"The religious capital of Japan"

Kyoto is one of Japan's largest cities.  It is located on the south central of Honshu.  There is over 1 million people and an area of 611 sq. km.  The climate is temperate, with warm and humid summers, and cool, dry winters.

This city served as Japan's capital for more than a thousand years(794-1868), and it is still Japan's leading cultural center.  It's also the manufacturing center for traditional handicrafts.
 

Because of the numerous Buddhist temples, Shinto Shrines, and traditional houses that preserves Kyoto's rich history, it's a leading tourism center visited by an estimated 40 million people annually.
 
 
Historical background:

Emperor Kammu adopted the Kyoto area as the imperial capital.  Kyoto was built in 794 AD.  Like the city Nara, Kyoto was modeled after Chang'an, the capital of the T'ang Dynasty in China.

Before the rise of Edo(Tokyo) as the capital of the Tokugawa Shogunate(1603-1868), Kyoto enjoyed more than eight centuries of unrivaled glory among all Japanese cities.  In 1868, Tokyo finally became the imperial capital.

During World War II, Kyoto was spared from Allied bombings because its rich history and culture.  This makes Kyoto into one of the most unique cities in Japan.

The modern developments has taken place to the south of this city.

Visit some of the temples in Kyoto:

Kinkakuji Temple- "The Golden Pavilion"
Ginkakuji Temple- "The Silver Pavilion"
Kiyomizu Temple- "The Clear Water temple"
Heian Shrine
Byodoji Temple
 
 

Other famous places:

Kamowakeikazuchi-jinja Shrine (Kamigamo-jinja Shrine)
Kamomioya-jinja Shirine(Shimogamo-jinja Shrine)
Kyoo Gokoku-ji (To-ji Temple)
Enryaku-ji Temple
Daigo-ji Temple
Ninna-ji Temple
Byodo-in Temple
Ujikami-jinja Shrine
Kozan-ji Temple
Saiho-ji Temple (Koke-dera)
Tenryu-ji Temple
Ryoan-ji Temple
Hongan-ji Temple (Nishi Hongan-ji)
Nijo Palace
 
See sight seeing map

Place Phone
Department of Industry and Tourism, Kyoto City Government (075)752-0215
Tourist Information Center, Kyoto Japan National Tourist Organization (075)371-5649
Kyoto City Information Office (075)343-6655
How to get to KYOTO? 
HOW TO GET THERE
By rail:
From Tokyo:
It takes 2 hours and 14 minutes by bullet train. The fare and express charge for a reserved seat are \13,920 one way.
From Osaka:
It takes 29 minutes by train. Several inter-urban railways run between Kyoto and Osaka.
By air:
The closest international airport to Kyoto is Kansai International Airport, connected with the center of Kyoto in 75 minutes by JR train. The nearest domestic airport is Itami Airport. It takes 55 minutes by bus to come to Kyoto from there. The air fare from Tokyo to Osaka is \14,600 one way, and the flying time is 1 hour.

HOW TO GET AROUND
A network of bus lines covers the whole city, and buses run every 7 to 20 minutes until 10p.m. The standard fare is \200. A subway line between Kitayama and Takeda runs beneath Karasuma street. Fares begin at \180. A one-day ticket for \1,200 entitles you to use City Buses, Kyoto Buses and the subway line without limitation throughout a day.
 
 
 
 

 

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