Welcome to Kyoto.
As you know, Kyoto is a fascinating city with history, culture, and scenic nature all concentrated in one place.
Kyoto City is a basin surrounded by mountains on three sides to the north, west, and east. Mt. Hiei(Hiei-zan) to the northeast and Mt. Atago(Atago-yama) to the northwest, but the mountains visible from the city center are all less than 1,000 meters high. Kyoto’s climate is hot and humid in summer and cold and chilly in winter due to its location in a basin.
The best seasons are from March to May and from October to November. April, when the cherry blossoms bloom, and November, when the leaves turn red, are crowded with tourists.
Kyoto is dotted with many temples, shrines, art galleries, and museums. There are also many other interesting towns and walking trails that cannot be fully explored in a single day. To fully appreciate Kyoto, you will need to stay several days.
In addition, Kyoto looks different in each of the four seasons. Therefore, I recommend visiting in each season.
The city buses and subways are the main ways to get around Kyoto. To these, local trains are added. City buses cover the entire city, but they seem convenient but are complicated and difficult to understand. Subways run in the main areas, while local trains run on the outskirts of the city.
It is not easy to master the transportation system in Kyoto. However, if you can master this transportation system, you will be able to sightsee more efficiently.
However, just because you use the transportation system well does not mean that your trip to Kyoto will not be enjoyable. In fact, the city of Kyoto’s charm is doubled by walking.
Walking along the path of philosophy. Walking along the Shirakawa River. Walking along Sannenzaka slope. …… Walking may be tiring, but you cannot enjoy Kyoto just by taking the bus or subway.
The streets of Kyoto are now overflowing with foreign tourists. The so-called “overtourism” phenomenon is also present here in Kyoto. Thanks to this phenomenon, major tourist attractions are packed with tourists, and sometimes the city buses to get there are so crowded that it is impossible to get on. Kyoto may seem small, but it is big. There is also a quiet Kyoto with no people.
Kyoto has a profound charm that draws people in. Therefore, I hope you will enjoy Kyoto to the fullest during your stay. Please make good memories here in Kyoto.
Yukito Murasaki
