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Renting A Car In Kyoto

If you intend to make a daytrip or overnight trip out of Kyoto to areas like the Kitayama Mountains or down into the Kii Peninsula (Wakayama), then renting a car is the way to go. You'll be amazed jus

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Ringing In New Year At Shinyodo Temple

New Year's is the most important festival/holiday of the Japanese year. It's like Christmas and Thanksgiving all rolled into one. This is the time when families gather to feast and visit their local t

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Sagano Romantic Train Guide And Map

The Sagano Romantic Train follows a river through the mountains west of Kyoto's Arashiyama district. ![Sagano Romantic Train in Autumn copyright Rail Man Photo Office](https://photos.smugmug.com/Kyot

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Sake Brewery Tour And Sake Tasting In Kyoto

Most sake brewery tours are impersonal group tours that require a long journey into the countryside, but there's one brewery in central Kyoto that offers private tours and sake tasting. It's called Sa

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Sanjo Kai Shotengai

Sanjo-kai Shotengai shopping arcade is less than a kilometer long but is full of old, family-run establishments, specialist shops and local life. Florentyna Leow highlights some of its attractions in

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Shop Isetan Department Store Kyoto Station Area

A high-end Japanese department store located inside the Kyoto Station Building. While it might not compete with Takashiyama Department Store or [Daimaru Department

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Shop Kyoto Handicraft Center Northern Higashiyama

For one-stop souvenir shopping, the Kyoto Handicraft Center should be at the top of your list. While most large souvenir emporiums in tourist cities are filled with tat, tackiness and trash, the Kyot

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Shop Tozando Northern Higashiyama

For wanna-be samurai and other fans of Japanese swords and knifes, Tozando should be high on your itinerary. Almost directly across the street from the [Kyoto Handicraft Center](shop-kyoto-handicraft

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Shoren Shogunzuka Seiryuden Viewpoint Southern Higashiyama

For an incredible view of Kyoto, head up to the Shoren-in Shogunzuka Seiryuden viewpoint. This new viewpoint offers a commanding view over the whole city. ![The view over Kyoto from the Seiryuden vie

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Sword Dancing Kyoto Samurai Kembu Theater

Kembu is a Japanese martial art that combines sword play with dance. At the Samurai Kembu Theater in Kyoto you can watch a performance of this traditional dance and enter the world of the samurai warr

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Takao Hozukyo Hike Via Kiyotaki Kuya No Taki Waterfall

The hike from the hamlet of Takao down through the mountains west of Kyoto to the train station at Hozukyo is one of the best day hikes near Kyoto. It includes two superb temples, a crystal-clear rive

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Tea Ceremony Camellia Garden

Camellia Garden is the most beautiful easily accessible tea ceremony venue in Kyoto. This is a super place to experience the Japanese tea ceremony. ![Tea Ceremony Camellia Garden - Jeff Friedl](https

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Tea Ceremony Koto Northwest Kyoto

Tea Ceremony KOTO is a great place to try a traditional Japanese tea ceremony when in Northwest Kyoto. It's very close to Kinkaku-ji Temple and it would make a nice add-on to a visit to the temple. !

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Tea In Kyoto

If you want a break from international coffee chains, why not try a real Japanese teahouse when you need a break? Here are our favorite teahouses in Kyoto. ![Cha No Ma 茶の間 Matcha](https://photos.smug

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Tango Hanto Peninsula

The Tango-hanto Peninsula, about two hours north of Kyoto City, is a beautiful unspoiled destination with onsen (hot springs), beaches and stunning coastal scenery. It's the perfect place to enjoy rur

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Teramachi Shinkyogoku Shopping Arcades Kyoto

These two covered shopping arcades are the most popular shopping streets in all of Kyoto, and they're often crammed with kids out on school excursions. ![Teramachi Shopping Center](https://photos.smu

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Toka Ebisu

For five lively days in January thousands throng to a small shrine in Gion to pray to Ebisu, the god of good fortune. This past January Michael Lambe of Deep Kyoto joined the bustling crowds for an in

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Wagaminomise Morita Washi Kyoto

Morita Washi is our favorite shop in Kyoto. Full stop. Specializing in washi (Japanese handmade paper), this place is an artist's dream come true. If you aren't familiar with washi, this place will b

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Yodobashi Camera Kyoto Station

A vast electronics/camera/computer shop on the doorstop of Kyoto Station with rock-bottom prices and a huge selection of goods. Just a few minutes' walk directly north of Kyoto Station on Karasuma-do

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Zen Meditation And Tea Ceremony At Daitoku Ji Temple In Kyoto

Kyoto is a great place to try zazen (Zen meditation). It's also a great place to experience the tea ceremony. Wabunka offers a combined zazen and tea ceremony at a superb subtemple in the Daitoku-ji c

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Zohiko Lacquerware Kyoto

As much a museum as a shop, Zohiko is Kyoto's finest lacquerware store. If you're after a really high quality piece of lacquerware, look no further. Those familiar with Japanese lacquerware know that

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Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Guide Walking Tour

The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is one of Japan's most incredible sights. Our walking tour route allows you to enjoy the Bamboo Grove and the surrounding sights while avoiding the worst of the crowds. ![

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Kyoto Walking Itineraries

Kyoto is a wonderful city for walking -- it's compact, largely flat, the weather is comfortable most of the year, and drivers are sane. Here are three different one day itineraries for walkers, coveri

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Kumano Kodo Walking Trail Guide With Maps

The Kumano Kodo is an ancient pilgrimage trail in the mountains of Wakayama (south of Kyoto) where you can walk with a light pack from guesthouse to guesthouse for a few days. It's a brilliant way to

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Kyoto Walking Tour 1 Nanzen Ji Temple Yoshida Jinja Shrine

Book your own private Kyoto walking tour with a knowledgeable English-speaking guide to explore some of Kyoto's most famous temples ![Buddha in the leaves](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-7v9ZgGF

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Kyoto Walking Tour 2 Tofuku Ji Temple Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

This Kyoto walking tour lets you wander from one of Kyoto's most beguiling temples to its most famous and awe-inspiring Shinto shrine ![The tori at Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine, Kyoto](https://photos.

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Kyoto Walking Tour 3 Classic Southern Higashiyama

Take in some of Kyoto's most famous sights and some of its secret spots too, all in one four-hour private Kyoto walking tour ![Yasaka Shrine Kyoto](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-XSS6Ffb/0/L/i-X

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Kyoto Walking Tour 4 Gion Evening Walk

Discover the world of the geisha in this atmospheric evening walk in Gion, the "Floating World" of Kyoto. ![Gion at Night, Kyoto](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-zVqwVRz/0/L/i-zVqwVRz-L.jpg "Gion

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Kyoto Walking Tour 5 Arashiyama

Explore the stunning Kyoto district of Arashiyama, including the breathtaking Bamboo Grove, on this guided private walk. ![Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kyoto](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-WCHc5Kn/

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Kyoto Walking Tours

Chris Rowthorn Tours offers private guided Kyoto walking tours for groups of 1 to 6 people. They're the perfect introduction to Kyoto's sights and the city's fascinating culture. [Walk 1: Norther

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