Kyoto Jet Charter

Website:

Address: Kamogawa Nijo-Ohashi Hotori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0902, Japan
Phone: +81 (75) 746-5555
Website: The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto

Address: Yanagibaba Rokkaku-Sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto 604-8113, Japan
Phone: +81 (75) 221-3535
Website: Matsui Honkan Ryokan

Address: 185 Kitamachi, Karasuma-dori, Rokujo Kudaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8176, Japan
Phone: +81 (75) 344-3815
Website: Hotel Kanra Kyoto

Address: 277 Nakahakusancho, Fuyacho Anekoji-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8094, Japan
Phone: +81 (75) 221-1136
Website: Hiiragiya

Address: Gion Yasaka-jinja Minami-mon-mae, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu, 605-0822, Japan
Phone: +81 (75) 525-5514
Website: Maifukan

Address: 294 Kiyomizu 1-chome, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0862, Japan
Phone: +81 (75) 551-1234

A shrine made to live in harmony with nature, not a single nail was used to construct this shrine, and a waterfall resides within, fed from a nearby river. The temple is surrounded by many tall trees, which make for a beautiful view around the fall when the leaves turn a bright orange. A chilling legend of this temple, is that if one were to leap from the temple, a 13m drop, and survive, any wish they had would be granted—the survival rate was 85.4%. However, the tradition is now prohibited, so don’t try anything crazy during your visit. There is a safer wish-granting legend where you can drink the water of a the Otowa waterfall nearby, but you have to catch it on the fall before it lands in the pond.

Website: Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist Temple

Address: 1 Kinkakujicho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 603-8361, Japan
Phone: +81 (75) 461-0013

This temple has gone through much since its creation. It was originally a place of retirement for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu near the end of the 14th century, but it was burnt down in 1950 by a monk. A little ironic since it is a Zen Buddhist Temple. It was rebuilt however, made to be an exact copy of the original. The original construction was during the classical age of Japanese garden design, and the architectural design and integration of the structure into the surrounding landscape reflects this. The pavilion gets its name because it is covered in gold leaf. Year-round, tourists are attracted to this temple to see it for themselves.

Website: Kinkaku-ji/Golden Pavillion

Address: 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 612-0882, Japan
Phone: +81 (75) 641-7331

This shrine is a bit far from all of the other attractions in Kyoto, but the short train ride to get there is well worth it. Said to be a very unique experience, there are amazing tunnels made up of torii gates throughout this shrine. The shrine sits at the base of the Inari mountain, 233 meters above sea level, at the end of a 2 hour hike. Interestingly enough, Inari was worshiped by many merchants and manufacturers for successful business, and thus, the costs for the construction of each torii gate was donated by a Japanese business.

Website: Fushimi Inari Shrine

Address: Yubinbango605-0941 Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto Sanjusangendomawari-cho 657, Japan
Phone: +81 (75) 561-0467

Truly an awe inspiring place for reflection, or even epiphany, what could be better than coming to a temple with a thousand golden statues resembling the Buddhist deity of mercy? The statues are made of Japanese cypress, and covered in gold leaf; in addition to the statues of the deity, 28 more statues make a row before them, known as guardian deities. Amongst them all is an eleven-foot statue of the thousand-armed Kannon.

Website: Sanjusangendo Temple

Address: 〒604-8054 京都府京都市 中京区富小路通四条上る西大文字町609, Japan
Phone: +81 (75) 211-3882

If you’re spending more than a vacation in Kyoto, Japan, or if you want to make a home-cooked meal during your stay, then Kyoto’s Kitchen is the place to go. This market is often booming with business, and you can find an assortment of exotic foods and even ingredients for cooking here. Although probably easier to traverse during daylight, the Nishi Market is truly beautiful at night with all the lanterns lit up to illuminate the area and shops.

Website: Nishi Market/Kyoto’s Kitchen

A designated national treasure, this is one of Japan’s most famous castles. It survived earthquakes, fires, wars, and was left virtually unscathed during World War II, even when its surroundings were leveled via carpet bombing. It is nearly the last standing castle in Japan, has a history of 400 years, and towers over many skyscrapers and office buildings in the area. Some construction and renovation is going on, and the castle is currently closed for now, but is said to reopen late March 2015. Annually, it is closed December 29-31 during the holidays, a typical tradition in Japan, where many stores and attractions close around New Year’s.

How to Get There

Because Himeji isn’t in Kyoto, but is a famous attraction, we felt it should be noted here. We have listed the best ways to get there from here.

• Near the Kansai International Airport, there are buses that run eight times a day to Himeji; a 2.5 hour ride
• Ride the Hikari Shinkansen (best for Japan Rail Pass holders), and arrive in under an hour
• Take the Port Liner train from Kobe Airport to Sannomiya, then hop on the Shin-kaisoku train service to Himeji; a total of 1.25 hours

• Philosopher’s Path
• Maruyama Park
• Arashiyama
• Heian Shrine