Kyoto — Travel Guide
Kyoto, the way we actually explore it: the temples, cafes, restaurants, and quiet corners we return to as photographers living in Japan.
See the complete guide →
See the complete guide →
The way you'll experience Kyoto.
For travelers who want to experience Kyoto like a local.
- You want recommendations from locals, organized by area
- You want to know what needs to be booked ahead of time so you don't miss out
- You want to save hours of planning
- You want all locations mapped so you can navigate with ease
Only visiting one city? We also have single city guides - see the table below.
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.
Experience Kyoto, without the guesswork.
45 hand-picked locations
Iconic temples and bamboo forests, plus the places most visitors miss. Every area is somewhere we've actually been.
18 cafes & restaurants
From kaiseki counters to aesthetic cafes, it includes the places we return to ourselves.
Insider tips for every area
The timing tricks and small details that create a smooth experience, so you catch Fushimi and Arashiyama at their best, not their busiest.
25 original photographs
All shot by us, so you can get an idea of what each area actually looks like.
Custom Google Map
Every location pinned, so you can access directions instantly.
What to Book in Advance
A dedicated page for the reservation-only spots, so you don't miss out.
Every guide, side by side.
| Guide | Covers | Places | Eat & drink | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Days in Tokyo | 9 neighborhood days, from 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 |
| 3 Weeks in Japan | All four guides, Japan's Golden Route end to end | 255 | 126 | $35 |
Get the complete bundle for just $35.
Questions, answered.
Grouped by area so you're never doubling back. Organized into morning, afternoon, and evening recommendations.
The temples and streets Kyoto is famous for, from Fushimi and Arashiyama to Higashiyama and Gion, plus the quiet areas and shops that most visitors miss.
Nara lives in our Osaka & Nara guide, which includes a full day of sights, restaurants, and cafes in Nara. Or get all of these cities in the Complete Japan Guide 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.
You'll receive an instant PDF download in your e-mail immediately after purchase.
Yes. You can save the PDF and the Google Maps list to your phone so both work even without signal.
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