wilderness travel treasure temples and tea houses japan

#Wilderness travel treasure temples and tea houses japan full#

If Kyoto is the heart of traditional Japan, Tokyo is its ultramodern counterpart. Find more accommodation in Kyoto here.īack to Contents 2) Tokyo The modern and traditional juxtaposed at Sensoji temple in Tokyo If you’d prefer a traditional ryokan, Gion Hatanaka is highly rated.

Search for apartments in Miyagawacho here. Also in the area are the modern Hotel The Celestine and friendly guesthouse Tanaka-ya. We often saw geisha and could walk to many of the city’s main attractions. Where to stay in Kyoto: On our latest trip we stayed in an apartment in Miyagawacho, a geisha district close to Gion but much quieter. We’ve spent two months in Kyoto and still haven’t done everything! A longer stay also allows you to avoid the crowds more easily (you have more early mornings available) and take some of these wonderful day trips from Kyoto. How Long to Spend: 3 nights minimum but 5 nights would be better.

Exploring these magical Kyoto cherry blossom spots if you visit in late-March or early-April.Getting off the beaten track at the quirky Otagi Nenbutsuji temple.Experiencing Zen Buddhist cuisine at the Tenryu-ji temple.Retreating from the busy streets of Gion to the magical Yasaka-jinja at night.Taking the train to the village of Kibune and walking across the valley to the beautiful Kurama-dera temple.Getting your fortune from a vending machine at Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Temple).Learning to cook traditional Japanese cuisine with Emi.Wandering through the red torii gates of Fushimi Inari shrine.Kyoto is one of the top Japan tourist spots, so try to visit the popular temples early in the morning as they do get crowded. Gion is the place to spot geisha, Higashiyama has many beautiful temples to explore, and Arashiyama, up in the western hills, is one of the most traditional neighbourhoods and home to bamboo groves, quirky temples, and monkeys. The concrete high-rises of downtown Kyoto can be disappointing, so head out towards the mountains to the surrounding neighbourhoods where you’ll find narrow stone streets, old wooden houses, monks in flowing robes, and the sounds of chanting and gongs from the many temples and shrines.

#Wilderness travel treasure temples and tea houses japan full#

This is traditional Japan as you imagined it-geisha in brightly coloured kimonos emerging from wooden teahouses, forests of bamboo, temples and shrines in gold and silver and scarlet, raked gravel Zen gardens, intricate feasts served on lacquered plates, graceful tea ceremonies, and markets full of intriguing but unidentifiable ingredients. If you only have time for one Japan destination, make it Kyoto. Contentsīack to Contents Top Places to Visit in Japan 1) Kyoto I recommend mixing a few of the popular cities (most people won’t want to miss Tokyo and Kyoto) with some quieter, more rural places in Japan to see a different side of the country and take a break from the crowds. At the end of the post you’ll find a map of all these Japan destinations to start planning your route. I’ve included our favourite things to do in each place, how long to spend there, and where we stayed. Japan has so much to offer but where should you start? These are our picks for the absolute best places to visit in Japan, perfect for your first or second trip to the country (plus suggestions for the repeat visits that are likely to happen!). The food is incredible, the people are ultra polite, and it has one of the most efficient public transport systems in the world. We love the combination of ease of travel and glorious bewilderment. From futuristic skyscrapers to tranquil bamboo forests and neon arcades to serene temples, it’s like nowhere else on the planet. Japan is somewhere I think everyone should visit. Please read our disclosure for more info.