Kyoto is famous for its history and culture. Kyoto features an unrivaled quantity and quality of historic properties spread throughout the city of Kyoto and the surrounding hills. Kyoto was the capital of Japan prior to Tokyo, so includes many historic buildings fit for a capital. Unlike previous occasions when the capital of Japan was relocated, the vast majority of the buildings remained in Kyoto.Over the centuries, Kyoto was destroyed by many wars and fires, but due to its exceptional historic value, the city was dropped from the list of target cities for the atomic bomb and escaped destruction during World War II. Countless temples, shrines and other historically priceless structures survive in the city today. This staggering array of history properties includes over 1,600 temples, 400 shrines and three Imperial Properties including the Kyoto Imperial Palace (Gosho), which is still used today. Kyoto is one of few places where you can still see Geisha walking between traditional tea houses on their way to entertain guests. Kyoto also features some of the best Japanese gardens.
The city hosts countless architectural marvels, including magnificent palaces and beautiful gardens as well as over 2,000 temples and shrines. The buildings are surprisingly well-preserved.Kyoto has hundreds of temples from esoteric designs like To'Ji Temple and the five Zen style Buddhist temples like Nanzenji Temple and the Golden and Silver Pavilions. See the cherry blossom in spring and the colours of the leaves in Autumn. Kyoto has many diverse museums from the Museum of Sake to the Museum of Costume, the Museum of Modern Art, and even a Museum dedicated to Manga or the popular comic strips.
Experience Japanese culture by visiting a Tea Ceremony or try a Japanese cookery lesson, an exquisite art form in itself. Learn origami and consider learning Japanese flower arranging. Walk across the Togetsu-kyo Bridge and relax in the beautiful Shosei-en Garden. Try the Onsen or Hot Springs after a busy day, and don't forget a visit to the theatre to see traditional Japanese Dance. Look for the Geisha who stroll around the Kagai District with elegant kimono, and consider a visit during the Miyaki Odoro Dance Festival. Explore the Kyoto Nishiki Food Market for exotic tastes and flavours of Japanese cuisine and shop for handicrafts in the city centre. Kyoto has a lot of diverse cultural experiences for visitors, which is a major attraction.
Some of the most popular Kyoto attractions are located in the Kyoto Gyoen area, which houses two of the traditional homes of Japanese emperors for many centuries, the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Sento Imperial Palace, as well as the Katsura Imperial Villa, one of the best architectural structures in Japan, and the Shugaku-in Imperial Villa, one of the country's most impressive gardens.
Kyoto is also renowned for its eye-catching Arashiyama Lake , the Philosopher's Walk, and the Gion and Pontocho geisha quarters.
Listed as a UNESCO world Heritage site are the so-called Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, which includes 10 historical shrines, the Nijo Castle and other sites.
Kyoto is also known as a center of Japanese cuisine, especially Buddhist inspired foods and various vegetables that are harvested in Kyoto.
The city also has a tradition of well-loved Japanese films and TV series, especially of samurai action films. Moreover, Kyoto also houses the Kyoto International Manga Museum, which has a voluminous collection of manga spanning over 200,000 titles.