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Hikone Castle – The Ultimate Travel Guide & Must-Know Hidden Tips
Hikone Castle (彦根城) is certainly no stranger among locals when it comes to the list of impressive castles in Japan. And this is because it is one of the few remaining original-construction castles. Because of its authentic architecture, it is a MUST-VISIT castle especially for the architecture lovers and history buffs. And the BEST part of them all? It is easily accessible from the ancient capital of Kyoto (京都); making this a prime candidate to save in your next Japan travel itinerary! With that in mind, lets explore the impressive Hikone Castle itself. Hikone Castle’s Fascinating History A Little Historical Background Hikone castle was founded by the Ii clan (井伊家),…
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9 Kyoto Day Trip Gems You Can’t Miss: Get The Ultimate List of Panoramic Views
From captivating ocean views of Amanohashidate (天橋立) to the majestic temple complex of Enryakuji (延暦寺) and also the matcha capital of Uji (宇治), there are certainly no shortages of Kyoto day trip destinations to enrich your travel experience. This list brings together the most panoramic Kyoto day trip destinations; each featuring its own unique history, charm, scenery and above all, captivating attractions. Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more. 1) Kurama & Kibune – The Spiritual Birthplace of Reiki Starting off the Kyoto day trip list with…
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Former Chikurin-in Temple – The Ultimate Travel Guide
Located in the town of Sakamoto (坂本) near Kyoto (京都), lies the small and quaint Former Chikurin-in Temple (旧竹林院). Don’t underestimate this small temple though as this place is not only a scenic beauty but also once served as a Satobo (里坊), or a residence for retired monks. Today, this place is famously known among locals for its scenery of its garden reflection captured on a low table setup in Japanese-style rooms. History A Little Historical Background This site is located at the foot of the famed Mt Hiei (比叡山 or Hiei-zan) which houses the massive temple complex of Enryakuji (延暦寺) at its summit. At its peak, Enryakuji had over…
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Kibune – A Complete Travel Guide to Kyoto’s Mystical Village
At the north of Kyoto’s majestic mountains lies the quaint village of Kibune (貴船). Since the ancient times, Kibune has been long associated with spirituality and tranquility; attracting many local visitors throughout the centuries who are seeking a retreat from the bustling city life. Let’s find out what makes this hidden village so attractive. Introducing Kibune & Its Surrounding Myths Kibune’s founding mainly stemmed from the legendary founding of Kifune Shrine (貴船神社). The shrine itself is one of the oldest in Japan when the goddess, Tamayori-hime (玉依姫) ordered the construction of the shrine as she was impressed with the purity of the water and the spirituality of the area. For…
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Kifune Shrine – A Complete Guide to Kyoto’s Mystical Shrine
Amidst the lush forest and tranquil mountains of Kyoto (京都) lies the mystical Kifune Shrine (貴船神社) in the village of Kibune (貴船). Among all the shrines that are located within the mountains of Kyoto, Kifune Shrine is undisputedly the most famous of them all among the local community. Yet, it’s presence remains relatively low among international tourists. In this round, let’s explore the enchanting Kifune Shrine. Introducing Kifune Shrine The Legend Behind Its Founding Kifune Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Japan; with the shrine records detailing its reconstruction around 1,300 years ago. This means that it is as old; if not older than the ancient capital Kyoto…
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Ukimido – A Complete Guide to Lake Biwa’s Iconic Scenery
Ukimido (浮御堂) is recognised one of the Eight Great Views of Omi (近江八景; pronounced Oumi Hakkei) and is easily the poster boy of the group. Ask any local who stay around Lake Biwa (琵琶湖 or Biwa-ko) to recommend a photogenic spot around the lake and most likely their answer is Ukimido. Despite locating in the city of Otsu (大津) and its close proximity to Kyoto, this little temple is still relatively unknown among the tourist radar. This is a blessing in disguise however, as this makes it an ideal spot for those looking to enjoy a lake scenery in peaceful state of mind. Now what makes this little temple so…
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Kurama-dera Temple – The Ultimate Travel Guide
While my wife and I went on a day trip to escape the bustling Kyoto to Kurama (鞍馬), Kurama-dera Temple (鞍馬寺) turned out to be one of our favourite highlights in our Kyoto trip. In fact, climbing mountains was undeniably a nightmarish activity for my wife and we did not know what to expect out of Kurama Temple. To our surprise, Kurama-dera turned out to be a pleasant temple to visit. The remote natural beauty together with the lack of tourist crowds makes this one of our favourite temples to visit in Japan. Introducing Kurama-dera Location Kurama-dera is located up north of Kyoto at the base of Mt Kurama (鞍馬山).…
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Kurama Dera Temple – Kyoto’s Captivating Mountain Temple
Amidst the numerous wooden and rustic temples in the ancient capital of Kyoto (京都); Kurama Dera Temple (鞍馬寺/Kurama-dera) stands out from the rest as a mountain temple. It is located up in the mountains of Kurama; a spot renowned among locals as a spiritual power spot and also home to the legendary tengus (天狗). So what about this temple that makes it a fascinating site to visit? Let’s explore the background behind this scenic temple. History of Kurama Dera Temple The history of Kurama mainly started from AD 770 when the monk from China Gancho (鑑禎). One night, the monk dreamt of a spot containing great source of spiritual energy…
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Oharano Shrine – The Ultimate Guide to Kyoto’s Hidden Gem
It is no surprise that Kyoto (京都) is home to a plethora of temples and shrines, both large and small; including the highlight of today’s post, Oharano Shrine (大原野神社). Oharano Shrine is among the hundreds of shrines in Kyoto that is relatively hidden from the usual tourist radar. While it is rather secluded; it makes up for it with its captivating nature scenery as well as a rich history behind its founding (see my trivia post about this shrine). To find out what the shrine beholds, lets explore its beautiful in today’s post. Exploring Oharano Shrine Location Oharano Shrine is located at Nishikyō Ward (Nishikyō-ku/西京区); aka the Western Capital Ward.…
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Oharano Shrine – Trivia Behind Kyoto’s Historical Hidden Gem
Tucked away within the western forest of Kyoto lies the little Oharano Shrine (大原野神社/Ōharano-jinja); a shrine that is totally out of the tourist radar for those visiting Kyoto (京都). Ask the hordes of tourist if they have heard of this shrine and chances are 99.99% the answer is a huge NO. Despite this, the shrine itself holds an important spot in Kyoto’s history for more than a thousand years. With that in mind, lets dwell into this background behind the founding of this shrine. History A Little Historical Background For the history of this shrine, we first introduce the main contributor to this shrine, Emperor Kanmu (桓武天皇). Emperor Kanmu was…
