Discover Japan's Hidden Gems

Gion

Kyoto's most famous geisha district with traditional wooden machiya townhouses and atmospheric te...

Heian Shrine

Meiji-Era Shrine with Large Torii and Strolling Garden

A striking Meiji-era shrine featuring one of Japan's largest vermilion torii gates and a celebrat...

Hozugawa River Boat Ride

A Thrilling River Boat Ride Through a Scenic Mountain Gorge

A two-hour wooden boat ride down the Hozu River from Kameoka to Arashiyama, navigating gentle rap...

Ine

Ine is a picturesque fishing village on the northern coast of Kyoto Prefecture where over 230 tra...

Jojakko-ji

A Hillside Temple Famous for Its Fiery Autumn Foliage

Hillside temple in Sagano, best in autumn. The pagoda surrounded by red and orange maples is the ...

Kamigamo Shrine

Kyoto's Oldest Shrine with Sacred Sand Cone Mounds

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Kyoto's oldest Shinto shrines, founded in 678 AD, known f...

Katsura Imperial Villa

Japan's Finest Traditional Garden and Architectural Masterpiece

Widely regarded as Japan's supreme example of traditional garden design and architecture, built i...

Keage Incline

Historic Railway Tracks Lined with Cherry Blossoms

An abandoned 582-meter railway incline from 1891, once used to transport boats between canal leve...

Kennin-ji

Kyoto's Oldest Zen Temple in the Heart of Gion

Kyoto's oldest Zen temple. Founded 1202 by Eisai, who brought Zen and tea to Japan. Twin Dragons ...

Kifune

Mountain Village Famous for a Water Shrine and Riverside Dining

A scenic mountain village north of Kyoto famous for Kifune Shrine, dedicated to the water deity, ...

Kimono Forest

An Enchanting Art Installation of 600 Illuminated Kimono Pillars

600 pillars wrapped in Kyo-Yuzen fabric at Randen Arashiyama Station. Glows at night. Free, open ...

Kinkaku-ji

Golden Pavilion Temple

Kyoto's golden icon, where a pavilion sheathed in real gold leaf floats above its mirror-still po...

Kitano Tenmangu

Shrine of Learning Famous for Plum Blossoms and Flea Markets

A major shrine dedicated to the deity of learning and scholarship, celebrated for its 2,000 plum ...

Kurama-dera

A Mountain Temple of Mystical Energy and Ancient Forests

A powerful mountain temple said to be where Yoshitsune trained as a child. The forested trail con...

Kyoto

Japan's Ancient Capital

Japan's cultural heart and ancient capital for over a millennium, home to 17 UNESCO World Heritag...

Kyoto Imperial Palace

The Former Imperial Residence in a Spacious National Garden

The former residence of Japan's Imperial family for over 500 years until 1869, set within the exp...

Kyoto International Manga Museum

A Former School Housing 300,000 Manga Volumes

Housed in a former elementary school, this museum holds approximately 300,000 manga items. Visito...

Menbakaichidai Fire Ramen

Kyoto's Legendary Fire Ramen Experience

Prepare for dinner and a show at this legendary Kyoto ramen shop where your meal arrives in a tow...

Nanzen-ji

Nanzen-ji Temple

Highest-ranked Rinzai Zen temple in Kyoto. The 22-meter sanmon gate has city views from the top. ...

Nijo Castle

UNESCO World Heritage flatland castle. The floors squeak when you walk— designed as a security al...