Type to search...

to navigateto selectESC to close

Blog Posts

Kyoto Events October

Here's a rundown of special Kyoto events that happen during October 2025, including my favorite Kyoto festival of them all, the Kurama Fire Festival. If you're visiting Kyoto in October, don't miss it

Read More

Kyoto Events September

September sees the special once-yearly opening of Heian-jingu Shrine's beautiful Shinen Garden and the To-ji Temple Homotsukan treasure house Autumn Special Opening. ![Lush green expanse of rice padd

Read More

Getting Made Up As A Geisha Maiko Henshin

Dressing like a geisha for a day is a fantasy shared by both Japanese and foreign ladies and MAICA, in the Miyagawa Geisha district, is one of the best places to do it. MAICA is one several places in

Read More

Hanamikoji Geisha District In The Evening

The best place to see geisha in Kyoto is Hanami-koji on the south side of Shijo-dori. A stroll through in the evening will usually yield at least one sighting. ![Gion district by night. Editorial cre

Read More

Kyoto Geisha

Meeting one of Kyoto's geisha is a magical and memorable experience. Here, I'll tell you all about them, where to find them and how to enjoy geisha entertainment -- on any budget. ![Geisha in Kyoto](

Read More

Shimbashi Geisha District In The Evening

Shimbashi is single most attractive street in all of Asia, particularly in the evening. When the cherry blossoms are in bloom here, it's almost too beautiful for words. The Shirakawa ("White River")

Read More

Pontocho Alley Kyoto

Arguably the single most atmospheric street in all of Kyoto, Pontocho Alley is a great place to do some geisha spotting in the evening. ![Pontocho Alley image copyright Damien Douxchamps](https://pho

Read More

Sumiya Pleasure House Central Kyoto

A beautifully preserved ageya (geisha entertainment house) in the south-west part of central Kyoto, Sumiya is a truly sublime showcase of Japanese architecture, design and decorative traditions. ![Su

Read More

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is one of Kyoto's top sights and for good reason: standing amid these soaring stalks of bamboo is like being in another world. ![Arashiyama Bamboo Grove](https://photos.sm

Read More

Haradani En Garden

Kyoto's most spectacular cherry blossom spot is little-known Haradani-en Garden. Located in northwest Kyoto, it's a must-see for serious cherry blossom fans. Few tourists have ever heard of Haradani-

Read More

Kyoto Botanical Gardens Central Kyoto

Often overlooked by visitors, the Kyoto Botanical Gardens is one of the city's hidden treasures. It's great for picnics, strolling or cherry blossom viewing. ![Conservatory of The Kyoto Botanical Gar

Read More

Kyoto Botanical Gardens

One of Kyoto's most overlooked and most affordable hidden gems, the Kyoto Botanical Gardens is a must-visit for both visitors and locals alike. ![The lotus pond on a cloudy day in June.](https://phot

Read More

Kyoto's Best Gardens

Kyoto is a garden lover's paradise. It is the best place in all of Japan to immerse yourself in the wonders of the Japanese garden. Here are my favorite gardens in Kyoto, organized by type. Many of t

Read More

Kyotos Best Green Spaces

Kyoto is filled with green spaces that provide welcome relief from the concrete boxes and drab houses that fill much of the city. In addition to parks, you'll find greenery and open space in most temp

Read More

Murin An Villa Northern Higashiyama

This perfect walled in garden just down the hill from Nanzen-ji Temple is a brilliant place to escape the crowds that plague the big-name spots of Higashiyama. ![Murin-an Villa image copyright Damien

Read More

Kyotos Best Zen Gardens

Kyoto is the spiritual center of Zen Buddhism in Japan and it's only fitting that some of Japan's most sublime Zen gardens can be found here. ![Kennin-ji Temple, Kyoto : copyright Damien Douxchamps](

Read More

Okochi Sanso Villa Arashiyama

Okochi-Sanso Villa is one of the top sights in Kyoto. It rivals any of the city's imperial properties, and you don't need reservations to enter. ![Okochi Sanso villa in Arashiyama. Editorial credit:

Read More

Sento Gosho

The Sento Gosho is a sprawling walled garden with gorgeous ponds and meandering walkways through towering trees and blooming plants of every sort. ![Sento Imperial Palace](https://photos.smugmug.com/

Read More

Shugakuin Rikyu

Shugakuin Rikyu Imperial Villa is the most spacious and, in some ways, the most pleasing of Kyoto's four imperial properties. ![Shugakuin Imperial Villa Garden](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Nv

Read More

Tenju Garden

One of the best temples in the Northern Higashiyama district, Nanzen-ji Temple is a sprawling Zen paradise surrounded by lush green hills. ![Nanzen-ji Temple](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-GgQ3

Read More

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

Read More

Kyoto Buses

Kyoto buses are a useful way of getting around the city. Download an online Kyoto bus map for free to help you plan your journey. ![Kyoto Bus. Editorial credit: Yasemin Olgunoz Berber / Shutterstock.

Read More

Kyoto Taxis

How to catch a taxi in Kyoto: how much they cost, how to flag them down and how to make payment ![Kyoto Taxi. Editorial credit: TK Kurikawa / Shutterstock.com](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-TXz

Read More

Kyoto Subways

Subways are the best way to move quickly around Kyoto. Problem is, there are only two subway lines. Here's how to make the most of their limited reach. ![Kyoto Subways](https://photos.smugmug.com/pho

Read More

Kyoto Trains

Trains are the best way to get to and from Kyoto. You can also explore some parts of the city by train. Here, I'll give a quick overview of Kyoto's train system and some links to free English-language

Read More

Nearest Airport To Kyoto

The nearest airport to Kyoto is Osaka -- but is it the most convenient for you? Here's the deal on airports nearest to Kyoto and the Kyoto airport transport links ![Hello Kitty Haruka Airport Express

Read More

Special Kyoto Bus Train Subway Passes

Here is everything you need to know about special Kyoto bus, train and subways passes. You can save a lot of money with these Kyoto transport passes. ![Kyoto Travel Pass. Editorial credit: oatautta /

Read More

Free Wifi At Starbucks In Japan

You really want data when you're in Japan. Being able to use the online versions of Google Maps, Google Translate and various transport search engines makes life a lot easier when you're exploring. So

Read More

Free Wifi In Kyoto

Kyoto recently installed dozens of free wifi hotspots throughout the city to make a wifi network permanently available to the general public. I tested the network to see how useful it will be for trav

Read More

Where To Buy A Sim Card In Kyoto

It used to be easy to buy data-only SIM cards for tourists in Kyoto, but with the closure of Bic Camera, we recommend either buying your SIM card in Tokyo, ordering one online, using an eSIM, or order

Read More
Tags