inspo & info

The Arashiyama bamboo grove is one of Japan's most photographed sights — and one of its most overcrowded. So is it still worth the trip in 2026? Honest answer: yes, but only if you play it right. Here's when to go, what to expect, and how to avoid the worst of the crowds.

Here are 8 of the best temples and shrines in Kyoto that most tourists completely miss. It's no secret that Kyoto is severely overcrowded with tourists, and, seeing those videos of jam-packed streets and buses, many visitors to Japan are starting to wonder if putting Kyoto on their itinerary is worth it at all. Here's our list of hidden-gem Kyoto temples and shrines: visit them before they too become popular!

There are two airports that serve Kyoto: Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Osaka Itami Airport (ITM). And while one of them is geographically closer, that doesn't necessarily make it the right choice. But does it make sense to fly to Kyoto at all? Is it better to fly to Kyoto or take the bullet train?

If you’re wondering whether to stay in Osaka or Kyoto, this guide will help you choose the city that best aligns with your travel style, interests, and itinerary. Now, we have to be completely honest with you here: having lived in Osaka for several years, we're just a wee bit biased. But we love Kyoto too, so we're being as objective as possible. Here are the pros and cons of staying in Kyoto vs Osaka-

You're a Shinkansen pro and have navigated your way down from Tokyo to Kansai without breaking even a slight sweat. But working out the easiest, cheapest route from Osaka to Kyoto or ( Kyoto to Osaka transit for that matter ) is causing headaches? No wonder, because you're spoiled for choice when travelling between these two cities. Read on to find out what your options are, how to buy tickets and why you shouldn't take the Shinkansen! Disclosure: This post contains affiliate

Just a 16-minute train ride from the shrines, temples and inevitable crowds of Kyoto lies a town where the air smells faintly of toasted grass and the river flows with a thousand years of history. Welcome to Uji , the undisputed "Matcha Capital" of Japan. Most travellers have a bucket-list of attractions that they want to speed through while in Kyoto, but not setting aside time for a day trip – even a half-day trip – to the town of Uji means missing out on UNESCO World Herita