Kyoto

State

Kyoto

Country

Japan

Continent

Asia

Size

828 KM²

Population

Spending Budget

$100 - $300

Famous For

Former capital of Japan is famous for its refined culture, dining options and charm of rural Japan.

Best Time to Visit

January
February
March
April
May
September
October
November
December

History

The history of Kyoto starts in 794 when Kyoto was chosen as the new seat of Japan\’s imperial court. The Emperors of Japan ruled from Kyoto in the following eleven centuries until 1869, when the court relocated to Tokyo. The original name of Kyoto was Heiankyo or Capital of Peace, but the city came to be called Kyoto, meaning the Capital later. It was for many centuries the largest city in the country and one of the most populous in the world. During the 16th century, the city had an estimated population of half a million. As of April 2020, the population of Kyoto is about 1.5 million. It is often said that all the historical heritages were intact during World War II because there was no air raid to Kyoto but it was actually experienced air raids 6 times.

Present Day

A trip to Kyoto can be rejuvenating to the senses – stay in a traditional ryokan, a refreshing dip in Onsen, the brilliant autumn foliage and the seasonal changes of the cherry blossoms are some of the most revered activities. Temples and shrines such as Kiyomizudera Temple and Kinkakuji draw lots of attention from visitors, as do the bamboo groves of nearby Arashiyama. Today, the city is one of the centres (with nearby Ōsaka and Kōbe) of the Keihanshin Industrial Zone, the second-largest urban and industrial agglomeration in Japan. Temples and pagodas share the skyline with office complexes; traditional crafts shops and old neighbourhoods are intermixed with modern shopping malls and subway stations; and geishas walk down the streets next to salarymen, office ladies and skateboard punks. With the atmospheric temples, sublime gardens, traditional teahouses it is easy to get lost in the treasures of the past. Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, Japanese gardens, a night in a ryokan, Japan’s exquisite traditional accommodation, a meal in a Japanese restaurant, whether gourmet or hole in the wall, an evening stroll through the Gion entertainment district, a traditional festival, and some great old Kyoto shops all lead to a quintessentially Japanese experience.

Future

Kyoto has been at the forefront of the start-up scene for decades. Often considered to be the cultural capital of Japan, the city is also a focal point of technological innovation. Just over two hours from Tokyo by bullet train, the city is home to many major tech corporations, including Nintendo, and also boasts a large concentration of higher education institutions. Kyoto’s proximity to cutting-edge research facilities and talent from local universities means that it has several successful innovation hubs along with a vibrant start-up scene, especially in the smart city space. The place is working on developing its culture and technology while being sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Must Visit Places ------------

Kinkaku-ji

Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion is a Zen Buddhist temple. It was originally a villa before converting into a monastery that burnt down in 1950. The temple was rebuilt into the iconic golden building surrounded by a gorgeous Zen garden that transforms the area into a sea of tranquillity. The temple is also said to contain ashes of the Buddha.

The Fushimi Inari Shrine

The Fushimi Inari Shrine, which consists of thousands of red-orange torii gates leading up a hill in eastern Kyoto. The temple is dedicated to foxes and has many stone fox statues across the temple grounds.

Nijo Castle

Another mighty structure that adds to the grandeur of Kyoto is the Nijo Castle which is a mighty imperial palace that used to be the home to the Japanese Emperor. The palace is known for its massive grounds with manicured gardens and impressive gates. The surface area of the castle is 275,000 square metres (3 million square feet), of which 8,000 square metres (86,000 square feet) is occupied by buildings.

Nanzen-ji temple

One of the hidden treasures of Kyoto is the Nanzen-ji temple with its fascinating Sanmon gate and a massive Zen garden. What makes Nanzen-ji so special is its location next to a hill with a small waterfall which trickles down into the gardens below. Of the three great Shinto shrines in Kyoto, the Heian Jingu was erected only in 1895, to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the founding of the city. It is, however, a most impressive structure, based on the old Imperial Palace.

Gion

The old samurai district of Kyoto is the historical heart of the city and one of the best spots to experience medieval Japan. In Gion, one can walk along old pedestrian boulevards lined by rustic wooden buildings, visit old tea houses or simply admire the folks dressed in traditional garb who’ll walk through the streets. You can even visit an old geisha house or theatre to experience a bit of Japan’s past. Nishiki Market in downtown Kyoto displays the rich history and tradition of Japan. The market is renowned as the place to obtain many of Kyoto’s famous foods and goods.

Iwatayama Monkey Park

The Iwatayama Monkey Park is a fun place to visit, especially for kids. It is an open area filled with Japanese macaque monkeys who are free to roam alongside visitors. One can even capture some incredible views of Kyoto because of the height of the park.

Amanohashidate

Amanohashidate has long been considered one of Japan’s three most scenic places; nestled in the mountains, Miyama is one of the last towns with thatched-roof farmhouses, many of which are still inhabited and Uji is known for its delicious local vegetables and the famous green tea; the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove which has an incredible, almost mystical, feeling to it.

Kiyomizu yaki

Other things which are famous in the international market are handmade ceramics and porcelain known as Kyo yaki or Kiyomizu yaki which are characterized by painted overglaze enamel. Kyo sensu are folding fans fashioned out of bamboo, decorated with handmade Japanese paper or silk. These accessories are used in ceremonies, festivals and theatre performances.

Nishijin

Nishijin is the garment district of Kyoto and is known for its ori silk textile. Exquisitely decorated brocades have been handwoven here for centuries, and kimono and obi have been tailored from sumptuous gold brocade, damask, figured satin and velvet. Treated with care, these garments can last a lifetime.

Food places

Apart from the sublime atmosphere what attracts people to Kyoto is the wide range of traditional delicacies suiting all kinds of palates. At the top of the, 'must have' list is the kaiseki ryori cuisine which is a multi-course traditional meal of the finest seasonal ingredients prepared into delicate dishes that are as beautiful to look at as they are delicious to eat. Then comes Yudofu, literally "hot-water tofu", which is arguably the best way to enjoy high-quality, freshly made tofu followed by Kyo-gashi which is a type of wagashi, or traditional Japanese sweets. Kyo-gashi is beautiful, colourful and symbolic confections, custom-made for different occasions. Kyo-yasai is vegetables traditionally grown in Kyoto for centuries, and they play an important role in modern Kyoto cuisine.