Kyoto Prefecture | Vegetarian's Japan Guide

Mimuroto-ji Yorakuen Garden and Fall Foliage Uji Kyoto Japan

Mimuroto-ji Temple Guide: Uji’s Famous Flower Temple in Kyoto

August 2, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Hydrangea, Kansai Region, Kyoto Prefecture, Plum Blossoms, Temples & Shrines

Nestled in the hills of Uji just outside central Kyoto, Mimuroto-ji Temple (三室戸寺) is affectionately known as Kyoto’s “Flower Temple”. Famous for its sprawling gardens featuring over 20,000 seasonal hydrangeas, 20,000 vibrant azaleas, and 250 weeping plum trees, this historic 8th-century sanctuary offers a picturesque escape in every season. Beyond its breathtaking floral displays and […]

Mimuroto-ji Temple Guide: Uji’s Famous Flower Temple in Kyoto Read More »

Bustling riverside city with bridges, modern and traditional buildings along a canal at sunset, pedestrians everywhere.

Where to Stay in Gion and Shijo: Affordable & Spacious Spots

July 31, 2026 / Accommodation, Kansai Region, Kyoto Prefecture

Looking for where to stay in Kyoto? If Kyoto Station is built for fast transit, Gion and Shijo are built for atmosphere. Centered around bustling Shijo-dori avenue, the scenic Kamogawa River, and Gion’s lantern-lit alleys, this neighborhood puts you steps from historic machiya townhouses, serene shrines, traditional teahouses, and the famous Nishiki Market. Staying here

Where to Stay in Gion and Shijo: Affordable & Spacious Spots Read More »

Top Affordable & Spacious Kyoto Station Hotels with Laundry

August 2, 2026 / Accommodation, Kansai Region, Kyoto Prefecture

Kyoto is a city of endless temples and breathtaking gardens, but your hotel room shouldn’t feel like a tiny monk’s quarters. For many visitors, Japan’s famously compact accommodations can be a bit of a shock. If you are looking for enough floor space to open your suitcases, want to keep a close eye on your

Top Affordable & Spacious Kyoto Station Hotels with Laundry Read More »

Shoin-at-Katsura-Imperial-Villa-Kyoto-Japan

Katsura Imperial Villa Guide: How to Book Tickets & Visit

June 17, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Kansai Region, Kyoto Prefecture

Tucked away in a quiet residential district southwest of central Kyoto, Katsura Imperial Villa (Katsura Rikyū, 桂離宮) is widely celebrated as one of Japan’s ultimate masterpieces of traditional landscape gardening and architecture. The strolling garden, comprising over half of the 69,000-square-meter-wide villa, is amazingly designed with various traditional-style garden features. Furthermore, Katsura Imperial Villa has

Katsura Imperial Villa Guide: How to Book Tickets & Visit Read More »

The Most Useful Kansai Travel Passes

April 6, 2026 / Hyōgo Prefecture, Kansai Region, Kyoto Prefecture, Nara Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture, Transportation in Japan

Planning a trip to Japan’s vibrant Kansai region (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and beyond) often comes with a bit of “analysis paralysis” when it comes to transportation. With dozens of private railways, JR lines, and city buses each offering unique discount tickets, choosing the right one can feel daunting. In recent years, many classic passes have

The Most Useful Kansai Travel Passes Read More »

Plum Blossoms and Fallen Camelias at Jonangu Shrine Kyoto Japan

Jōnangū: The Best Shrine in Kyoto to Adore the Plum Blossoms

May 3, 2026 / Kansai Region, Kyoto Prefecture, Plum Blossoms

Experience the timeless elegance of the Heian period at Jōnangū Shrine (城南宮), a serene sanctuary in southern Kyoto that remains one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Known as the “Garden of Flowers” from The Tale of Genji, Jōnangū is world-renowned for its breathtaking weeping plum blossoms (shidare-ume) and vibrant camellias that transform the grounds into

Jōnangū: The Best Shrine in Kyoto to Adore the Plum Blossoms Read More »

Ohara no Sato Onsen Guestroom Ohara Kyoto Japan

Ōhara no Sato Onsen: The Vegan-Friendly Guesthouse in Ōhara

January 20, 2026 / Accommodation, Kansai Region, Kyoto Prefecture

Escape the bustle of the city and immerse yourself in the rustic tranquility of Ōhara no Sato Onsen (味噌と大原温泉民宿大原の里), a traditional minshuku (guest house) nestled in Kyoto’s northern mountains. Renowned for its 100-year legacy of miso-making, this hidden gem offers a rare “satoyama” experience where guests can soak in an outdoor Goemon-buro (iron

Ōhara no Sato Onsen: The Vegan-Friendly Guesthouse in Ōhara Read More »

Dining at Tosuiro: Kyoto’s Famous Riverside Tofu Restaurant

January 13, 2026 / Kansai Region, Kyoto Prefecture, Vegan and Vegetarian-Friendly Spots

Experience the pinnacle of Kyoto’s culinary tradition at Tōsuirō (豆水楼), a premier tofu specialty restaurant renowned for its authentic Kyo-ryori (Kyoto-style cuisine) and Kyo-Tofu. Nestled in the historic districts of Kiyamachi and Gion, Tosuiro is celebrated for its signature Oboro-tofu, served in traditional cypress wood tubs. Set within beautifully restored Taisho-era townhouses, the restaurant offers

Dining at Tosuiro: Kyoto’s Famous Riverside Tofu Restaurant Read More »

Japan 2 Week Itinerary: Explore Kansai’s Less-Visited Spots

June 26, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan Itinerary, Kansai Region, Kyoto Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture

Japan’s Kansai region is best known for attractions such as the USJ, Osaka Castle, Kiyomizu-dera, and Kinkaku-ji. While these spots are surely stunning in the fall, the areas are now considered overcrowded and touristy. So if you are planning your second or even third visit to Osaka and Kyoto, how about venturing out of the

Japan 2 Week Itinerary: Explore Kansai’s Less-Visited Spots Read More »

Kifune-Shrine-Autumn-Light-Up-Kyoto-Japan

Kifune Shrine: The Scenic Shrine and the Origin of the Ema Plaque

January 5, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Kansai Region, Kyoto Prefecture, Temples & Shrines

Besides the Kurama-dera Temple, Kifune Shrine (貴船神社) is another must-visit spot in the Kurama and Kibune area. Especially during the autumn foliage season, the shrine is extra stunning with the foliage’s vivid colors. During this part of the year, nighttime illumination creates a mysterious atmosphere. In winter, the shrine gives a different impression when covered

Kifune Shrine: The Scenic Shrine and the Origin of the Ema Plaque Read More »