Your Kyoto trip would not be complete without a well-thought out food trip. Here in our neighbourhood, you’ll find plenty of culinary gems that have kept local patrons coming back for more. As Autumn begins to cool the air, we’ve put together a list of our favorite restaurants in our area to keep you warm. 

 Korean BBQ Galore at Yakiniku Dining Kinoe

Photo by @linlin.16

Yakiniku Dining Kinoe, one of the city’s most renowned Korean BBQ restaurants, is located just a short walk from Miru Kyoto Nishiki. Aside from their delicious meats like Matzuzaka and Omi, they are renowned for their wide range of wine (over 100 bottles). The perfect complement to hearty, grilled meats!⁠

Elegant Dining in Chisou Inaseya

Specialty Kyoto Sushi at Hisagozusi Kyoto

Looking for more places to eat in Kyoto? For more restaurant recommendations, follow @mirukyotonishiki on social media  for regular updates. 

No matter the season, the Kyoto charm is easily found across the city. Despite the temperature drop in winter, many events and places are still bustling and welcoming for travelers – making it  the ideal destination to visit year-round. If you’re heading to Kyoto this winter, we’ve hand-picked a selection of festivals and destinations that you should check out. Read on to see our curated list!

Shop for Unique Crafts and Trinkets at Kyoto’s Year End Flea Market

Photo by @kitaku750 ⁠

The Kyoto year-end flea markets are a must-see for any visitor to Japan. Shimai Tenjin and Shimai Kobo, two locales in the ancient capital city that host this type of event offer visitors an opportunity to not just buy bargains but also find unique pieces from various eras including traditional arts & crafts as well modern artwork or vintage goods – all at fantastic prices! If you love a good bargain, be sure to visit Toji-temple on the 21st of December and Kitano Tenmangu on the 25th of December to find treasures from the past.⁠

Get Lucky this Winter Solstice

It’s December, and Winter Solstice is around the corner. Though Winter Solstice or Toji (冬至) isn’t an official festival in Japan, it’s widely celebrated as a tradition.

This special day is considered to be a lucky day in Japan, so if luck hasn’t been on your side lately, be patient as this day may bring change in your favour!⁠

To celebrate Toji, locals enjoy a relaxing Winter Solstice Yuzu Bath (ユズ湯), where baths are prepared using the Japanese citrus fruit called Yuzu. It is also common practice to visit Yata-dera Temple where they serve boiled pumpkin. At this time of the year, you may be greeted with a gigantic pumpkin set in front of the temple’s main hall. Visitors will normally rub the pumpkin and say a prayer for good luck before enjoying the boiled pumpkin dish.⁠

Treat Yourself to Kyoto’s Best Cheesecake at Papa Jon’s Cafe

For the perfect hearty dessert this winter, head over to @papajonscafe for the famous New York cheesecake. While most people would not imagine Kyoto to be a destination for this classic American dessert; locals have dubbed this place as one of their favorites when they’re craving an authentic slice!⁠

Enjoy New Year’s with Nishin Soba at Matsoba

Photo by @udon_soba_log

A cold winter’s day is best accompanied with comforting food from Matsuba. Known for the Nishin Soba, this simple but delicious dish is typically cooked with herring fish in sweet soy sauce accompanied with hot soba. ⁠

For New Year’s Eve, try out this local delicacy accompanied with Toshikoshi Soba or better known as the “year-crossing noodle” to symbolize a long and healthy life. Located just 15 minutes walk from our hotel – it’s the perfect place to have your dinner before celebrating the New Year!⁠

Looking for more activities to do in Kyoto this winter? Follow us @mirukyotonishiki on social media for updates!

Kyoto is famously known for its many red temples and shrines scattered throughout the city. When the Fall season comes along, the colours of these establishments are complimented by the changing of leaves all around the region.

When this happens, Kyoto undoubtedly becomes one of the most beautiful places in the country. During this time, witness as the city transforms into a wonderland of orange, red and golden hues as you take a stroll through the city or when you visit any of the phenomenal spots made available specifically for the purpose of admiring the autumn leaves.

Autumn in Kyoto is truly a sight to behold and so here are 3 of the best spots where you can admire the golden foliage in all its glory.

Take the Perfect Picture at Sento Imperial Palace

There are plenty of stunning spots to witness Autumn beauty for yourself, as almost every temple, shrine and garden has a few maple trees as part of its landscape. ⁣
⁣
Sento Imperial Palace is one of our favorites, as reservations are required in advance, so it never feels too crowded! Fall foliage lasts till mid-December, and we hope you get to see it in person soon.

Find Your Zen at Enkoji temple

Photo by @koto.photo.5746

Enkoji Temple, nestled away on the outskirts of Kyoto, is a hidden autumn treasure. Well-known for its spectacular fall foliage, this temple features a beautiful zen garden surrounded by maple trees, which have just turned crimson and gold this late November! Moreover, it’s home to a delightful stone garden and charming bamboo trail, both of which provide astounding views of the temple’s magical autumn colours.⁠
⁠
So, make sure you pay a visit and witness this amazing site for yourself!⁠

A Dazzling Display at Arashiyama

As the leaves begin changing colour sometime in October, now would be the best time to start planning your visit to Kyoto for the Fall Season. Fall foliage peaks around late-November and overall lasts for a span of 2 months until early-December.

If you’re looking for picture perfect locations then there would be no better place than Kyoto in the Fall. Make sure to follow us on Instagram @mirukyotonishiki for more recommendations.

Travelling to Kyoto for the Summer? The ancient city comes to life with the vibrant sights and festivities during this time of the year.

Japan’s cultural capital awaits with a plethora of wonderful treasures, some of which are as follows:

Sunflower Blossoms Amidst Kyoto’s Beautiful Landscapes

(photo by @tatikoma1984)

Celebrating the new month with Sunflowers, especially since they are August’s birth flower here in Japan. These bright beauties blossom all around the city between late July and early August, and are guaranteed to put a smile on your face! Here are two locations to catch them in all their blooming glory:⁠

Ayabe Fureai Ranch: ⁠

The ranch’s peak sunflower season is until early August, whereby 50,000 radiant sunflowers bloom over a 4,000m² plot of farmland.⁠

Kyoto Botanical Gardens:⁠

Founded in 1924, the Kyoto Botanical Gardens is around 240,000㎡. Enjoy the unique sights of the Orange Sunflower here.⁠

So, make sure to add these places to your itinerary!⁠

The City’s Famous “Gozan no Okuribi” Festival

(​​photo by @mitsuru_wakabayashi)

In Japan, it’s believed that ancestors’ spirits return to visit living kin during the Obon festival, which takes place this year on August 13th and 16th. This occasion is marked by a number of rituals, the most famous of which is the Gozan no Okuribi, or five send-off fires. This ritual occurs at the end of the Obon festival, where various mountain tops across Kyoto are lit with a bonfire to signify the safe return of our ancestors’ spirits!⁠

Here’s a sight of the bonfire at Mount Damoinji from the past.⁠

Mesmerizing Thousand-Day Pilgrimage Celebration at Kiyomizu-dera Temple

(photo by @t.nakao543557)

From August 9th to August 16th, take part in the age-old Thousand-day Pilgrimage at Kiyomizu-dera Temple. During this auspicious time period, a single day of prayer is equivalent to a 1,000 days of meritorious prayer. Throughout the pilgrimage, you’ll get the chance to experience the divine Kannon’s boundless compassion and explore the temple’s sacred innermost sanctuary, Nainaijin, which is open to the public from day to night!⁠

So, don’t forget to pay a visit!⁠

This Summer, head outside and explore the city’s most captivating attractions. Be sure to plan your Kyoto itinerary ahead of time to get the most out of your day. For more trip recommendations and travel ideas, follow us @mirukyotonishiki!