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Kyoto

Japan Rail Pass How To Make The Most Of It

The Japan Rail Pass (JRP) can save you a LOT of money in Japan, but it takes some planning to make the most of it. Here is our full guide to buying, using and getting the best value from a Japan Rail

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Japan Rail Pass Is It Worth It

Prices of the Japan Rail Pass increased by about 70% on October 1, 2023. With this price rise, the Japan Rail Pass will not save most travelers money and you'll do better with individual tickets. Here

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Jr 36 3 Train Guide And Map

This luxury train in Kyushu has some of the most sumptuous cars and private compartments of any train in Japan. ![36 + 3 by the sea copyright Rail Man Photo Office](https://photos.smugmug.com/Kyoto/J

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Jr East Resort Shirakami Train Guide And Map

The Resort Shirakami runs along the stunning coastal route between Akita and Aomori at the northern tip of Japan's main island of Honshu. ![Resort Shirakami en route copyright JR East Photo](https://

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Jr Fuji Excursion Train Guide And Map

Running between Tokyo's Shinjuku Station and Kawaguchiko, which is at the base of Mt Fuji, this is the most comfortable and stylish way to get to the base of the mountain. ![Fuji Excursion approachin

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Jr Kyushu Aru Ressha Train Guide And Map

Aru Ressha is like a museum on wheels. It feels like the royal train carriage from 100 years ago. ![Aru Ressha Green Car interior copyright Rail Man Photo Office](https://photos.smugmug.com/Kyoto/Jap

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Jr Shikoku Cuisine Trains Guide And Map

JR Shikoku operates three "ryori-densha" (cuisine trains) on three different lines on Japan's smallest main island of Shikoku. Sitting in a sumptuous train car and enjoying a fine meal of local cuisin

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Jr Sunrise Seto And Sunrise Izumi Sleeper Trains Guide And Map

The Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo are the only remaining regularly scheduled sleeper trains in Japan. They run from Tokyo to Shikoku and western Honshu. ![Sunrise Seto with fall foliage copyright Ra

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Jr Trains Green Cars Versus Ordinary Cars

Should you buy a Green Car Japan Rail Pass or an ordinary pass? What's the difference between JR Green cars and ordinary cars? Read on to find out the best way to use Japan Rail trains. ![Green car c

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Kintetsu Shimakaze Premium Express Train Guide And Map

The ultra-premium Shimakaze connects Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya with the Ise Peninsula. The train boast ultra-comfortable premium seats, a dining car, and luxurious private compartments. ![Kintetsu Shim

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Kurobe Gorge Railway Guide And Map

The Kurobe Gorge Railway is a thrilling ride into the heart of the northern Japan Alps. ![Kurobe Gorge Railway at peak foliage copyright Rail Man Photo Office](https://photos.smugmug.com/Kyoto/Japans

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Kyoto Prepaid Cards Icoca Pasmo And Suica

IC cards like Suica, Pasmo and Icoca are the easiest way to pay for nearly everything in Japan. Here's the complete guide to physical and digital IC cards and a handy decision tree to help you choose

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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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Saphir Odoriko Guide And Map

The Saphir Odoriko is the most luxurious way to get from Tokyo to the Izu Peninsula. Premium green car seats are spacious and there are only two in each row, so they afford magnificent views of the co

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Seven Stars In Kyushu Guide And Map

This "cruise train" is among the most luxurious on earth. There are only 14 suites on the train, guaranteeing an exclusive and special experience. ![Seven Stars in Kyushu with cherry blossoms copyrig

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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 /

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Train Suite Shiki Shima Guide And Map

This ultra-luxurious "cruise train" follows two different routes through northern and central Honshu. ![Train Suite Shiki-Shima dining car copyright JR East Photo](https://photos.smugmug.com/Kyoto/Ja

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Twilight Express Mizukaze Guide And Map

This sublime "cruise train" leaves from Kyoto and explores the coastlines of western Honshu. ![Twilight Express Mizukaze en route copyright Rail Man Photo Office](https://photos.smugmug.com/Kyoto/Jap

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West Express Ginga Guide And Map

The West Express Ginga is a semi-luxury overnight train that runs occasionally in western Honshu and down into Wakayama Prefecture. ![West Express Ginga in the mountains copyright Rail Man Photo Offi

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Ca Marche

Incredibly, bakery Ça Marche offers more than 100 types of bread, which sees locals queuing out the door. There's an outdoor terrace, so it's also a great place to watch the world go by. ![Ca Marche]

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Freundlieb

Set in Kitano-cho's former Kobe Union Church, Freundlieb offers vaulted ceilings and lots of light. It's great as a coffee stop but also serves an excellent breakfast. ![Freundlieb](https://photos.sm

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Isuzu Bakery

If you're interested in trying a more Japanese bakery, Isuzu in the Sannomiya-Motomachi district is a good choice for breakfast pastries, such as a 'toreron' sausage roll or curry bread. ![Isuzu Bake

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Hyotan

Tucked beneath the train tracks at Hanshin Sannomiya Station in the Sannomiya-Motomachi district, down-to-earth Hyotan specialises in gyoza or Japanese dumplings. ![Hyotan](https://photos.smugmug.com

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Kokubu

Located in the Sannomiya-Motomachi district, you'll need a reservation to eat at Kokubu. But the restaurant is a strong contender for sampling Kobe's famous beef. ![Kokubu](https://photos.smugmug.com

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Kitano Club

Kitano Club is a gorgeous hillside restaurant serving French fine-dining. It's reasonably pricy but the food is classic and the bar offers excellent views of Kobe below. ![Kitano Club](https://photos

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Komon

Kobe is famous for its tender, marbled Wagyu beef and Komon is a popular (and reasonably-priced) venue to get a taste in the Sannomiya-Motomachi district. ![Komon](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i

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Nishimuras Coffee

Nishimura's Coffee in the Kitano-cho district is an elegant space to spend an hour or two. Tasteful interiors, on-site roasting, and delicious cakes make for a great experience. ![Nishimura's Coffee]

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Quiche Ya

As the name implies, Quicha-ya is a haven for quiche connoisseurs. You can taste the gamut of quiche concoctions, including a recipe made with Kobe beef. A perfect takeaway option for sunny days. ![Q

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Wakkoqu

Whilst there's no shortage of places in town to try Kobe's famous Wagyu beef, Wakkoqu in the Kitano-cho district is one of the best. It's expensive but a great introduction to this excellent cuisine.

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Gosho Imperial Palace Playground

If you need some fresh air and the kids need a good play in the great outdoors, you cannot beat this playground at the north end of the Kyoto Imperial Palace Park (Gosho). It's our go-to spot when we'

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Katsura Rikyu Imperial Villa Arashiyama

Located in a suburb about 4.5km west of Kyoto Station, Katsura Rikyu Imperial Villa is regarded as the pinnacle of Japanese architecture and garden design. ![Katsura Rikyu Imperial Villa - Arashiyama

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Kyoto Gosho Kyoto Imperial Palace Central Kyoto

Kyoto's Imperial Palace (known as Gosho in Japanese) is the Emperor's official residence in Kyoto. The structures, though modern reconstructions, are lovely. ![Kyoto Imperial Palace. Editorial credit

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