A delicacy paradise of matcha, mushrooms and many more!
Break the tourist mold by venturing outside of the city to see what else Kyoto has to offer.
This prefecture, which was once home to Japan’s capital city, is a treasure trove for travelers looking to immerse themselves in rich history, long-standing tradition, and breathtaking landscapes of nature. Kyoto prefecture, located in the Kansai area, attracts a large number of domestic and international tourists every year. One day, visit old temples and picturesque metropolitan districts, then board the train to enjoy the environment change before your eyes.
There are so many things to do and see in Kyoto alone that experiencing the entirety of this historic prefecture would keep anyone coming back for more.
Kyoto City
Kyoto City can get very crowded during the spring and autumn seasons, when the city is in its postcard-perfect seasonal transition. In the summer, expect a different kind of audience, as the stunning Gion Matsuri, one of Japan’s most famous festivals, attracts a different kind of crowd. Winter is the quietest season, but it also brings the possibility of rain (as most of Kyoto’s attractions are outdoors).
There’s always something fresh to add to the agenda, whether it’s seeing one of the city’s many World Heritage Sites like Kinkaku-ji or simply relaxing in one of the city’s many trendy cafes. You might spend weeks in Kyoto City alone discovering numerous cultural treasures, but if you can tear yourself away from tradition, the neighboring prefecture also offers a wealth of historic and natural treasures to be discovered.
You may walk through the Sagano Bamboo Forest, Kyoto’s natural wonder of Moso Bamboo, in adjacent Arashiyama.
Amanohashidate
The Tango region, located north of Kyoto City, is famed for its gorgeous beach resorts, notably Amanohashidate, a long sandbar covered with pines that spans across the opening of Miyazu Bay and is known as the Bridge to Heaven.
Head north to see one of Japan’s top three picturesque sights, the Bridge to Heaven, or forage for rare matsutake mushrooms in the Tamba Mountains.
Tamba is a mountainous location between Tango and Kyoto City that is known for its high-value matsutake mushrooms, which retail for over $200 per kilo. If you’re not a fan of fungi, there are plenty of hiking and outdoor activities to enjoy. Regardless, a glass of award-winning Tamba wine will wash it all down.
Uji and Wazuka
Wazuka, located just south of Kyoto City on the road to Nara, is the ideal spot for a cup of green tea. It has been produced in the town for over 800 years. The magnificent rolling green hills of tea leaves are plainly visible.
The neighboring town of Uji, on the other hand, is all about matcha (powdered green tea) immersion. You can taste matcha-flavored soba and desserts, buy matcha souvenirs, manufacture your own matcha, and participate in a traditional tea ceremony.
