Kyoto

Kyoto is a former capital city of Japan best known for its historic quarters, old temples, meticulous gardens, and long-standing geisha district. People are often surprised at how modern and characterless some areas of the city are. However, the ancient treasures are truly outstanding. It is worth timing a visit with the celebrations of Gion Matsuri in July to enjoy the dramatic costumes, precision-choreographed parades, and imposing floats that pass through the city.

Kyoto is also a very convenient base to explore many of the central highlights of Japan’s largest island, Honshu. Tourists can access discounted rail passes to travel great distances in little time with the Shinkansen bullet trains. During my first trip to Japan in 2014, I opted for a three week rail pass covering the whole country, and in subsequent visits I have taken advantage of lower-cost regional passes to explore areas in greater depth.

Kyoto City Centre

Kyoto city centre is easy enough to get around by foot, and the central bus network is useful if you want to save a bit of time and your feet, and still see the city. Otherwise, there’s also a metro system.

Kyoto has so many truly spectacular temples, parks, and palaces, that it would be easy to fill up a month exploring them and still want more time. Below is a small selection of the wonders this city has to offer:

Kyoto - Nanzen-ji — The impressive Nanzen-ji temple complex

Kyoto - traditional pedestrian streets of Southern Higashiyama — A peaceful moment down the pedestrian streets of Southern Higashiyama District

Kyoto - The Philosopher's Path — The Philosopher’s Path

Kyoto - Jisho-ji - the Silver Pavilion at the end of The Philosopher's Walk — The Silver Pavilion – Jisho-ji – at the end of The Philosopher’s Path

Kyoto - Imperial Palace Gardens — The Imperial Palace Gardens

Kyoto - Ninomaru Goten Shogun Palace gardens — Ninomaru-Goten Shogun Palace gardens

Kyoto - preparing for Gion Matsuri — Fast moving preparations for the Gion Matsuri festival

Outskirts of Kyoto

The outskirts of Kyoto hold many other treasures. A manageable walk to the north-west of the city is the exquisite Golden Pavilion. Not far from there is the peaceful and lesser-visited Rioan-ji and its Kyoyochi Pond.

Head to the western outskirts and you will arrive at the Bamboo Forest – not as extensive as I had expected, but nonetheless impressive. A few minutes stroll from there and you’ll arrive at Tenryu-ji.

To the south of the city centre is Fushimi Inari Taisha; the entrance to the shrine and its complex is marked by an enormous red Torii (gate). Inside the complex the path of red Torii gates, one after the other, is both fun to pass through and beautiful.