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The Gion Apartment

The Gion Apartments are several well-maintained short-lease apartments in the Miyagawa-cho geisha district. If you like the convenience of having your own apartment when travelling, then the Gion Apa

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The Gion House

The Gion House is actually a lovely old Gion house that's been subdivided into two units, each of which is impeccably decorated. For those who want to the convenience of a vacation rental while in Ky

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The Old Modern

The Old Modern is a superbly renovated early Showa residence that is divided into four wonderfully appointed and spacious suites, each with its own distinctive character. ![The Old Modern Deco Suite

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Bic Camera Kyoto

May 2023: Please note this branch of Bic Camera is now permanently closed. Please see Yodobashi Camera in the Kyoto Station area instead. Bic Camera is the best electronics/camera/computer shop i

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Ishibei Koji Alley Southern Higashiyama

Hands-down the single most beautiful lane in all of Kyoto, Ishibei-koji Lane is like entering another world. ![Isibei-koji Street](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-LPtdPFf/0/aea54dcf/L/i-LPtdPFf-L

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Kyocera Museum Of Art

The Kyocera Gallery (formerly Kyocera Museum of Art) is a small museum in southern Kyoto that showcases the history and products of Kyocera Corporation and also hosts ever-changing shows of art. If y

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Kyoto Municipal Museum Of Art Northern Higashiyama

The Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art (formerly Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art) is the best museum in Kyoto (it's only eclipsed by the Kyoto National Museum when the National is holding a special exhibi

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Kabuki Kyotos Minamiza Theater

Kyoto is regarded as the birthplace of kabuki drama. If you are fortunate enough to be in Kyoto when a kabuki show is on, you should definitely experience this lively extravaganza of drama, music and

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Kyoto Museum Traditional Crafts Fureaikan Northern Higashiyama

The Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design (formerly Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts or Fureaikan) is a small free museum that showcases the main traditional crafts of Kyoto. It's a great rainy day acti

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Kyoto Railway Museum

The Kyoto Railway Museum is one of the best railway museums anywhere in the world. It's a must for train fans and families with children. Formerly the Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum, this superb mus

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Kyoto Station Building

The gateway to Kyoto is far more than just a train station: It's an attraction in its own right and it's packed with shops, restaurants and things to see. ![Kyoto Station. Editorial credit: Sean Pavo

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Kyoto Tower

A tacky rocket poised for liftoff on the doorstep of Kyoto Station, this pinnacle of bad taste affords a great view of the city. ![Kyoto Tower. Editorial credit: Korkusung / Shutterstock.com](https:/

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Minamiza Kabuki Theatre

Few theatrical spectacles are as visually stimulating and just plain bizarre as kabuki, and Kyoto's Minamiza Kabuki Theatre is the best place in Japan to see kabuki. ![Kabuki theatre Minamiza. Editor

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National Museum Of Modern Art Northern Higashiyama

Kyoto's National Museum of Modern Art is a reasonably interesting museum that occasionally holds worthwhile special exhibits. ![National Museum Of Modern Art, Kyoto](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos

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Nene No Michi Lane

Nene-no-Michi Lane is a wonderful flagstone walkway that links some of the most important sights in the Southern Higashiyama area. ![Nene-no-Michi walkway. Editorial credit: Pabkov / Shutterstock.com

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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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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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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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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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