T R A V E L - 48 Hours in Kyoto!

Hello again!

As previously stated, I'm currently making my ways through Japan and loving every second of it! I'm just getting to my last few hours in Kyoto and thought I would share just some of the highlights of our last 48 hours in this truly magical city! With Kyoto being the ancient capitol of Japan it's no surprise just how much tradition and cultural attractions are on offer.

Here are just a small number of things to see and do in Kyoto that won't break the bank! Happy planning!

1  | Fushimi - Inari Shrine

The shrine has over a thousand orange tori gates snaking around the Inari Mountain. Each tori gate has a different donator's name engraved into it's wood.  It's honestly a must see attraction. If you don't visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine have you even been to Kyoto?
If you would like to just visit the screen and see the tori path way it's a simple walk and easy to reach by bus or train. If you're feeling ambitious and you'd like to follow the path up the Inari mountain feel free too! It'll take around 2-3 hours for the round trip so make sure you'be packed your walking shoes.

2 | Golden Pavillion, Kinkaku-Ji Temple

This is the place you see in all the travel guides and posters for Kyoto, and we can see why. This stunning temple really is as good in real life as it looks in the photographs. It's perfectly clean and really stands out. I felt like I was watching a movie when I arrived at Kinkaku-ji Temple. The top two floors of the Zen Temple are covered in gold leaf that make the temple a must see in Kyoto. Set within the Mirror Pond and a lushes green garden it's heaven! #homegoals

3 | Kiyomizu - Dera Temple

The Kiyomizu-Dera Temple is an immense Buddist temple in kyoto. The Temple is location on a small hill with a huge terrace with offers a breathtaking view. If you walk on further through the temple you will reach the view point. Which gives an incredible view of much of Kyoto. 

4 | Ryozen Kannon 

The Ryozen Kannon is a war memorial for those who died in the Pacific War in Eastern Kyoto. Not just to the Japanese but all the unknown soliders who lost their lives during this horrible time. The Kannon statue is 80 ft high! (hard to miss) and is made of steel and concrete. The site has a number of small shrines, you can go into Kannon from the back and you might even see a monkey or two hanging around.

5 | Gion neighborhood

Head down to the Gion neighbourhood for your chance to see one of the fifty remaining geisha's in the town. Located betweek Yasaka Shrine and the Kamo River, the geisha district is filled with shops, resturants and Ochaya (tea houses) 

Now it is amazing to see Geisha's, but they are super busy! If you are able to see one be happy and take it in. Please don't stop them and ask for pictures, they're on their way to work.

If you have some money to spend, head to Geisha Corner where you can watch a tradition show :) 

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Are you heading to Japan soon? Have you recently come back? 

What's your favourite thing about Japan?

Lots of love,
Stephanie xo