JAPAN 2023 - KYOTO

 KYOTO, JAPAN

Anyone planning to visit Japan is likely familiar with Kyoto. For over a thousand years, the city renowned for its temples and shrines was Japan's capital. Today, this must-see destination is highly sought-after during Spring when the Cherry Blossom (Sakura) are in bloom and Autumn when the entire region is covered in a variety of fall colours.

Located in the heart of Japan's main island, Honshu, Kyoto is reachable via flights to Osaka or Tokyo followed by a shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto Station. Within Kyoto, getting around is convenient, either by the local transportation network, taxi or on foot. We visited over the Culture Day long weekend in November. From Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station, the shinkansen took a little over two hours, with both stations and the train being exhaustingly crowded.

Once in Kyoto, your next decision is knowing where to stay. Kyoto is divided into districts, each with its own personality and proximity to local attractions. We stayed in the Gion or Geisha district - best known for its narrow alleyways lined with traditional Machiya houses - at Gion Misen Furumonzen. 

Arriving mid-afternoon, we headed to the Nishiki Market. Referred to as Kyoto's kitchen, the market is lined with more than a hundred shops and restaurants. Bumper to bumper with foot traffic, we navigated our way past stalls of fresh produce only stopping to try the local delicacy Tako Tamago - glazed octopus stuffed with a quail egg. Hmmm.... try it for yourself! 

Nishiki Market, Kyoto

Tako Tamago

The Samurai & Ninja Museum is located next to the Nishiki Market. There are guided tours of the museum and at the end you can dress as a Ninja and learn some martial art techniques. The whole experience takes a little over an hour. 

Kamo River

Take a sunset stroll along the Kamo River followed by dinner at one of the restaurants along Pontocho alley. We had dinner at Robin.

ARASHIYAMA

The Arashiyama district sits to the west of Kyoto, just a short 30-minute train ride away. Known for its stunning natural scenery, especially captivating during the vibrant seasons of Spring and Autumn, prepare to be enchanted by its beauty and invigorated by the walking trails. A map of the district can be found here.

Allocate a full day to explore this area, as there's an abundance of sights and activities. The primary attraction is the Tenryuji Temple, while the Bamboo Forest stands out as the area's main highlight. Guided pathways navigate you amidst the towering bamboo groves, historically utilised by local workshops for centuries to craft an array of products like mats, baskets, cups, and boxes.

Tenryuji Temple

Take a stroll past the Okochi Sanso Villa, through the Kameyama Park and down to the Oi River where you can hire a boat or join a river cruise through the scenic Hozu-kyo Ravine. 

Follow the river to the Togetsukyo bridge, then continue towards the Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama, home to more than 200 Japanese Monkeys. Return to Kyoto by boarding the Hankyu Electric Railway at Hankyu Arashiyama Station. The beautifully adorned, wood-panelled carriages evoke a nostalgic ambiance, transporting you as if you've stepped onto a movie set.

FUSHIMI-INARI SHRINE

Located in Southern Kyoto, the Fushimi-Inari Shrine stands as one of Kyoto's most frequented. Renowned for its thousands of torii gates that form a pilgrimage hike behind the main buildings, the 5km journey to the summit at 233m will take around an hour. 

We visited late afternoon and although the shrine is open 24-hours per day and free to visit, we opted for the 5km walk back to Gion via the river. 

Exhausted and hungry we made our way to Obbli for specialty taco's. Tanny, a Kyoto native, picked up the craft of making tacos during Covid, binge-watching The Taco Chronicles on Netflix. Turning his bar into a taqueria, this funky bar not only serves up a variety of Mexican delights, Tanny also mixes up potent margaritas!

HIGASHIYAMA

Our last morning in Kyoto and we headed to Maruyama Park. This is one of Kyoto's prettiest open spaces and hugely crowded during Cherry Blossom time. 

Nanzenji Temple is one of the most important Zen Temples in Japan. The main complex is surrounded by sub temples and there is a waterfall grotto approximately 200m up in the hills behind the temple.

The Philosopher's Path is another of Kyoto's most picturesque walks. Near 2kms long, the path follows the Lake Biwa Canal and is lined with a number of restaurants, cafes and boutiques. 

Philosopher's Path

Kyoto has so much to offer, one trip is just not enough. I would love to see it during Spring when the Cherry Blossom is in bloom; however, I was more than delighted by the beauty of Autumn.

If you don't have time in your schedule for Kyoto, read about three, day trips from Tokyo here.