Inside Kyoto

Kyoto Biwako Canal, Okazaki Area, Northern Higashiyama

Kyoto gets a fair bit of rain throughout the year, making it a great place to spot rainbows. Keep an eye out after a storm for rainbows forming near the mountains that surround the city.

The superb garden at Ohara’s Sanzen-in Temple is one of the best places to enjoy the new green of spring (known in Japanese as shinryoku). It’s also one of the best half-day trips out of the city.

Kuuya-no-Taki Waterfall is nestled on the northwest flank of Mt. Atago-san in the western mountains of Kyoto. It’s roughly midway between Takao and Hozukyo, a short walk from the hamlet of Kiyotaki.

Ninna-ji Temple, in Northwest Kyoto, is famous for its long-lasting cherry blossoms. If you’ve missed the cherries in other parts of the city, you can usually catch them here until late April. image © Damien Douxchamps

The month of June brings so many events to Kyoto. Don't miss the special opening at Shinen Garden in Heian-jingu Shrine, Northern Higashiyama. There is normally an entrance fee, but on June 6th entry is free. It's a wonderful opportunity to explore the garden and blossoming of Irises, Lilies and Hydrangeas. Click here to see all of this month's events around Kyoto!

Light up At Kiyomizu-dera Temple During Cherry Blossom Season

Kiyomizu-dera Temple During Cherry Blossom Season

Shirakawa Canal Looking Toward The National Museum of Modern Art During Cherry Blossom Season

Path In Arashiyama’s Hougo-in Temple

Thirty minutes outside of Kyoto, Arashiyama remains one of our favorite sightseeing districts. Here you'll find the famous Arashiyama bamboo grove as well as the famed Tenryu-ji Temple, moss covered Gio-ji Temple and many more.

image © Jeffrey Friedl

image © Jeffrey Friedl

image © Jeffrey Friedl

Gion-Shimbashi, the preserved section of Gion on the banks of the Shirakawa Canal, is the most beautiful part of the city during the cherry blossom season.