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Fushimi Inari: market and lower shrine
The Fushimi Inari shrine is a Shinto shrine famous for its red torii gates: thousands of them line the path linking the entrance of the shrine to the summit of Inariyama. This makes Fushimi Inari...
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Tofukuji Temple
Tofukuji is a large Zen Buddhist temple of Kyoto. It is well known for its forest which displays beautiful colors in fall. The temple also features large covered walkways that protects visitors from...
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Osaka Aquarium
We visited the Osaka aquarium (Kaiyukan) on a rainy day. The aquarium is located on the shore of Osaka bay, next to the Tempozan Ferris wheel. The outside of the building is peculiar and definitely...
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Kyoto Mamehachi in Kyoto’s Pontocho restaurant district
Kyoto's Pontocho restaurant district is a little gem for dining in Kyoto. The alley is located on the West bank of the iconic Kamogawa river, facing the famous geisha district of Gion. Restaurants are...
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Kyoto Station
Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, abounds with historical landmarks but its main train station is far from anything ancient. The station was built in 1997 and is definitely futuristic by its...
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Umekoji train museum
The Umekoji Steam Locomotive museum is located about 20 minutes by foot from the central Kyoto station. The museum is dedicated to Japanese steam locomotives: it features 19 of them, stored in...
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Fushimi Inari: the climb
Red gates are the staple of the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Thousands of them are lined on the path to Inariyama, the mountain hosting the upper Shrine of Fushimi Inari. The walk back and forth from the...
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Kokoen Garden of Himeji
The Kokoen garden is a Japanese style garden established at the former residence of the lord of Himeji. Kokoen actually features many small gardens of different themes, each enclosed by the original...
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Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle is one of the most famous castles of Japan along Matsumoto Castle and Kumamoto castle recently damaged by the Kyushu earthquake. It is by far the largest castle and attracts a remarkable...
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Nanzenji temple
Nanzen-ji is a Buddhist temple of Kyoto that was established in 1291 by the emperor Kameyama on the site of his retirement palace. It is particularly known for its massive gate and the aqueduct that...
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