Why should I go?
The word Kyoto translates as ‘Capital City’, a name that provides a definite clue to the city’s appeal. Although Kyoto’s time at the helm of Japan is long gone, the city is still cluttered with hallmarks of its time as the country’s ruler.
History and culture are inescapable here: Kyoto is home to one of the world’s largest collections of UNESCO Heritage sites, the cuisine is renowned as the most refined in Japan, and geishas still conduct intricate tea ceremonies in the city’s wood-clad houses.
Yet bubbling beneath all this tradition, there’s a modern undercurrent. Wander a little off the beaten track and you’ll see that Kyoto’s contemporary edge unfurls itself in a clutch of edgy designer shops, quirky cafés – and, most notably, with the Kyoto International Manga Museum.
There’s no denying that Kyoto is a city that refuses to be contained. Surrounded on three sides by mist-draped mountains, it sprawls outward, creeping up the very slopes meant to limit it.
Its sheer scale can feel overwhelming at first, but with an efficient transport network, getting around is easier than it seems. Not sure how long to stay in Kyoto to truly experience it? Give yourself enough time to explore its famous sights — and to wander its quieter, hidden corners.