Overview

Kyoto is a city made up of temples, ancient castles, historical palaces, beautiful gardens, fascinating museums and a number of culturally-rooted monuments. There are literally enough attractions to keep visitors busy for months so if you are only visiting for a short time, be sure to choose carefully and what you don't see, you can schedule in for your next trip.

Kiyomizu Temple

This beautiful temple is one of the most famous in Japan. It dates back to 798 AD and has seen many famous people come to pray here. It is located on the side of Mount Otowa, and due to this picturesque spot the building boasts stunning views from its balconies and windows. It is a popular temple with tourists so it is advisable to get here early to avoid the crowds. It is particularly worth visiting in the spring to see the cherry blossom.

Heian Shrine

This is the most famous shrine in the city, but surprisingly it is also one of the youngest. It was built about 100 years ago to mark the city's 1,100 birthday and is dedicated to two of Japan's most influential emperors; the 50th and 121st. The shrine stands in stunning gardens which are in their prime during the spring, when they are bursting with cherry blossom.

Kyoto National Museum

This Baroque-style museum was once owned by the imperial court but in recent times has opened its doors to allow visitors to enjoy the wonders of ancient Japan. Displays include beautiful kimono clothing, paintings, sculptures and ceramics as well as information about Japan through the ages.

Koinzan Saiho-ji

This is another temple within the city and is commonly known as the Moss Temple. The surrounding garden is home to over 120 varieties of moss which creates a swirling mass of blues and greens. The garden is very dramatic during the rainy months of June and July.

Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho)

When Kyoto was the capital of Japan, this stunning palace was home to the royal family. They lived here until 1868, when everything was moved to Tokyo. The palace has amazingly been flattened by fire a number of times since it was built 700 years ago, but has always been rebuilt according to the original plans. It is a prime example of Heian architecture and the rooms and furniture on show help to demonstrate what life was like in Japan during this period. There are free guided tours available and a shop onsite to buy souvenirs.

Sanjusangendo Hall

Dating back to 1164, this temple is home to one of the most interesting yet slightly bizarre sights in the country. The hall is lined with 1,001 life-sized statues of the 1,000-handed deity Kannon. Each statue was carved in the 12th century from cypress wood and is a sight unseen anywhere else in the world. Visitors are not allowed to take photographs inside.

Overview

Sporting activities are popular throughout Japan and whether it is spectator sports or something more involved that you prefer, there will be something to suit you. Baseball is very popular in Kyoto, as are soccer and traditional martial arts. Walking or cycling around the city is also a good way to keep fit and see the sights at the same time. There are a number of walking tours available and cycle paths can be found throughout the city.

Kamo River

The River Kamo flows through the centre of the city and is an excellent place to escape the bustle and crowds. It also offers some of the best recreational activities in the city such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, rafting and tubing. Running alongside the bank of the river is an excellent bike path which follows the river from beginning to end and takes riders through beautiful scenery.

Walking tours

Kyoto is an ideal city to walk around as there are sights to enjoy every step of the way. The city is brimming with roadside temples, shrines and palaces and walking around will not only give you your bearings, but it will also allow you to take your time and enjoy the experience. There are also a number of parks and gardens where both gentle strolling and jogging are possible. There are set walking tours around the city, footpaths through stunning scenery or you can just take yourself off and see where you end up.

Cormorant fishing

If you are visiting during the summer, you will have the chance to watch cormorant fishermen in action and even have a go yourself. The fishermen have trained the local birds to swoop into the water and do their job for them. They go out every evening on the Oi River and it is possible to hire a boat and join them.

Skiing and snowboarding

Kyoto is home to some excellent winter sporting opportunities. The districts of Nagano and Hokkaido are the best areas and house ski resorts and equipment hire. There are slopes to suit beginners and experts alike. Many of these resorts are difficult to get to by public transport so booking in advance is advised so that transfers can be arranged.

Golf

Golf in Japan is renowned for being expensive despite the fact there are many courses available. The golf courses are, however, incredibly luxurious and are always beautifully designed and laid out. They are also all out of town, which is mainly due to the fact that there isn't enough space in the city for golf courses. Public golf courses hire out equipment, but it is cheaper to bring your own clubs.

Dining and shopping

Kyo-ryori is what the local cuisine is known as in Kyoto. It is famous throughout Japan for its use of seasonal ingredients and its long-standing traditions. There are many different styles of local cuisine to choose from, which include vegetarian shojin ryori set meals. These are very cheap yet satisfy even those who are very hungry. They were designed for the pilgrims and priests who used to visit Kyoto in their droves.

Another style of cooking which is worth trying is the kaiseki ryori. These are much more expensive, but are multi-course meals which are elegant and often enjoyed by royalty. Kyoto is not near the coastline so there is not much in the way of fresh fish and seafood. However, the ancient chefs of the city developed a way to preserve the fish they cooked in a way that allows the natural flavours to shine through.

Sushi is, of course, very popular in Kyoto, as is sashimi. Beef is also used a lot in cooking and is marinated for a long period of time so that it is extremely tender. Most of the dishes served in local restaurants are very light, fresh and healthy. Heavy sauces are not commonly used as fresh herbs are preferred instead.

Must-try dishes while in Kyoto include: onigiri (rice balls, which often contain tuna or salmon, wrapped in nori seaweed); yakizakana (grilled fish); ramen (Chinese-style noodle soup with various toppings); yakitori (grilled chicken on skewers) and tempura (deep fried seafood or vegetables).

Kyoto is the arts and crafts capital of Japan and much of the country's best art throughout the centuries has been created here. For many centuries, Kyoto was home to the country's wealthy upper classes and because of this, there was a high demand for fine art and pottery. Textile, origami, art and ceramic shops can be found all across the city. There are both ancient antiques and contemporary artworks created by modern artists on sale.

If you are looking to buy a selection of arts and crafts, there is one place you should not miss. The Kawaramachi Dori district in central Kyoto is four streets of specialised dealers selling the best that the city has to offer. You will find affordable handicrafts, unique souvenirs and antiques. Gion's Furumonzen Dori and Shinmonzen Dori are prime spots for paintings and fine art.

Kyoto is home to a number of daily, weekly and monthly markets selling everything imaginable. The markets are great places to get a feel for the culture as well as to pick up some real bargains. The biggest market in the city is held on the 21st of every month at Toji Temple. This flea market has been held every month for over 700 years and is famous across the country. People travel for miles to experience the buzz of this bargain extravaganza.

If you want to shop for fashion, accessories, electronics, music and anything else contemporary, Kyoto boasts a number of shopping malls. The best one, Porta, is actually underground and is a great place to start.

Kyoto boasts a large number of restaurants, many of which cater to both European and Japanese tastes. However, Japanese food is certainly the most predominant cuisine available. Prices can be quite high in certain restaurants, but this is the same all across Japan. Some of the best local food is served in small restaurants not usually frequented by tourists, but not to be missed. Prices in these kinds of establishments are very low and rarely reflect the quality. While very good, the city's upmarket restaurants have high prices.

Overview

One of the main gateways into and out of Japan is Osaka's Kansai International Airport, second only to Tokyo's Narita Airport. This airport operates numerous international as well as a number of domestic routes. It is a modern facility boasting excellent amenities. It is, however, quite far from Kyoto and ground transportation options are limited to buses and trains. Once in the city, you will not be stuck for ways to get around, although one of the best ways to see the sights is on foot.

Airports

Kyoto's closest international airport is Osaka's Kansai International Airport, approximately 50kms outside of Osaka. It is a large airport and one of the main gateways into the country. The facilities here are plentiful and include: restaurants, bars, smoking areas, shopping, duty-free outlets, information desks, baby changing facilities, disabled persons' access and internet.

Japan Airlines, the national carrier, flies here, as do many other international airlines. The country's domestic airline, Nippon, offers many routes country-wide from here. Destinations include Europe, North America, Australia and much of Asia.

Once passengers arrive at Kansai Airport, there are a number of ways to reach Kyoto. If you do not have much luggage, the JR Haruka Super Express Train offers a direct rail service from the Arrivals terminal to Kyoto Station every 30 minutes. The journey takes about 1 hour, 20 minutes and is well priced. The train is very comfortable, but not really suitable for those with excess baggage. If you are on a budget, there is a cheaper rail service which stops in Osaka, adding an extra 30 minutes to the journey.

Those with a lot of luggage should consider taking the Airport Limousine Bus, which departs once every hour from outside Arrivals. It takes approximately 1 hour, 45 minutes to get to Kyoto Station. This bus stops at many major hotels en route to the city. There is also the option of hiring a car, which is worth considering if you plan to embark on any daytrips. Hire car facilities can be found in Arrivals, although it is adviseable to book online in advance.

Public transportation

Arriving in Kyoto overland can often be exhausting as journeys are often long. There are long-distance buses that travel between Kyoto and other major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka. There are also overnight buses which are more comfortable and save on a night's accommodation. If you are in a rush, there are high-speed trains arriving regularly from Tokyo. These take just 2 hours, 30 minutes, but ticket prices are fairly high.

Once in Kyoto, visitors will be pleased that the city is very easy to get around. The best way to see many of the sights is on foot, although there are public transport options available and many people choose to hire bicycles.

The subway is very efficient and offers a good network throughout the city. Buses are equally as good and joint passes are available for a day, a week and even a month. If you want to take the bus, one of the best buses for tourists is the Chin-Chin bus, which leaves every 10 minutes from Kyoto Station. This runs past many of the city's top attractions.

Taxis are readily available in Kyoto and actually come in two sizes, should you be on a group tour. They can either be flagged down in the street or found at taxi ranks across the city.