First of all, as you know, Kyoto is a charming city where history, culture, and beautiful nature are all condensed into one place.Kyoto is a basin surrounded by mountains on the north, west, and east sides. Because it is a basin, Kyoto’s climate is hot and humid in summer and bitterly cold in winter.Words alone may not convey the full impact, but this heat and cold can only be truly understood by those who’ve experienced it. It’s incredibly tough.The best seasons to visit Kyoto are March through May and October through November. This is when the cherry blossoms bloom in April and the autumn leaves turn in November. During these periods, the city becomes crowded with many tourists.
From the city, you can see Mt. Hiei (Hiei-zan)to the northeast and Mt. Atago (Atago-yama) to the northwest. All the mountains visible from the city center are under 1,000 meters in elevation.The scenery of those mountains blends seamlessly into the cityscape of Kyoto. Moreover, within the grid-like streets, traditional townhouses (Machiya) remain, creating the atmosphere of an ancient capital.Above all, Kyoto’s charm lies in the many temples, shrines, art galleries, and museums scattered throughout the city. There are also numerous quintessential Kyoto walking routes, such as the Philosopher’s Path, the slope of Sannen-zaka, both banks of the Kamo-gawa River, and the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden. It’s impossible to see everything in just one day.To fully enjoy Kyoto, a stay of several days is necessary. Furthermore, Kyoto reveals different facets throughout the seasons, so visiting each season allows you to experience a different Kyoto.
The areas where tourists gather are Higashiyama centered around Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Arashiyama famous for its bamboo grove path, the area from Nishiki Market to the Kawaramachi-dori district, and the vicinity around Kyoto Station.These areas are flooded with many foreign tourists. The so-called Overtourism phenomenon can also be seen here in Kyoto.Because of this phenomenon, major tourist spots are overflowing with visitors, and city buses heading there are sometimes so packed you can’t get on.Nevertheless, tourists continue to flock to Kyoto, a city with global brand recognition.
The main modes of transportation for getting around the city are city buses and the subway. Local train lines are also available.City buses cover the entire city, but using them can be somewhat complicated and confusing. The subway runs through major areas, while local lines serve the suburbs.Mastering Kyoto’s transportation system will allow you to explore the city more efficiently.However, even when using city buses or the subway, you’ll still find yourself walking quite a bit while sightseeing in Kyoto.Therefore, it’s wise to be prepared for a lot of walking when touring Kyoto.
