Not in Kyoto but between there and Tokyo (depending on how you make the trip) is Hakone - one of the areas I enjoyed most when working in Japan. I was working for Garrett back in the early 90s and spent a fair amount of time at Fuji Speedway which is nearby (unfortunately you just missed the Nismo Festival). Mt. Fuji and the speedway are the obvious big attractions; but Hakone has some great railways, traditional Japanese museums and gorgeous scenery. One of the best features is not traditional at all - the Chokoku-no-Mori (open air museum). Even if you are not into art it is worth a visit.