Kyoto

Nestled among mountains in Western Honshu, Kyoto (京都) has a reputation worldwide as Japan’s most beautiful city, boasting more World Heritage Sites per square inch than any other city. However, visitors will be surprised how much work they will have to do to see its beautiful side. Most visitors’ first impressions will be of the urban sprawl of central Kyoto, around the ultra-modern glass-and-steel train station. Nonetheless, the persistent tourist will soon discover Kyoto’s hidden beauty in the temples and parks which ring the city centre, and find that the city has even more than meets the eye. BackgroundKyoto was the capital of Japan and the residence of the Emperor from 794 until the Meiji Restoration of 1868, when the capital was moved to Tokyo. During its millennium at the centre of Japanese power, culture, tradition, and religion, it accumulated an unparalleled collection of palaces, temples and shrines, built for emperors, shoguns, geishas and monks. Almost alone among Japanese cities, Kyoto escaped the Allied bombings of World War II, although it could be argued that the concrete redevelopment that turned 95% of Kyoto into an ordinary Japanese city did just as thorough a job. Get in By plane Kyoto does not have its own airport. The nearest international gateway is Kansai International Airport, 73 minutes away by the fastest train. Most domestic flights land at Osaka’s Itami Airport, one hour away by bus. By train Most visitors arrive at JR Kyoto station by Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo, 2 hours and 14 minutes away. For connections to nearby cities, you can also take the private Hankyu or Keihan lines to Osaka, or the Kintetsu line to Nara. By bus The cheapest way of travelling from Tokyo or other distant points to Kyoto is by night bus, which terminate at Kyoto station. Get around The sheer size of the city of Kyoto, and the distribution of tourist attractions around the periphery of the city, make the city’s public transport system invaluable. The Kansai Thru Pass (Surutto Kansai) stored-value card can be used on all means of transportation in Kyoto (and the rest of the Kansai region), with the notable exception of JR trains. You can purchase the cards in denominations starting at ¥1000 at any train or subway station. By train The Keihan train line can be useful for travelling in eastern Kyoto, while the two Keifuku tram lines are an attractive way of travelling in the northwest. By subway Kyoto’s subway network has two subway lines, the north-south Karasuma Line and the west-east Tozai Line. Both are useful for travel in the city center but not really suitable for temple-hopping. By bus The bus network is the only practical way of reaching many attractions. City buses have a fixed fare of ¥220. Highlights Golden Pavilion - The Golden Pavilion is definitely a key highlight on a trip to Kyoto. The fabulous gardens surrounding the temple are worth visiting just for their beauty. Kyoto AccommodationSee our Kyoto Hotel Guide (Article based on Wikitravel article and may be copied freely - pictures are copyright) |