Ancient temples, bamboo forests, and the heart of traditional Japan
Kyoto was Japan's capital for over 1,000 years and it shows in every direction — 2,000+ temples and shrines, 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and geisha districts where wooden machiya townhouses line streets that look unchanged since the Edo period. Fushimi Inari's 10,000 vermillion torii gates winding up a mountain is one of the most photographed sights in Asia. The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove creates an otherworldly green tunnel. And the food is refined in a way that's unique even within Japan — kaiseki multi-course dining, matcha everything, and street food along Nishiki Market. Kyoto rewards slow travel.
Downtown Kyoto (near Kawaramachi and Gion) gives the best access to restaurants, nightlife, and the geisha district. Hotels run $80-150/night. Higashiyama is the most atmospheric area — traditional ryokans from $100-300/night for the full Japanese experience. For budget stays, hostels near Kyoto Station are convenient and well-connected at $25-40/night. A traditional ryokan stay (even for one night) is highly recommended.
Fly into Kansai International Airport (KIX) near Osaka — a 75-minute limited express train to Kyoto Station. No direct US flights to KIX; connect through Tokyo Narita/Haneda, Seoul, or Taipei. Many travelers fly into Tokyo and take the Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto (2hr 15min). Cherry blossom season (late March-mid April) is magical but book 2-3 months ahead. Autumn colors (November) are equally spectacular.
Plans change — and that's okay. SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance covers trip interruptions, medical emergencies, and lost luggage with flexible monthly billing. No lock-in, cancel anytime.
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