Heian Jingu Shrine

Nestled in Kyoto, this scenic gem boasts stunning bamboo groves and friendly monkeys, offering a perfect mix of nature and historic charm.

Upscale mainstay with a terrace & a stylish vibe specializing in chicken soup & classic side dishes.

Perched on Mount Otowa, this enchanting Buddhist temple dazzles with stunning views, vibrant autumn foliage, and an intriguing array of architectural gems.

This quaint downtown Kyoto spot offers an elegant kaiseki experience with exquisite seasonal dishes, attentive service, and a cozy, intimate atmosphere.

Contemporary rooms in a simple hotel offering a bar & a coffee shop, plus massage treatments. This contemporary downtown hotel is a 5-minute walk from Gion-Shijo train station, 2 km from Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple and 4 km from Nijō Castle. The unfussy rooms feature modern furnishings, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minifridges. A breakfast buffet is available (fee) in a casual dining room. There's also a sleek bar and a coffee shop. Massage services are also offered.

Casual, cozy inn offering rooms with tatami floors & futons, plus a bathhouse & a restaurant. Set in a bustling shopping district, this informal, cozy inn with a traditional wooden facade is a 7-minute walk from a subway station, 3 km from Yasaka Shrine and 4 km from Nijō Castle. Understated, spartan rooms come with free Wi-Fi, TVs and minifridges, and feature tatami floors with areas for futons. Breakfast (fee) is available in a down-to-earth restaurant that offers refined meals. There's also a gender-segregated, communal bathhouse.

Refined quarters in a high-end hotel with an Ayurvedic spa, dining & a cafe/bar, plus outdoor pools. Set at the foot of the Takagamine Mountains, this high-end hotel beside the Tenjin River is 13 minutes' walk from Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion, an 18-minute walk from the Daitoku-ji temple complex and 103 km from Kansai International Airport. Sophisticated rooms feature Wi-Fi, flat-screens and minibars, as well as daybeds. Upgraded rooms offer private gardens and/or sitting areas. Suites add living rooms and/or whirlpool tubs. Room service is available. Amenities include an airy restaurant, and a cafe/bar with a riverside terrace, plus a 24-hour gym, outdoor pools, and an Ayurvedic spa that has a geothermal pool. Breakfast is also available.

Nestled in a serene hillside, this upscale hotel blends modern luxury with timeless Japanese charm, featuring stunning gardens, a spa, and chic dining options.

Nestled in the mountains, this ancient Shinto shrine, famed for its endless vermilion torii gates, invites visitors on a serene climb through lush nature.

Riverside walkway beside traditional homes, popular for strolls & beers at the water's edge.