Kyoto is one of the historical cities of Japan. A previous imperial capital of Japan, the city has survived the bombing attacks of World War II. The precious symbolic temples and shrines you can see in Kyoto are actually remnants from the past, which have existed for centuries. Kyoto is famed for its exquisite architecture and culture and is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Japan. Such recognition is one of the reasons why the city is worth a visit.

Upon your arrival to Kyoto, you will probably be first exposed to a highly urbanized metropolis complete with skyscrapers and its state-of-the-art, glass-and-steel train station. However, you should not make immediate conclusions as the real gems of the city are its temples, shrines, and parks. And if you are patient, you will eventually see Kyoto’s beauty slowly unfolding.

There are several amazing attractions around city that deserve a visit such as the Heian-jingu shrine gardens and Fushimi-inari Shrine. The “Kyoto Walks” pamphlet provided through the Japan National Tourist Organization is a great self-guided tour reference if it is your first visit to the city.

Kyoto is divided into several districts, so if you don’t know where to go, start from the Central District. In this district, you will find the magnificent Nijo Castle, which is the former home of the Tokugawa shoguns, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 1600s, the castle features traditional Japanese architecture, sliding doors, and wall painting masterpieces. The Central District is also home to the Imperial Park and the Imperial Palace, which can be accessed by the public through scheduled public tours.

The Northern District contains numerous centuries-old temples and shrines, some of which are also World Heritage Sites. However, the first attraction you must visit in this area is the golden pavilion temple of Kinkaku-ji, which is world-renowned for its impressive design which reflects on the water and its surrounding beautiful and serene landscape.

Higashiyama in Eastern Kyoto is another interesting district to visit, with the picturesque Kamo River and the temple-filled Higashiyama mountains in close proximity. While here, walk the Philospher’s Path, which follows a canal lined by a series of cherry trees. This incredibly scenic walk is about two kilometers long and features small shrines, temples, as well restaurants, shops and cafes along the way.

Another site in Higashiyama that intrigues travelers is the famous geisha district of Gion. Geisha are women who undergone rigorous and extensive training in the fields of performing arts for the purpose of entertaining customers professionally in social engagements. In Gion, you can easily spot charming Geishas and their apprentices called maikos attending events at anochaya teahouses. If you want to see these women in action, there is a regular cultural show held at the Gion Corner. Some of the regular performances conducted by geishas are traditional dancing, flower arranging and puppet plays.

Kyoto Transportation

Despite of Kyoto’s lack of airport, visitors can still conveniently reach the city by landing at either of the two airports in the neighboring city of Osaka. The railway and road network between the two cities are quite efficient. Kyoto is also easily accessible from the country’s capital Tokyo. A highly advanced bullet train service regularly travels in between the two cities, and the ride only takes about 2.5 hours.