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Tonkatsu Butagorira

The oddly-named Tonkatsu Butagorira serves up some super-crispy batter -- encasing juicy pork loin cutlets, of course! Eating this cheap and cheerful meal is best paired with a visit to nearby Nijo Ca

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Tonkatsu Ichiban

Who can argue with tonkatsu made from pigs raised in the Hokkaido mountains? Certainly not us. Tonkatsu Ichiban is a 15-minute walk west of Kyoto Station, but it's worth the short trek out there. The

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Toraya Ichijoji

Not far from the west side of the Kyoto Imperial Palace Park, this superb and tranquil tearoom is a great place to sample some traditional Kyoto sweets and excellent green tea. If you want to sample

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Tousuiro

If you think you know tofu, think again! The artisans at this branch of a famed Kyoto tofu restaurant chain do more with tofu than you'd have thought possible. Hidden down a narrow allow off of Kiyam

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Towzen

If you've always avoided ramen because you're vegetarian or vegan, you no longer have to worry. Towzen serves up one of Kyoto's most delicious bowls of soy milk ramen, and it's completely vegan! ![To

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Unagi Hirokawa Arashiyama

Unagi Hirokawa is an excellent Michelin-starred grilled eel specialist located on the main street of Arashiyama. But be warned: Book ahead or wait hours in the queue. ![A simple noren greeting you at

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Wabiya Korekido

Wabiya Korekido is a restaurant in Gion that serves top-notch oyakodon (chicken-and-egg rice bowl) at lunch and fabulous yakitori at dinner. If you can't decide what time to head there, don't choose -

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Vegan Kyoto

With a strong Buddhist vegetarian tradition, Kyoto has plenty of dining choices for vegans, but you'll have to work hard to avoid fish products. Here is a list of our favorite vegan restaurants in Kyo

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Warajiya

WIth over 400 years of serving unagi under its belt, Warajiya has an eel pedigree to be proud of. It's located near Keihan Shichijo Station, and best paired with a visit to Sanjusangendo Temple up the

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What To Eat In Kyoto

Kyoto is famous for its tofu, its sublime kaiseki cuisine and its Buddhist vegetarian fare. It's also a great place to sample all the main classics of Japanese cuisine. ![Kaiseki, traditional Japanes

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Yagura Southern Higashiyama

For a good bowl of noodles while exploring Gion or before taking in some kabuki at nearby Minamiza, Yagura is the perfect choice. Directly across the street from Kyoto's kabuki theatre, [Minamiza Kab

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Yamamoto Mambo

Beloved by locals, Yamamoto Mambo is a family-run okonomiyaki joint that's a good bet for a hearty meal. Their flavourful, iron-griddled dishes are fantastic washed down with drinks. Who could fail t

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Yoshikawa Tempura Restaurant Kyoto

Yoshikawa Tempura serves Kyoto's best tempura in a beautiful old wooden building built around a sublime Japanese garden. Yoshikawa is our favorite tempura restaurant in Kyoto because it hits all the

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Yoshuji Restaurant Kurama

Yoshuji is the nicest place to eat in Kurama, full stop. You can choose from sets of Buddhist vegetarian cuisine or simpler bowls of noodles. Halfway up the steps on your right just before you enter

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Yudofu Sagano Restaurant Arashiyama

Yodofu Sagano is a great place to try that great Arashiyama Buddhist specialty: yudo (chunks of tofu simmered in broth). Arashiyama was originally a temple district, owing to the existence of Tenryu-

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Zenkashoin

For some wonderful Japanese takes on Western pastries paired with excellent green tea, check out this gallery/café on Muramachi, a short walk northwest of downtown. If you've had your fill of chain c

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Best Boutique Hotels Kyoto

Kyoto has some of the best boutique hotels in Japan -- stylish hotels designed to reflect the artistic traditions of the city. Here is a carefully curated list of Kyoto's best boutique hotels, all per

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Best Budget Hotels In Kyoto

If you've got about US$100 to spend per night, you can get some surprisingly nice rooms in Kyoto. Here are the best, well-located and clean budget hotels in the city, all personally inspected. Plus a

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Best Kyoto Hostels And Guesthouses

Kyoto is loaded with cheap, well-run hostels and guesthouses, making the city a natural choice for backpackers. Here's a list of the best hostels and guesthouses in Kyoto, all of which I've personally

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Best Japanese Hotel Chains

You didn't fly all the way to Japan to eat at McDonald's, so why stay in foreign hotel chains in Japan? Okay, maybe you're part of a foreign hotel chain's rewards program. But if you have the choice,

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Best Kyoto Hotels For Families

We know what it's like to travel with children, so we've put together a list of the most family-friendly hotels in the Kyoto. We've personally inspected or stayed in all of these hotels. Mimaru

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Best Kyoto Hotels For Sightseeing

If you want to spend more time sightseeing and less time on buses, trains and taxis, it's essential to be based somewhere convenient. Here is a list of Kyoto's best-located and most convenient hotels.

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Best Luxury Hotels Kyoto

Kyoto has some of the best luxury hotels in the country, with both Japanese and international brands to choose from. Here are our top picks for Kyoto luxury hotels, all personally inspected and ranked

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Best Mid Range Hotels In Kyoto

The sweet spot for Kyoto accommodation is in the mid-range. Hotels in this category are a step up from standard-issue business hotels in comfort and convenience, but prices are MUCH more reasonable th

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Best New Hotels In Kyoto

Several great new hotels have opened in Kyoto in last year. Most are located in the super-convenient downtown area. We're happy to see an effort to showcase local Japanese style. Here are our favorite

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Best Places To Stay In Kyoto

Kyoto is packed with great accommodation, but what are the true standouts? Here is a list of what we consider to be the best places to stay in Kyoto, in every price bracket and category. ![The Old Mo

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Best Small Hotels In Kyoto

Kyoto is packed with small hotels that offer close personal service, boutique style and tons of personality. The human scale of these hotels is a perfect match for Kyoto, which is a traditional city w

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Best Value Hotels Kyoto

Some Kyoto hotels cost significantly less than similar hotels in their price class, year in and year out, regardless of the season. Here the best value Kyoto hotels in all price ranges, all personally

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Best Value Kyoto Hotels Kyoto Hotel Bargains

Some Kyoto hotels cost significantly less than similar hotels in their price class, year in and year out, regardless of the season. Here the best value Kyoto hotels in all price ranges, all personally

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Genji Kyoto

This newest addition to the Kyoto scene (opened in April 2022) is a real find as it offers a high level of luxury at reasonable prices. ![Genji Kyoto Hotel](https://photos.smugmug.com/Kyoto/Best-New-

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