Are you ready to embark on a cultural adventure? Look no further than Kyoto, Japan. As one of Japan’s most historically significant cities. Kyoto boasts a unique culture you won’t find anywhere else. Temples and Shrines Kyoto is home to over 2,000 temples and shrines, each with its own unique history and architecture. Some of… Read More Exploring the Unique Culture of Kyoto, Japan
Myoshinji (妙心寺, Myōshinji) is a large temple complex in northwestern Kyoto. That includes about 50 sub-temples in addition to its main buildings. While a few temple halls can be entered, most sub-temples are closed to the public. However, visitors are free to wander along the walking paths. In several ways, the temple complex resembles Daitokuji… Read More Temple Stay At Myoshin-ji
Kyoto’s Kitchen—thriving for 400 years. Nishiki Market today differs from its origins as an open-air fish market 400 years ago. Nishiki Market has an astonishing 130 vendors packed into a narrow passageway approximately 400 meters long and 3.9 meters wide. It continues to thrive, attracting not only visitors but Kyoto locals too. How to Get… Read More Nishiki Market 錦市場
Kyoto, Japan’s cultural capital and a prominent tourist attraction globally, is a city rich with Buddhist temples, castles, and Shinto shrines.But, did you know that Kyoto Prefecture boasts a variety of off-the-beaten-path hidden gems in addition to the capital city of Kyoto?Here are the top 10 of my personal favorites! Kameoka (亀岡) The Must-Visit City… Read More The Top 10 Hidden Gems in Kyoto
The Kyoto Imperial Palace (京都御所, Kyōto Gosho) used to be the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family until 1868. When the emperor and capital were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. It is located in the spacious Kyoto Imperial Park (京都御苑, Kyōto Gyoen). An attractive park in the center of the city. That also encompasses the Sento… Read More Kyoto Gyoen Garden, Kyōto-shi, Japan
Maruyama park is one of Kyoto’s most visited places during the sakura season. Since it is so close to the Kyoto downtown area. The park has many wonderful cherry blossoms, including the famous weeping cherry of Gion. After the park, we take quite a hike up into the back mountain temple of Chion-in.
Daimonji Yaki, also commonly known as Daimonji Gozan Okuribi, is a festival that forms part of the Obon celebrations in Kyoto. Enormous bonfires are set alight on five mountains in Kyoto in the shape of Chinese characters and other symbols to help guide our ancestors back to the spiritual world after Obon. It is believed… Read More Kyoto Gozan Okuribi 京都五山送り火
Walk the Philosopher’s Path at this Kyoto temple that proves all that glitters truly isn’t gold. The brother temple to Kyoto’s famous Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), the Silver Pavilion (Ginkaku-ji) doesn’t actually have any silver applied to its exterior. It’s precisely this lack of adornment that makes it special. In its understated elegance, Ginkaku-ji embodies the Japanese… Read More Silver Pavilion (Ginkakuji Temple) 慈照寺（銀閣寺)
Kinkakuji (àt, Golden Pavilion) is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto. Whose top two floors are entirely covered in gold leaf. Formally known as Rokuonji, the temple was the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. According to his will, it became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408. Kinkakuji… Read More Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)
The hike to the summit of 233m Mt. Inari-san, and the pilgrimage circle around the shrines near the top is one of Kyoto’s most interesting short walks. It’s also the best way to see all of the Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine. Time: about 3 hours Distance: about 5km Difficulty: moderate Start point: Fushimi-Inari Station on the Keihan Line or Inari Station on the… Read More Fushimi-Inari Hike