Kyoto, Japan
Here is a quick overview of the history of Kyoto:
• Kyoto was first established as the capital of Japan in 794 AD by Emperor Kanmu. It was made the capital because of its central and sheltered location in the main island of Honshu.
• For over a thousand years from the 8th to 19th century, Kyoto served as the imperial capital and cultural center of Japan. This was the height of its historic significance and it developed many Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, palaces, gardens and architecture. This earned it the epithet “City of Peace“ and designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• In the 16th century, Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi conquered Kyoto and eventually led to the unification of Japan under Tokugawa Ieyasu. This marked the transition of power from the emperors to the military shoguns.
• In the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the imperial capital was moved to Tokyo. However, Kyoto retained its status as the cultural and religious center of Japan. Many historical sites and architecture were preserved, attracting many visitors.
• In the early 20th century, Kyoto went through modernization with the introduction of railways, roads, factories and universities. But its traditional culture and historic sites remained largely intact. It became a popular tourist destination, especially renowned for its many Buddhist monasteries, Shinto shrines, palaces, gardens and traditional architecture.
• Kyoto is now a very cosmopolitan city but it continues to be a center of culture, arts, and Shinto and Buddhist influences in Japan. It attracts over 60 million visitors each year, especially attracted by its well-preserved traditional architecture, festivals, imperial court, and historical atmosphere.
Kiyomizu-dera: A Buddhist temple on Mount Otowa with pagodas, wooden verandahs and a huge veranda. Admission fee charged. Hours: 9am-5pm (Summer) / 9am-4:30pm (Winter). Address: 94 Chyoumei-cho, Sakyu-ku, Kyoto 602-0882 Phone: 075-771-5611. Website: http://www.kiyomizudera.org
Arashiyama’s Bamboo Grove: A bamboo forest path that is mystical and beautiful. Admission fee charged. Hours: . 8am-5pm (Summer) / 8am-4pm (Winter). Address: Shiunkoji-chō, Fukchō-ku, Kyoto Phone: 075-861-4677.
Website: https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/arashiyama-bamboo-forest
Fushimi Inari Shrine: Thousands of vermilion torii gates that wind through the mountain. Free to explore. Hours: . 24 hours a day. Address: . 68 Yabunouchi, Fukakusa, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto Phone: . 075-641-7331 Website: http://inari.jp/en/
The currency code for Japanese Yen is JPY. The currency of Japan is the Japanese Yen (JPY). Some key denominations of Japanese Yen are:
Banknotes:
•1 Yen = 1 JPY
•5 Yen = 5 JPY
•10 Yen = 10 JPY
•50 Yen = 50 JPY
•100 Yen = 100 JPY
•500 Yen = 500 JPY
•1000 Yen = 1000 JPY
•5000 Yen = 5000 JPY
•10,000 Yen = 10,000 JPY
Other larger denominations also exist like 20,000 JPY and 50,000 JPY coins and notes. The Japanese Yen is subdivided into 100 sen. So for example, 315 Yen would be written as 3((15)) in Japanese. The Bank of Japan is responsible for issuing the Japanese Yen.
Coins: come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 Yen. Banknotes come in denominations of 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 Yen.
Kyoto has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Some key facts about the climate in Kyoto:
• Summers are warm and humid, with average highs around 88 F or 31 C and lows around 77 F or 25 C in August.
• Winters are cold but not extreme, with average highs of 41 F or 5 C and lows of 28 F or -2 C in January.
• Kyoto gets its fair share of rainfall, especially in the summer rainy season. Average annual rainfall is around 60 inches or 1500 mm.
• Snowfall occurs in the winter, especially in January. Kyoto averages around 27 inches or 700 mm of snowfall per year.
• Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) have mild temperatures and smaller crowds, making them a popular time to visit Kyoto.
• Typhoons can occur in late summer and early fall (August to October), though they do not directly hit Kyoto very often.
• Kyoto’s mountains provide some protection from violent weather. Hurricane-force winds are rare.
Here are the major airports near Kyoto:
Kyoto Osaka International Airport (OSK) (about 30 min from Kyoto city center) train: 30–45 min, around 115 km (72 miles) round trip fare: 2,310 yen. Website: https://www.osaka-airport.co.jp/en/
Metro: https://www.osaka-airport.co.jp/en/access/train
Bus/Shuttle: Direct shuttle bus service from Kyoto Station bus terminal, 45–60 min fare: 1,030 yen. Website: https://www.osaka-airport.co.jp/en/access/bus
Taxi: Around 45-60 min, fare around 15,000-25,000 yen on average. Hail in street or go to taxi stand.
Kansai International Airport (KIX) (about 2.5-3 hours from Kyoto city center) train.
Direct trains via Kyoto Station and Osaka Station take 2.5-3 hours. Price: around 8,000-12,000 yen round trip. Website: https://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/access
Metro: No direct metro service
Shuttle or Airport Limousine Bus: from Kyoto Station to KIX 1,800 yen, 2.5 hours. Website: https://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/access
Taxi: Around 3 hours. Fare range average: 35,000-50,000 yen.
Here are the main types of transportation in Kyoto and some details on costs and links:
Here are the main types of transportation in Kyoto along with estimated costs and hyperlinks with additional information:
Public Buses: Kyoto has an extensive bus network that covers the whole city. Bus fares range from 200 to 1000 yen depending on the distance. Website: https://www2.city.kyoto.lg.jp/kotsu/webguide/en/index.html
Subway: Kyoto has two subway lines (Hida and Karasuma lines) that operate from 5:30 am to midnight. Single ride fares are 300 yen. Website: https://www2.city.kyoto.lg.jp/kotsu/webguide/en/tika/howtoride_tika.html
Trains: There are also private railway lines in and around Kyoto including JR lines. Fares start around 200 yen for short distances. Website: https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/kyoto-train-station
Bicycles: Kyoto is a very bike-friendly city with many bicycle lanes and rental shops across the city center and attractions. Bike rentals start around 1000 yen per day. Website: https://biketourjapan.com/bike-rental-kyoto/
Taxi: Taxis are metered and start around 770 yen upon entry and 100 yen every 150 meters traveled. Shared cabs and limousine taxis are also available. Hail in the street.
Walking: Kyoto is a very walkable city, especially around major sightseeing areas such as Heian Shrine, Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Nijo Castle. Most attractions are within walking distance of bus and subway stations.
**Mt. Hiei:** Known for Enryu-ji Temple and stunning mountain scenery. Address: 4260 Togudo, Kyoto Prefecture Phone: 077-572-0001. https://www.hieizan.or.jp/
**Ohara:** Rustic mountain village with thatched-roof farmhouses and Shinto shrines. 2 hours: Moderate Address: Ohara, Mashimo, Uji.
**Arashiyama:** Home to stunning bamboo forests, monkey park, and mountain trails. Address: Arashiyama, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto.
**Uji:** Tea town known for green tea fields, temples, shrines and Ujigami Shrine. 1 hour from Kyoto. Address: Gobondō, Uji-shi, Kyoto Prefecture. Phone: 075-322-6358 Website: https://www.uji.jp/
**Naoshima:** Art island with modern art museums and natural scenery. Approximately 2 hours from Kyoto. Address: Naoshima, Kagawa Prefecture
**Iritaka Gorge:** Photographer‘s paradise with stunning autumn foliage views. Approximately 1 hour from Kyoto. Price: Free. Address: Kamigamo, Kamo, Kyoto.
