"Kyoto - a world heritage city" Kyoto by worldkiwi

Kyoto Travel Guide: 1,834 reviews and 5,753 photos

Spring blossom in the Imperial Park. - Kyoto

Make sure you have a few days there!

Kyoto has become one of my favourite places in Japan. The city is rich in heritage sites and culture. It has a great variety and number of restaurants and is fairly easy to navigate around. I have visited Kyoto four times, and in 2006 I spent the most time there. A stay of four days is probably the minimum you should consider. If you want to use Kyoto as your base to visit Nara or Osaka on day trips, then longer will be needed. Accommodation in Kyoto is in high demand around April (spring), so make sure you book well in advance. On each trip to Kyoto (apart from the first when I was staying in Osaka), I have stayed at the Sun Hotel on Kawaramachi-dori. It has a good location.
In 2007, I visited Kyoto, regretably, for only a few hours. I had a meeting there and came up a few hours before-hand from Osaka on the Hankyu line train, which stops right in the heart of the city. From there, I dashed up Shijo-dori to Maruyama Park to see if the giant weeping cherry tree there was in blossom. It surely was and I was able to finally get some photos of it decked out in blossom.

Streets of blossom in springtime.

Street scene, Kyoto.

Make sure you take time to walk around Kyoto and if you're there in spring, you'll see street scenes like this...

A centre of heritage and culture.

Kinkakuji, a "must see" in Kyoto.

Kyoto is a city steeped in culture and heritage. Thankfully it escaped bombing in WW2 and so many treasures have survived. Take time to explore the many cultural and historical gems scattered around Kyoto.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Sights that would keep you busy for a week!
Cons:You won't be the only tourist there!
In a nutshell:A must see on any visit to Japan - and make sure you have plenty of time.

Last visit to Kyoto: Apr 2007
Intro Updated May 5, 2007
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Reviews (28)

Festive scenes in Maruyama Park, Kyoto. - Kyoto

Celebrating sakura in Maruyamakoen. Local Customs (2)

Maruyama Park, at the eastern end of Shijo-dori, behind the Yasaka Shrine, becomes a busy and festive place in spring.... more travel advice

The venerable old giant weeping cherry. - Kyoto

A walk in the park... Things to Do (11)

Maruyama-koen is at the eastern end of Shijo Dori, behind the Yasaka Shrine. In the park you can see a solitary old... more travel advice

Sakura on the Philosophers' Path, Kyoto 2006. - Kyoto

Cherry blossom in 2006. Favorites (4)

The sakura or cherry blossom of spring in Kyoto is a sight that always captivates me. On my 2006 trip, we caught the end... more travel advice

Vegetables in Nishiki-koji market. - Kyoto

Get amongst the locals at the market. Off The Beaten Path (1)

Nishiki-koji market is a 'wet market' on the covered street of the same name, west of Teramachi covered arcade. You can... more travel advice

Transportation (2)
See All How to get Kyoto.
Restaurants (6)
See All Coffee and homemade cakes pit-stop.

Comments (5)

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el_ruso May 5, 2007 at 5:30 PM

I really enjoyed reading your page and your photos. Wish you many good trips.
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ukirsari Sep 20, 2006 at 8:41 PM

great page glenn :) ya benar, tidak dapat e-mail, mungkin rusak sementara dan moderator tidak bisa perbaiki, hahaha! saya akan membalas e-mail mu dengan my other account. tunggu ya :) banyak kabar surprise!!!
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cheesecake17 Apr 26, 2006 at 10:25 PM

great kyoto page...ursula
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CALSF Oct 10, 2004 at 9:00 PM

Nice, informative Kyoto page! I never knew there are apprentice geishas 'til now!
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Paul2001 May 24, 2004 at 6:33 AM

Beautiful pictures of Kyoto. You seem to have visited at the perfect moment, when the blossoms were out.