342番地 Kagiyachō, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8126, Japan

This is a true 5 star hotel with a very interesting history and very comfortable lounges. There are few places in the world where practical comfort and luxury meet around a historical theme to provide an experience where truly, you can make yourself at home. From the moment you walk in, you are given the tour and welcomed as a truly valued guest. Throughout the stay the finest amenities and refreshments are at your fingertips and with complements of the host. The rooms are clean, bright, comfortable and the location is convenient yet quiet. The food was Michelin worthy. There is want for absolutely nothing except maybe a personal butler and on site onsen. This hotel is truly a gem and I eagerly await my return. The next time I am in Japan I will make a point to spend at least a few days here in Kyoto!

Best hotel I've ever stayed at.  The staff was super friendly and super helpful.  The room was nice and large with enough space to stretch out and relax.  The bath tub was perfect for soaking in after a long day and the provided bath crystals/salts added to the enjoyability.  The provided drinks (juices, wine, Sake, beer, etc) and snacks were all top quality and all free.   The hotel also has electric bikes to rent for free (including insurance) which makes getting around the city super convenient and a lot more enjoyable.  All of the historical touches relating to Nintendo both as a games company and a paper/card company were a great touch as well.   The library is a must to visit and also great to relax in as well.  Overall I fell in love with this hotel and will definitely be visiting again on my next trip to Kyoto.

Marufukuro is definitely the hotel we will choose next time we visit Kyoto. Staying at Marufukuro is one of the greatest and relaxing exercise we had in Kyoto.

Each dish on the menu and cutlery are curated and enjoyable. We looked forward the breakfast every morning.

Everything they provided in the room is carefully selected and very comfortable.

Both lounge and our room are spacious and comfortable.

All staff is very considerate. It was raining when we arrived. When we talked to a staff, another staff considerately gave a towels to dry our hair.

We didn’t book dinner in advance and I don’t eat meat in general. They kindly adjusted it for me when we requested dinner on the day.

We can see the effort they spend in providing their great service.

Marufukuro

Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8394, Japan

It’s so crowded and packed but honestly I really enjoyed this. It’s a tourist spot what do you expect? Go early in the morning to avoid the crowds but at midday it was still easy to navigate through and get some amazing pictures! I definitely would say it’s worth stopping here on your vacation in Japan for 2-4 hours. As well there was some great temples and shrine near by on the path of the bamboo grove that were easily accessible and cheap.

Definitely worth the trip. Beautiful walk through the bamboo grove. We went later in the day - around 4pm - not too many people (maybe due to the fact that it was very hot). There is a scenic train ride available by t it was closed by the time we got there

Another incredible sight to behold. We drove to this site with no problems. There are parkings right outside in the small villages surrounding it. Very photogenic location with incredible mature bamboos, water lakes and old small roads. Stunning!! pram friendly as there are no steps. Get ready to brush shoulders with so many other tourists, or come super early

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Japan, 〒612-0804 Kyoto, Fushimi Ward, 稲荷山町４番地

Beautiful pathway through Shinto shrines. Block off at least a few hours if you want to get to the top and enjoy the scenery along the way. I found the best area to be at is the crossroads picture spot near the top. I didn’t find the top of the mountain as beautiful but it’s worth climbing up if you make it to the crossroads. Make sure to pack and dress what you need for a light hike.

Wow! There are a lot of shrines in Kyoto, but this is on another level. We went at night so didn't buy anything or get a stamp. But the experience was amazing, the gates are lit up, the cats are out and about, and it was extremely quiet. Make a visit here, it's huge and directly across from the station.

Feels as if it's a must to go when you are in kyoto. Perhaps just once in a lifetime? Read mixed reviews on whether to climb to the top.. if you time to spare, go ahead. If not, mid point will do.. coz the scenery at the top and mid point are similar..  of course, u will be able to have nicer pics nearer to the top as there will be lesser crowd..  if not.. there is no need to climb all the way.. had fun climbing the stairs though. Just so that I can eat more.

Fushimi Inari Pathway

101-8 Hakatachō, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0805, Japan

Incredibly great dinner, the owners took pains to explain what each item was and were very happy to chat with us. Gave very good recommendations on what to do in Kyoto and pointed out a festival that's happening tomorrow.

Definitely value for money as the quality of the ingredients was top notch and we loved the food.

Edit: we managed to watch the very interesting and delightful matsturi procession because of the owner's kind recommendation. I will definitely be back when I return to kyoto and have recommended friends to visit when they do.

This is a perfect gem of a restaurant. The owner was kind and welcomed us in, explaining what we were eating and even discussed how our trip was going. But the food was the main attraction. Each bite was beautiful and delicious. I definitely recommend coming here.

my favorite meal! we came for the lunch set, and luckily we didn’t need a reservation. there were three options: 1900 yen, 2400 yen or 2900 yen. we got the 2900 yen option which comes with additional sides.

all ingredients included seasonal fruits and vegetables and was very refreshing. as you can see, each piece of sushi was extremely intricate and detailed.

the seating was very intimate and the owner was friendly. 10/10 recommend!

gion一穂

1 Kinkakujichō, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8361, Japan

Great place that require little time to be done. Can be a bit complex to get there but if you organise your trip well it is a good place for photos and just enjoy been "away" from the center and still be in Kyoto.
Do not come with pushchairs or if you have difficulty to walk. It is not long but you need to use stairs and climb a bit. A pleasant spiritual place with a tourist twist.

It's a beautiful temple, the gold is very exceptional and you won't see this anywhere else. However it is a small place to visit (you will be in and out within 20-30 minutes if you take it slow), it is only 500Yen so pretty doable. Very busy during the day though.

I expected the Golden Pavilion to be just a little sparkly, but it wasn't at all. It was absolutely shiny and sparkling!

It was so amazing to see. I'm truly impressed by the people from the past who created such a magnificent structure. I highly recommend everyone to check it out.

Entrance fees : 500 ¥ , cash only.

Kinkaku-ji

1-chōme-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan

Stunning temple with beautiful views over the city.  Very crowded and lots of steps but wonderful photo opportunities. Neighboring area around the temple is filled with unique shops and treats to eat. Loved seeing many women dressed up traditionally in kimonos. This is a must see when visiting Kyoto. Traveled here in March.

This temple is very particular due to its location. It is raised above the city and allows you to admire a unique panorama. It is immersed in nature and it was a pleasure to see it despite the somewhat gray day that happened to us in April of this year. I recommend the route towards the Pagoda, a little away from the main body, but integrated into the greenery of nature like few others. The suspended wood also has a nice effect. They do the goshuin, but get in line right away so you don't risk having to wait too long, they often close mid-afternoon in most temples.

One of the most stunning temples in Kyoto. There are many ways to get here, but mostly involve walking after bus or subway. Arrive early in the morning to avoid the massive tourist crowds arriving in tour buses.

You can walk up the beautiful shopping alley or via other entrances if you use google maps. Either way, it’s a steep ascend for a beautiful and stunning view at the top.

Recommend to try drinking the water at the end to give you good health, love and wisdom.

Kiyomizu-dera

Higashiuoyacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8055, Japan

What a cool place! So many shops and food stalls to browse in this market. Enjoyed sampling different foods here and ate a really cute Snoopy shakes taiyaki dessert. Amazing fresh seafood displays everywhere. Great place for lunch and a must see when visiting Kyoto.

Hours of entertainment, eating and shopping all within the several blocks of the marketplace.  Unique food must be tried.  So many things to buy.  Just a fantastic place to walk through.  It's always busy and slow to get through the narrow area between shops, but experience is everything and it didn't disappoint.

It is a must visit spot if you are in Kyoto. local food market which offer some traditional treat you could have a bite to taste it. unique experience you are going to have when you spend time here. I would said 2-3 hrs is a must and don’t be shy to try everything. the stores ( staff) are kind and friendly ( mostly English is available ) and many free tasty sample allow you to try before you purchase it.

Nishiki Market

657 Sanjūsangendōmawari, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0941, Japan

Simply amazing place to a glimpse at a moment in time with those statues. Couldn’t take any pictures inside. Pretty amazing history on each one of the Buddhist deities. Something created in the 12th century and in great condition. Bought a couple of nice souvenirs and would highly recommend to anyone in Kyoto.

Enjoy this place.  It's interesting to see different cultures. The gardens are beautifully kept, and we were well informed. The main building has an incredible life sized statues of the different gods. Really amazing to see it all together.
There is a cute store as you are walking out of the main room  different trinkets for sale. Mostly items sold for protection against evil, good luck charms for babies and elderly.

We saw many temples, but this is the can't miss, must see temple. The Buddha and the 1001 statues are just amazing. Even the building is amazing in the sheer size. The doors are amazing. No photos allowed inside sadly.

Rengeō-in (Sanjūsangen-dō) Temple

Shimohonnojimaecho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8091, Japan

Very good line up, well maintained street

Great shopping area. Some rules with bikes. Please either park them or walk them thru market. Ate at Wendy's. McDonald's is here too. At night is better than day. Younger crowd and the style of clothing is a sight to see.

Not many shops, and not a large range.
Thrift shops were quite expensive and and with a small range.
Food is also limited but some smaller streets seemed to have some popular shops.

Teramachi Shopping Street

1-5 Sagatenryūji Susukinobabachō, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8384, Japan

A visit here on a day of clear blue skies will be awesome. You can grab a cuppa of Arabica% nearby or a green tea soft serve and sit along the banks of the river enjoying the perfect scenery. Came here during Fall and the colours are spectacular.

Worth visiting if you are in the area. No cost required. Visit the other side of the bridge as well.

Absolutely stunning. I could stand at the bridge and watch the waters flow by all day. Recommend to get a seat near the river and enjoy some snacks and drinks. Will be worth every minute of your time.

By chance, I stumbled upon this bridge during my exploration, as it wasn't initially part of my planned itinerary. However, I couldn't have been happier with the unexpected discovery. The view from the bridge was absolutely breathtaking, boasting a picturesque scene that captured my attention immediately. It was a true feast for the eyes, and I couldn't resist taking several photos to preserve the beauty of the moment. Sometimes the best experiences are the ones that happen spontaneously, and this unplanned encounter certainly left a lasting impression on me.

Togetsukyo Bridge

Masuyacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0826, Japan

Went during the day but probably a nicer view during sunset.

Yasaka Pagoda Photograph Spot

498 Higashigawachō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8046, Japan

Desserts look nice and delicious! Cafe decoration is good for IG photo shooting.

However, there’s no service and limited choices on dessert. Didn’t see the blue cloud dessert on that day.

I’ll go to another branch to enjoy more chill environment next time.

Very cute and aesthetic cafe. Got the Matcha yuzu cake set as well as a grapefruit soda and cotton candy cloud cake set. We got there right as they opened.

They sell different pastries everyday so they wont have the same menu. We were looking for the matcha cloud cake but they only had the yuzu available.

The pastries were fluffy, creamy, and not too sweet. The grapefruit drink was refreshing and the iced matcha latte was ok nothing special.

Overall it was worth the try.

Minimalist cafe with cute design of cloud. The cake was delicious, not too sweet. There is a big cloud shape mirror in the photo corner where you can take mirror selfie pic. You can also take an instaworthy picture at swing spot in front of the cafe.

雲ノ茶カフェ KUMONOCHA CAFE 寺町京極店

Questa città è per me il vero concentrato di tutto il Giappone... si mischia cultura, natura e tech, creando davvero un connubio incredibile. Ci avrei passato molto più di quanto ho programmato, per girarla davvero in lungo e in largo.

Kyoto, il luogo che più ha catturato del Giappone

342 Kagiyachō, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8126, Japan

Japan, 〒612-0804 Kyoto, Fushimi Ward, 4 Inariyamacho

Ichiho gion

657 Sanjusangendōmawari, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0941, Japan

Rengeō-in (Sanjusangen-dō) Temple

1-5 Sagatenryūji Susukinoobabachō, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8384, Japan

Cloud tea cafe KUMONOCHA CAFE Teramachi Kyogoku store

For me, this city is the true concentration of all of Japan... it mixes culture, nature and tech, truly creating an incredible combination. I would have spent a lot more than I planned, to really go far and wide.

Kyoto, the most captivating place in Japan