Blog Posts
Hiyoshido Traditional Massage Southern Higashiyama
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
Hiyoshido offers traditional Japanese and other forms of massage in a beautiful old Japanese house in Gion. It's the perfect way to relax after a day of touring Kyoto. . The store is incredibly atmospheric and samples are available. Kyoto is the home of most of Japa
Read MoreKamigamo Jinja Shrine Handicraft Market
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
Kill two birds with one stone -- do some sightseeing and get all your shopping done at Kamigamo-jinja Shrine! It's held on the fourth Sunday of every month.  is the best museum in Kyoto (it's only eclipsed by the Kyoto National Museum when the National is holding a special exhibi
Read MoreKyoto Festivals Events
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
The Kyoto year is packed with interesting festivals and events. Here is a summary of Kyoto's biggest and most interesting annual festivals and events. ![Gion-matsuri (Gion festival) 祇園祭 京都](https://p
Read MoreKyoto On 100 Dollars A Day
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
It's possible to sleep in a comfortable hotel, eat good food, see fantastic sights and generally have a great time in Kyoto for as little as a hundred US dollars a day. If you think I'm joking, read o
Read MoreKyoto Samurai
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
150 years ago, Kyoto was a key battleground for Japan's samurai, a noble class of warriors divided by loyalty to clan and country. Michael Lambe takes us on a tour of the Kyoto sites associated with t
Read MoreKyoto Secret Spots
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
With over 1000 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, it goes without saying that Kyoto is literally chock-a-block with hidden gems and secret spots. One of the great joys of sightseeing in Kyoto is
Read MoreKyoto Shopping
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
Kyoto is famous for temples, but it's also a shopper's paradise. Here's some Kyoto shopping tips and a list of the best shops in Kyoto, both traditional and modern. ![Shop Ippodo Downtown Kyoto](http
Read MoreKyoto Tea Ceremony
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
Kyoto was where the tea ceremony was born and remains its spiritual heart. If you want to try this most calming of cup of tea, Kyoto is THE place to try. In a hurry? Scroll down to see our listings o
Read MoreKyoto Unesco World Heritage Sites
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
There are 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kyoto. Here, I present the full list, and discuss which are the most rewarding and interesting to visit. Kyoto has one of the world's largest collections o
Read MoreMaruzen Bookstore Returns To Kyoto
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
After a 10-year interval Kyoto's best bookstore, Maruzen Books has returned! Our resident bookworm, Michael Lambe, went to take a look at the new premises and see if the new store matches up to its le
Read MoreMinamiza Kabuki Theatre
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
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
Read MoreMt Daimonji Yama Hike Ginkaku Ji Temple
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
The one-hour roundtrip hike from Ginkaku-ji Temple up to the viewpoint on Mt. Daimonji-yama is the best short hike in Kyoto. The view of the city from here is incredible! Here is everything you need t
Read MoreNene No Michi Lane
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
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
Read MoreNishijin Textile Center
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
A bit of a touristy spot, but worth a visit to learn about how kimonos are made. If you're lucky, you'll catch a kimono fashion show. The Nishijin Textile Center is the central sight in Kyoto's tradi
Read MoreNishiki Market Downtown Kyoto
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
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'
Read MoreOrinasu Kan
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
The Orinasu-kan is a much better place than the Nishijin Textile Center to learn about the Nishijin district's long history as Kyoto's textile district. While everything about the [Nishijin Textile C
Read MorePulse Plaza Antiques Grand Fair
- Kyoto
- 07 Apr, 2025
Pulse Plaza Antiques Grand Fair is THE best single antiques and art market in Japan. If you're in town when it's on, don't miss it! ![Pulse Plaza overall view](https://photos.smugmug.com/Kyoto/Kyoto-
Read MoreTags
- Japan
- Festival
- Matsuri
- Kyoto
- Onsen
- Osaka
- Food
- Autumn
- Blossom
- Sakura
- Tea ceremonies
- Tokyo
- First time
- Tips
- Transportation
- Hiroshima
- Miyajima
- Hiking
- Internet
- Wifi
- Sim card
- Cherry blossom
- Japanese
- Kanazawa
- Itinerary
- Takayama
- Nara
- Children
- Kobe
- Travel guide
- Mt fuji
- Akihabara
- Yokohama
- Enoshima
- Hakone
- Kamakura
- Nikko
- Shibuya
- Jr
- Shinkansen
- Vegetarian
- Temple