Toji Temple is absolutely one of the most worthwhile temples to visit in Kyoto!
It may not be as famous as Kiyomizu-dera, and it may not have flashy flower water displays, but at Toji you can experience a 3D Buddhist world and see Japan’s tallest five-story pagoda!
金己田's Reviews Page 1/6
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Shoyeido, Kyoto’s long-established incense maker, created Kunjyukan to promote Japan’s incense culture. The space isn’t very large, but the modern design gives this traditional culture a fresh new look. The three Kaori Boxes especially had an unexpectedly futuristic feel!
If you’re new to incense, I definitely recommend trying the incense capsule machine and seeing what kind of scent you get. It might just make you fall in love with incense. -
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While casually wandering through Kyoto’s side streets, you’ll definitely be drawn to ShinPuhKan. I happened to walk over from the Ace Hotel side, and Kengo Kuma’s distinctive architectural style made me recognize it right away—“This is the place!”
The entrance to ShinPuhKan is also super stylish, and once inside, I was surprised to find a lush green courtyard. There aren’t that many shops, but they all feel thoughtfully curated. The one I highly recommend is BEAMS JAPAN, where you can find lots of affordable yet beautifully made Japanese goods. The staff were also warm and friendly. If your itinerary takes you nearby, I definitely recommend stopping in! -
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Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei is divided into three areas: Todo, Saito, and Yokawa, with Todo serving as the main center.
Although the Konpon Chudo is undergoing a major 10-year renovation, it remains open for worship during construction, and visitors can also observe the restoration work.
Saito is smaller in scale and has an overall peaceful atmosphere, and its buildings reflect a strong sense of history.
Yokawa is the most remote area, and its Chudo was designed based on a ship used by envoys to Tang China. Seen from a distance, it looks like a boat floating in the mountains. -
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From the moment you step onto the approach to Kasugataisha Shrine, you're surrounded by lush forest and weathered stone lanterns. At the end of the path, the vermilion corridor appears. If it weren’t for all the tourists around, it would almost feel like traveling back in time!
Following the visitor route, we came to Fujinami-no-ya. It’s a small, completely dark space lit by the glow of countless lanterns. I can only imagine how much more spectacular it must be during the Mantoro festival. -
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The AONIYOSHI color scheme is mainly purple with gold accents, giving it an atmosphere of ancient nobility. The seating layout is open, but it still feels private. The seats are nicely cushioned and very comfortable, and the interior is full of thoughtful details. From the lighting to the decorations on the luggage racks, the whole train has a retro yet stylish feel.
There’s also a dining car where you can buy limited-edition sweets and Daibutsu Pudding, and this is also where you pick up the commemorative boarding certificate.
Overall, a lot of care clearly went into both the hardware and the service, which made this a fantastic ride. The trip from Nara to Kyoto is only 30 minutes, and it honestly left me wanting more. -
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Kyo-train GARAKU is probably the most affordable sightseeing train. No reservation or seat booking is needed, and you can travel between Kyoto and Osaka for the price of a regular train.
Each car is themed around Kyoto’s four seasons and representative plants, with features like a dry landscape garden, tatami-style seating, and noren curtains. Every car has a different atmosphere and is overflowing with Kyoto charm, so even choosing where to sit is hard!
In the end, I picked the spring-themed car. Sitting in a two-person window-facing seat, I enjoyed the scenery outside while soaking in the Kyoto travel mood on the way to Umeda. -
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Using light and shadow, it connects people with nature. Lights are projected onto the trees along the path, accompanied by music and the sounds of nature, making it feel like you’ve stepped into a fantasy world.
What could be waiting for me up ahead?
The glowing eggs scattered through the woods had a slightly mysterious vibe. The colorful spheres ahead swayed gently, and I couldn’t help but reach out and touch them. Following the pink muhly grass to the lakeside, the warm lights reflecting on the water made my heart feel calm as well. -
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It was raining when I visited, so I wasn’t able to see the sunrise torii view. I’ll have to save that for next time!
Before leaving, I stopped by Oarai Isosaki Shrine to pray. Maybe because it was a rainy weekday morning, there weren’t many visitors, so I was able to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Besides wishing for a smooth trip, it also planted the seed in my heart to come back to Oarai again someday. -
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In winter, you can take the first train from Mito to Hitachi Station to catch the sunrise. As soon as I arrived, I saw a huge crowd packed into the front row of the viewing area. I didn’t expect so many people to come watch the sunrise!
After glancing outside and seeing the clouds were pretty thick, I figured I probably wouldn’t get great photos. So I moved outside the station first to take some wide shots of the building. When I went back inside, the crowd had gradually thinned out. Right then, the sun finally broke through the clouds, and I got to see the beautiful view where the sea and sky seemed to blend together. -
