In terms of location, Hotel Granvia Kyoto is impossible to beat. The hotel is literally inside Kyoto Station. You can enter the hotel without leaving the station building. You have buses, subways, taxis, and trains right outside your door. They can take you anywhere in the city you want to go. The rooms give you … Read more
Despite being only a 2-minute walk from Kyoto Station, the city’s train and bus hub, Kyoto Century Hotel offers guests the chance to relax and escape the bustle and relax in tranquil and peaceful surroundings. Given that the hotel is currently undergoing construction work during the daytime, these claims are somewhat in doubt, at least … Read more
Kyoto’s stint as Japan’s capital had a lasting impact on Japanese culture, art, and religion… and especially on Japanese food! The Kyoto area produced some of the best dishes in Japan. The best known is the elaborate kaiseki-ryori, where fresh ingredients are prepared to make the most of subtle nuances of flavor. However, Kyoto is … Read more
K’s House Kyoto: Is It Worth It? No wonder K’s House Kyoto is so popular! Since 2003, the hostel has been winning fans for its combination of modern design, affordable accommodation, and amenities for travelers. Billing itself as reasonably priced New Zealand style accommodation, K’s House was designed as a hostel from the start, giving … Read more
Aimed at catering for backpackers, J-Hoppers Kyoto Guesthouse is a budget hostel located within walking distance of Kyoto Station. Opened by a trans-continental motorcyclist in 2002, J-Hoppers Kyoto now has 15 years of experience dealing with foreign travelers. If you’re apprehensive about staying in a hostel, J-Hoppers is a great place to start. To Check … Read more
You won’t want to rush Kyoto. Japan’s cultural capital deserves all the time you can give it. But how to keep your accommodation bills down as you take in Kyoto’s sights? These ten hostels offer cheap accommodation right in the heart of Kyoto. All are clean, safe and secure—Japan’s hostels are a rightly ranked among … Read more
Kyoto is certainly one of Japan’s most-known tourism spots, even if it quite a bit smaller than cities like Tokyo and Osaka. But with a population of nearly 1.5 million people, Kyoto, known for its relaxing rock gardens and temples, is certainly big enough attract some of world’s best hotels. If you’re looking for luxury … Read more
The key to enjoying Kinkakuji (aka The Golden Pavilion) is to get there early and adjust your expectations. Is Kinkakuji Worth Visiting? Out of all sights to see in Kyoto, the glittering walls of Kinkakuji evokes the greatest expectations—and unfortunately, often leads to the greatest disappointments. Kinkakuji was not intended to be a temple. The … Read more
You’ve probably seen photos of Fushimi Inari Shrine (Taisha) without knowing it. The iconic photo of the many red torii (traditional Japanese gates) forming one continuous tunnel was taken here. You’ll have no difficulty locating the exact spot. Rows of tourists can be seen, cameras in hand, as they wait for the crowds to pass … Read more
Photos of Kiyomizudera always show the temple’s signature wooden verandah, constructed in the Edo period, framed by sakura or maple leaves—the temple is incredibly popular in spring and autumn. A temple this size is rarely seen outside of Tokyo and Osaka. Kiyomizudera’s many corners conceal hidden surprises. Atmosphere Despite its status as one of Kyoto’s … Read more
Ōkōchi Sansō: An Enchanting Japanese Garden Kyoto is a top tourist destination in Japan, and one of the most stunning areas you can visit there is Arashiyama (Storm Mountain in English). It’s only about an hour outside of central Kyoto by public transport, and well worth spending a whole day there. As well as walking … Read more
There are so many amazing things to see in Kyoto. It’s one of the top tourist destinations in Japan, and somewhere you could spend a whole week and still barely scratch the surface of what it has to offer. Iwatayama: See Monkeys Up Close Arashiyama is one charming area where you could easily spend a … Read more
Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavillion) is often associated with the similarly named Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). Kin means gold, and gin means silver. Like Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji was first the retirement villa of a shogun, later converted into a Buddhist temple. Both have the focus of a beautiful pavilion beside a pond. The similarities stop there. Ginkaku-Ji: Silver Doesn’t … Read more
Niji Castle, also known as Nijo-jo, is nestled in Central Kyoto, hidden from passing pedestrians by its surrounding battlements. What can be glimpsed from the outside resembles a temple rather than the Western image of a castle. Is It Worth Visiting? While you probably won’t spend hours here, the art and experiences you get from … Read more
Gion: Much More than Geisha Unlike Nijo Castle and Ginkakuji, the beautiful Gion district in Kyoto’s Southern Higashiyama doesn’t suffer from having a more famous counterpart. Instead, it’s misunderstood. Is It Worth Visiting? A visit to Gion in Kyoto is something you need to do while you’re in Japan. While there are crowds of tourists, … Read more