Kyoto is the cultural heart of this country and brings to visitors ancient temples, peaceful bamboo groves, and the biggest geisha traditions. From the glory of Kinkaku-ji lit up in gold to the Philosopher's Path lined on either side with blossoms, this city is an old-fashioned getaway. Just don't think traveling to Kyoto means you need to shell out cash; read this for tips on how to find cheap flights to Kyoto-there's no need to go into debt exploring its treasures.
Book your tickets beforehand or keep an eye on seasonal offers. There are cheaper flights, mostly on mid-week days or off peak seasons. Pair your flight with a cheaper accommodation and activities while there, and every bit counts toward making your trip memorable. In Kyoto, visit from Fushimi Inari Shrine to the serene Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and head home with memories. Don't let high travel costs keep you away from that; explore smart booking strategies and embark on an adventure in this wonderful city without busting your travel budget.
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Fushimi Inari Taisha is known to be one of the most famous and visited parts of Kyoto in this ancient city. The shrine that houses within it Inari, the god of rice and fortune, features thousands and thousands of gates which are red-painted and form trails up the sacred Mount Inari for a hiker in search of a very peaceful and idyllic trail. Along these meandering trails, one will get to encounter petty shrines, stone statues of foxes (whose intermediaries believe they are Inari), and amazing sea views of the city of Kyoto. A distance travelled by the trail turns out to be up to one hour. This lover of natural history and photography!
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
This is the Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji, a shrine known and famous in Kyoto for tens of thousands. The top two floors of the temple are lavishly adorned with gold leaves, and thus, casts onto the water part under it from Kyoko-chi (Mirror Pond) a beautiful reflection. It has lush Japanese strolling gardens dotted with little islands, dwarf pine trees, and stone lanterns, complementing the architectural splendor of the building. Originally conceived for building a retirement villa for a shogun, it was transformed into a temple in due course. Peaceful ambience and grand architecture would certainly attract people to visit Kyoto.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
This gives the impression of being a fairy world. Woven through realms of swaying bamboo stalks generally sway, the early morning or late afternoon sun bathes them in phenomenal light. Togetsukyo Bridge nearby has great views of the mountains and the river, while Tenryu-ji Temple features a beautiful garden worthy of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not to mention, they also have a monkey park where the Japanese macaques can welcome the guests. Reserve online before the show and start looking for discounted airfares deals to Kyoto during the off-season months of January to March to save on travel costs.
Kiyomizu-der Temple
Otowa no taki flows within the precincts of Kiyomizu-dera, the most famed of the ancient Buddhist temples. This implies that the temple is endowed with great beauty to its visitors, not least of which is the otherworldly view directly from the grand wooden observation deck extending at the hillside and looking off on the city of Kyoto. Among the features of the temple are a waterfall that divides into three streams, the tourists are encouraged to sip from each of them, as they are believed to confer merits of a long life, prosperity in love, or success in studies. The sawtooth timber pillars of the main hall are worth seeing and are unrivaled views of old street lanes that can be wandered for buying native crafts and snacks.
Gion District
One of the earliest forms of entertainment, geishas made their appearance as early as the sixth century in Japan. Gion is also famous for the geisha houses of Kyoto which are a maze of old wooden machiya houses and historic teahouses. Walking the narrow streets of Gion makes one feel that he/she is walking into history, for on these same streets he may encounter a geiko or maiko in her elaborate silks.
Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan, invites with its ancient temples, cherry blossom-lined streets, and bright colors throughout all seasons. The best time to visit depends on one's priorities: iconic scenery or money-saving travel. Spring (March to May) and Autumn (October to November) are best for pictures, with cherry blossoms and fiery maple leaves, but are both high in crowds and consequent increased price. Traveling by Winter (December to February) would feature lower costs as well as early Summer (June), since these times are usually less around demand. It's the perfect time for awe-inspiring beauty because Kyoto becomes that wonderland, with temples draped in snow such as Kinkaku-ji sparkling under crystal blue skies. It is also the period that brings streets that are generally less busy and cheaper to stay. Early summer, just before the rainfall commences in July, gives one that greenness devoid of many tourists.
Kyoto magic is transcending seasons. If one prefers cherry blossoms or tranquil winter gardens, the right timing would promise unforgettable experiences without emptying their pockets.