Kyoto

Myoshin-ji Temple is one of the representative temples of Kyoto, serving as the headquarters of 3,400 temples across Japan of the Myoshin-ji branch of the Rinzai Zen school. Founded in 1337 by the cloistered emperor Hanazono, its vast temple grounds include the important cultural property Garan temple complex from the south, the Sanmon Gate, Buddha Hall and Dharma Hall, which are surrounded by 46 sub-temples. There is so much to see, including Japan's oldest bonsho bell decorating the Dharma...

Ine is a small fishing village located in the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture facing the Sea of Japan. There are still about 230 "funaya," or traditional wooden boat houses, stretching for five kilometers along the Ine Bay. These houses are built right on the water and the boats are housed in the first floor while the second floor is a living space. The funaya houses stand in a row around the bay creating a scenery unique to Ine town, which somehow evokes a nostalgic feeling.

The design of Kyoto Tower, well known as a landmark of the city, was based on a lighthouse, which casts its light over a city with no sea. From the 100-meter-high observatory, you can enjoy panoramic views of the entire city with different features of the season. Its charming mascot, Tawawa-chan, is also a popular feature among Kyotoites.

Located on Mount Otowa in the middle eastern part of Kyoto City, Kiyomizu-dera is one of the most famous temples in Kyoto and has always attracted thousands of visitors. This temple, established in 778, boasts a number of historical landmarks on its grounds, including a host of National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. The most famous one is the Main Hall, built on a promontory, featuring the symbolic "stage," a wooden overhanging platform. The view of the city from here is...

The Kifune Shrine is an historic shrine located in the town of Kuramakibune, Sakyo Ward in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. The shrine offers a variety of attractions, such as nighttime illuminations during the Tanabata Festival period and fortune-telling papers where the words of divination appear when the paper is floated on sacred water. It is also known to enshrine the god of matchmaking, and the shrine's amulets and goshuin (shrine's seal stamped onto a notebook) are also popular.

Fushimi Inari Taisha is found in Fukakusa, Fushimi Ward in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. It is a highly popular shrine in Kyoto with a long history. The shrine is also open at night, allowing you to visit at any hour of the day. The shrine features thousands of torii gates, fox statues placed in various locations, an awe-inspiring main shrine building, and other highlights. Many people visit this shrine to pray for divine favors and acquire an amulet or other charms.

Muko City in Kyoto Prefecture is well known as one of the top producers of high-quality bamboo shoots in the Kyoto area. The Take-no-michi bamboo-lined path was created through a number of different development phases in order to preserve the beautiful scenery of the majestic bamboo forest. This path, stretching over 1.8 kilometers, is edged with a variety of fence types made from local Moso bamboo. Once you step on to the path and start to stroll through this serene environment, you will be...

Famous for its gorgeous display of autumn leaves, Tofuku-ji Temple is one of the Kyoto Gozan, the five great Zen temples of Kyoto. The complete seven-structured temple compound (Shichido Garan) was constructed over 19 years from 1236, and while destroyed by fire numerous times, it was rebuilt each time. Valuable structures are preserved on the temple grounds, such as the Sanmon gate, a national treasure, as well as the Yokushitsu (bathing room), Tosu (lavatory) and Zendo (meditation hall),...