If you want to see Japan’s famous fall colors, the Fuji Five Lakes region is an excellent destination. Here, you’ll not only get some of the best autumn foliage from late October through early December, but you’ll also have photogenic scenes with vibrant momiji in the foreground and Mount Fuji in the background. In this […]
Our 1-day itinerary for fall colors season in Kyoto routes an efficient and mostly walkable path through some of the very best autumn foliage spots in all of Japan. You’ll see the koyo highlights of Kyoto, including free temples & shrines, gardens, and a handful of nighttime illuminations by following this touring plan. If you’re […]
When it comes to fall colors, Fushimi Inari Taisha doesn’t make a lot of ‘best of’ lists for shrines & temples to visit in Kyoto, Japan during the autumn. This is really unfortunate, as I’d argue that it can be one of the better spots for fall foliage in Kyoto. I understand why Fushimi Inari is conspicuously […]
Osaka Kaiyukan is the world’s largest aquarium and a Japan must-do. In this post, we’ll review the aquarium, offer some basic info about why it belongs on your itinerary, and share photos of its marine life & displays. Marine life at Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is displayed in 15 tanks, each representing a specific region of […]
Our 4-day Kyoto itinerary is a step-by-step Japan touring plan for efficiently visiting temples, villas, shrines, and highlights in an efficient manner. In addition to the “best of” spots and hidden gems in Higashiyama, Arashiyama, and downtown, this Kyoto itinerary culminates in a final day that’ll take you away from the crowds for a hike […]
Tofukuji Temple is famous for its fall colors, Hojo Garden, and having some of the largest and oldest free grounds in Kyoto, Japan. The most iconic scene at the temple is its valley of autumn foliage under Tsutenkyo Bridge, which draws visitors from around the world. In this post, we’ll share photos and our experiences at […]
Unryu-in Temple in Kyoto is known for the views offered its beautiful windows into the Japanese gardens, which differ in each of the four seasons. In this post, we’ll share photos from our visit to Unryuin during its fall nighttime illumination, recount the somewhat-bizarre anecdote of our journey there, and provide our take as to […]
If you’re planning to tour Kyoto, Japan for 3 days, our itinerary provides a time-saving plan-of-attack for efficiently visiting temples, shrines, museums, and exploring the city in an efficient manner. While our 3-day Kyoto itinerary focuses on the “best of” the city and its many highlights, we also share diversions away from the crowds that […]
Railway Museum in Saitama showcases the history of railways in Japan, with train cars you can go inside, interactive simulators, and exhibits detailing the evolution of railway technology. In this post, we’ll take a photo tour of the Railway Museum, and offer thoughts on whether it’s worth the commute to visit as a half-day trip […]
Jojakkoji (常寂光寺) is a peaceful temple at the base of Arashiyama’s mountains in Kyoto, Japan. In this post, we’ll discuss whether this temple is worth your time and money, offer transportation info for getting there, and share photos of Jojakkoji Temple. I won’t bury the lede–I love Jojakkoji Temple. If you’ve read our 1-Day Western Kyoto Itinerary, you might […]