As a family with three boys, when we discovered a sword making experience with a traditional Japanese blacksmith outside of Kyoto we just HAD to do it! There are a couple of places that offer this experience, see below for details. Samurai and swords are synonymous with Japan and Japanese culture. Today there are still…
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Fushimi Inari shrine is located in Southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that stand close together and make a red tunnel up through the mountain forest. This shrine was established for the Shinto god of rice, Inari, in 711, before Kyoto was the capital of Japan. The path leads…
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Northern Kyoto boasts one of the most famous temples in Kyoto and perhaps in Japan, the opulent Kinkakuji or ‘Golden pavilion’. Kinkakuji was built by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu the shogun as his retirement villa in 1397. Yoshimitsu was instrumental in reopening trade with China and importing goods such as green tea and pottery, he was a…
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Nishiki markets are in central Kyoto and easily accessible from Kyoto station. The market is five blocks long and packed with fresh food stalls, shops and all things food related, no wonder it’s nicknamed, Kyoto’s kitchen. What to buy Kyoto is known for so many foods, however, these are some of the foods recommended to…
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Kyoto has so many amazing sights to see that it can be hard to decide what to do and where to go. Here are the sites that we recommend in Eastern Kyoto, we have put them together so that hopefully it is easier for you to plan a few sites to see together. Kiyomizudera Temple…
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Arashiyama is in the Western area of Kyoto. It is a little further away than other sites in Kyoto and can get busy particularly in autumn and sakura seasons. However, it is a beautiful area and the kids enjoyed it as there are lots of areas to explore. These were our three favourite things and…
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Kyoto is the capital of old Japan, it is a picturesque city steeped with history and tradition with streets that make you feel as though you have stepped back in time. Kyoto is known for its breathtaking scenery, particularly its Autumn colours. There are temples of gold set above tranquil ponds, moss gardens, sand gardens,…
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