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Otagi Nenbutsu Ji Temple

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji is a temple on the outskirts of Arashiyama with a collection of 1200 unique and whimsical statues. It's a rarely visited and interesting place that rewards the adventurous visitor.

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Rakushisha Poets Hut Arashiyama

This quaint hermit's cottage was once the home of one of haiku master Matsuo Basho's disciples. It's a good palate cleanser between the area temples. ![Rakushisha Poet's Hut image copyright Damien D

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Reikan Ji Temple Northern Higashiyama

Only open for two brief periods a year, Reikan-ji Temple is a must-see attraction if you're lucky enough to be in town when the gates are open. ![Reikan-ji Temple image copyright Damien Douxchamps](h

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Ryoan Ji Temple

Japan's most famous "Zen" garden consists of 15 carefully placed rocks that float mesmerizingly on sea of gravel -- an example of carefully calculated randomness. ![Ryoan-ji Temple](https://photos.sm

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Saimyo Ji Temple

A short distance up the river from Jingo-ji Temple, this fine (and free) pocket temple is a real charmer and should not be missed. When going to Jingo-ji Temple, when you get to th

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Sanjusangen Do Temple

With over 1000 images of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, Sanjusangen-do Temple is one the most arresting sights in Kyoto. It's sort of like an angelic terracotta army. ![Sanjusangendo Temple](

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Sanzen In Temple

Sanzen-in is easily one of the best daytrips out of Kyoto -- a superb collection of Buddhist images hidden up in the hills north of the city. An easy 40-minute bus ride north of Kyoto in the impossib

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Sennyu Ji Temple

If you want to boast that you've been to a temple that no other tourist has visited, this is your spot: Sennyu-ji is a lovely temple hidden in the mountains above Kyoto. All the way up at the top of

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Shinyo Do Temple

Shinyo-do Temple is a beautiful temple located atop Yoshida-yama Hill. The main hall here is sublime and the ground is dotted with cherry and maple trees. Shinyo-do Temple will always be one of my fa

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Shisen Do Temple Northern Higashiyama

Another northern temple far from the beaten track, Shisen-do Temple is the perfect choice for visitors who want to escape the crowds that plague better known spots. ![Zen Karayo garden of Shisen-do t

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Shogunzuka Seiryuden Hike Chion Temple

One of the best short hikes in Kyoto is the easy 2-hour hike from Chion-in Temple in Southern Higashiyama up to the Shogunzuka viewpoint. It provides some incredible views over Kyoto. Here is everythi

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Shoren In Temple

One of our all-time favorite temples in Kyoto, Shoren-in is bypassed by almost all tourists and bus groups. ![Shoren-In Temple](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-FnQkmSb/0/cb50887c/L/i-FnQkmSb-L.jp

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Tenryu Ji Temple Arashiyama

Tenryu-ji Temple is the headline attraction in Arashiyama, a sprawling Zen temple with one of the finest gardens in Kyoto and wonderful mountain views. ![Tenryu-Ji Temple image copyright Damien Douxc

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To Ji Temple

The pagoda of To-ji Temple soars above the suburban sprawl of southern Kyoto, reassuring the visitor that there's still plenty of beauty left in the city. ![Aerial view of Kyoto city from Kodaiji tem

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Tofuku Ji Temple

One of the most attractive temples in Kyoto, Tofuku-ji Temple also has the advantage of not being very crowded UNLESS you come during the fall foliage season. ![Japanese zen garden of Tofuku-ji Templ

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Toji Temple Northwest Kyoto

This rarely visited temple in Northwest Kyoto is a hidden gem. The garden is superb, the halls are elegant and the teahouse is sublime. ![Toji-in Temple - Northwest Kyoto image copyright Damien Douxc

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Uji

About 15 kms southwest of Kyoto, and easily accessed by both the Keihan Line and the JR Line, Uji is famous for the lovely Byodo-in Temple (the temple on the back of the ¥10 coin). It's also famous as

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Unryu In Temple

Located atop a hill in southeast Kyoto, this seldom-visited temple is secret treasure. Both the garden and the Buddhist images are superb. ![Garden at Unryu-in. Editorial credit: Amstk / Shutterstock

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Yasaka No To Pagoda

A long pagoda rising overlooking the floating world of Gion below, Yasaka-no-to Pagoda is a lovely sight by day or night. ![Yasaka-no-to Pagoda image copyright Damien Douxchamps](https://photos.smugm

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A Day Trip To Ohara

Ohara is an ancient farming village north of Kyoto, famous for its rural beauty and the historical and spiritual significance of its many temples. Michael Lambe takes us on a comprehensive tour of thi

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Adashino Nembutsu Ji Temple

A touching temple at the top of the Arashiyama sightseeing district, you'll find 8000 Buddhist statues here placed in memory of those who died without kin. ![Stone statues in Adashino Nenbutsu-ji bud

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Arashiyama Boat Rental Arashiyama Tsusen

One of the best ways to explore the Arashiyama area is by renting a boat and rowing around the lovely lower Hozu-gawa area, especially when the cherry blossoms are out. ![Along Hozu-gawa river to Ara

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A Trip To Uji

To the south of Kyoto lies Uji, a small city famed for its green tea, its World Heritage sites, and its association with the Tale of Genji -- the world's first novel. Michael Lambe takes us on a compr

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Aritsugu Kyoto

Japan is known the world over for the quality of its knives, and Aritsugu, a knife specialist in Nishiki Market, makes some of the best in the country. Located on the north side of [Nishiki market](n

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Backpacking In Kyoto

You can have a great time backpacking in Kyoto. Traveling on a budget doesn't mean you'll miss out on any of city's major attractions. Indeed, you'll be surprised at just how cheap Kyoto can be if you

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Bar Metro Northern Higashiyama

The only club we've ever seen inside a train station, the aptly named Metro is located in one of the entrance tunnels to the Keihan Line's Marutamachi Station. Metro has been just about single-handed

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Best Cooking Classes In Kyoto

Kyoto is a great place to take a Japanese cooking class: It's filled with traditional markets, including the famous Nishiki Market, and there are several good cooking schools. Here are our three favor

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Best Kyoto Souvenirs

Kyoto is the best place in Japan to buy authentic Japanese goods. Here's a handy list of some great Kyoto souvenirs and the best place to buy them. ![Washi paper](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-

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Chion Ji Temple Handicraft Market

Chion-ji Temple hosts a fabulous handicraft market on the 15th of every month. It's a great place to pick up unique, locally made souvenirs during your travels to Kyoto. ![The entrance to Chion-ji Te

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Cycling Kyoto

Kyoto is regularly voted one of the best bicycle cities in Asia, and for good reason: The city is largely flat, roads are well maintained, drivers are sane and there are plenty of places to purchase o

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