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New Home Ancient Treasures Heisei Chishinkan Wing Kyoto National Museum

The Kyoto National Museum is the best museum in Kyoto. The permanent collection is mediocre and indifferently displayed, but the special exhibits regularly held here are often superb. ![The Thinker s

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Nishiki Market Downtown Kyoto

Known to locals as "Kyoto's pantry", Nishiki Market is easily the best traditional food market in the city. Running between Teramachi and Shinmachi, one block north of Shijo, Nishiki Market is Kyoto'

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Okazaki Museum District

Okazaki-koen, located in Kyoto's Northern Higashiyama district, is home to two of Kyoto's best museums, a concert hall, a major shrine (Hiean-jingu Shrine) and some great park space. It's a great plac

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Robert Mangold Gallery

For serious collectors of Japanese art and antiques, a visit to Robert Mangold's Kura Monzen Gallery is a must. The gallery carries a wide range of work, from Jomon to contemporary, with ceramics, tea

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Robert Yellin Gallery

Located a short walk from Ginkaku-ji Temple, the Robert Yellin Yakimono Gallery is a carefully curated gallery of Japanese pottery in a lovely traditional Kyoto house. Robert Yellin is one of the lea

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The Kyoto International Community House Northern Higashiyama

The Kyoto International Community House has a lot to offer the short-term visitor, including a library with international papers and magazines, free internet and wifi. For most foreigners setting up

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The Kyoto International Manga Museum Kyoto

The Kyoto International Manga Museum is the best manga museum in the entire country. If you're a fan of Japanese comics, don't miss it! ![International Manga Museum. Editorial credit: cowardlion / Sh

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Urasenke Chado Research Center

Kyoto has always been the heart of Japanese tea culture, and the Urasenke Chado Research Center is the equivalent of the Vatican of the Relgion of Tea. The tea ceremony is where almost all important

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Funaoka Onsen Kyoto

Funaoka Onsen, which is actually a sento, is the best public bath in Kyoto. It's well worth a trip across town to relax in this beautiful bath house. Located in northwest Kyoto, Funaoka Onsen is the

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Funaoka Onsen

Funaoka Onsen, which is actually a sento, is the best public bath in Kyoto. It's well worth a trip across town to relax in this beautiful bath house. Located in northwest Kyoto, Funaoka Onsen is the

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Goko Yu Sento Kyoto

Goko-yu Sento is a large public bath on the southwest side of Downtown Kyoto. It's a "destination sento" with a wide variety of baths spread over two floors. Goko-yu (the name means "Water of Five Fr

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Kinosaki Onsen Guide And Map

Kinosaki Onsen is a picturesque village on the Japan Sea Coast, two and a half hours north of Kyoto by direct train. It's one of the best places to enjoy an onsen (hot spring) within easy distance of

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Kurama Onsen

The best onsen (hot spring) in the Kyoto area, Kurama Onsen is an easy 30-minute train trip north of Kyoto. Sitting in the outdoor tub surrounded by forested mountains is pure onsen bliss. ![A wooden

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Kyotos Best Onsen Hot Spring Baths

Unlike other parts of Japan, Kyoto is not rich in onsen (natural hot spring baths), but there are a few in the city. Here, we introduce the best onsen in and around Kyoto. ![A wooden pagoda sits abov

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Kyotos Best Sentos Japanese Public Baths

After a long day of temple hopping, there is no better way to relax than soaking in a good sento (Japanese public bath). Here, we introduce the best sentos in Kyoto and give some tips on how to enjoy

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Onsen Sento Ofuro Daiyokujo And Super Sento Whats The Difference

There are lots of ways to get into hot water in Japan: onsen, sento, ofuro, daiyokujo and super sentos. A lot of foreigners call any large bathtub in Japan an onsen, but that's not correct. Let's see

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Sauna No Umeyu Sento

Sauna no Umeyu is one of the most approachable sentos (public baths) in Kyoto. It's crowded, friendly and fun and it's right in the middle of one of the most interesting neighborhoods in Kyoto. If yo

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Tenzan No Yu Onsen Kyoto

Tenzan-no-yu Onsen is a huge bath and spa complex on the west side of Kyoto. It's one of the few onsen in Kyoto and it's well worth the trek across town to relax here. Located in western Kyoto, a sho

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Best Places To Propose In Kyoto

If you're ready to pop the question, Kyoto is a great place to do it. Kyoto is an incredibly romantic city and it's filled with beautiful, quiet spots. Here is our guide to the best places to propose

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Honeymoon In Kyoto

Kyoto is an incredibly romantic city. With intimate restaurants, atmospheric lanes, superb accommodations and a thousand quiet gardens and temples, it's the perfect place to spend time with someone yo

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Kyoto Romantic Cherry Blossom Itinerary

Kyoto's cherry blossoms are naturally romantic. But crowds are not. Here's a great way to enjoy the best of Kyoto's cherry blossoms while avoiding the worst of the crowds. ![Couple walk in the park w

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Kyotos Most Romantic Walks

Kyoto has some of the most picturesque lanes and streets in all of Asia. The best way to enjoy them with someone special is to follow these three walking routes. ![Gion Shirakawa in the evening. Edit

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Most Romantic Hotels And Ryokan In Kyoto

If you're in search of a romantic hideaway for your Kyoto stay, you've got plenty of great choices. You can choose from intimate ryokan (traditional Japanese inns), sublime hotels, and superbly restor

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Arashiyama Monkey Park

If you want to check out Japan's famous monkeys, we strongly recommend this great little monkey park in Arashiyama. It's a short walk from central Arashiyama and it's great for the kids. ![Arashiyama

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Kameyama Koen Park

Escape the crowds and (if you're lucky) mingle with the monkeys at Arashiyama's lovely hilltop park, Kameyama-koen Park. ![Japanese macaque in Arashiyama](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-RpgH4Fn/

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Kamo Gawa Riverside

Kyoto has a river running through it: It's called the Kamo-gawa and it's really just one long park which Kyotoites use for relaxation, exercise and contemplation. Like the [Kyoto Imperial Palace Park

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Kyoto City Zoo Northern Higashiyama

The Kyoto City Zoo is a surprisingly good little zoo conveniently located in the Northern Higashiyama sightseeing district. It's the perfect way to give the kids a break from temples and shrines. Reo

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Kyoto Gyoen Kyoto Imperial Palace Park Central Kyoto

A green sanctuary in the middle of the drab plain of Kyoto, the Kyoto Gyoen (Kyoto Imperial Palace Park) is Kyoto's Central Park. ![Kyoto Imperial Palace Park. Editorial credit: DutchMen / Shuttersto

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Maruyama Koen Park

An oasis of green amid the Southern Higashiyama Sightseeing District, Maruyama-koen Park is the perfect spot for a rest or picnic while exploring the area. ![Maruyama park](https://photos.smugmug.com

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The Path Of Philosophy Northern Higashiyama

The Path of Philosophy is easily one of the most attractive sights in Kyoto -- a streamside path lined with blossoming trees and shrubs of every description. ![Philosopher's Path. Editorial credit:

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