Find things to do in Kyoto with pictures, reviews, nearby hotels and restaurants. See popular Kyoto attractions indicated on a detailed map.
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Kyoto's most imposing shrine was built in 1884 to mark the 1,100th anniversary of the city. It is dedicated to the first and last Emperors to reside in the old capital. The bright orange and green main hall is a scaled down rep... more
Real Travelers who've been here
Broadview Travellers said
… of other people in it. From here we walked down the hill to the bus to the Heian Shrine, eating… continue reading »
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Ginkakuji, the Silver Pavilion, was constructed as a retreat by shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa in 1489 after the destruction of much of Kyoto in the Onin Civil War of 1467. Its rather somber feel contrasts with the dazzling Kinkakuj... more
Real Travelers who've been here
Mokola said
… to ginkakuji temple. It's called the "silver pavilion" (as opposed to the "gold pavilion" which is a large… continue reading »
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Ideal for picnics, walking or jogging the Imperial Palace Park located right in the heart of the city contains the buildings of the Imperial Palace. With its wide expanses of grass and small copses of trees, the park provides a... more
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Ryoanji is the world's most famous Zen stone garden and dates from the fifteenth century. Fifteen rocks are arranged in five groups within a walled rectangle of raked white gravel, perhaps representing the ocean or infinity. Co... more
Real Travelers who've been here
Cory & Kristin said
… in the afternoon, we visited Ryoan-ji and Ninna-ji temples. Ryoan-ji is home to the famous rock garden… continue reading »
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Established in 876 AD as a temple, it is located adjacent to the Ozawa pond. In the 1600s, Emperor Saga's imperial detached villa, Saga Palace, was taken apart and reassembled here. The several wings are connected with covered... more
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Held on the 21st of every month, Toji market attracts traders and bargain-hunters from all over Japan and abroad. A good place to find antique Japanese furniture as well as household items, clothes, plants, kimonos and just abo... more
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The Japanese tea ceremony is world famous, but if you have no chance to be involved in one of these, a visit to Ippodo is definitely worthwhile. Ippodo have been in business since 1846 and stepping into the shop gives one a goo... more
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The legacy of the Great Buddha and the Todai-ji itself are reflections of Japan's admiration of the T'ang dynasty. During the Nara era, the state used Buddhism to make a power statement. The Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsu-den) is... more
Real Travelers who've been here
Travelling Lousies! said
… impressive Daibutsu-den hall in the Todai-ji temple with its fearsome wooden carved guard statues… continue reading »
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A distinctive Kyoto landmark built in 1964 and situated directly in front of Kyoto station, this 131-meter-high, slim orange and white tower, resembling a torch, is generally panned by guidebook writers, but illuminated at nigh... more
Real Travelers who've been here
Cory & Kristin said
… started at Kyoto station, across from the Kyoto tower, built in the 1960s, as a way to rival the building… continue reading »
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Soak in the atmosphere at recently refurbished Funaoka Onsen (actually a public bathhouse rather than a hot spring). Funaoka Onsen still retains many of the original Taisho era features from when it first opened its doors in 19... more
Kyoto Travel Experiences
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Top Ten Kyoto
1. Before you do anything else in Kyoto, make sure that you have reserved one of the lovely tatami rooms at Bola Bola Guesthouse. It is a... Continue reading »
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Historical Kyoto
Peter and Ani took us out to Kyoto, to visit the Kiyomizu Temple and the Imperial Gardens (like Tokyo, you can’t visit the Palace). ... Continue reading »
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Tea for Two
After a night of karaoke and Chu-Hai - fizzy, fruit flavoured alcohol - Jas and I decided to take it easy and avoid t... Continue reading »
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Osaka
Having visited Peter’s work and talked to one of his secretaries about the ferry to Korea, we jumped on the train again to Osaka. O... Continue reading »
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The Pola Museum and the train
Today was my last day in Hakone. I even took time to do a bit of yoga this morning. One last soak ( I swear it does wonders f... Continue reading »
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Popular Kyoto Hotels
- Ana Hotel Kyoto
- Kyoto Takaragaike Prince Hotel
- The Westin Miyako Kyoto
- Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
- The New Miyako Hotel in Kyoto
- Ryokan Hiraiwa
- Watazen Ryokan
- Toyoko Inn Shijo Karasuma
- Tomato Guesthouse
- Rhino Hotel Kyoto
Popular Kyoto Things to Do
- Heian Shrine
- Ginkakuji
- Kyoto Imperial Palace Park
- Ryoanji
- Daikaku-ji Temple
- Toji Temple Market
- Ippodo Tea Company
- Todai-ji Temple
- Kyoto Tower
- Funaoka Onsen
Popular Kyoto Restaurants
- Omen
- Kinmata Restaurant
- Le Bellecour
- Ganko - Nijoen
- Manyoken
- Tawaraya
- Cipolla
- Earth Kitchen Company
- Uotake
- Hamid's Kebab Shop
