Kyoto

Kyoto

Yukiko Uscanga
Kyoto offers a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty that attracts millions of visitors from around the world. It is a place where tradition and modernity coexist, providing a unique and enchanting experience for travelers.
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Kyoto is a city located in the Kansai region of Japan. It is known for its rich cultural heritage, historic landmarks, and beautiful natural scenery.

One of the defining features of Kyoto is its numerous temples, shrines, and traditional gardens. The city is home to thousands of these religious and cultural sites, many of which are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Kyoto is also known for its traditional arts and crafts, such as pottery, textile weaving, and tea ceremonies. Visitors can explore various museums and workshops to learn about these traditional arts and even participate in hands-on experiences.

The city's cuisine is another highlight, with Kyoto being famous for its kaiseki (traditional multi-course meal), matcha (powdered green tea), and Kyoto-style sushi (Kyozushi). Food lovers can enjoy exploring the local markets, dining in traditional restaurants, and trying regional specialties.

Must go

(for people that it’s the first time in Kyoto)

Kiyomizu-dera
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Kamogawa Delta
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Heian-jingū Shrine
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Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
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Fushimi Inari Taisha
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Temples and Shrines

Eikan-dō (Zenrin-ji) Temple
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Daigo-ji
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Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
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To-ji Gojunoto (Five Story Pagoda)
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Nanzen-ji Temple
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Tōfuku-ji Temple
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Nijō Castle
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Shōkoku-ji Temple
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Ginkakujicho
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Tenryu-ji
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Saihō-ji (Koke-dera) Temple
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Rengeo-in (Sanjusangendo)
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Kōdai-ji Temple
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Ryozen Kannon
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Chōhō-ji (Rokkaku-dō) Temple
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Giō-ji Temple
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Museums

Insho-Domoto Museum of Fine Arts
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Fukuda Art Museum
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Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
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Kawai Kanjiro's House
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Garden of Fine Arts Kyoto
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Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art
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The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto
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Restaurants

Ajariryo Juan
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Izuju Sushi
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CHIBO
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Common Well こもんうぇる
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Oden KELP
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Futagoya
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Gion Kappa Restaurant
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RUTUBO
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Sugari
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Coffee and desserts 🍨

Cafe Bibliotic Hello!
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nana’s green tea - Shijo Muromachi
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Panel Cafe Kyoto
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Yojiya Cafe
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GABOR
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Crème de la Crème
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koé donuts kyoto
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Murin-an
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Koma Gallery Cafe
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(THISIS)SHIZEN
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京とうふ藤野本店/ TOFU CAFE FUJINO
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Kumonocha Cafe - Shijo Kawaramachi
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dan dan cafe
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Bar 🍷

ALKAA
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K36 (The Bar & Rooftop)
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Latin Bar & Event Space El Coyote 京都 河原町 木屋町で 飲み放題がある ラテンミュージックバー
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Local SAKE and BEER Stand 336
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上七軒ビアガーデン
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Nature 🍃

Mount Atago
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4km (2.5 miles) round trip, 4–6 hours

Note : 31st of July is the "Sennichi Tsuyasai”. Special hiking at night, at the top of the mountain, you can get an amulet for Fire protection.

Daimonjiyama
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1.5km (0.9 miles) round trip

保津峡
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Takao to Hozukyō riverside hike.

Best hike for picnicking 11km (7 miles) one way, 4-6 hours, easy to moderate.

To access the trail, take a bus towards Takao and alight at Yamashirotakao, then head down to the river via a set of steps marked with a sign saying "Hiking Course." Before you set off on the hike itself, it’s worth stopping by the Saimyō-ji and Jingo-ji temples. 

Craftsmanship and Performing Arts

Ikenobo Headquarters
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Ikebana experience

Kyoto Shibori Museum
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Shibori Dyeing experience

Nishijin Textile Center
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Weaving Experience

Minamiza Theater
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Kabuki 

Kyoto Kanze Kaikan Noh Theater
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Noh Performance

Tea Ceremony Camellia GARDEN
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Tea Ceremony experience

Entoku-in
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Various Zen experiences  

Shops

1円着物wargo新京極店
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Note: Vintage Kimonos 1 yen 1 gram 🤍

My Only Fragrance KIYOMIZU【京都清水】
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Note : Make your own perfume! You need to make an appointment for this at the website.

glänta kyoto 三条河原町店
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Note: Personalized your ring

満紗窯
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Note: Pottery experience

Roadtrips

Uji

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Byōdō-in Temple
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Kibune

Kifune-jinja Jinja
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Hirobun
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Nice place to have Nagashi Somen (Flowing Noodles) 

Note: You need to get there around 10:00 to make the cue and get a number.

Hyoue
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Ine

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Amanohashidate

Amanohashidate
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Kinosaki Onsen (Hyogo Prefecture)

Kinosaki Onsen
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Hikone (Shiga Prefecture)

Hikone Castle
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Nara

Tōdai-ji
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Nara’s Shuni-e : ceremonie held between 1 March and 15 March annually. The ceremony is a fire festival where the monks of Tōdai-ji parade huge, flaming torches around the balcony of Nigatsu-dō for 10 nights straight, raining embers on spectators to purify them. The following day, they draw water from the temple well and at 2 am, they offer it to Kannon (the Buddhist goddess of mercy) and the public.
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Tsubosaka
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Shirahama

Shirahama Onsen Kisyu Hanto
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Lake Biwa

Kezu Beach
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Ukimido (Floating Hall)
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Naoshima and Teshima

Island of Art

Naoshima Island
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Teshima
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Osaka

Katsuo-ji
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Tower of the Sun
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National Bunraku Theatre
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Nakanoshima Museum of Art
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Special Summer Events (2023)

1. Gion Matsuri - 14th to 24th of July

2. Motomiya-sai: 22nd (18:00) and 23th (9:00) of July

3. Minato Maizuru Firework Festival - 30th of July.

4. Lake Biwa Fireworks Festival - 8th of August

5. Kameoka Peace Festival Hozugawa City - 11th of  August

6. Yoshinogawa Summer Matsuri - 15th of August

7. Summer Festival Nijo Castle - 21st of July to 20th of August 

8. Daigo-ji Lantern Festival - 8th of August

9. Umeda Yukata Festival (Osaka) - 28th and 29th of July

10. Tenjin Festival (Osaka) - 25th of July

11. Mitarashi Festival (Kyoto) - 21st July to 30th July

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yukiko Uscanga
Fashion Designer Nomad Foodie Just me
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