Kyoto

Overview

Kyoto served as Japan's imperial capital for over a thousand years, and it shows in the density of its temples, shrines, and gardens — over 1,600 temples within the city limits alone. Unlike Tokyo's vertical sprawl, Kyoto stays low and unhurried, its wooden machiya houses and narrow lanes largely spared from wartime bombing.

Getting There

Kansai International Airport (KIX) connects to Kyoto Station via the Haruka limited express train in about 75 minutes. Kyoto Station also connects directly to Tokyo via the Shinkansen bullet train in around 2 hours 15 minutes. City buses and a compact subway cover the main sights.

Top Things to Do

• Walk through the thousands of vermilion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine, ideally at dawn.
• Visit Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, first thing in the morning for reflections on the pond without crowds.
• Wander the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, then continue to the quieter Okochi Sanso villa nearby.
• Explore Gion in the early evening for a chance to see a geiko or maiko en route to an appointment.

Local Tips

Many of Kyoto's most famous sights are best visited on foot or bicycle rather than by car — traffic in the city center can be slow. Autumn foliage and spring cherry blossoms both draw major crowds; book accommodation months ahead for either season.