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The Monocle Travel Guide to Kyoto

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Kyoto may be full of hushed streets steeped in tradition and hidden institutions run by kimono-clad custodians but don't be fooled: there's more to this captivating city than timeworn teahouses and graceful geiko.

266 results for Kyoto

B 9

Article

Techno tradition

17 November 2007

Kyoto is the traditional home of Japanese artisans who make highly detailed ceramics and perfectly woven silks. That same set of skills has also helped it become the country’s hi-tech heartland.

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Article

Small wonder

27 January 2022

Distilling the charms of the traditional Japanese ryokan and elevating the experience with bespoke design were the goals of the hotelier behind The Shinmonzen.

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Article

Hidden treasures

20 October 2022

On a quiet residential street in Japan’s historic capital stands a living monument to the city’s coveted craft traditions.

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Article

Keeping it simple

22 March 2018

A residence in Kyoto has been given a sensitive makeover that pays homage to its history. Now a cosy guest house, A Day in Khaki offers a soothing retreat in serene surrounds.

D 2015

Article

Hidden charm

14 May 2015

Delve a bit deeper into Kyoto’s urban fabric and it is possible to find a historic architectural gem that can be repurposed and revitalised for the 21st century.

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Article

Game changer

21 April 2022

Nintendo’s former headquarters have reopened as a boutique hotel designed by Tadao Ando. The architect has retained many original elements, with nods to the company’s origins as a producer of playing cards.

Travel

Kyoto

Kyoto has a reputation for keeping secrets and you can see why its citizens are fiercely protective of their way of life: the city is rich with historic treasures. Put in some time, however, and you’ll soon discover that…

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Article

40. Check-in time

21 January 2021

Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto is opening a new chapter in Japanese hospitality, marking a foray into luxury hotels where foreign marques have reigned unchallenged.

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Article

Spokes people

17 May 2009

A company that started out making bikes for professional cyclists decided to expand into a wider market. The result is customisable models for people who care about design as much as they enjoy a two-wheeled jaunt through…

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Article

Group dynamics

2 July 2020

The expansion of a storied Kyoto building into Ace Hotel’s first Japanese venture called for a dizzying collaboration of creatives.

Radio

The Stack - ‘Noma in Kyoto’, ‘Freude.Forever’ and ‘Roam’

2 December 2023

This week on The Stack we speak with celebrated chef René Redzepi about his restaurant’s first magazine, ‘Noma in Kyoto’. Plus: we feature the beautiful BMW title, ‘Freude.Forever’, and ‘Roam’, a magazine celebrating modern…

Radio

The Menu - Kyoto's oldest tofu

25 April 2014

We meet chef and author Michael Gibney whose book ‘Sous Chef’ reveals what really happens in restaurant kitchens. We also visit one of the oldest tofu makers in Kyoto and find out what is new and noteworthy in Armenian…

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Article

Master of the robes

17 April 2008

A decade ago it was rare to see a pair of Tokyo teenage boys out shopping in kimonos. But attitudes to national identity are starting to change. Genbei Yamaguchi’s new collection for United Arrows is targeting this shift…

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Article

The hand made tale

21 February 2013

In a globalised market flooded with faux-artisan branding, real craftsmen are endangered. But in Kyoto, where tradition rules, a new initiative is refreshing generations-old techniques to bring Japanese craft to a worldwide…

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Article

Future proof

15 March 2012

The Japanese city of Kyoto is renowned for its ancient traditions. But a crop of young designers is making sure it’s also set to become one of the nation’s creative hubs of the future.

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Article

Christmas shopping in Kyoto

16 November 2017

Forget big-box shops or available-anywhere finds. Japan’s former capital is a haven for crafty shoppers and those looking for something a little different.