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Kyoto

Kyoto Off The Beaten Track Itineraries

Want to wander through Kyoto rarely seen by tourists and really get off the beaten track? Here are two Hidden Kyoto itineraries to show you some of the other faces of the city ![Konchi-in Temple imag

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Kyoto One Day Itinerary

If you've only got one full day in Kyoto, you'll have to work fast and efficiently. This itinerary allows you to get a good sampling of what the city has to offer in just one day. ![View of cherry bl

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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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Kyoto One Day Off The Beaten Track Cherry Blossom Itinerary

My one-day Kyoto cherry blossom itinerary lets you escape the crowds and enjoy the blossoms to the full by guiding you to the temples, shrines and gardens that are off the beaten track ![Visitors amo

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Kyoto Shoppers Itinerary

If you like shopping, you'll love Kyoto. It's the best place in Japan to find traditional Japanese arts and crafts, and there are plenty of contemporary goods as well. This is a collection of the best

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Kyoto Temple Lovers Itinerary

With more than a thousand to choose from, you could spend a lifetime in Kyoto exploring temples. Fortunately, with just a few days in the city, you can visit a selection of the very best the city has

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Kyoto Three Day Itinerary

Three days in Kyoto allows you to explore the main sightseeing districts and then head off the beaten path into the northern mountains. This is the perfect way to spend three full days in Kyoto. ![Su

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Kyoto Two Day Itinerary

Two days in Kyoto allows you to see a lot, but you still have to work efficiently. This itinerary is the way to make the most of two days in Kyoto. ![A couple walks through the bright red Fushimi Ina

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Kyoto Two Day Off The Beaten Track Itinerary

If you've got two days in Kyoto and want to enjoy the city without the crowds, this off-the-beaten-track itinerary is for you. It's good any time of year, but especially during crowded seasons like sp

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Must See Kyoto 1 Day Itinerary

Want to visit all the must see Kyoto sights in one day? Here's a step by step itinerary to help you get to all of Kyoto's must see places in one day if you're pressed for time. ![Kinkaku-ji Temple im

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Aburaya Shokudo Restaurant Kurama

Simple, hearty fare for pilgrims to Kurama-dera Mountain Temple, Aburaya Shokudo is an old-school eatery. No pretensions: just filling rice and noodle dishes. We never grow tired of places like Abura

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Ain Soph Journey Kyoto

A vegan meal in downtown Kyoto has never been easier to find. Just head to Ain Soph Journey right off Shinkyogoku Shopping Arcade. The food is decent, but their desserts are even better -- we recommen

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Ajiro Honten

Whether you're vegan or not, gourmands should head to Ajiro Honten near Myoshin-ji Temple to enjoy gorgeously cooked, multi-course Buddhist temple vegan meals. One of their claims to fame: they're the

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Akagakiya

If you're into non-touristy dining, you're in luck. Ultra-local Akagakiya near Sanjo serves up a slice of old-school Kyoto atmosphere along with its tasty izakaya classics. ![The entrance ot Akagakiy

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Anzukko

Anzukko, a gyoza bar located down a small alley near Sanjo Station, merits multiple visits. We love this pocket-sized slip of a restaurant for their excellent, inventive gyoza. Downtown Kyoto has no

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Arabica Arashiyama

If you need a pick-me-up while exploring Arashiyama, head to this stylish and airy coffee shop on the banks of the Hozu-gawa River. ![店員](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-JrgRzvH/0/781bf1b8/L/i-Jr

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Arabica Fujii Daimaru

For a quick cup of excellent coffee downtown, head to this ultra-stylish coffee shop on the ground floor of Fujii Daimaru department store. If you find yourself in need of coffee when shopping on Shi

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Arabica Higashiyama

This super-stylish coffee shop serves some of the best coffee in Kyoto and occupies a prime position on a lovely lane leading up to Yasaka-no-To Pagoda. ![Arabica Higashiyama](https://photos.smugmug.

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Azuma Sushi

Eating sushi at a local neighbourhood joint doesn't get better than this. For unpretentious, delicious sushi that won't break the bank, head over to Azuma Sushi in Higashiyama. ![A moderately lean cu

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Bajitofu

You won't have to wander far out of downtown Kyoto to find great yakitori. Bajitofu is a centrally-located izakaya serving some of the best in town. Reservations recommended. Wander around the side s

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Beniya Restaurant Kibune

Beniya is one of the more elegant riverside restaurants in the quaint riverside town of Kibune. If you'd like to splash out a little while in Kibune, Beniya is the place. You can dine on rivertop pla

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Best Affordable Sushi In Kyoto

Kyoto might not be the first city that comes to mind for sushi. But that doesn't mean you can't get decent sushi here! ![Nigiri sushi in Kyoto. Editorial credit: makesushi1 / Shutterstock.com](https:

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Best Cafes In Kyoto

With dozens of fantastic cafes across the city, Kyoto's cafe culture is well worth exploring. Here is a short list of our favorites, all personally tasted and enjoyed! Kyoto might be well known for t

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Best Child Friendly Restaurants In Kyoto

Food tends to be the biggest issue for families traveling to Japan. Sure, the food and drinks are hygienic and safe, but you'll probably find that children are "challenged" by some of the unfamiliar i

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Best Coffee In Kyoto

Looking for a great cup of coffee in Kyoto? Need a break from the international coffee chains? Here is a list of the best independent coffee shops in Kyoto. ![Animal en el café](https://photos.smugmu

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Best Gyoza In Kyoto

Every culture has its own version of the dumpling. In Japan, this is the gyoza or pot sticker. While gyoza originated from China -- where it's known as 'jiaozi' -- they've become a popular and ubiquit

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Best Izakaya In Kyoto

Izakaya and sake specialists (they're almost the same thing) are everywhere in Osaka. Spending an evening in an izakaya is one of the best ways to really experience this city -- you'll sample great fo

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Best Japanese Tea And Sweet Shops In Kyoto

Tea reigned supreme in Japan long before coffee-drinking became popular here. As the reigning cultural capital for over a thousand years, Kyoto was at the heart of tea culture and its myriad developme

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Best Kaiseki Japanese Haute Cuisine In Kyoto

Consisting of multiple small dishes served one by one, kaiseki cooking is highly seasonal and rarefied. This style of Japanese fine dining is what inspired nouvelle cuisine and degustation menus. For

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Best Kissaten In Kyoto

Kissaten are retro cafes -- rather like Japanese-style European coffee houses -- and they're an interesting alternative to more contemporary indie cafes. Here are some of our favourite kissaten in Kyo

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Best Okonomiyaki In Kyoto

Often called "Japanese pizza", okonomiyaki is actually very different! Here's our recommended okonomiyaki restaurants in Kyoto to try it yourself. ![Okonomiyaki in Kyoto. Editorial credit: TheNUshutt

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Best Ramen In Kyoto

Ramen in Japan doesn't mean the same thing it does in North America. These soulful bowls of noodles are lovingly made by masters of their craft, and are a far cry from the instant stuff students subsi

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