view of the Zen garden at Tofukuji

Is it Worth Paying Extra at Tofuku-Ji?

Tofuku-ji is one of the quieter, large temple complexes in Kyoto to visit. You pay to get in, but then you can pay an extra 1000 fee to enter two extra areas – the bridge and the garden – but is it worth it? I coughed up the cash to find out…

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shot showing possible day trips from Kyoto including Ine and Miyajima

11 Day Trips from Kyoto

There is a lot to do in Kyoto – there are, after all, over 2000 shrines and temples alone, but it’s also surrounded by other cool places to visit for the day. So, if you have a spare day during your Kyoto trip, where could you spend it? Here are 11 ideas.

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composite image of things to do in Kyoto with teenagers

23 Things to Do in Kyoto – With Teens

There’s a lot to do in Kyoto, but on the face of it, it can look very shrine-and-culture-heavy, which might not go down so well if you’re travelling with teenagers. So, here are 23 fun ideas to keep them happy as well – from cool photo shoots to spooky nighttime walks.

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Front gate of the bamboo temple with towering trees behind it

22 Places to Escape the Crowds in Kyoto

Kyoto is one of the most popular places to visit in Japan, and as such, it can get very crowded; however, most of the crowds tend to congregate around the same few sights. If you know where to look, you can find the peaceful Kyoto you crave. 

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Golden temple surrounded by snow

Kyoto Weather Guide – What to Expect Month-by-Month

‘What’s the weather going to be when I visit?’ is one of the most common questions I get asked in my Japan Planning Facebook group. Now, if I knew the exact answer to that, I’d be rich, particularly as the weather seems to be changing in Japan, so even past averages might not be relevant today – but I can at least give you a rough idea of what to expect in Kyoto each month…

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LArge double bed with a gold headboard in a room at the Misen hotel Kyoto. Paper screens over the windows give the room a traditional feel

The Truth About Kyoto’s New Hotel Tax

‘Kyoto is slapping on a hotel tax of 10,000 yen (US$65) per person, per night,’ say the headlines. But headlines don’t always tell the whole truth – so, here’s what’s really happening to hotel prices in Kyoto.

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