Social Media Ideas for Kiyomizu-Dera Temple

Biwako Valley Day Trip from Kyoto: Cool Mountain Air and Incredible Lake Views Just 40 Minutes Away

When you're in Kansai, sure, you can shop till you drop and hop between shrines in the city, but if you want to squeeze a jaw-dropping natural view into your Kyoto day trip itinera...

Kansai Hidden Gem: Step Into a Real-Life Shangri-La at MIHO MUSEUM, I.M. Pei's Stunning Mountain Masterpiece

If you’re traveling around Kansai and craving a break from the city, MIHO MUSEUM is well worth the detour into the mountains of Shiga. About an hour from Kyoto, this spectacular mu...

Temple lodgings preparing for pilgrims on Japan's Shikoku island

Ohara: The Quiet Kyoto Getaway Where Streams, Temples, and Forest Views Meet

During summer months in Kyoto, the central districts of Shijo and Sanjo twinkle with the lights of elevated kawayuka platforms, where diners sit by the Kamo River. The riverside he...

Top 3 Bus Tours to Arashiyama & Kinkaku-ji (Amanohashidate Included) [2026]

Compare three bus tours from Osaka and Kyoto to Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, and Amanohashidate at a glance: prices, itineraries, and real reviews all in one place. Discover the surest...

The Best Things to Do in Kyoto: Our Favorite Temples and Hidden Gems

Kyoto felt like stepping into another world, where centuries-old traditions blend seamlessly with everyday life. During our stay in a beautifully restored Machiya, a traditional Ja...

Shiga Day Trip by Bus Tour: Explore MIHO MUSEUM, Hiyoshi Taisha & Shirahige Shrine with Ease

Kansai in July can be seriously hot. The thought of constantly changing trains, checking timetables, and making my way deep into the mountains or out to Lake Biwa in the summer hea...

This Japanese-Style Starbucks Is the Dreamiest Place to Take a Break in Kyoto (Maruyama Park Kiku-no-Kei Store)

Looking for a scenic place to rest during a day of sightseeing in Kyoto? Located in Maruyama Park, just behind Yasaka Shrine, the Starbucks Coffee Kyoto Maruyama Park Kiku-no-Kei s...

炎暑の古都、華やか11基清らかに　京都・祇園祭　後祭の山鉾巡行

Specialists tending to the centuries-old Katsura Imperial Villa strive to keep it looking unchanged

KYOTO, Japan >> Visitors to the Katsura Imperial Villa in Kyoto can find themselves guided by pebble-paved paths and stepping stones, enveloped by the charm of a well-maintai...

(Summer Exclusive) Kyoto's Kamogawa & Osaka's Kitahama Terraces: 5 Budget-Friendly "Kawadoko" Cafes & Restaurant...

When you think of summer in Japan, fireworks, yukatas, and lively festivals probably come to mind. But in the Kansai region, there is another beloved seasonal tradition: kawadoko,...

Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono

Visitors to 600-year-old temple prohibited from wearing traditional garment following problems caused by those prioritizing cool social media photos over basic manners. Seiraiin is...

Sightseeing Guide to Kishiwada (Osaka): Danjiri Festival, Kishiwada Castle, and Other Fun Things to Do

Every September, Kishiwada City in Osaka is a popular destination for its sensational Danjiri Matsuri. Over three days, it draws some 600,000 visitors. But there's more to Kishiwad...

Through the Lens: Kyoto heat fires up Gion Festival crowds

お盆の「京都五山送り火」　鎮魂の祈り込め、あの世への夜道照らす

Beautiful 785-step Japanese shrine sando stairway walk is one very good reason to visit Kagawa

A sweaty, but unforgettable, visit to Kompirasan. The streets called sando are a unique part of Japanese cityscapes. Sando are the paths that lead to shrines and temples, and becau...

Taiwan in Time: The once-bustling temple atop 1,200 steps

A sensory encounter at rare architectural gem KAIT Plaza

KAIT Plaza, usually a student hangout, became a one-day tea ceremony and sound experience.

Where Nature Meets Relaxation: Two Onsen Hotels in Wakayama

No trip to Japan's Kii Peninsula is complete without experiencing one of the region's famous hot springs. After a day spent exploring ancient pilgrimage routes, sacred shrines, dra...

Weekend in Wakayama: 2-Day Journey Through Japan's Spiritual Kii Peninsula

Escape the crowds of Kansai and discover Wakayama's Kii Peninsula, where dramatic coastlines, oceanfront resorts, ancient pilgrimage routes, and sacred shrines combine to create on...

Cycle Through Ancient Japan: Asuka Village Day Trip from Osaka/Kyoto

When you think of Nara, deer may come to mind—but venture a little farther south and you’ll discover Asuka Village, a peaceful countryside treasure steeped in 1,400 years of histor...

The remarkable Kio Zen Garden in Second Life

Kio Zen Garden occupies roughly a quarter of a Full private region boosted by the Land Capacity bonus from LL. The work of Truebow Magic, it is a remarkable garden-temple-venue set...