Kyoto - Tour Highlights and Travel Tips
Kyoto Tour Highlights
- Take in the glittering Kinkaku-ji – the Golden Pavilion – a Zen pagoda decorated in gold leaf and with a sublime lakeside setting.
- Stroll through the atmospheric seventeenth-century streets of Gion, home to Geisha girls and traditional teahouses.
- Experience Shintoism at its most impressive at Fushimi Inari-Taisha shrine, where vermillion shrine gates contrast with the natural mountainside location.
- Head to the top of the 131 metre Kyoto Tower for unparalleled panoramic views across the city.
- Explore Japan’s Buddhist heritage at the temple of Kiyomizu-dera, dating back to 1633.
- Stroll through the historic district of Gion that will leave you spellbound, and desperate to extend your Kyoto tour for as long as possible.
Kyoto Travel Tips
- Japanese efficiency means Kyoto has a phenomenal public transport system. The great value Kyoto City bus pass offers unlimited travel and can be purchased from bus and train stations, as well as on buses themselves.
- The popularity of the Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion means it can get very crowded. Aim to get there as early as possible, and outside of weekends and Japanese holidays.
- Base yourself in Gion, not only the downtown historic district but also the site of most of the city’s entertainment, and you’ll be right at the heart of the action.
- If you’re on a tight budget, consider having your main meals at lunchtime, when many restaurants offer cheaper set-price daily menus.
- Bring an umbrella! Not only are they useful for any passing rain shower, but as the locals will soon demonstrate, they are also perfect for keeping the sun off!