Spots List

Maizuru Port Toretore Center

Maizuru Port Toretore Center

"Maizuru Port Toretore Center" is one of the largest seafood markets on the Sea of Japan side. Inside the vast building, fresh fish and shellfish just landed at Maizuru Port are lined up. The biggest attraction is the system where you can have fish, crabs, or shellfish you bought in the market cooked on the spot and eat them immediately as seafood bowls or charcoal-grilled dishes. Savoring the luxury of choosing your favorite ingredients in a lively, auction-like atmosphere is a top experience for gourmet travelers. With a wide variety of processed goods for souvenirs, it is an energetic gourmet...

Kyoto
Sightseeing
Food
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Yuuhigaura Onsen

Yuuhigaura Onsen

Located along the coast of Amino-cho, "Yuuhigaura Onsen" is a hot spring resort known for its overwhelming beauty of the sunset sinking into the Sea of Japan, as its name suggests. At dusk, the sight of the sky and sea staining from golden to purple is truly a piece of art created by nature. A wooden swing called "Yurari" stands along the coast, serving as a perfect photo spot. The water is known as "Water of Beauty," popular for its skin-gentle quality. In winter, many ryokans offer top-quality snow crab dishes, making it a resort area visited by many domestic...

Kyoto
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ayabe Onsen Nio-no-yu

Ayabe Onsen Nio-no-yu

Surrounded by the lush mountains of Ayabe City, "Ayabe Onsen Nio-no-yu" is a hot spring facility where you can relax while enjoying a magnificent view. The water here is said to be rich in skin-smoothing components and effective for fatigue recovery. From the open-air bath, you can overlook a panoramic view of the satoyama that changes its expression with each season; the misty morning landscape is especially mystical. With a restaurant and accommodation facilities also on-site, you can savor dishes using local specialties. It is an ideal spot for travelers who want to venture a bit further from Kyoto City...

Kyoto
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Hidejiro

"Hidejiro," situated in a beautiful mountain area of Ayabe City, is a farmhouse guesthouse where you can enjoy the blessings of the satoyama with all five senses. Here, you can experience a near self-sufficient lifestyle, including baths heated by firewood and making handmade miso and tofu filled with Japanese wisdom. Especially, the seasonal dishes prepared wholeheartedly by the host fascinate many guests with their deliciousness and volume. At night, you can spend a luxurious time watching the starry sky and falling asleep to the sound of insects. It is highly recommended for those who want to thoroughly savor the depth...

Kyoto
Accommodation
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Satoyama Guesthouse Couture

Satoyama Guesthouse Couture

Located in the satoyama of Ayabe City, "Couture" is a stylish farmhouse guesthouse created by modernizing a century-old traditional house. Here, in addition to farming experiences in rich nature, you can enjoy making authentic pizza using local ingredients and gatherings around an "Irori" hearth. The host's warm personality and the quiet time of the satoyama provide deep peace to visitors. Fusing traditional Japanese lifestyles with modern sensibilities, this place offers a unique stay for sensitive international travelers seeking authentic journeys.

Kyoto
Accommodation
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Seventh Home

Embraced by the beautiful rural scenery of Kyotango City, "Seventh Home" is a farmhouse guesthouse where you can feel a warmth as if returning to your own hometown. Experiences such as harvesting seasonal vegetables with the host family or cooking traditional home-style dishes together teach you the richness of daily life in Japan. Living in an environment rich in nature makes you completely forget the bustle of the city and refreshes your mind and body. This accommodation is highly rated by international travelers wishing to touch the essence of Japanese "Omotenashi" through family-like interactions that transcend language barriers.

Kyoto
Accommodation
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Hatago Aburaya

Located in the nature-rich environment of Kyotango City, "Hatago Aburaya" is a farmhouse guesthouse utilizing a historic building continuing since the Edo period. Here, you can not only stay but also directly experience traditional Japanese farm life, such as meals around an "Irori" hearth and seasonal farming activities. Handmade dishes using plenty of fresh local vegetables and seafood warm the hearts and bodies of visiting travelers. Touching "rural Japanese warmth" through interaction with the host family, this experience will surely become a travel memory remaining deep in your heart, something you can never taste at ordinary hotels.

Kyoto
Accommodation
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ine Town

Located at the eastern end of the Tango Peninsula, Ine Town is a world-rare beautiful fishing village with about 230 "Funaya" traditional houses built facing the sea. The unique architectural style, where the first floor is a boat garage and the second floor is living space, is a crystallization of wisdom for living with the sea. Viewed from a sightseeing boat on the sea, the landscape of Funaya looks as if it's floating on the water, extremely mystical. Recently, guesthouses and cafes renovated from Funaya have increased, and spending time listening to the quiet sound of waves lets you feel...

Kyoto
Area Info
Sightseeing
Activities
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Amanohashidate Onsen

Amanohashidate Onsen

Flowing right next to Amanohashidate, one of Japan's three most scenic views, "Amanohashidate Onsen" is a hot spring area known for its "beauty-enhancing water" gentle on the skin. Enjoying the hot springs at "Chie-no-yu" right next to the station or at historic ryokans overlooking Amanohashidate is the best way to heal travel fatigue. Soaking in the hot springs while gazing at the pine forests of Amanohashidate and the quiet Asokumi Sea becomes an exceptional relaxing experience. In winter, enjoying famous Matsuba Crab dishes along with the hot springs is the Kyoto way of luxury. This is a highly satisfying hot...

Kyoto
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Tango Peninsula

Tango Peninsula

Jutting out into northern Kyoto Prefecture, the "Tango Peninsula" is a mystical peninsula where untouched nature and legends live on. Famous Japanese coastal landscapes are concentrated here, including the "Amanohashidate," one of Japan's three most scenic views, and the "Ine no Funaya" boat houses floating on the sea. The driving course along the coast offers a series of superb views woven by the deep blue Sea of Japan, complex inlets, and scattered small fishing villages. It is also the setting for ancient stories like Urashima Taro and the Hagoromo legend, evoking the source of Japanese spiritual culture. It is ideal...

Kyoto
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Motoise Kono Shrine

Motoise Kono Shrine

Located at the northern end of Amanohashidate, "Motoise Kono Shrine" is a highly prestigious shrine with a history where the deities of Ise Grand Shrine in Mie Prefecture were once moved from here. The "Suta-tama" five-colored seated jewels decorating the railings of the worship hall are special decorations permitted only at Ise Grand Shrine and Kono Shrine, speaking to its sanctity. It is also a base for the faith that regards Amanohashidate as a "ladder for gods to pass to heaven" and has been worshiped as the guardian deity of this land since ancient times. Visiting during your Amanohashidate sightseeing...

Kyoto
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Kyotango Area

Located at the northernmost tip of Kyoto Prefecture, the "Kyotango Area" is a leading part of "Kyoto by the Sea" known for its beautiful coastline and rich seafood. Dynamic rock formations certified as a UNESCO Global Geopark and the mystical sunset at "Yuuhigaura" spread throughout nature's formative beauty. Additionally, fresh seafood, including the "Taiza Crab" called a phantom crab, fascinates gourmet travelers. With a deep history as a production area for "Tango Chirimen" traditional silk fabrics, it is a profound area where you can experience the open sea and the lives of traditional fishing and farming villages, completely different from...

Kyoto
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Hozugawa River Boat Ride

Hozugawa River Boat Ride

Descending about 16km of the canyon from Kameoka to Arashiyama over approximately 2 hours, "Hozugawa River Boat Ride" is one of Japan's largest scale boat rides combining thrills and magnificent views. The skill of experienced boatmen navigating through rocks using only a single pole is a sight to behold, with dynamic landscapes like unique rocks and deep pools continuing along the way. Seasonal canyon beauty—cherry blossoms in spring, deep greenery in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snowscapes in winter—can be enjoyed from the river's perspective, making it very popular among adventurous travelers. It is a top activity to personally...

Kyoto
Activities
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Roan Kikunoi

A sister restaurant of the leading Kyoto Ryotei "Kikunoi," "Roan Kikunoi" is a premier Kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto that has also earned Michelin stars. Boasting a wonderful location overlooking the Kamo River, you can savor sophisticated cuisine that adds modern sensibilities to traditional techniques. Counter seats, where you can watch the chef's craftsmanship up close, are very popular with overseas guests. The course meals, using top-quality seasonal ingredients with Japanese aesthetic sense in every detail of dishes and presentation, are truly "edible art." It is recommended for those who want to experience the pinnacle of Kyoto's food culture in a...

Kyoto
Food
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Kozan-ji Temple

Kozan-ji Temple

Located in the mountains of Takao surrounded by rich nature, Kozan-ji is a historic temple registered as a World Heritage site. It is known for preserving the National Treasure "Choju-jinbutsu-giga," said to be Japan's oldest manga, whose humorous brushwork of anthropomorphized animals fascinates overseas art fans. The grounds also contain Japan's oldest tea garden, allowing you to touch the roots of Japanese tea culture. The deep green mountains viewed from the veranda of the National Treasure "Sekisui-in" are like a serene landscape painting. It is a special place where you can simultaneously feel spiritual peace and the source of Japanese...

Kyoto
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Bishamon-do Monzeki

Bishamon-do Monzeki

Bishamon-do Monzeki in the Yamashina area is a Tendai sect Monzeki temple, world-famous for its "Shiki-momiji" (fallen maple leaves) in autumn. The carpet of red leaves covering the stone steps is breathtakingly beautiful, making it a premier photo spot. Inside, you can enjoy a mysterious experience with "Moving Fusuma Paintings," where the perspective changes depending on the viewing angle. Located in a quiet mountain skirt away from city noise, it is a hidden gem perfect for travelers who want to slowly appreciate the dramatic color beauty woven by natural and traditional Japanese architecture.

Kyoto
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Tenryu-ji Temple

Tenryu-ji Temple

Located in the center of Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji is a premier temple registered as a World Heritage site. Built by Ashikaga Takauji to mourn Emperor Go-Daigo, the greatest highlight of this temple is the "Sogenchi Garden," the first place in Japan to be designated as a Special Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty. The garden, incorporating Arashiyama and Mt. Kameyama as borrowed scenery, preserves its appearance from 700 years ago, and the view of mountains reflecting in the pond is breathtaking. The giant "Unryu-zu" (Cloud Dragon) painted on the ceiling of the Hatto hall offers a mystical experience where...

Kyoto
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Tofuku-ji Temple

Tofuku-ji Temple

Boasting one of Kyoto's largest temple complexes, Tofuku-ji is a Zen temple known for the magnificent autumn view from the "Tsutenkyo" bridge. The sea of maples filling the valley turns burning red in autumn, a beauty that leaves visitors speechless. Also a highlight is the "Honbo Garden" designed by Mirei Shigemori, the father of modern landscaping. Its creative dry landscape garden, where tradition and modern senses fuse—such as the checkerboard pattern of moss and stones—is highly regarded by art lovers worldwide. A premier temple in the Higashiyama area where you can simultaneously feel the power of Zen and refined design...

Kyoto
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Philosopher’s Path

Philosopher’s Path

A walking path about 2 kilometers long stretching from near Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji along the Lake Biwa Canal. It got its name because the philosopher Kitaro Nishida used to stroll here while lost in thought. In spring, a "cherry blossom tunnel" is formed, and in autumn, foliage colors the water's surface. Along the path are stylish cafes, small workshops, and hidden temples, perfect for walking at your own pace without rushing. Listening to the sounds of nature and feeling the quiet flow of time in Kyoto, this experience is loved by those who want to relax during their journey and...

Kyoto
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Gion Shirakawa

The area along the Shirakawa River flowing through Gion preserves the "most Kyoto-like" atmosphere with stone-paved streets, traditional Machiya townhouses, and the Tatsumi Bridge spanning the river. In spring, cherry blossoms and willows sway beautifully along the river, and at night, the illuminated streetscape creates an even more mystical atmosphere. This is one of the places where you are most likely to spot Geiko and Maiko passing by, and it is carefully preserved as a conservation district. A distinct alternative to the busy main streets, it is the best photo spot and walking route for travelers who want to stroll...

Kyoto
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

An icon of Kyoto tourism, Kinkaku-ji (Rokuon-ji) is a World Heritage site known for the Shariden hall covered in brilliant gold leaf reflecting in the pond. This garden, built by the Muromachi-period Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu to represent paradise on earth, expresses the pinnacle of Japanese aesthetics. You can enjoy the beautiful contrast between the golden building and seasonal colors: the white of snow, the red of autumn leaves, and the green of fresh foliage. From the walking path circling the pond, you can gaze at its brilliance from various angles, and its overwhelming presence is undoubtedly an emotional highlight for...

Kyoto
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Keage Incline

The site of a former inclined railway built during the Meiji era to transport boats on the Lake Biwa Canal. Visitors can now walk freely on the abandoned tracks, and about 90 cherry trees are planted along the 580-meter line. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom as if covering the tracks, creating a nostalgic contrast between the railway heritage and beautiful flowers that went viral on social media, attracting many tourists from around the world for photography. Easily walkable along with nearby Nanzen-ji and Heian Jingu, it is a highly photogenic historic spot where you can simultaneously enjoy the retro atmosphere...

Kyoto
Sightseeing
Nature
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Ryoan-ji Temple

Ryoan-ji Temple

Ryoan-ji, a World Heritage site, is globally famous for its "Karesansui" (dry landscape) rock garden, which Queen Elizabeth II reportedly praised. This garden, featuring 15 rocks arranged in white sand, is designed so that all stones cannot be seen at once from any angle, symbolizing Zen philosophy. Sitting on the veranda and facing the garden in silence offers a moment of introspection and meditation. In contrast to the abstract beauty of the rock garden, walking around the vast Kyoyochi Pond allows you to enjoy rich natural beauty, making it a sanctuary for travelers wishing to touch the essence of Zen...

Kyoto
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Hokyo-in Temple

Hokyo-in Temple

Located in the Arashiyama and Sagano area, Hokyo-in is a hidden gem for autumn leaves known only to those in the know. Although the grounds are compact, the density of the garden is high; in autumn, vivid red hues of maples and enkianthus cover the ground. The picture-perfect garden view from the main hall looks just like a painting. It is the perfect place for travelers who want to avoid crowds and take photos of Japanese autumn colors slowly in silence. The history associated with the warlord Ashikaga Yoshiakira can also be deeply felt within the quiet space.

Kyoto
Sightseeing
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter