Kyoto京都府

Kyoto Prefecture (京都府, Kyōto-fu) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Kyoto. Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Kyoto Prefecture was known as Yamashiro. For most of its history, the city of Kyoto was the Imperial capital of Japan. The history of the city itself can be traced back as far as the 6th century. In 544, the Aoi Matsuri was held in Kyoto to pray for good harvest and good weather.

from Kyoto_Prefecture (Wikipedia) CC BY SA 3.0

Advice about Kyoto

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Love Stones at Jishu Shrine in Kyoto images

Love Stones at Jishu Shrine in Kyoto

Jishu Shrine is located near (or I would say within) Kyoto's Kiyomizu Temple. Dedicated to the deity of love and matchmaking, the love shrine is always crowded with many couples and especially young girls praying for luck in love. There are two love stones in front of the shrine, placed 18m apa…(223 words)

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EmiOnishi

Beautiful Kyoto images

Beautiful Kyoto

Beautiful Kyoto“Kyoto is a beautiful city where you discover small temples and shrines around the corner. One step inside and you are in another world, free from the noise of the city, stressless, peaceful. All it takes is a walk along Kamo River, and some curiosity to look around the corners…”…(358 words)

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DeepJapan

JR Kyoto Station - Futuristic architecture masterpiece images

JR Kyoto Station - Futuristic architecture masterpiece

If you only pass through the platforms of Kyoto Station, you miss out to explore this impressive building, the third largest train station in Japan (Ref: 1st: Tokyo, 2nd: Umeda). The whole building was constructed on the 1200th anniversary of the capital's foundation in Kyoto.If you come by tra…(267 words)

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EmiOnishi

Amazing Kyoto- Sanjusangendo Hall images

Amazing Kyoto- Sanjusangendo Hall

Sanjusengendo hall is the MUST visit spot in Kyoto among many sightseeing destinations.A large, wooden statue of a 1000-armed Kannon (Senju Kannon) sits in the center of the main hall and there are 500 statues of human sized 1000-armed Kannon standing in ten rows on each side. To walk through t…(166 words)

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EmiOnishi

Kansai Kyoto ben (Kansai Kyoto dialect) images

Kansai Kyoto ben (Kansai Kyoto dialect)

I was born in Kyoto and raised up in Shiga (next to Kyoto). As I lived in Kansai area until I decided to move to Tokyo for job change when I was 30, people can tell I am from Kansai after talking with me for a while :-)As I was working as a sales back then, I tried not to sound too Kansai perso…(211 words)

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EmiOnishi

Kamogawa Riverside in Kyoto images

Kamogawa Riverside in Kyoto

The Kamo River (鴨川 Kamo-gawa, literally means duck river) is running through Kyoto Prefecture. The riverbanks are popular walking spots for residents and tourists. There are pathways running alongside the river on which one can walk along the river, and some stepping stones that cross the river.…(187 words)

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EmiOnishi

Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto and Local Inari Shrines images

Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto and Local Inari Shrines

The famous Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine in Kyoto really is a fantastic place to visit. There are the colorful main buildings to see and even more impressive is the walk through the shrine's land. In the case of Fushimi Inari, this means taking a long walk up and around the hill that belongs to the s…(316 words)

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David

Gorgeous and Exotic "Pontocho" in Kyoto! images

Gorgeous and Exotic "Pontocho" in Kyoto!

At night, Kamogawa riverside is turned to be the scenic site well-known for its gorgeous Pontocho in Kyoto! I used to take my friends visiting Kyoto to Pontocho without fail. I just love their atmosphere - the traditional lantern lights in their narrow street are really exotic. Summer is here …(257 words)

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EmiOnishi

Flee market at Toji Temple - Kyoto images

Flee market at Toji Temple - Kyoto

On the 21st of each month, a famous flea market is held on the grounds of To-ji from 7am until around 4pm in the evening. It will be open even when it's rain, but there will be with less shops in such a case. This market is popularly called "Kobo-san", in honor of Kobo Daishi, who died on March 21.…(180 words)

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EmiOnishi

Beautiful Kyoto images

Beautiful Kyoto

Kyoto is a beautiful city where you discover small temples and shrines around the corner. One step inside and you are in another world, free from the noise of the city, stressless, peaceful. All it takes is a walk along Kamo river, and some curiosity to look around the corners... So, if you ha…(391 words)

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Claire

Kyoto Love: Kiyomizu-dera & Jishu Shrine images

Kyoto Love: Kiyomizu-dera & Jishu Shrine

Kiyomizu-dera 清水寺 is a beautiful temple in Kyoto up on the hills, with a view over the city. The temple grounds are a nice place to walk around and look at the many halls, gates, and pagodas from different angles. This is a very famous place and it might get a little crowded, but it is really wo…(276 words)

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David

Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto: Walking the stairs to heaven.... images

Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto: Walking the stairs to heaven....

There are many beautiful things to visit in Kyoto and for very good reasons. If you fancy a little bit of fresh air and a walk in the forest, Inari Shrine of Fushimi is the place to go.Inari Shrine is one of the many UNESCO world heritages in Kyoto and it attracts many tourists. But if yo…(553 words)

Claire image

Claire

The Haruka Express: Reaching Osaka & Kyoto from Kansai International Airport (KIX) images

The Haruka Express: Reaching Osaka & Kyoto from Kansai International Airport (KIX)

The Kansai International Airport (KIX) serves the Japanese cities of Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Nara. All Japan Rail Pass holders can take advantage of their pass to the fullest, by using it to reach the downtown areas of Kyoto or Osaka, using the Haruka Express, which is the direct connection between …(789 words)

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Carlos P.

Yet another place to visit in Kyoto: images

Yet another place to visit in Kyoto:

Tadao Ando is one of the most famous modern architect in Japan. I am no architecture expert so I will not talk about his works.He has created a garden in Kyoto. What is most extraordinary about this garden, is that there is no vegetation. absolutely not. But there are reproductions of the most …(162 words)

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Claire

Lively NISHIKI market in KYOTO! images

Lively NISHIKI market in KYOTO!

A market is the best place to visit if you want to know about the lifestyle in the area. When you are visiting Kyoto, it's a good idea to go to the lively Nishiki Market.Now there are about 130 grocery and seafood shops lined up on both sides of the narrow street. They are selling Kyoto's speci…(250 words)

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EmiOnishi

Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion) in Kyoto images

Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion) in Kyoto

Nothing is as symbolic of Kyoto as Kinkaku-ji's golden reflection shimmering on the surface of the pond before it. A lot of people should be familiar with such a picture appeared on postcards and guidebook. I would like to share my personal experience with Kinkakuji. When I first visited Ki…(450 words)

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EmiOnishi

A Temple Less Crowded yet Equally Divine images

A Temple Less Crowded yet Equally Divine

Say the word Kyoto and immediately images of temples and shrines and all things traditionally Japanese spring to mind. It's Kyoto's inseparable association with the most beautiful and noble that Japan has to offer that makes it a choice destination for over 50,000,000 tourists that visit "The City …(399 words)

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Former Deep Japan Writer

Enjoy the Changing Seasons at Tenryū-ji images

Enjoy the Changing Seasons at Tenryū-ji

Of all the places I've been to in Japan thus far, I can honestly say Tenryū-ji is among the most beautiful. With spring just around the corner, it's a perfect time to plan a trip out to western Kyoto to see this temple and its immaculate grounds.Nestled at the foot of the mountains in Arashiyam…(366 words)

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Petra

Kyoto travel tips - spend a day exploring Japan’s old capital images

Kyoto travel tips - spend a day exploring Japan’s old capital

Kiyomizu-dera & Jishu Shrine“Kiyomizu-dera is a beautiful temple in Kyoto up on the hills, with a view over the city. The temple grounds are a nice place to walk around and look at the many halls, gates, and pagodas from different angles... Make sure to walk around the different buildings and g…(399 words)

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DeepJapan

When visiting Kyoto... do not forget the Gold Pagoda images

When visiting Kyoto... do not forget the Gold Pagoda

I love Kyoto. It is a city with a soul. A city where people actually live. (weird to so but when living in Tokyo, Kyoto feels like a real city with people!) I often go there for my job (tough life, yes, I know!) and usually, I visit a new place, of some of my favorites: Adashino, a bit far in t…(341 words)

Claire image

Claire

Kyoto lovely spot to stay images

Kyoto lovely spot to stay

Kyoto is THE place to visit, and visit again, and again. It does not matter how many time you go, there is always a new wonder to discover. Flee markets such as the one of Toji (every 21st of the month) where you will find nice Japanese objet from kimono to ceramics..., or such as public bath s…(243 words)

Claire image

Claire

1-hour small yet great trip from Kyoto Station – Toji Temple images

1-hour small yet great trip from Kyoto Station – Toji Temple

My favorite spot in Kyoto is Toji Temple, a world heritage site which has history of 1,200 years!Located within 15-minute walking distance from Kyoto station (1 Kujo-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto City), it is easy to access. As everybody knows the famous temple, you can ask anyone for the direction on the …(126 words)

Eddie image

Eddie

Wine and Dine - Ninja Style! images

Wine and Dine - Ninja Style!

I'm usually averse to theme-restaurants, especially the more obviously themed ones, but Ninja Kyoto Restaurant and Labyrinth in - where else - Kyoto has been put on my top-ten list of must visits while in the city.The venue is actually three different shops. There's Dining Theater Ninja, a "the…(475 words)

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Former Deep Japan Writer

Kyoto - City of...Falafel? images

Kyoto - City of...Falafel?

Falafel Garden has been a staple hangout for Kyoto locals since 2004. I was first taken there (by a Kyoto local) two years ago, only to be - like everyone else who's been there - completely astounded by one of the best falafels I have ever eaten. The food at Falafel Garden is made with "organic…(280 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer image

Former Deep Japan Writer

5 Traditional Japanese Villages to Explore images

5 Traditional Japanese Villages to Explore

The rural area of Japan is quite worth an exploration. Many villages in Japan have typical Japanese styles. Although they are quite far away from big cities, you can enjoy enchanting natural views and interesting life in these villages. Here I recommend you 5 amazing Japanese villages that you shou…(475 words)

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Alexlovetravel

Tatami smells good !!! images

Tatami smells good !!!

Tatami is a very traditional floor mat, which is a symbolic item indispensable for a Japanese style room; so called "Wa-shitsu", and is also considered as an official cultural gadget necessarily used in such Japanese architectures as temples, and tea rooms besides "Wa-shitsu". For example, when yo…(606 words)

Masa image

Masa

Yakimono: Japanese Pottery and Porcelain images

Yakimono: Japanese Pottery and Porcelain

Japanese pottery and porcelain, often referred to as 'Yakimono', is as beautiful as it is useful. It's also one of the world's oldest art forms dating back to the Neolithic period."Yakimono means fired thing. It's an important term that encompasses the entire ceramic culture of Japan," states t…(254 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer image

Former Deep Japan Writer

SAKE 101: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO SAKE images

SAKE 101: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO SAKE

A trip to Japan would not be complete without a little sake tasting! But unless you are an avid sake drinker, it can be hard to know where to begin.To help you navigate the world of sake, we’ve done plenty of research in Japan: from consulting with sake connoisseurs, to sake tastings and sampli…(1032 words)

Andres Zuleta, Boutique Japan image

Andres Zuleta, Boutique Japan

Hokuriku Shinkansen - Gran Class is fabulous even for Japanese! images

Hokuriku Shinkansen - Gran Class is fabulous even for Japanese!

Gran Class is only on Tohoku Shinkansen and Hokuriku Shinkansen. Each train has only 18 seats of Gran Class.Let me put it this way.Normal Reserved Seat - Coach ClassGreen Car - Business ClassGran Class - First ClassAs mentioned, there are only limited number of seats of this class on…(239 words)

KIH image

KIH

5 Food Streets in Japan - The Paradise for Foodies ! images

5 Food Streets in Japan - The Paradise for Foodies !

1. Dontobori Food StreetAs the landmark of Osaka, Dontobori is not only the shooting location of many Japanese films and plays, but also the famous paradise for foodies in Japan, which is praised as “the No.1 food of Japan.”The most delicious gourmet here is Tokayoki, Okonomiyaki, sushi, frie…(482 words)

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Alexlovetravel

Japanese sweets : “Yatsuhashi” images

Japanese sweets : “Yatsuhashi”

When you visit one of Japanese historic city, Kyoto, I would like to recommend its famous sweets “Yatsuhashi” for souvenir. It’s hard baked cracker having a cinnamon flavor. The name comes from Kengyo Yatsuhashi, a good “koto”(a long Japanese zither) player. Therefore Yatsuhashi cracker looks like …(57 words)

OKAKI-sun image

OKAKI-sun

Maizuru - The Dancing Crane images

Maizuru - The Dancing Crane

Along with Kure, Sasebo and Yokosuka, Maizuru is one of the four most important port towns in Japan, located in the northern part of Kyoto prefecture, which is about an hour and a half train ride from JR Kyoto station. Its name consists of two kanji 舞鶴, which literally translated mean “Dancing Cr…(1000 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

Minshuku, the Best Way to Experience Japan images

Minshuku, the Best Way to Experience Japan

There are many different kinds of ryokan/minshuku in Japan and you can see definitions of them at http://JapaneseGuestHouses.com/ryokan-styles/Personally I like minshukus best as they small and more personable. The owners run the minshuku and cook the meals. They take great pride preparing meal…(141 words)

Jeff Aasgaard image

Jeff Aasgaard

Cremia: the ice cream I can't stop raving about images

Cremia: the ice cream I can't stop raving about

You can't argue with most of the soft-serve ice cream in Japan, but you can certainly complain about the way cones taste like straw and air, in comparison to the custardy ice cream inside. Which is why I love Cremia. Foodies and dessert lovers will be no stranger to Cremia ice cream, which has bran…(261 words)

Flory image

Flory

Why Visit Japan in Summer images

Why Visit Japan in Summer

Japan is a true "year-round" destination, but if you like the heat - and lively festivals - then summer is the perfect time for you to visit!Summer in Japan lasts from about June to mid-September. Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from approximately 70° to 90° Fahrenheit.…(320 words)

Andres Zuleta, Boutique Japan image

Andres Zuleta, Boutique Japan

Ashiyu - Onsen For Your Feet images

Ashiyu - Onsen For Your Feet

Have you tried onsen in Japan? There are many famous hot spring areas in the country and most of them offer both full baths and ashiyu. Ashiyu (足湯)is an onsen foot bath. Try it. A warm foot bath is the perfect way to rest, especially after a long walk. Kinugawa Onsen near NikkoIn many o…(524 words)

David image

David

In Japan train are always on time - always. images

In Japan train are always on time - always.

There are many goods things in Japan but there is one thing ingrained in the Japanese ADN and technology: punctuality.Here, trains and metro and bus are always on time. Never too early (they wait at the station), very very very rarely late (reasons: typhoons, accident but never because they are…(570 words)

Claire image

Claire

Dances with Demons images

Dances with Demons

One doesn't have to look far to see how pervasive dance is in Japan. Nearly every pop group has an intricate dance routine to accompany their performances. There are studios which teach everything from belly dance to hula to salsa, and festivals, particularly in summer, feature popular folk dances …(525 words)

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GoodPeople

A Few of the Best Stationery Shops in Japan images

A Few of the Best Stationery Shops in Japan

If you want to find some amazing stationery in Tokyo or Kyoto, here are some of the best shops:* Ito-Ya: This is a famous chain in Tokyo, with multiple locations. Definitely visit the one in Ginza, which is right near the main intersection in central Ginza, and has an incredible selection of ca…(157 words)

Andres image

Andres

Hand-made Camping Knife and where to buy and sharpen knives. images

Hand-made Camping Knife and where to buy and sharpen knives.

Snow Peak is a famous camping equipment manufacturer from the Tsubame Sanjo area of Niigata Prefecture. It was started by the father of the current president as a manufacturer of carpentry and work tools. But Yukio Yamai, the founder, was an experienced mountaineer, so he decided that he should m…(431 words)

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mikekato