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Apr 7, 2024 · Kyōto, city, seat of Kyōto fu (urban prefecture), west-central Honshu island, Japan. It is located some 30 miles (50 km) northeast of the industrial city of Ōsaka and about the same distance from Nara, another ancient centre of Japanese culture. Gently sloping downward from north to south, the city averages 180 feet (55 metres) above sea level.
Today, the old capital is a large, modern city with a population of over one million, yet in many ways still manages to retain the elegance and traditions of its past. In recent years, overtourism to Kyoto has become a challenge, but despite its popularity there is no doubt it’s still one of Japan’s best destinations.
- Tune in to the seasons. Kyoto is a very seasonal destination, so plan your trip accordingly. The spring cherry blossom season is when the city is at its most photogenic but also its busiest.
- Think carefully about where you want to stay. Kyoto has plenty of great neighborhoods to choose from, but southern Higashiyama and downtown Kyoto are among the most convenient for sightseeing.
- Pack shoes you can slip on and off. When traveling in Kyoto, you’ll find yourself having to take your shoes on and off frequently, so choose your pairs wisely, and wear nice socks!
- Explore on foot. Not only is Kyoto a very walkable city, but navigating its streets on foot also enables you to discover lots of lesser-known but no less impressive spots.
Experiences. Kyoto (京都, Kyōto) served as Japan's capital and the emperor 's residence from 794 until 1868. It is one of the country's ten largest cities with 1.5 million inhabitants and a modern face. Over the centuries, Kyoto was destroyed by many wars and fires, but due to its exceptional historic value, the city was dropped from the ...
Kyoto is dotted with over 2,000 shrines and temples, which contain about 20% of Japan's National Treasures and about 14% of its Important Cultural Assets; 17 places in the city are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Many aspects of traditional culture have been carefully preserved since the Heian period.
With a population of just under 1.5 million (2020), Kyoto is the ninth largest city by population in Japan. Founded as the capital in 794, it was the home of Emperor Kanmu, and remained as the Imperial City of Japan until 1869 after the Meiji Restoration and the demise of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
