What makes kyoto famous

Soaring over the treetops, one of the complexes most impressive structures in the mighty Sanmon Gate, constructed in , which offers good overviews of the temples from its balcony. Built around the banks of the Horikawa River to the south of the city centre since the distilleries use the highly-regarded waters that flow past them , Fushimi boasts an impressive 40 — mainly traditional — breweries.

Gion Matsuri, or the Yasaka Shrine Festival, is a major festival that extends across much of July, with events coming to a head with an evening procession through the streets on July 16, and a huge parade of floats the following day. Standing up to 25 metres high, weighing 12 tons, and hauled by residents pulling on thick ropes, these floats are intricately decorated with traditional designs.

But even more impressive if the fact that this celebration is believed to date back to AD, in an attempt to end a disease epidemic by appeasing the gods. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Kyoto Imperial Palace As the Japanese capital, Kyoto was also the primary residence of the emperor, regarded as a demi-god until the end of the Second World War in For more tips on traveling in Kyoto with your kids, check out my Kyoto With Children page. And for some advice about what to see and do, see my Kyoto Itinerary for Travelers with Children.

For a comprehensive rundown of suggestions about what to bring on a trip to Kyoto — and indeed Japan in general — see our Packing List For Japan page. ATMs that work with international bank and credit cards are not as common in Japan as they are in many other countries.

A guide will also free you from having to think about the logistics of getting around and making the most efficient use of your time.

Finally, a guide can help you enjoy local restaurants without any communication difficulties. Hiring a guide for a six-hour tour on your first day will give you the confidence to explore on following days on your own and a guide can give you some advice about what to see later in your trip. Indeed, it would be impossible for most Japanese people.

Luckily, private geisha entertainment can be arranged by private tour companies like my own. Sumo tournaments are not held in Kyoto, but they are held in cities that can easily be visited as daytrips from Kyoto. For details, see Sumo in Kyoto. Japan is well known as a safe place. Designed by Kobori Enshu with assistance by the prince, this beautiful garden is laid out in such a way that the visitor always sees things from the front - smaller gardens are grouped around a large pool with the summits of Mounts Arashiyama and Kameyama in the background.

Highlights include the Miyuki-mon Gates and the many garden paths, some made from river pebbles and others of rectangular cobbles, edged by mosses and bushes. These lead through more gates into the inner garden with a group of buildings known as the Goten at its center.

A particular highlight here is the veranda of Furu-shoin, specially designed to permit observation of the moon, and the three rooms of the Naka-shoin with its many fine paintings by Japan's leading artists. If time allows, be sure to stop and enjoy a meal or light refreshments in one of the many on-site teahouses. Sammon Gate, Daitoku-ji Temple. The present structures date from the 16th and 17th centuries. Of the 22 buildings on-site, seven are open to the public.

These include the Kara-mon, a Chinese-style gate with magnificent carvings, and the two-story main gate, Sammon, built in and notable for its many fine ceiling paintings and statues. The Main Hall, the Butsuden or Daiyu-den , was built in and contains a statue of Shakyamuni with his disciples Anna and Kayo and a figure of Daito-kokushi, first Abbot of the temple. Other highlights include the old Abbot's Lodging Shinju-an with its statues and tombs dating from the 14th century, and a lovely Zen garden.

This attractive hall also features 11th-century paintings, including an imposing gilded figure of Amida, and an altar and ceiling inlaid with bronze and mother-of-pearl.

Adjoining is the Kannon-do, a hall directly above the river and known as the Tsuridono, or Fishing Hall. Also worth a visit is the Zen Tenryu-j i Temple. From here, you can access the wonderful Arashiyama Bamboo Grove , an area full of tall bamboo that is simply breathtaking.

The best place to stay in Kyoto is downtown, preferably in or near the Gion or Kawaramachi-Dori districts. These areas are central to many of the main attractions, as well as restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues.

Below are some highly-rated hotels near these areas:. Places to Visit near Kyoto : Osaka is an easy day trip from Kyoto, and the city is less than 90 minutes away by high-speed train. For those wanting to see a few off-the-beaten-trail destinations, consider taking a day trip.

Popular options include the historic temples of Nara and the busy port of Nagoya , each an easy rail journey away. Nagoya is also worth visiting for its history. An easy train ride away, the city boasts numerous lovely shrines and temples, and its own well-preserved historic castle.

Japan Vacation Ideas : Japan, of course, offers no end of great vacation choices. A few favorites include exploring the sites of Tokyo , with its endless shopping, dining, and entertainment options; magnificent Mount Fuji , perhaps the country's most recognizable natural feature; and the beautiful island of Hokkaido, where you'll have the chance to explore the country's most northerly major city, Sapporo.

Japan Travel Guide. Written by Bryan Dearsley Nov 17, We may earn a commission from affiliate links Surrounded by the hills of central Honshu, Kyoto is one of Japan's largest cities. Find the best places to visit in the city with our list of the top attractions in Kyoto. See also: Where to Stay in Kyoto Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues. Kyoto Imperial Palace Kyoto Imperial Palace The original Kyoto Imperial Palace Kyoto-gosho , built in AD and replaced several times after being destroyed by fire, remains one of the city's most visited historic sites.

The Kyoto National Museum and Municipal Museum of Art The Kyoto National Museum and Municipal Museum of Art In addition to its many fine old temples with their important artworks, Kyoto also boasts a number of impressive collections in its world-class museums and galleries.

Gion's Geishas and Temples Gion's Geishas and Temples Famous as an entertainment and geisha district, Gion is an area of Kyoto that is well suited to explore on foot. Below are some highly-rated hotels near these areas: Luxury Hotels: The Ritz Carlton is on the banks of the Kamogawa River and offers unsurpassed luxury and service, four restaurants, and a well-regarded spa. The Hotel Kanra Kyoto is a short walk from the main train station and has large, modern rooms with beautiful cedar wood bathtubs.

In the heart of the Gion area, the Maifukan offers well-appointed rooms with mini fridges. You can also catch amazing views of Mt.

Fuji while riding the Shinkansen aka the bullet train , which goes up to mph, into town. Kyoto is home to incredible natural sites, such as the otherworldy Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, which is known as much for its beautifully dense stalks as it is for its creaky, rustling noises. It was even included on the Ministry of Environment's " Soundscapes of Japan. And colonies of monkeys live here, some of which hang out at the Iwatayama Monkey Park. What makes Kyoto special is that it's a big city with a small-town feel.

It also straddles the tension between old and new. It has retained its traditions and architecture, as in the beautifully restored Ninenzaka street, which slopes down from the Kiyomizu-dera Temple and was laid out during Kyoto's ancient imperial years. But it's also modern.

The Shijo-Dori central shopping district rivals any contemporary shopping you'd find in Tokyo. Geishas are a common sight around town.