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Kyoto

A Night At Tawaraya Japans Finest Ryokan

Tawaraya is widely considered to be Japan's finest ryokan (traditional Japanese inn). It's also one of Kyoto's most expensive accommodations. We recently spent one glorious night there to try to answe

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Best Kyoto Ryokan For Families

Ryokan are a great choice for families. You can all sleep in the same room and have a truly authentic Japanese experience. Here are our top choices for family ryokan in Kyoto, divided by budget catego

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Best Mid Price Ryokan In Kyoto

Kyoto has several excellent ryokan in the middle price range. These ryokan offer traditional surroundings and excellent service. Some of them also serve Japanese meals. If you're looking for the best

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Best Ryokan Near Kyoto

You don't have to go into the depths of the Japan Alps to find soothing countryside ryokans. In fact, there are several superb ryokan within two or three hours of Kyoto, and some only half an hour awa

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How To Book Tawaraya Ryokan

Tawaraya is Kyoto's best ryokan but it can be difficult to book because they're not on any booking websites and they don't have their own website. Luckily, it's now possible to book via email. Here ar

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Kyoto Ryokan

A night or two in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) is an essential Japanese experience and Kyoto is the place to do it. Kyoto has the best selection of ryokan in all price ranges. Here, we explain

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Ryokan Ugenta Kibune

One of the finest and most stylish ryokan in the entire Kyoto Area, Ryokan Ugenta is prime honeymoon territory. With only two units -- one modern and one traditionally Japanese -- Ryokan Ugenta is no

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Tawaraya Ryokan Downtown Kyoto

Tawaraya is the finest ryokan in Kyoto and, arguably, the finest in all Japan. Private gardens and incredible attention to detail make it a very special Kyoto experience. ![Tawaraya exterior](https:/

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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 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 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 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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Walking In Gion

At the heart of Kyoto lies Gion, the city's most famous entertainment district and the center of its traditional arts. Michael Lambe takes us on a daytime tour of Gion's most famous landmarks, shops a

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Walking The Path Of Philosophy

The Path of Philosophy is a scenic stroll path in north-eastern Kyoto that offers a quiet retreat from the city and food for thought in the many historic sites that line the way. Michael Lambe guides

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Atago Torii Arashiyama

Marking the end of the Arashiyama sightseeing district, this lovely torii (Shinto shrine gate) makes the perfect place for a souvenir shot. Torii (Shinto shrine gates) are by their very nature pictur

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Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

Perhaps the single most impressive sight in all of Kyoto, bar none, Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine is the most important shrine in the entire city. Don't miss it! ![Red Torii gates at Fushimi Inari Tais

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Heian Jingu Shrine Northern Higashiyama

Heian-jungu Shrine is one of the most important and visually impressive Shinto shrines in Kyoto. It's worth a visit, particularly on Shinto festival days. ![Heian jingu shrine](https://photos.smugmug

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Kamigamo Jinja Kamowakeikazuchi Jinja Shrine

One of Kyoto's least visited but most historically important shrines, Kamigamo-jinja Shrine is a great place to catch your thoughts up north. ![Kamigamo Shrine](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-hR

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Kamigamo Jinja Shrine Handicraft Market

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. ![The entrance to Kamigamo-jinja on a sunn

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Kifune Jinja Shrine

Kifune-jinja Shrine (also known as Kibune-jinja) is the main sightseeing attraction in the quaint village of Kibune. ![Steps To Kibune-jinja Shrine](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-DbVkNDF/0/L/i-

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Kitano Tenman Gu Shrine

One of Kyoto's most beautiful shrines which is popular with students praying for success on exams. It's also home to one of Kyoto's best flea markets. ![Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine image copyright Jeffre

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Shimogamo Jinja Shrine Central Kyoto

Shimogamo-jinja Shrine is second only to Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine as Kyoto's best and most beautiful Shinto Shrine. It's a brilliant place for a stroll. ![Shimogamo

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Ujigami Jinja Shrine

Not much too look at, we include this small shrine because UNESCO has decided, in all its wisdom, to designate it a World Heritage Site. ![Ujigami-jinja Shrine image copyright Damien Douxchamps](http

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Yasaka Jinja Shrine Southern Higashiyama

One of Kyoto's most important shrines, Yasaka-jinja Shrine overlooks the Gion entertainment district and sponsors the city's biggest annual festival: the Gion Matsuri ![Yasaka Jinja shrine. Editorial

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Yasui Kompira Gu Shrine

This odd little shrine on the edge of Gion contains one of the most peculiar objects we've encountered anywhere in Japan. If you blundered into this shrine after a few too many drinks in nearby Gion,

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Yuki Jinja Shrine

A small Shinto shrine partway up Mt. Kurama, Yuki-jinja seems to embody the true spirit of Shinto: the reverence for the awesome power of nature. ![Yuki jinja shrine in Kurama](https://photos.smugmug

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Adashino Nembutsu Ji Temple

A touching temple at the top of the Arashiyama sightseeing district, you'll find 8000 Buddhist statues here placed in memory of those who died without kin. ![Stone statues in Adashino Nenbutsu-ji bud

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