Nama Yatsuhashi (unbaked Yatsuhashi)

Nama Yatsuhashi is one of Kyoto’s most iconic souvenirs, known above all for its shape and texture. It’s made by rolling out the stick-shaped sweet called Yatsuhashi into a thin sheet, placing sweet red bean paste on it, and folding it into a triangle—this is “Nama Yatsuhashi.” Its soft texture and sweet flavor have made it beloved by many.

to jump off the stage at Kiyomizu Temple

The proverb “to jump off the Kiyomizu stage” uses the image of leaping from the roughly 13-meter-high stage at Kiyomizu-dera to express the courage to make a major decision or to boldly take on a difficult challenge. This saying is familiar as a phrase people use when facing big decisions or challenges.

To-ji (Toji Temple)

To-ji is a temple in Kyoto that is home to a five-story pagoda. This pagoda is one of the tallest structures in Kyoto and can be seen from afar. To-ji was founded in the early Heian period, and its history and beautiful architecture captivate many people. In addition to the pagoda, it houses various cultural properties, making it an important place to experience Kyoto’s history and culture.

Tokugawa Ieyasu

Tokugawa Ieyasu is known as one of the three warlords—alongside Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi—who unified Japan. He built Nijo Castle in 1613. The castle later became a symbol of the Tokugawa shogunate’s authority and is also renowned as the historic site that brought the Edo period to an end.

Honnō-ji Temple

In 1582, the Sengoku warlord Oda Nobunaga lost his life in Kyoto due to a rebellion by his own retainer, Akechi Mitsuhide. Realizing he had been attacked in his sleep, Nobunaga chose death himself—a moment that has gone down in history as the Incident at Honnō-ji.

Kamo River

The Kamo River flows through the heart of Kyoto, and its beautiful scenery has been celebrated in many literary works and songs. Promenades have been built along the riverbanks, attracting visitors year-round. At special restaurants known as kawayuka (river terraces), you can enjoy a meal while listening to the murmuring of the river, offering an experience unique to Kyoto.

Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion)

The official name of Kinkaku-ji is Rokuon-ji, and it is characterized by its beautiful appearance, with the entire exterior covered in gold leaf. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is loved by people around the world as one of Kyoto’s most iconic tourist destinations. Incidentally, the official name of Ginkaku-ji is Jishō-ji. Possessing a different kind of beauty than Kinkaku-ji, it is also a place you should definitely visit when you come to Kyoto.