The Sagano Romantic Train is one of Kyoto’s most beautiful railway experiences, carrying passengers through a wooded river gorge just beyond the famous bamboo forests of Arashiyama. Instead of travelling through the city on a modern commuter train, you ride in a nostalgic sightseeing carriage along the Hozugawa River, passing steep mountainsides, forested valleys and … Read more
Kyoto is usually associated with lantern-lit streets, traditional teahouses and centuries-old temples. But above a narrow street near the Kamo River, one of the city’s most unusual cocktail bars feels as though it belongs in another century. L’Escamoteur is part old-fashioned apothecary, part magician’s workshop and part serious cocktail bar. Inside, antique bottles line the … Read more
Kyoto is famous for traditional kaiseki dinners, delicate seasonal cuisine and centuries-old restaurants. But not every memorable meal in the city involves quiet dining rooms and carefully arranged tasting menus. For travellers looking for something more indulgent, Kyoto also offers an all-you-can-eat experience combining Japanese Wagyu beef, king crab, snow crab and sukiyaki. At Wagyu … Read more
Kyoto has no shortage of beautiful cafés, but few are quite as unexpected as the one hidden inside Le Labo’s fragrance boutique near the Kamo River. From Kiyamachi Street, Le Labo Café Kyoto Machiya looks like an elegant perfume store occupying an old Japanese townhouse. Step through the entrance, however, and the building opens into … Read more
Kyoto changes quickly after midnight. Pontocho becomes quieter. Restaurant doors start closing. The last trains disappear. Streets that were packed a few hours earlier can suddenly feel almost empty. But Kyoto does not completely shut down. The mistake is expecting every part of the city to stay awake equally. If you want to keep drinking … Read more
Finding food late at night in Kyoto can be surprisingly difficult. Many of the restaurants you see during the day close around 9pm or 10pm, and areas famous for sightseeing can become very quiet once dinner service finishes. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with convenience-store food. Around Kiyamachi, Kawaramachi, Gion and Pontocho, you can … Read more
Ordering drinks in Japan is much easier than it can seem before your first visit. You don’t need to speak fluent Japanese or memorise complicated sentences. In most bars, restaurants and izakayas, a few simple phrases — combined with pointing at the menu when needed — are enough to order confidently. If you only learn … Read more
Romantic bars Kyoto create the perfect setting for couples to slow down and connect after a day spent wandering temples, gardens, and historic streets. These intimate venues blend soft lighting, thoughtful drinks, and discreet service to deliver genuine Kyoto elegance without the crowds or noise found in louder districts. Quick Answer In 2026 the strongest … Read more
Finding a great bar in Kyoto is easy. Finding one that actually works for a group of friends takes a little more planning. Many of Kyoto’s most atmospheric bars are tiny. Some have only a handful of counter seats, while others are designed for couples or solo drinkers. Arriving with six or eight people at … Read more
Bars with views Kyoto elevate an evening drink into a memorable experience by pairing carefully chosen cocktails or sake with sweeping panoramas of temples, mountains, rivers, or glowing city lights. In 2026 these scenic venues remain some of the most sought-after spots for travelers seeking a peaceful yet visually stunning close to their day in … Read more