Discover Japan's Hidden Gems

Ninna-ji

Imperial Palace Temple with Late-Blooming Cherry Blossoms

A World Heritage Site and former imperial palace temple, famed for its late-blooming Omuro cherry...

Nishiki Market

Kyoto's Kitchen

A narrow five-block shopping street with over 100 shops and restaurants, known as 'Kyoto's Kitche...

Nonomiya Shrine

A Small Shrine in the Bamboo Grove Linked to The Tale of Genji

Small shrine at the bamboo grove entrance. Featured in The Tale of Genji. The black torii (bark-c...

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji

1,200 Whimsical Stone Buddhas Hidden in the Arashiyama Hills

Tucked away at the far end of Arashiyama's tourist trail, this enchanting temple surprises visito...

Philosopher's Path

A serene canal-side walking path in Kyoto lined with cherry trees, connecting Ginkaku-ji and Nanz...

Pontocho

A Narrow Lantern-Lit Alley of Traditional Dining Along the Kamo River

One of Kyoto's most atmospheric streets, a narrow lantern-lit alley running along the Kamo River ...

Ryoan-ji

Ryoan-ji Temple

UNESCO World Heritage Zen temple with the famous rock garden—15 stones on white gravel. From any ...

Sagano Bamboo Grove

Tall bamboo stalks forming a corridor in Arashiyama. Very Instagrammed. Go at dawn or it's a queu...

Sagano Scenic Railway

A Scenic Open-Air Train Ride Through the Hozukyo Gorge

A 25-minute open-air sightseeing train running along the Hozu River gorge between Saga and Kameok...

Saihoji (Kokedera)

The Enchanting Moss Temple Requiring Advance Reservation

A World Heritage Zen temple blanketed in over 120 varieties of moss, creating an ethereal green l...

Sanjusangendo

Hall of 1,001 Statues of Kannon

120-meter-long hall with 1,001 life-size gilded Kannon statues standing in rows. Hard to process ...

Seiryo-ji

The Living Buddha of Saga and Its Hidden Treasures

Houses the 'Living Buddha' statue brought from China in 987—a wooden Shaka Nyorai said to replica...

Shimogamo Shrine

Ancient World Heritage Shrine in a Primeval Forest

One of Kyoto's oldest shrines (UNESCO World Heritage), located within the Tadasu no Mori primeval...

Shugakuin Imperial Villa

An Imperial Garden Masterpiece with Sweeping Mountain Views

Built in the 1650s by retired Emperor Go-Mizunoo. Three terraced gardens using the Higashiyama mo...

To-ji

Japan's Tallest Wooden Pagoda and Ancient Capital Landmark

A World Heritage Site founded in 796, home to Japan's tallest wooden pagoda at 55 meters and a be...

Tofuku-ji

Kyoto's Supreme Autumn Foliage Temple

One of Kyoto's Five Great Zen Temples. Best autumn foliage in the city—the view from Tsutenkyo Br...