COOL JAPAN VIDEOS is always holding photo contests. This time, we have selected photos of popular tourist attractions in Kyoto from among the many photos submitted to our past photo contests. All of these photos convey the charms of Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan. We hope you enjoy them.

COOL JAPAN VIDEOS is a social, video curation site that introduces the charms of Japan to people around the world who are interested in Japan.

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Kyoto in Past Photo Contests

We have picked out some amazing photos of Kyoto from among the many wonderful entries submitted to past photo contests! We'll also introduce some popular photo spots and related video articles as well! You might even find a new place to travel!

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Photographer: しんご @shingo_camera
Location: Fireworks and Funaya in Ine (Ine, Kyoto Prefecture)

Highlights of Ine, Kyoto
One of the highlights of Ine, Kyoto, is its 'funaya' or boathouses. The boathouses stand in line facing the sea, surrounding Ine Bay. From a sightseeing boat cruising around Ine Bay, the boathouses look as if they're floating on the sea. The boathouses of Ine are often used as filming locations for movies and TV dramas, and the scenery is very picturesque. From the observation deck at the nearby roadside station located on a hill, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the boathouses of Ine.

A Video Article About the Funaya of Ine, Kyoto

Video article 3:45

The First Floor of the House Is a Dock?! The Historic Port Town of Funaya, Ine in Kyoto Is a Fishing Village Lined With Mysterious Houses! You won't Find Scenery Like This Anywhere Else!

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Photographer: Nguyen Vu
Location: Byodoin Temple Illuminated in Autumn (Uji, Kyoto Prefecture)

Highlights of Byodoin Temple, a Popular Tourist Attraction
Byodoin Temple, a World Heritage Site located in Uji, Kyoto, is famous for its symbolic national treasure, the Phoenix Hall. The principal objects of worship at the Phoenix Hall, including a seated statue of Amida Nyorai (Amitabha) and a statue of a praying bodhisattva on clouds, are also national treasures. The first set of phoenixes that adorned the Amida Hall can be viewed at the Byodoin Museum which opened in 2001. The exterior of the Byodoin Museum is in harmony with the landscape of the garden that centers on the Phoenix Hall.

A Video Article Related to Byodoin Temple

Video article 19:33

Glass Beads Left Behind in Byodoin Temple in Kyoto Restored by an Izumi Tombodama Craftsman! The Brightly Colored Tombodama Glass Beads Are So Beautiful They’ve Been Compared to Miniature Glass Universes!

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Photographer: 大坪 邦仁
Location: The Thousand Torii Gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine (Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture)

Highlights of Fushimi Inari Shrine, a Popular Tourist Attraction
Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto is the head shrine of all Inari shrines in Japan. The vermilion tunnel of one thousand torii gates is a popular photo spot. But that's not all. Mt. Inari, where Fushimi Inari Shrine is located, is itself considered a Shinto shrine. Visitors can climb up the mountain and visit shrines, shrine ruins, and mounds that once housed deities. It takes more than two hours to climb the mountain, but it's well worth the visit.

A Video Article Related to Fushimi Inari Shrine

Video article 7:58

Fushimi Inari Shrine's Hongu Festival in Full Swing! Enjoy the Hot Summer of Kyoto With the Powerful Sounds of Taiko Drums in Kyoto's Fushimi Ward!

• YouTube

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Photographer: HAYATO/日本の風景写真･絶景スポット
Location: Hiryukan From Amanohashidate View Land (Miyazu, Kyoto Prefecture)

Amanohashidate, a Famous Power Spot in Kyoto
Located in Miyazu Bay in northern Kyoto, Amanohashidate is a mysterious place that is also the setting Japanese myths. Amanohashidate Shrine is a shrine tucked away in the pine forests of Amanohashidate. Amanohashidate Sanja Mairi is a shrine tour that includes visits to three sacred shrines in the area, including Amanohashidate Shrine, all of which are power spots. Manai Shrine, one of the shrines on the tour, has a history of 2,500 years.

A Video Article About Amanohashidate

Video article 3:07

Amanohashidate - One of the Three Most Scenic Spots in Japan. Power Spots and Popular Tourist Attractions Around Amanohashidate to Make Your Trip to Kyoto 110% Fun!

• YouTube

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Photographer: しんじ
Location: Jukkokubune & Cherry Blossoms in Fushimi (Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture)

Highlights of the Jukkokubune of Fushimi, Kyoto
The Jukkokubune of Fushimi are popular sightseeing boats that cruise along the Uji River and Hori River in Fushimi, in the southern part of Kyoto City. From spring to fall, the boats cruise leisurely through the historic streets lined with sake breweries. Along the waterways are rows of cherry blossoms and willow trees, and the scenery of Japan's four seasons can be enjoyed from the boat. In the spring, the waterway is lined with fresh greenery and a tunnel of cherry blossoms, in early summer, hydrangeas bloom, and in autumn, the cherry trees change to beautiful shades of orange and red.

A Video Article About the Sagano Rich Sightseeing Train

Video article 3:00

Enjoy the Cherry Blossoms of Hozukyo on the Sagano Romantic Train- "Sagano Rich"! On the Classically Designed Sightseeing Train, You Can Experience All Four Seasons While Enjoying the Natural Breeze in Kyoto!

• YouTube

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Photographer: 木村圭吾
Location: Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama (Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture)

Arashiyama Monkey Park, a Popular Tourist Attraction in Arashiyama
Arashiyama Monkey Park, located near Togetsukyo Bridge, is a popular sightseeing spot among foreign tourists. From the park entrance near Togetsukyo Bridge, it takes about 20 minutes to climb the 160-meter-tall Mt. Iwata to the summit. Approximately 120 wild Japanese monkeys live near the summit. At the rest area at the summit, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Kyoto City, while feeding the wild monkeys and observing them from up close.

A Video Article About Sightseeing in Arashiyama, Kyoto

Video article 2:47

Arashiyama Is One of the Most Beautiful Spots in Kyoto, and a Place to Experience the Natural Beauty of Japan. Take a Trip to the "Arashiyama Bamboo Forest," a 400-Meter-Long Natural Bamboo Forest, to Soothe Your Body and Mind!

• YouTube

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Photographer: Shota
Location: The Approach to Kiyomizudera (Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture)

Highlights of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, Two Popular Tourist Attractions in Higashiyama, Kyoto
Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka have long been crowded with tourists because of their role as the approach to Kiyomizudera Temple. Today, the area is listed as one of Kyoto's "Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings," and its elegant streets remain a popular tourist attraction. There are many cafes, sweets shops, and restaurants in the area that have been renovated from traditional Japanese houses, and tourists dressed in kimono can be seen enjoying food and drinks in the area.

A Video Article About Kyoto at Night

Video article 3:50

Kyoto at Night - Like a Scene From a Movie! Enjoy the Magnificent Scenery of Kyoto in Beautiful 4K!

• YouTube

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Photographer: HIKARINOATORIE
Location: A Snowy Kinkakuji (Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture)

Highlights of Kinkakuji Temple, a World Heritage Site in Kyoto
Kinkakuji Temple's official name is Rokuonji Temple. The golden reliquary hall, the main attraction of the temple, has survived several fires and still stands to this day. It's a gorgeous building representing 14th century culture, with all three floors featuring different architectural styles. The garden centering on the pond, named 'Mirror Pond,' is said to represent Sukhavati, the Land of Bliss in Buddhism.

A Video Article About Popular Tourist Attraction in Kyoto

Video article 3:39

Kyoto - A City Full of History and Tradition! This Video Shows You All the Popular Sights You Don't Want to Miss During Your Trip to Kyoto!

• YouTube

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Photographer: はんつな
Location: Kifune Shrine During Winter (Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture)

Kawadoko – Discovering Delicious Food Around Kifune Shrine
Kawadoko are a summer tradition in Kyoto. At the kawadoko along the Kibune River near Kifune Shrine, visitors can enjoy their meals on terraces built above the river. It's a great way to enjoy a meal and cool off during Japan's hot summers. The cool breeze and sunlight filtering through the green trees creates a refreshing atmosphere. From dusk, illuminated lanterns create a magical atmosphere.

A Video Article About Kifune Shrine in Kyoto

Video article 2:22

Autumn Leaves Along the Hozu River (Kameoka, Kyoto Prefecture)

• YouTube

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Photographer: HAYATO/日本の風景写真･絶景スポット
Location: Autumn Leaves Along the Hozu River (Kameoka, Kyoto Prefecture)

Hozu River Rafting, a Popular Sightseeing Activity
The Hozu River is famous for its river boat rides, but rafting is also popular. Participants enjoy boarding rubber boats and paddling down canyons and rapids. The Hozu River features natural river currents and splashing water, providing an extraordinary experience. Children can also enjoy Hozu River rafting as long as they are accompanied by a parent or guardian, and can ride from the age of 3, making it an enjoyable family activity. For details, please see the Hozu River Rafting website.

A Video Article About River Boat Rides on the Hozu River and Arashiyama

Video article 2:34

Experience the Dynamic Nature of the Hozu River at Kameoka and Arashiyama in Kyoto! A Boat Trip to One of Japan's Most Popular Tourist Destinations!

• YouTube

Features of COOL JAPAN VIDEOS Photo Contests

COOL JAPAN VIDEOS is a social, video curation site that shares the charms of Japan with people all over the world who are interested in Japan.
Click here for more information about COOLJAPANVIDEOS

「COOL JAPAN VIDEOS photo contests are open to everyone! Even a photo taken by chance with your smartphone could win a prize! Here are some of the features of our contests.

・Photos taken not only with SLR cameras and digital cameras, but also with smartphones and other devices can be submitted.
・You can submit as many photos as you like during the contest period.
・Image editing, such as cropping and color changes, is also allowed!

Here you can find all of the past photo contest winners in one place. You can also see the prizes for each contest, as well as the locations where the photos were taken and the judges' critiques.

Click here to see past photo contest winners

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Photo Contest Results - COOL JAPAN VIDEOS Winning Photos - Discover the Charms of Japan!

Current Photo Contest

The following is information about the current photo contest.

[Ongoing From March 2023] The 16th COOL JAPAN VIDEOS Photo Contest
Theme: Tourist Attractions in Japan to Visit in Spring
Submission period: March. 1, 2023 0:00 AM – April. 30 2023 11:59 PM(JST)
Prizes: ■Grand Prize: 30,000 yen Amazon gift card (1 Winner) ■Honorable Mentions: 10,000 yen Amazon gift card (5 Winners)

Tourist Attractions in Japan to Visit in Spring

Summary of Kyoto in COOL JAPAN VIDEOS Photo Contests

This concludes our introduction to some of the wonderful photos of Kyoto taken from past photo contest entries. We hope you we able to find some interesting tourist attractions to add to your Kyoto itinerary. With the spread of smartphones, the world of photography has become more accessible than ever. We invite you to share your photos of Japan with the people of the world by submitting them to COOL JAPAN VIDEOS.

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