KYOTO
WHAT TO DO IN KYOTO?
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Kyoto is a magical place, which would make you fall in love with Japan instantly. You will stroll in bamboo forests, visit mystical temples, see some real geishas and if the season is right expect some beautiful cherry blossom sights.
With a centuries-old history as the island nation’s former capital, as well as being one of the major religious hubs in Japan, Kyoto has a great number of cultural sites. Here are the most unforgettable 10 things to do and see in the city:
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1. Walk under the Fushimi Inari Shrine
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Kyoto’s most iconic treasure, the Fushimi Inari Shrine is located at the end of a flamed colored walkway made up of thousands of traditional tori gates. Visitors can easily spend a day wandering through the trails surrounding the network of ornate shrines. Half way up the mountain, expect incredible views of Kyoto at the Yotsutsuji Intersection.
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2. Visit the Golden Kinkakuji Temple
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Amidst a placid lake and surrounded by trees is the golden Kinkakuji Temple, a Zen temple wrapped in gold leaf, with the top floor gilded both inside and out. It was originally built as a retirement home for a famous shogun, who sanctioned the building to become a temple after his death.
Go early in the morning to see the sun glean off of the temple and to beat the crowds.
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3. Visit the Kiyomizu-dera Temple
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On top a beautiful hill is the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site surrounded by cherry trees. The temple is known for hosting an array of magical features. Walk between two stones with your eyes closed in front of the Jishu Shrine, build to honor the god of love. If you can do this successfully, then you will find true love.
4. Enjoy some great food at Pontocho alley
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Near the Kamogawa River, Pontocho is a lively alley with restaurants lining each side. There are hundreds of restaurants offering everything from fine dining to inexpensive yakitori. Don’t blindly follow what your guidebook tells you, the best restaurants are usually small, hidden, and might not advertise their menu in English. The best strategy for finding memorable cuisine is to simply walk into whatever shop’s ambience appeals to you most. On a hot night, sit at a restaurant overlooking the Kamogawa River, as the flowing water tends to cool the air.
About us
Hey there !
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We are Hammer and Guillaume, a fun couple who loves traveling and always being on new adventures !
We would like to share with you some of our top 10 things to do in the places we've visited or lived in for a while.
​
Like everyone else who is going to new places, we always wonder what are the best things to do. For that purpose, we've compiled a list of 10 best things to do in some of our favorite places on earth.
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5. Take your best instagram shot at Yasaka Pagoda
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Yasaka Pagoda is located at Hokanji Temple in Higashiyama District in eastern Kyoto City. It’s the famous landmark of the district and one of the most photographed place in Kyoto. Visitors can actually enter inside the pagoda too.
6. Wander through the Gion District
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Gion is Kyoto’s entertainment district, known for being a hub for artists, theatres, and geishas. It’s easy to spend sun-up to sun-down in this area, exploring all that it has to offer. Gion hosts the Minamiza Theater, renowned for featuring kabuki shows – a genre of theater that features dance, dramatic make-up, and bright colors. Visitors can also walk down Hanami-koji, the cherry tree lined main street, and write down their hopes and dreams to place upon the Yasui Kompira-gu Shrine’s magical stone. In between cultural attractions are hundreds of cafes, food stalls, and perfectly placed benches.
There is no better place to find an interesting, cultural, and well-rounded view of Kyoto than in the Gion District.
7. Be amazed in a Bamboo Grove
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Another iconic landmark of Arashiyama area is this Bamboo Grove, which runs between Tenryuji Temple and Okouchi Sanso Garden. It’s one of the most popular photo spots in Kyoto.
8. Stay Zen in Tenryuji Temple
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Tenryuji Temple is the head temple of the Tenryu branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism, known for its gorgeous Japanese garden, and the astonishing Japanese art work,
9. Visit your dream japanese house at Okouchi Sanso Garden
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Okouchi Sanso Garden was our favourite things to do in Kyoto. Formerly the estate of the famed film actor Okochi Denjiro (1898-1962), this sublime villa and surrounding gardens are located right at the end of the Bamboo Grove and the admission fee includes a nice Japanase cup of matcha tea. The main house here is one of the finest examples of traditional Japanese residential architecture anywhere and the teahouse is a real gem.
10. Enjoy some great japanese food at Nishiki Market
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Nishiki Market has a pleasant and lively atmosphere that is inviting to those who want to explore the variety of culinary delights that Kyoto is famous for. Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", this retail market specializes in all things food related, like fresh seafood, produce, knives and cookware, and is a great place to find seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood and sushi.
Other things to do outside Kyoto:
Do not miss the day trip to Nara, located less than one hour from Kyoto. Due to its past as the first permanent capital, the city remains full of historic treasures, including some of Japan's oldest and largest temples, including the famous Daibutsu (Great Buddha) at Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga-Taisha Shrine. Nara-koen Park is also very unique with its famous semi-wild deer.
When you close your eyes and think of Japan, you’re probably picturing Kyoto: sublime Zen gardens, mysterious Buddhist temples, colorful Shinto shrines, graceful geisha. The fact is, Kyoto is the most rewarding city in Japan and a place all travelers should visit at least once in their lives.
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Get a full travel guide for Kyoto here:
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Where to stay in Kyoto ?
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Accommodation in Kyoto is not necessarily easy to find, especially if you plan to go there in the spring or for the cherry blossom and for the bright color of the maple trees in autumn. In short, finding where to sleep in Kyoto can be a real headache! Kyoto is also one of the best cities in Japan to sleep in a ryokan and have a unique experience, however this can be a little pricey.
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During our trip to Kyoto in Spring with stayed in a beautiful and new hotel called Hotel Resol Kyoto Shijo Muromachi in the city center near the Nishiki Market. The hotel has a stunning interior architecture, very modern with all the Japanase comfort. Hotel Resol Kyoto Shijo Muromachi is priced reasonably, has a delicious buffet breakfast, and is located near the main area such as Gion and Pontocho Alley which are all within walking distance.
Don't look any further, you can book directly here.
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About us
Hey there !
​
We are Hammer and Guillaume, a fun couple who loves traveling and always being on new adventures !
We would like to share with you some of our top 10 things to do in the places we've visited or lived in for a while.
​
Like everyone else who is going to new places, we always wonder what are the best things to do. For that purpose, we've compiled a list of 10 best things to do in some of our favorite places on earth.
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Follow our travels
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