Nanzen-ji Temple

Higashiyama-ku

Within the precincts of the same building, the Leaping Tiger Garden is a classic Zen garden. While you're in the hojo, you can enjoy a cup of tea while sitting on straw mats gazing at a small waterfall. This is an inexpensive way to get a quick taste of the tea ceremony in beautiful surroundings.

But perhaps the best part of Nanzen-ji is overlooked by most visitors: a small shrine hidden in a forested hollow behind the main precinct. Here, pilgrims pr... read more

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Kurama Onsen
bath house

Kurama Honmachi
Tel: 075 741 2131

This hot spring resort, one of the few onsen within easy reach of Kyoto, is a great place to relax after a hike. Sinking back in the outdoor bath, with its fine view of Kurama-yama, is sublime. You get use of the indoor bath as well, but even with a sauna and locker thrown in, it's difficult to imagine why you would opt for the indoor bath.

For both baths, buy a ticket from the machine outside the door o... read more

So I am headed to Japan in May and starting to collect information. If anyone has cool tips to add on visiting Kyoto, Nara or Osaka, please let me know.

I will be posting notes here of ideas I have come up with. Feedback is always appreciated.

I am planning on staying at monestaries as much as possible. Zen preferrably. Again, recommendations always appreciated.