to both, and it's easy to see why they'd be appealing. Kanazawa's mix of history and art makes it feel like a smaller, less hectic Kyoto, while Hakodate's compact layout and tram system are perfect for students on the move.

One of the cool places we visited on a trip to Hakodate: the star-shaped Goryokaku fort.

Shikoku was another region mentioned in the article, and I think the temple pilgrimage routes, coastal scenery, and slower pace make it a worthy alternative for those looking to avoid the crowds. It's not as easily accessible as Kanazawa, but that might be exactly what keeps stacks of people away.

I think it's actually very healthy for Japan's tourism map to spread out. Kyoto will always be Kyoto, but the next generation of travelers (students included!) deserve to see more of what the country has to offer.

Any places you've visited here in Japan that you think would be perfect for school trips?