KYOTO LOCATIONS

FUSHIMI INARI:- Really popular shrine. People usually go to here to take photos around the main level as you enter
-Takes around 2 hours to climb all the way to the top if you're feeling adventurous (not essential)
- Can buy souvenirs and fortunes here

BYODO-IN TEMPLE, UJI:- A really pretty Buddhist temple
- The entry fee is ¥600 which is around £3.50.
-You can walk around the temple + lake then go inside the museum which has Buddha statues and paintings (can’t take photos inside unfortunately). Not much else aside from gift shop inside.

NAKAMURA TOKICHI (near Byodo-in Temple)🍵:- Green Tea & Matcha dessert place
- ice cream, parfait and other desserts
- Quite popular so the queues can be long and seating areas tend to be full. Expected wait of 20-30 minutes for each order
- Prices range from around ¥700 - ¥1180 which is around £4-£8

NISHIKI MARKET:- The Market itself has a lot of street food (mainly grilled meat and fish) or dessert like red bean pastry (Taiyaki) Matcha things and even Wagyu beef.
- The nearby streets have a lot of clothes shops (streetwear etc) so there’s plenty to look at. There are also affordable restaurants outside e.g. Le Napoli - pizza bar or Hanamaru Udon

KYOTO KAWARAMACHI AREA:- Pretty much outside/next to the Nishiki Market area which is very convenient
- Loads of shops to look at e.g. Uniqlo, GU, Loft, Tower Records, H&M, Disney Store, Nintendo Store, Village Vanguard and designer/2nd hand clothing stores
- Really nice street view

ARASHIYAMA BAMBOO GROVE:- A popular and very beautiful bamboo forest that is popular amongst tourists! #PhotoSpot
- Some people find it underwhelming however I found it extremely peaceful and pretty. There's a 5-10 minute walk through pathways surrounded by bamboo trees.
- Nearby area has lots of dessert and food

KYOTO AVANTI MALL & AEON MALL:- Kyoto Avanti Mall is opposite to Kyoto Station. Has GU, Animate and another anime/stationairy stall. Has a few clothing stores inside
- Aeon Mall is down the road (also opposite the station). Has a Uniqlo, more clothes stores, Village Vanguard and more. Bigger and better than Kyoto Avanti

SAWANO :- Somewhat hidden restaurant north of Kyoto Station where where you can get the cute fruit animal art (you can pick which animal you'd like)
- English menu available and a photo album of all the dishes available

KYOTO TOWER AND KYOTO STATION:- Kyoto Tower is nearby if you want a nice city view
- There's a staircase inside the station that lights up at night (check Musical Fountain Aqua Fantasy on Google Maps) I’ve not seen it light up but it’s worth adding in case
- AEON Mall and Kyoto Avanti mall is nearby as well
- Isetan is a whole underground mall in the station with clothing stores, designer brands and a food hall

KARAFUNEYA COFFEE:- A parfait dessert place that also has food and really nice drinks e.g. boba, iced soda and more.
- Their branches are located in Kyoto and Osaka according to their website

GOLDEN PAVILLION TEMPLE:- Kinkaku-ji aka the Golden Pavillion Temple is a Buddhist temple in the north of Kyoto known for its beautiful appearance
- There is also a 'twin' temple called Ginkaku-ji which is the Silver Pavillion (locals prefer the Silver temple over it's beautiful golden counterpart)
- Retirement Villa of Yoshimitsu Ashikaga, an old emperor. Entry is ￥500