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- Overview
- History - The Golden Heian Era
- What can you see and do?
- Getting around?
- Alternative Routes to Kyoto
- Hotels and other accommodation near Kyoto
- Points of Interest near Kyoto
- Places to see and things to do near Kyoto
- Exchange Rate History
- Climate
- Weather Forecast
- Travel Info
- Events near Kyoto
- Latest News
- Reviews
- Page Drop Box
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Overview You can't Edit
Users Assigned: Shimizu77So well know is the name Kyoto that it conjures up images of the exotic foreign for millions around the world.
True: as here you will discover temples, shrines and pagodas: many magnificent and exquisite Zen gardens; enjoy sumptuous traditional feasts; and, of course, that most alluring and misunderstood of earthly creatures: the kimono-clad geisha.
Kyoto is the national center for such traditional disciplines as cha-do (tea ceremony) and ikebana (flower arranging), the birthplace of kabuki, and the leading center of calligraphy, painting, and sculpture.
The city has a unique place in the Japanese national identity, and one-third of Japan's entire population is estimated to visit the city each year. Despite this, in many ways Kyoto is a surprisingly typical modern Japanese city with the usual nondescript concrete buildings along with the remarkable pockets of culture and beauty.
For a thousand years, Kyoto served as the cultural and spiritual capital of Japanese civilization, the home of its revered emperors after the Nara period from the end of the 8th century up to the Meiji Restoration in the late-19th century. The imperial rulers moved the capital to Kyoto originally to escape from the growing domination of the Buddhist authorities of Nara. In the new capital the building of Buddhist temples was actually briefly banned—ironic in a city now universally renowned for its temples.
Kyoto simply means "Capital City," though it was originally known as Heian-kyo ("Capital of Peace"), the name given to the golden Heian era between the tenth and 12th centuries. During this time Kyoto thrived as Japan's cultural and creative heartland. But the city's fortunes turned during the Warring States period (1467-1568), which was finally ended by the unifying warlords Nobunaga and Hideyoshi in the mid-6th century.
In many ways the city has never recovered from Hideyoshi's subsequent decision to move the national capital from Kyoto to Edo (now Tokyo) in the early 1600s—a blow compounded by the young Emperor Meiji shifting the imperial household to Tokyo in 1868. But Kyoto has nevertheless remained the repository of the nation's noblest cultural pursuits and architectural legacy. -
History - The Golden Heian Era You can't Edit
Users Assigned: Shimizu77The geomancers (practicing a Chinese feng-shui-like the art) in 794 decided that Heian-kyo (modern Kyoto) would be an auspicious site for the imperial family. It was indeed—until 1869.
Grants of tax-free land over the years had been made to Buddhist temples and members of the court aristocracy. The most powerful families thus carved out for themselves whole regions that were to become the fiefdoms of Japanese feudalism. By the end of the eighth century the clans had created a hierarchy of shiki, or rights, from the highest to the lowest ranks of society. The aristocrat or court patron lent his prestige to a powerful provincial proprietor, who employed a competent estate-manager to oversee smallholders, who in turn worked their farms with dependent laborers. This elaborate structure of interdependent right and obligations was to serve Japanese society right into the 20th century.
Meanwhile, Heian court life blossomed in an effusion of aesthetic expression. Princes and princesses judged the merits of birds. Insects flowers roots or seashells. Literary party games held in ornate palace gardens required each guest to compose a small poem as his wine cup floated toward him along a miniature winding channel of water. Expeditions were organized to the best viewing points for the first spring cherry blossoms, and special pavilions were built to watch the rising of the full moon. Every gesture, from the most banal opening of an umbrella to the sublimest act of lovemaking, had its appropriate ceremonial. Conversation often took the form of elegant exchange of improvised verse.
The changing role of Chinese culture in Japanese life was epitomized in the language itself. In the absence of an indigenous alphabet. Japanese scholars had with the greatest difficulty tried to adapt the complex ideograms of monosyllabic Chinese to the essentially polysyllabic Japanese. Thus developed the katakana system used a vehicle for writing Buddhist names and concepts.
After the rival Fujiwara factions, struggling for many years to seize of the imperial throne, they turned to the armies or Taira and Minamoto in the year 1156 to fight a four year war that portended the end of the golden age of the Heian court. The Taira, controlling the region along the inland Sea, defeated the Minamoto armies based in the kanto province east of the capital.
Over the next 20 years, the Minamoto clan acquired new strength by offering better guarantees to local landowners – and their armies—then they could expect from court. Eventually a new offensive, the decisive Gempei War, was launched in 1180. Five years later the Taira were overthrown after being defeated in the straits between western Honshu and Kyushu, at the titanic sea battle of Donnoura—which has a place in Japanese annals comparable to Waterloo or Stalingrad.
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What can you see and do? You can't Edit
Users Assigned: Shimizu77Kyoto's Imperial Residences; The Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho) and the Katsura and Shugakuin imperial villas are mandatory destinations for anyone with an interest in Japanese architecture, design, and aesthetics.
However, since they are imperial property, special reservations must be made with the Kyoto office of the Imperial Household Agency (located on the grounds of the Imperial Palace, just south of Imadegawadori passports are required). Note that Overseas reservations will not be accepted. -
Getting around? You can't Edit
Users Assigned: Shimizu77Kyoto is surprisingly large. Since its numerous attractions arc spread evenly throughout the city, good maps are essential. The city has two subway lines, several small private railway lines, and many bus routes.
If you don't want to depend on costly taxis, make sure you have a bus map, which can be picked up at the tourist information offices in Kyoto Station or at any JNTO office. However, with over 1.500 Buddhist temples. 200 Shinto shrines, numerous museums, and magnificent imperial palaces, be aware that you're not going to see everything.
Try to get hold of the Kyoto visitor is Guide, a free glossy monthly packed with listings of cultural events and information on temples, gar-dens. Festivals, exhibitions, restaurants, and even accommodation. Sampling Kyoto is definitely a case of "less is more." and the secret is to pace yourself.
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Alternative Routes - Flights, Trains, Buses to Kyoto
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Accommodation near Kyoto
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Hotels near Kyoto
More hotels from our Partner Landmarks near Kyoto
Looking for something to do or a place to go see near Kyoto? Here is our list of options.
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Ponto-chō0.50 Km from KyotoPonto-chō (先斗町) is a Hanamachi district in Kyoto, Japan, known for geisha and home to many geisha houses and traditional tea houses. Like Gion, Pontochō is famous for the preservation of forms of traditional architecture and entertainment.
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Nishiki Market0.75 Km from KyotoNishiki Market (錦市場, Nishiki Ichiba) (literally "brocade market") is a marketplace in downtown Kyoto, located on a road one block north and parallel to Shijō Street (四条通, Shijō-dōri) and west of Teramachi Street (寺町通, Teramachi-dōri). Rich with history and tradition, the market is renowned as the place to obtain many of Kyoto's famous foods and goods.
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Seimei Shrine2.37 Km from KyotoTrue
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Keihan Cable Line15.65 Km from KyotoTrue
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Iwashimizu Hachimangū15.92 Km from KyotoIwashimizu Hachimangū (石清水八幡宮) is a Shinto shrine in the city of Yawata in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan.
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Hirakata Park25.77 Km from KyotoTrue
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Expoland31.25 Km from KyotoExpoland, located in Suita, Osaka, Japan, was opened as the amusement zone at the International Exposition in 1970 (Expo '70) and thrived for over 30 years as an amusement park. There were more than 40 rides and attractions, 19 restaurants and shops. On May 5, 2007, a 19-year-old university student from Higashiomi, Shiga was killed and nineteen other guests were injured when the Fujin Raijin II derailed at Expoland. Initial reports said that forty people were injured, with thirty-one being taken...
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Minakuchi Castle36.41 Km from KyotoMinakuchi Castle (水口城, Minakuchi-jō), also known as Hekisui Castle, is a hirashiro (castle on a plain) located in Kōka, Shiga Prefecture, Japan.
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Himuro Shrine36.94 Km from KyotoHimuro Shrine (氷室神社, Himuro Jinja) is a Shinto shrine in Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan. It was established in 710. Kami enshrined here include Emperor Nintoku and Nukata no Onakatsuhiko no Mikoto (額田大仲彦命). The shrine's main festival is held annually on October 1.
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Nara Hotel37.36 Km from KyotoNara Hotel (奈良ホテル) is a five star hotel in Nara, Japan. The hotel is located on the hillside overlooking Nara Park. Opened on October 17, 1909, it is one of the most historic hotels in Japan. It is partially owned by the West Japan Railway Company. In 2009 the first centennial anniversay of the hotel was celebrated.
Points of Interest near Kyoto
Looking for important things or something to do or a place to go see near Kyoto? Here is our list of options.
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Muromachi WakudenNo info yet.. Please go to this page and enter some.Muromachi Wakuden 679 Marukizaimokuchō, Nakagyō-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 604-8106, Japan
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Nishiki Market
Nishiki Market is ideal if you looking to for a change of pace and frame of mind.
This surprising calm and sedate market located along the street is housed under a single roofed arcade.Nishiki Market Japan, 〒604-8054 Kyōto-fu, Kyōto-shi, Nakagyō-ku, Higashiuoyachō, 富小路通四条上る西大文字町609番地 -
Teramachi street shopping districtHideyoshi moved many of Kyoto's temples to this long narrow road during his reorganization of the city in 1591 following its near-total destruction by clan warfare.Teramachi street shopping district Japan, 〒604-0000 Kyōto-fu, Kyōto-shi, Nakagyō-ku, Higashidaimonjichō, 中京区東大文字町
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Minami-zaThe 17th-century Minamiza Theater is Japan's oldest. It stages the famous Kaomise kabuki show in December.Minami-za Japan, 〒605-0075 京都府京都東山区Nakanochō (Shijōdōri), 四条通大和大路西入中之町１９８
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ShisendoNo info yet.. Please go to this page and enter some.Shisendo Japan, 〒600-8511 Kyōto-fu, Kyōto-shi, Shimogyō-ku, Tachiuri Nishimachi, 下京区四条通高倉西入立売西町79番地 大丸京都店 4F
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Gionmachi Kitagawa
Higashiyama's Gion district is Kyoto's main historical center of traditional theater, arts, and (now) antiques. It is also known as the last training center for geishas.
This is the place to wander and soak up the sights and sounds of Kyoto's lone quarter still dedicated to traditional arts and entertainment. Your curiosity and patience will inevitably reward you with a glimpse of a genuine geisha or maiko (apprentice geisha), the copious layers of her opulent—and unimaginably heavy—silk kimono rustling as she hurries to an appointment or a training session.Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0073, Japan -
Kyoto Museum of Traditional CraftsThe Museum of Traditional Industry presents a diverse collection of textiles, porcelain, fan, dolls, lacquerware, cutlery, and cabinetwork, with occasional live demonstrations by craftsmen.Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts Japan, 〒606-8343 京都府京都市左京区Sakyō-ku, Okazaki Seishōjichō, 岡崎成勝寺町９−１ 京都市勧業館 みやこめっせ B1F
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National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto
National Museum of Modern Art is, despite its name, mainly devoted to 19th- and 20th-century ceramics.
National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto Japan, 〒606-8344 Kyōto-fu, Kyōto-shi, Sakyō-ku, Okazaki Enshōjichō, 26−１ -
Gion CornerForeign visitors can enjoy the Gion Corner, held at Yasaka Hall to provide a selection of bite-sized samples of Japanese culture from March through November.
In a comfortable little theater, you can watch a one-hour demonstration of tea ceremony, traditional music and dance, flower arranging, puppet theater, and a kyogen farce. (Tickets for Gion Corner are available from their website for groups 20+)Gion Corner Japan, 〒605-0805 京都府京都市東山区祇園街５７０−２ -
Heian ShrineA huge arch (torii) spanning the main road marks the approach to the Heian Shrine. This popular shrine features a strongly Chinese-influenced design and an extensive landscaped garden considered one of Kyoto's finest, with numerous cherry trees and a large pond with an elegant pagoda linked to the shore by a covered bridge.Heian Shrine Okazaki Nishitennocho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 606-8341, Japan
Exchange Rate History Japan
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Climate near Kyoto
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Graphic showing average weather in Kyoto in Celcius and Centimeters (Change to Farenheit and Inches)
| Month | Temp °C | Rainfall Cm | Temp °F | Rainfall Inches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -0.2 | 177.8 | 31.6 | 70 |
| Feb | 0.1 | 170.7 | 32.2 | 67.2 |
| Mar | 3.1 | 165.3 | 37.6 | 65.1 |
| Apr | 9 | 160.4 | 48.2 | 63.1 |
| May | 13.8 | 145.1 | 56.8 | 57.1 |
| Jun | 18.1 | 217 | 64.6 | 85.4 |
| Jul | 23 | 183.8 | 73.4 | 72.4 |
| Aug | 23.7 | 170.1 | 74.7 | 67 |
| Sep | 19.9 | 248 | 67.8 | 97.6 |
| Oct | 13.6 | 179.6 | 56.5 | 70.7 |
| Nov | 7.9 | 137 | 46.2 | 53.9 |
| Dec | 2.9 | 156.9 | 37.2 | 61.8 |
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