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Kyoto

Tiger Gyoza Kawaramachi

We don't believe in being snobby about chain restaurants -- some in Japan serve excellent food. One of our favourites is Tiger Gyoza, where you can eat a wide variety of great dumplings. Whether they'

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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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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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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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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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Arashiyama Monkey Park

If you want to check out Japan's famous monkeys, we strongly recommend this great little monkey park in Arashiyama. It's a short walk from central Arashiyama and it's great for the kids. ![Arashiyama

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Kameyama Koen Park

Escape the crowds and (if you're lucky) mingle with the monkeys at Arashiyama's lovely hilltop park, Kameyama-koen Park. ![Japanese macaque in Arashiyama](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-RpgH4Fn/

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Kamo Gawa Riverside

Kyoto has a river running through it: It's called the Kamo-gawa and it's really just one long park which Kyotoites use for relaxation, exercise and contemplation. Like the [Kyoto Imperial Palace Park

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Kyoto City Zoo Northern Higashiyama

The Kyoto City Zoo is a surprisingly good little zoo conveniently located in the Northern Higashiyama sightseeing district. It's the perfect way to give the kids a break from temples and shrines. Reo

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Kyoto Gyoen Kyoto Imperial Palace Park Central Kyoto

A green sanctuary in the middle of the drab plain of Kyoto, the Kyoto Gyoen (Kyoto Imperial Palace Park) is Kyoto's Central Park. ![Kyoto Imperial Palace Park. Editorial credit: DutchMen / Shuttersto

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The Path Of Philosophy Northern Higashiyama

The Path of Philosophy is easily one of the most attractive sights in Kyoto -- a streamside path lined with blossoming trees and shrubs of every description. ![Philosopher's Path. Editorial credit:

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Maruyama Koen Park

An oasis of green amid the Southern Higashiyama Sightseeing District, Maruyama-koen Park is the perfect spot for a rest or picnic while exploring the area. ![Maruyama park](https://photos.smugmug.com

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Funaoka Onsen Kyoto

Funaoka Onsen, which is actually a sento, is the best public bath in Kyoto. It's well worth a trip across town to relax in this beautiful bath house. Located in northwest Kyoto, Funaoka Onsen is the

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Funaoka Onsen

Funaoka Onsen, which is actually a sento, is the best public bath in Kyoto. It's well worth a trip across town to relax in this beautiful bath house. Located in northwest Kyoto, Funaoka Onsen is the

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Goko Yu Sento Kyoto

Goko-yu Sento is a large public bath on the southwest side of Downtown Kyoto. It's a "destination sento" with a wide variety of baths spread over two floors. Goko-yu (the name means "Water of Five Fr

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Kinosaki Onsen Guide And Map

Kinosaki Onsen is a picturesque village on the Japan Sea Coast, two and a half hours north of Kyoto by direct train. It's one of the best places to enjoy an onsen (hot spring) within easy distance of

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Kurama Onsen

The best onsen (hot spring) in the Kyoto area, Kurama Onsen is an easy 30-minute train trip north of Kyoto. Sitting in the outdoor tub surrounded by forested mountains is pure onsen bliss. ![A wooden

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Kyotos Best Onsen Hot Spring Baths

Unlike other parts of Japan, Kyoto is not rich in onsen (natural hot spring baths), but there are a few in the city. Here, we introduce the best onsen in and around Kyoto. ![A wooden pagoda sits abov

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Kyotos Best Sentos Japanese Public Baths

After a long day of temple hopping, there is no better way to relax than soaking in a good sento (Japanese public bath). Here, we introduce the best sentos in Kyoto and give some tips on how to enjoy

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Onsen Sento Ofuro Daiyokujo And Super Sento Whats The Difference

There are lots of ways to get into hot water in Japan: onsen, sento, ofuro, daiyokujo and super sentos. A lot of foreigners call any large bathtub in Japan an onsen, but that's not correct. Let's see

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