Kyoto, Japan: The old imperial city of Kyoto is one of the most popular destinations for tourists to Japan
The old imperial city of Kyoto is one of the most popular destinations for tourists to Japan. The city of 1.5 million in the west of the Japanese main island of Honshu is a real must, especially for fans of Japanese tradition and history. The region’s myriad temples and other famous historical attractions attract millions of locals and tourists from around the world every year. The nearest airport, which is regularly served by major airlines, is Kansai International Airport. This is located about 40 kilometers from Kyoto near the metropolis of Osaka.
The Kyoto region offers an extremely fascinating mix of tradition and modernity that is rarely found in Japan. In total, there are more than 1,500 small and large temples as well as several hundred religiously significant shrines in the former Japanese capital. For more than 1,000 years, Kyoto was the seat of the Japanese emperor. The most important landmark of the city is the so-called “Golden Pavilion” in the northwest of the city. The impressive multi-storey temple complex on the banks of a small lake can be seen from afar due to its golden outer walls and should not be missed on any trip to the region. The temple is embedded in a beautiful Japanese garden. The Nijo Castle is also extremely worth seeing. At the beginning of the 17th The impressive castle complex, built in the 19th century, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1944. The lavishly designed interior of the facility is characterized by countless valuable art treasures and many huge wall paintings known far beyond the Japanese borders. The old Imperial Palace in the center of the city is also a real must for Kyoto tourists. However, this can only be viewed after prior registration. Kyoto is considered to be the heart of Japanese culture. If you want to enjoy the original flair of the old imperial city, you should, for example, take a long walk through the Gijon old town, which is characterized by many traditional wooden houses and narrow streets.
Lake Biwa as a popular destination
The landscape around Kyoto, which is characterized by a rich variety of flora and fauna, is always worth a long visit. The city is home to numerous elaborately designed Japanese gardens, where both locals and tourists love to relax. About ten kilometers away is the largest lake in Japan, Lake Biwa. The lake is one of the most popular excursion destinations in the region. Numerous small temples can be found on the west bank of the lake. In the middle of the lake are three small islands that can be explored, among other things, as part of a tour.
