Kyoto City Guide | Japan

KYOTO CITY GUIDE

Kyoto City Guide was last updated on November 9, 2022

I loved the vibrancy of the city, the quietness of the gardens, the timeless experience of walking through a cedar forest, to be lost in the atmospheric swaying of tall, very tall bamboo trees and the ever present smell of woodsmoke and incense at the temples. There is no place quite like Kyoto. A city that is majestic and delicate, proud, deceitful yet friendly and kind, this lucky city had been saved from all bombings that Japan once endured.

Kyoto is a city with a strong medieval spirit but with all the flavours of modernity that one would experience. So rich in tradition, the rituals embodies serenity and clean simplicity. From tea ceremony, kaiseki dining to being served by Geisha, Kyoto is the ultimate experience of Japanese culture. You will find all the information you need in this article on Kyoto City Guide.

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About Kyoto, Japan

1 | Where is Kyoto

This amazing City sits on west-central of Honshu Island, Japan., 55 metres above sea level. At 50 kilometres (30 miles) of northeast of Osaka and about the same distance from Nara (another ancient city of culture), Kyoto is strategically located with excellent transport links connecting with other major cities in the rest of the country.

The Japanese people are deeply connected to their culture and heritage. This is very much represented in their special relationship with Kyoto – it is said that all Japanese must try and visit Kyoto at least once in their lifetime. Almost a third of the country’s population visit the City annually.

Population of Kyoto is 1,459,640 (2020)

City of Kyoto is at GPS: Latitude: 35° 01′ 15.85″ N | Longitude: 135° 45′ 13.86″ E

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2 | Best time to visit Japan

The best time to visit Japan will depend on what you want to do – winter is best to see the snow monkeys and spring for the Hanami season. However, generally anytime is a good time to visit Japan. but as a rule of thumb, late Spring, March to May and late Fall, September to November are the best times to visit. Temperatures are mild and you won’t be caught up with the rain ruining your sightseeing plans. For a detailed guide on best time to visit Japan, go to this page.

Take a special note on the Best time to Travel to Japan as it incorporates Japan’s national holidays. National holidays are times when the Japanese people have their own holidays as well and accommodation, and flights are ordinarily more expensive.

About Tradition, Culture and Food in Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto was the former capital of Japan until 1869. It was the residence of the Japanese emperor between AD 794 and 1868. Today, the city centre looks like any other major cities in Japan, with modern buildings and high rises. Despite it’s modern twist, Kyoto has retained much of its old charming architecture, tradition, and culture.

1 | UNESCO | Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto

As a cultural city, Kyoto is the heart of Japan. The City of Kyoto, along with Uji and Otsu are recognised by UNESCO as Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. The region is home to many Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, palaces, gardens and other landmarks which forms part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. Collectively, there are at least 1600 temples and shrines, both small and large, famous and not so much. There are many imperial palaces and gardens as well.

Related read: The Unmissable Best 5 in Kyoto, Japan

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2 | Kyoto as an education centre

In relation to its educational importance, Kyoto is home to 37 universities and colleges scattered throughout the city’s perimeter. This includes the internationally renowned, Kyoto University.

Mount Hiei, regarded as the sacred mountain in Japan, is home to the “Marathon Monks” – a place for those who dedicate themselves to pursue enlightenment which is a test of endurance and preseverance. Read more about the Marathon Monks on this page.

Food | Kyoto City Guide

In addition to these attractions, Kyoto is rich in its offerings as a diverse food culture, local delicacies and traditional sweets. This is a region which has a strong culinary history, and formal traditions such as Kaiseki dining still widely practised.

Kaiseki (懐石) or kaiseki-ryōri (懐石料理) is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner. It refers to the collection of skills and techniques that allow the preparation of such meals.  There are two kinds of traditional Japanese meal styles called kaiseki or kaiseki-ryōri.

It is a dining experience that embodies a celebration of Japanese traditional culture. Multiple courses of precise dishes is served by geisha, a female entertainer often found in Gion-Shiji.

Other dining experiences or food that one must try is the Yodofu, simmered tofu.

Finally…

Having visited Kyoto almost every week during my almost six months stay in Hirakata, saying ‘goodbye’ was difficult. I sincerely hope to return to Kyoto one day soon.

As for anyone visiting Japan, I can confidently say that Kyoto is a city that should not be missed. It is also a city where you should not rush through with a view to ticking off the sights on your list! You do have to spend some time here. Exploring Kyoto and unveiling its mask of modernity will turn up countless historical gems. Strolling through Gion or Pontocho to steal a glimpse of geishas, visiting the many iconic temples or experiencing a traditional ryokan stay will leave you with lasting memories.

Visiting the heart of this fascinating country will always be a rewarding experience but selecting what to visit, when to visit and how much time is needed to visit this iconic city will require some prior planning. Here are some articles on Kyoto to support your travel plans.

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