Kyoto Things to Do Tips by akikonomu

Try going early in the morning to beat the tourist crowd. It is really beautiful and serene in the morning.

Stroll through the garden and if you're visiting in autumn, you can see the blooming camellias. The pine trees, raked sand add to the beauty of the place.

Climbing up the slight hill to get the aerial view of the pavillion and Kyoto city is good morning exercise.

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Address: Higashiyama-ku

A stone's throw away from the silver pavillion. Along the philosopher's walk, there're several less well-known shrines. These are less visited and hence more serene and enjoyable.

There're also several cafes along the walk where you can rest a while and see the wrold pass by. Also look out for interesting houses in the nearby estates and explore the residential areas if you enjoy looking at houses and local architecture.

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Address: Higashiyama-ku

Visiting in the afternoon meant large tourist crowds and hardly any chance to get a good picture.

Walking on the wooden platform and feeling the large trunks that form the platform makes you appreciate that the structure was entirely hewn together through placement of the logs and without a single nail.

There's also a chance you'll see apprentice maikos or tourists in maiko makeover having their pictures taken.

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Use Arashiyama as a base for visiting the temples in the vicinity (Jojakoji, Tenryuji). Walk around the farmhouses and bamboo plots for that feeling of old-Japan.

Also try the dofu ice-cream - yummy!!!

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Take the train bound for Arashiyama from Kyoto station and walk.

Possibly the best shrines in the Arashiyama area with autumn foliage view.

Ooh and aah at the reds, oranges and yellows of the foliage and breathe in the fresh air (since vehicles are banned from the vicinity).

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The slopes leading towards the kiyomizudera - Ninnenzaka and Sannenzaka.

Stroll up the slope or explore the shops selling pottery. Very relaxing.

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