Kyoto 京都

The history and culture of Kyoto, the essential former capital of Japan

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kyoto does not hide the light of its prestigious past under a bushel. The city was founded in 794 and became the seat of the imperial court, replacing Nara, which had been the political and religious heart of the country. And why? Religious beliefs were placing too great a burden on the imperial court. For more than a thousand years, Kyoto embodied the heart of the country. This lasted until 1868, the date when Tokyo, formerly called Edo, replaced Kyoto as the capital, although Kyoto remained Japan's principal spiritual and artistic hotbed. Today, its history as an imperial city still shines through.

Kyoto is well preserved due to the fact that the city was spared from bombing by the Americans during the Second World War. Furthermore, when US President Harry Truman decided to use the atomic bomb against Japan, Kyoto was one of the four designated targets. The French orientalist Serge Elisseeff spoke to advisers at the Pentagon and an irreparable act was avoided. He argued that such a choice would destroy invaluable cultural treasures and would prove to be a barrier to reconciliation between the two countries. His voice was heard.

Visiting Kyoto is a treat for artists, culinary enthusiasts, and travelers looking for spirituality. It is viewed as the quintessential traditional Japanese city and attracts thousands of visitors every day of the year. And for good reason, as it has several gems of Japanese culture, such as the temples of Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji, the historical geisha district of Gion, the Philosopher's Path, Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine and its torii gates, and Kiyomizu-dera. Exploring Kyoto is an exotic and fascinating experience.

Kyoto's rich history makes it a must-see city and its location makes it an ideal base for exploring Nara, Osaka, and Kobe

Activities in Kyoto: exploring the riches of Kyoto

Kyoto is surrounded by hills lined with bamboo and pine woods and the river Kamo flows through the city. It is set out according to a grid plan, based on the model of the Chinese capital of the Tang dynasty. 1.5 million people live in the city today, spread over a relatively small surface area of 800 km2. The city is divided into eleven districts (ku).

The most traditional districts, in the north and east, house a vast number of temples and gardens, while the areas around the station and the south of the city, which are more modern, are home to the business and shopping districts. What may be called the city center (a concept which does not apply to the organization of Japanese cities) is located in the districts of Gion and Kawaramachi. Kyoto is one of the rare cities where machiya, typical wooden houses, can be frequently found. Nature is also very much present throughout the city.

• Stay in a traditional house for your stay in Kyoto

Although it is a city with such a history, Kyoto is very lively, changing with the seasons and according to the different festivals. Those who wish can look around the china shops along the street that leads to Kiyomizu-dera, a thousand-year-old temple that overlooks the city. This is also the ideal place to buy local culinary specialties such as yatsu hashi, sweet, cinnamon-flavored cakes made using rice paste. Dreamers can wander around Nishiki market, a long covered alleyway where stallholders display their ranges of ingredients typically used in Kyoto's traditional cuisine. In Maruyama Park, not far from Gion, the flowering of the venerable cherry trees is an event celebrated with gusto in April, and "flower gazing" for hanami constitutes a celebration of the rebirth of nature.

• Discover Nishiki Market with our Travel Angel

In January, do not miss Hatsumode (the first temple visit of the year). In May, there is the Aoi Matsuri with its many processions, the biggest festival of the month. On 16 August comes a very impressive event: Daimonji. Huge fire kanji are lit on the hills around the city.

• To go further: All events and festivals in Kyoto

The city abounds with many other marvels to explore when the weather is fine. With more than 1000 Buddhist temples and 250 Shinto shrines, there are plenty of sights to see.

Finally, to get around Kyoto easily, use a bicycle, and invest in a PASMO prepaid card to make traveling by train and bus easier.

Kyoto activity: Discover Kyoto by bike with our Travel Angel

How to get to Kyoto?

• By air - There are domestic flights to Osaka Itami Airport and international connections from Kansai International Airport (KIX). For Itami, there are regular limousine bus services from the southern area (Hachijoguchi) of Kyoto Station. To get to Kansai International Airport, it takes 75 minutes to take the express train from Haruka Airport or JR shinkaisoku to Osaka, then kanku kaisoku to the airport (travel time is about 90 minutes). There are also limousine bus services to Kansai International Airport.
• By train - Kyoto's huge station, located in the south of the city at the end of the Karasuma dori and just south of the Shichijo dori, provides easy access to the rest of the country. Kyoto Tower is directly opposite the main central exit, which also serves as the main bus terminal.
• By bus - There are long-distance night buses to Tokyo, Hiroshima and Nagasaki and day buses to Nagoya and Kanazawa. Highway buses depart from Kyoto Station.