Explore Kyoto’s Secrets: Gorgeous Gion to Kawaii Kimonos

Why Visit Kyoto

Kyoto is a place where you can immerse yourself in Japanese art and architecture, culture and cuisine. Name recognition draws 53 million tourists to Kyoto. But they end up visiting the same few places.

Terra Encounters is now publishing blogs about Japan on its sister site, Japan Encounters. We have listed all six itineraries of Kyoto in the section Where to Visit below. This series of posts promises valuable insights about which places you should visit and why.

Where to Visit

Kyoto has been organized into a set of self-guided walks by geographic area. Note that no place will be absent of people. The main group of tourists are the 125 million Japanese, and they are aware of all these places.

Each walk (post) requires one day. If you want to do a thorough exploration of Kyoto, then you will need six days (seven nights).

Off The Beaten Track Kyoto

If you want to avoid the over-touristed places, then there are three posts to explore “hidden gems”. The 3 Charming Hidden Gems are Byodo-in, Sambo-in, and Shisendo – some of our favourite places. The 3 Magical Hidden Gardens in Crowded Kyoto are Shoren-in, Enryaku-ji, and Daitoku-ji (Daisen-in), located in the outskirts of Kyoto. Since it is one hour away, Hikone is also a “hidden gem”. In conclusion, you can easily spend up to six days (seven nights) in Kyoto.

Final Comments

We hope this post will encourage you to visit intriguing Kyoto despite the over-tourism. It is here where we learned about tea ceremonies and Zen karesansui gardens, temples and culture. You can discover traditional Japan without having to visit the overcrowded “famous” places.

Surprising Fact for Today

The Shogun or military dictator was the main power in Japan, not the emperor. For more surprising facts, read Unlock Japan: Insider Tips & FAQs.

Subscribe

Please subscribe to Terra Encounters because we offer valuable insights to improve your understanding and enhance your travels. We offer itinerary-based guides packed with the best sights and hidden gems. Let our knowledge help you fully appreciate every moment of your amazing journey.

Get travel tips and advice delivered directly to your inbox. The best part is that it is free.

This was only a taste of Japan. What questions do you have? If you have been to Japan, share your experiences with us. How long is/was your trip?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

---