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Kyoto

Sauna No Umeyu Sento

Sauna no Umeyu is one of the most approachable sentos (public baths) in Kyoto. It's crowded, friendly and fun and it's right in the middle of one of the most interesting neighborhoods in Kyoto. If yo

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Tenzan No Yu Onsen Kyoto

Tenzan-no-yu Onsen is a huge bath and spa complex on the west side of Kyoto. It's one of the few onsen in Kyoto and it's well worth the trek across town to relax here. Located in western Kyoto, a sho

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Bic Camera Kyoto

May 2023: Please note this branch of Bic Camera is now permanently closed. Please see Yodobashi Camera in the Kyoto Station area instead. Bic Camera is the best electronics/camera/computer shop i

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Ishibei Koji Alley Southern Higashiyama

Hands-down the single most beautiful lane in all of Kyoto, Ishibei-koji Lane is like entering another world. ![Isibei-koji Street](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-LPtdPFf/0/aea54dcf/L/i-LPtdPFf-L

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Kabuki Kyotos Minamiza Theater

Kyoto is regarded as the birthplace of kabuki drama. If you are fortunate enough to be in Kyoto when a kabuki show is on, you should definitely experience this lively extravaganza of drama, music and

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Kyocera Museum Of Art

The Kyocera Gallery (formerly Kyocera Museum of Art) is a small museum in southern Kyoto that showcases the history and products of Kyocera Corporation and also hosts ever-changing shows of art. If y

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Kyoto Municipal Museum Of Art Northern Higashiyama

The Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art (formerly Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art) is the best museum in Kyoto (it's only eclipsed by the Kyoto National Museum when the National is holding a special exhibi

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Kyoto Museum Traditional Crafts Fureaikan Northern Higashiyama

The Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design (formerly Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts or Fureaikan) is a small free museum that showcases the main traditional crafts of Kyoto. It's a great rainy day acti

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Kyoto Railway Museum

The Kyoto Railway Museum is one of the best railway museums anywhere in the world. It's a must for train fans and families with children. Formerly the Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum, this superb mus

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Kyoto Station Building

The gateway to Kyoto is far more than just a train station: It's an attraction in its own right and it's packed with shops, restaurants and things to see. ![Kyoto Station. Editorial credit: Sean Pavo

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Kyoto Tower

A tacky rocket poised for liftoff on the doorstep of Kyoto Station, this pinnacle of bad taste affords a great view of the city. ![Kyoto Tower. Editorial credit: Korkusung / Shutterstock.com](https:/

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Minamiza Kabuki Theatre

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

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National Museum Of Modern Art Northern Higashiyama

Kyoto's National Museum of Modern Art is a reasonably interesting museum that occasionally holds worthwhile special exhibits. ![National Museum Of Modern Art, Kyoto](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos

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Nene No Michi Lane

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

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New Home Ancient Treasures Heisei Chishinkan Wing Kyoto National Museum

The Kyoto National Museum is the best museum in Kyoto. The permanent collection is mediocre and indifferently displayed, but the special exhibits regularly held here are often superb. ![The Thinker s

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Nishiki Market Downtown Kyoto

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'

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Okazaki Museum District

Okazaki-koen, located in Kyoto's Northern Higashiyama district, is home to two of Kyoto's best museums, a concert hall, a major shrine (Hiean-jingu Shrine) and some great park space. It's a great plac

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Robert Mangold Gallery

For serious collectors of Japanese art and antiques, a visit to Robert Mangold's Kura Monzen Gallery is a must. The gallery carries a wide range of work, from Jomon to contemporary, with ceramics, tea

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Robert Yellin Gallery

Located a short walk from Ginkaku-ji Temple, the Robert Yellin Yakimono Gallery is a carefully curated gallery of Japanese pottery in a lovely traditional Kyoto house. Robert Yellin is one of the lea

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The Kyoto International Community House Northern Higashiyama

The Kyoto International Community House has a lot to offer the short-term visitor, including a library with international papers and magazines, free internet and wifi. For most foreigners setting up

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Urasenke Chado Research Center

Kyoto has always been the heart of Japanese tea culture, and the Urasenke Chado Research Center is the equivalent of the Vatican of the Relgion of Tea. The tea ceremony is where almost all important

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The Kyoto International Manga Museum Kyoto

The Kyoto International Manga Museum is the best manga museum in the entire country. If you're a fan of Japanese comics, don't miss it! ![International Manga Museum. Editorial credit: cowardlion / Sh

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Best Places To Propose In Kyoto

If you're ready to pop the question, Kyoto is a great place to do it. Kyoto is an incredibly romantic city and it's filled with beautiful, quiet spots. Here is our guide to the best places to propose

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Kyoto Romantic Cherry Blossom Itinerary

Kyoto's cherry blossoms are naturally romantic. But crowds are not. Here's a great way to enjoy the best of Kyoto's cherry blossoms while avoiding the worst of the crowds. ![Couple walk in the park w

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Honeymoon In Kyoto

Kyoto is an incredibly romantic city. With intimate restaurants, atmospheric lanes, superb accommodations and a thousand quiet gardens and temples, it's the perfect place to spend time with someone yo

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Kyotos Most Romantic Walks

Kyoto has some of the most picturesque lanes and streets in all of Asia. The best way to enjoy them with someone special is to follow these three walking routes. ![Gion Shirakawa in the evening. Edit

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Most Romantic Hotels And Ryokan In Kyoto

If you're in search of a romantic hideaway for your Kyoto stay, you've got plenty of great choices. You can choose from intimate ryokan (traditional Japanese inns), sublime hotels, and superbly restor

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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 Budget Ryokan In Kyoto

There are plenty of great budget ryokan (traditional Japanese inns) in Kyoto. Here's a list of the best budget ryokan in Kyoto that I've personally inspected. If you're looking for the best ryokan in

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Best High End Ryokan In Kyoto

These are the best high-end ryokan in Kyoto. For a true luxury ryokan experience you cannot go wrong with any of these. I've personally inspected all the places on this list. ![Ryokan Genhouin](https

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Best Kyoto Ryokan For Couples

Ryokans are naturally romantic -- you relax in a yukata (light robe) and gaze out over a private garden and while eating a fine Japanese meal in the privacy of your room. Here are our favorite romanti

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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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