Since arriving in Japan, we have been sightseeing at warp speed. The clock is ticking…in just two short weeks our amazing adventure will be coming to a conclusion and we will be back in Columbia, Maryland. Feeling the need to squeeze every ounce that we can out of these last few weeks, we are out and about all day long, touring Japan, falling in love with yet another country.

For a total of 15 days we will be in Japan, our time split between Kyoto and Tokyo, with several day trips from each location. We have been seeing so much that it is almost impossible to keep this blog updated with our activities (but giving me plenty to write about later!). Until I can write more, here are some of my favorite Kyoto photos.

Note: This post is a recap of our time in Kyoto and it was written in 2015 during our trip around the world. For more information on things to do in Kyoto, check out our post Best Things to Do in Kyoto.

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Kyoto is the cultural heart of Japan, filled with temples, castles, museums, places to watch the tea ceremony, and Gion, home of the geishas. Our first look into amazing Kyoto was the Fushimi Inari Taisha and it’s 10,000 shinto gates.

Kyoto Photos

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Like Fushimi Inari, the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is another popular sight in Kyoto. When we visited it was quiet, peaceful, and almost empty of tourists.

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Julie Tyler Kara in Kyoto

Tenryu-ji Temple

Next to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is the Tenryu-ji Temple, giving us our first look at the zen gardens that Japan is so famous for.

Japanese Garden
Tenryu-ji Temple
Kyoto Temple

Monkey Park

From the Tenryu-ji Temple we crossed the Katsura River and climbed up to Monkey Park. Here we fed the monkeys by hand and had great views out over Kyoto.

Katsura River Kyoto
Kyoto with Kids
Monkey Park Kyoto
Kyoto Monkey Park View

Kinkaku-ji Temple

One of our favorite temples was Kinkaku-ji Temple, also known as the Golden Temple. We arrived at the same time as a large group of Chinese tourists. The visit was very crowded and Tyler and Kara were just as a big of an attraction as the temple.

Kinkaku-ji Temple
Popular Kids

I love this photo, taken just outside of Kinkaku-ji Temple.

Travel with Kids Japan

Searching for Geisha

We met up with Stephanie, a co-worker of Tim’s from AGI, along with her sister, Sophie, and had dinner on Pontocho Alley. After dinner, we walked around Gion, the best spot to see a geisha or maiko (apprentice geisha). 

Geisha Kyoto
Tim Stephanie Tyler Kara

Earlier at dinner…

Kyoto Restaurant
Tempura
Best Sushi

Eating the food was one of our favorite things about visiting Japan. Everyday we ate sushi; it was so cheap and tasted delicious! But we had fun trying everything…yakitori, okonomiyaki, tonkatsu, tempura, and ramen noodle soup.

Eating in Japan

Nishiki Market

We also had fun walking through the Nishiki Market, trying raw and cooked fish, and once again, wondering what everything was. We have been wondering what a lot of things are in Japan, since most things are written in Japanese and do not have English translations.

Shopping Nishiki Market
Nishiki Market

Kiyomizu-dera

Kiyomizu-dera was the largest and most crowded temple we visited in Kyoto. Our favorite part were the wishing shrines, where charms for good luck can be purchased. We didn’t buy any good luck charms but I was tempted by the “safety travel” and “for against disaster.”

Kiyomizu-dera
Japanese Good Luck Charms
Wishes

From Kiyomizu-dera we strolled along the shopping streets in the area. We got very lucky, stumbling upon a Japanese couple and their photo session.

Kyoto Japan in July
Kyoto Street
Shopping Japan

Buying a Katana Sword

Tyler was the biggest shopper of the four of us, purchasing a genuine katana sword at a specialty shop in Kyoto. He saved his money and talked about this since early in our trip. Tyler researched where to go and it was at Tozando’s in Kyoto that he custom made his katana sword. In one month it will be making its journey to Maryland, arriving not too much longer after we do.

Manga

Another thing we saw a lot of was manga, a type of Japanese comic books. These are so much more popular in Japan than comic books are in the US.

Manga
Japan Ads

Ginkaku-ji Temple

One of our favorite temples was Ginkaku-ji.  We were here on a quiet morning, the gardens were some of the most beautiful we have seen, and I loved the views over Kyoto.

Ginkaku-ji
Japan in Summer
Kyoto View

It was SO HOT while we were here, with temperatures in the mid 90’s and very muggy. We loved the mist fans, giving us a chance to cool off after visiting the temples. We would also duck into 7-Elevens and small shops for a good dose of A/C before moving on.

Kyoto July

Nijo Castle

Not far from our apartment was Nijo Castle, an actual castle surrounded by a moat.

Nijo Castle
Nijo Castle Entrance

Kyoto Station

To get between all of these sights we rode Kyoto’s train and subway system countless times. At least once a day walked through Kyoto Station.

Kyoto Station

Traveling by Shinkansen became one of our favorite modes of transportation, ever. Watching the Shinkansen trains pull into the station was like being transported into the future. These trains were fast, smooth, and super fast, like airplanes without wings.

Shinkansen
Earth Trekkers Japan

Gion

Back to Gion one more time. Hanamikoji dori was one of our favorite spots for strolling, as we were always hoping to catch a glimpse of a geisha.

Kyoto Japan
Gion Kyoto

For my final photo of Kyoto, a view of the restaurants in Gion along the Kamo River.

Restaurants Kyoto

From Kyoto, we are off to Tokyo…a big city with awesome shopping, neon lights, the world’s largest train station, a day trip to watch Sumo wrestling, just to name a few things that we are very excited about.  This is our last stop before flying home to the US (oh my!) and we are planning to make the most of it.


Kyoto Japan in Photos

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Julie

About Julie

Julie is the main author for Earth Trekkers. Hiker, foodie, photographer, and triathlete, Julie loves traveling the world in search of new experiences and then sharing them on this site. Her goal is to make your travel planning process easier and to inspire you to visit new places.

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