Kyoto — Travel Guide
Kyoto, the way we actually explore it: the temples, cafes, and quiet corners we return to as photographers living in Japan.
The way you'll experience Kyoto.
For travelers who want Kyoto quiet, early, and in order.
- You have two to four days for Kyoto and want each one to count
- You'd rather see Fushimi at sunrise than from the middle of a crowd
- You want the reservation-only spots booked before they slip away
If you're planning to see Kyoto from a bus window, you won't need this. It's built for walking.
Where we take our friends and family when we show them Kyoto.
A Kyoto travel guide built by two photographers living in Japan. Everything we love, from iconic temples and bamboo forests to kaiseki counters and riverside coffee.
Old Japan, without the guesswork.
45 hand-picked locations
Iconic temples and bamboo forests, plus the quiet places most visitors miss. Every one somewhere we've actually been.
18 cafes & restaurants
From kaiseki counters to riverside coffee, the places we return to ourselves.
Insider tips for every area
The timing tricks and small details that change the day, so you catch Fushimi and Arashiyama at their best, not their busiest.
25 original photographs
All shot by us, so you can see the light on a street before you decide when to walk it.
Custom Google Map
Every location pinned, so you can decide your next stop without stopping to read.
What to Book in Advance
A dedicated page for the reservation-only spots, so they don't slip away.
Every guide, side by side.
| Guide | Covers | Places | Eat & drink | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Days in Tokyo | 9 neighborhood days, Harajuku to Nakameguro | 135 | 54 | $19 |
| Kyoto | Iconic temples plus the quiet corners most visitors miss | 45 | 18 | $9 |
| Osaka & Nara | Neon and street food, deer and ancient temples | 45 | 18 | $9 |
| Day Trips from Tokyo | Mt. Fuji, Kamakura, Hakone, Mt. Takao, Yokohama, Kawagoe | 30 | 36 | $9 |
| 2 Weeks in Japan | All four guides, Japan's Golden Route end to end | 255 | 126 | $29 |
Questions, answered.
By area: the iconic temples plus the quiet corners, grouped so you're never doubling back. 45 hand-picked locations plus 18 cafes and restaurants, each with insider tips.
The temples and streets Kyoto is famous for, from Fushimi and Arashiyama to Higashiyama and Gion, plus the quiet places most visitors walk past. 45 hand-picked locations plus 18 cafes and restaurants.
Nara lives in our Osaka & Nara guide: a full day for Todai-ji, the deer, and the quiet park around them. Or get both cities in the complete bundle.
Especially. The timing is the whole point: the good light is early and the best streets are quiet before the buses arrive, and this guide puts you there at the right hour.
Instant PDF download the moment you buy. The link is on the confirmation page and in your email.
Yes. Save the PDF and the Google Maps lists to your phone and both work without signal.
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