Kyōto (京都) was the capital of Japan for over a millennium, and carries a reputation as its most beautiful city. However, visitors may be surprised by how much work they will have to do to see Kyoto’s beautiful side. Most first impressions of the city will be of the urban sprawl of central Kyoto, around the ultra-modern glass-and-steel train station, which is itself an example of a city steeped in tradition colliding with the modern world.
Nonetheless, the persistent visitor will soon discover Kyoto’s hidden beauty in the temples and parks which ring the city center, and find that the city has much more to offer than immediately meets the eye.
…WikiTravel
Setsubun (February 3 or 4) A large bonfire and Shinto ceremony is held at Yoshida Shrine.
Hanatoro (March 14-23 in Higashiyama and December 14-23 in Arashiyama) Streets and temples are decorated with lanterns and flowers, and many places have extended viewing hours into the night.
Cherry Blossom Season (April 1-15; days vary depending upon the weather) Although viewing the blossoms is enough for many, special events are often held throughout the city.
Aoi Matsuri (May 15) Beginning at Kyoto Imperial palace, a large procession dressed in Heian Period garbs walks to Shimogamo Shrine and finishes at Kamigamo Shrine.
Gion Matsuri (July 17) Many Mikoshi are paraded through the streets. It is considered to be one of the top three festivals in Japan.
Daimonji Gozan Okuribi (August 16) The hillside in Northwestern Kyoto is lit aflame in this festival honoring one’s ancestors. Candle lanterns are floated out in Hirosawa Pond.
Jidai Matsuri (October 22) People dressed in traditional garbs parade to Heian Shrine.…WikiTravel
18 Jul
In Japan’s ancient capital Kyoto, spectators braved sweltering heat to watch a series of colorfully decorated floats at the annual Gion festival on Tuesday.
(NHK)
(NHK)
6 Jul
The city of Kyoto once again saw record levels of tourists in 2017, with 15.57 million foreign and Japanese visitors spending at least one night in the former capital, city officials said Wednesday. (Japan Times)
1 Jul
A millennium-old temple in Kyoto is offering travelers an exclusive overnight experience for a cool 1 million yen (,100), hoping to shore up its dwindling income by capitalizing on the city’s booming tourism trade. (Nikkei)
20 Jun
Monday morning’s deadly earthquake in Osaka has affected tourism in the region, with travelers at home and overseas canceling bookings in the affected areas. (Japan Times)
15 Jun
A day before a new law on minpaku (private lodging services) takes effect, Airbnb Inc. on Thursday welcomed the change and reinforced its commitment to the Japanese market with fresh initiatives. (Japan Times)
7 Jun
Just over a week before a new law for minpaku (private lodging services) goes into effect, the popular rental website Airbnb has dropped nearly 80 percent of its listings for the services over the past three months. (Japan Times)
5 Jun
Central Japan Railway Co. showed a new shinkansen bullet train model to the media during a test run on Tuesday. (Japan Times)
18 May
Kyoto City officials have discovered about 100 bamboo plants in the city’s Arashiyama district vandalized. (NHK)
16 May
One of the 3 main annual festivals in Kyoto, the Aoi Matsuri, was held on Tuesday. (NHK)
10 May
Tourists are shocked to see usually ravenous deer turn down their favourite treats. (soranews24.com)
6 May
With the population shrinking and the government leery of allowing more immigrants into the country, foreign tourism has become an effective economic stimulus. (Japan Times)
30 Apr
The likes of Tokyo and Kyoto may still be top of many visitors’ itineraries, but Japan’s tourism industry is changing as more and more people head west in search of new experiences. (Nikkei)
24 Mar
In 2017, Japan attracted a record number of foreign tourists – 28.69 million people which is 19.3% more than in the previous year. Being one of the most beautiful countries in the world, Japan is often listed on people’s must-go-to places. (newsonjapan.com)
23 Mar
Railway fans have flocked to Kyoto for a debut of new train cars that will take tourists to the ancient Enryaku-ji Temple in Mount Hiei. (NHK)
16 Mar
A survey of 36 major Kyoto city hotels showed that foreigners accounted for 40.5 percent of their total guests in 2017, the highest figure recorded since the survey began in 2014. (Japan Times)
8 Mar
A train operator in Kyoto on Wednesday unveiled a new train carriage featuring a huge gold oval design on the front. (Kyodo)
26 Feb
As residents and tourists in Kyoto complain more about higher prices, hotel shortages and crowds at train stations, shrines and temples, Kansai’s corporate leaders are searching for ways to keep visitors coming. (Japan Times)
24 Feb
As more foreign travelers visit the historic Japanese capital of Kyoto crowded and delayed city buses have become a headache for local citizens, prompting traffic authorities to take steps to ensure smoother passenger services and encourage the use of subway lines. (Japan Times)
22 Feb
An increasing number of couples from overseas are having wedding ceremonies in Kyoto, western Japan, attracted by the ancient capital’s reputation as symbolizing traditional Japanese culture. (Jiji)
1 Feb
A group of geisha and their apprentices in Japan’s ancient city of Kyoto have copied Buddhist scriptures to learn more about traditional culture. (NHK)
30 Jan
Japan is quickly becoming one of the hottest destinations to visit these days. Maybe you’re looking into flights to Japan and wondered where the best place to stay is? Forget Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto and journey to the heart of the Japanese countryside where fantasy-like scenery and legendary Japanese cuisine is prepared. Slumber in tatami rooms with views of the rivers, mountains, lakes and forests! Open air baths with waterfalls in snow! This could be you, too! (ONLY in JAPAN)
15 Jan
About 2,000 women who are or will turn 20 years old as of April 1 took part in an annual New Year archery event for new adults at Sanjusangendo, a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, on Sunday. (Japan Today)
23 Dec
Preservation and repair work for 1,001 statues of thousand-armed Kannon Bodhisattva at the Sanjusangendo Buddhist hall in Kyoto, western Japan, has been completed. (Jiji)
29 Nov
The latest edition of the Michelin guide for Tokyo is due out on Friday with 82 new restaurants, including five new two-star establishments and 23 entities garnering single stars, Michelin said on Tuesday. (Japan Times)
19 Nov
The Phoenix Hall of Byodoin temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, glows at night during a trial illumination on Friday. (the-japan-news.com)