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  • May 29, 2017

    Higashiyama District and Yasaka Pagoda

    Located between Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine, Higashiyama is one of Kyoto’s best-preserved historic districts. An enclave in which ‘old Kyoto’ lives on, the area retains the majority of its his...
  • December 12, 2024

    Kyoto’s Geisha Districts

    Gion is arguably Kyoto's most iconic neighborhood, celebrated for its traditional charm and its most illustrious residents: the Geiko, Kyoto's term for Geisha. Known globally as enigmatic artisans, G...
  • May 28, 2017

    Yasaka (Gion) Shrine

    Located in eastern Kyoto and within easy walking distance of the always popular Higashiyama District and Kiyomizudera, Yasaka Shrine dates back to the 7th century and is a place of imperial patro...
  • December 9, 2024

    Hokkaido Shrine

    The Hokkaido Shrine, located in Maruyama Park in Sapporo, Hokkaido, is one of the most significant Shinto shrines in northern Japan. It is dedicated to the deities of Hokkaido, including the spirits ...
  • May 27, 2017

    Maruyama Park

    Maruyama Park is a large public park located between the always popular Higashiyama District and Yasaka Shrine. Given its size, the park can be approached from multiple directions however most vi...
  • March 26, 2017

    Gion

    Situated between Yasaka Shrine and Kamogawa (Kamo River), Gion is Kyoto’s most famous neighbourhood – known best for its traditional ‘ochaya’ (teahouses), ‘machiya’ (merchant houses) and attendan...
  • May 25, 2017

    Nanzen-ji

    Headquarters of the Nanzen-ji branch of Rinzai Zen, Nanzen-ji is one of Kyoto’s most important temples. Established in late 13th century, Nanzen-ji includes multiple major structures and subtempl...
  • May 24, 2017

    Higashiyama Joshi-ji inc. Ginkaku-ji

    Established in the late-15th century, Ginkaku-ji or the ‘Silver Pavilion’ was the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa. Modelled on Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), the villa was repurp...
  • May 30, 2017

    Sanjusangendo

    Most commonly referred to as ‘Sanjusangendo’, the properly named Rengeo-in is the longest wooden structure and second largest temple in Japan. Founded by the cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa in 11...