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
3 Feb
Geisha apprentices, called “maikos,” have gathered at Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto to take part in a traditional bean-throwing ritual.
(NHK)
(NHK)
17 Jan
Japan’s most beloved flowers are often associated with April, but they’ll be at their most beautiful in Tokyo before that, says forecast. (soranews24.com)
14 Dec
Traditional female entertainers in Kyoto have started offering early New Year greetings.
(NHK)
(NHK)
11 Dec
Japan may have assimilated so many western cultural influences, yet it still remains exotic and enigmatic.
(newsonjapan.com)
(newsonjapan.com)
10 Nov
Kyoto on Saturday will unveil a trial system that monitors, predicts and manages the flow of visitors to high-demand tourist spots, with the popular fall foliage viewing area in Arashiyama as the system’s initial focus. (Japan Times)
9 Nov
Kyoto, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan, is aiming to attract travelers to lesser-known spots to ease “overtourism” that has increased complaints among visitors and local people. (Japan Today)
9 Nov
Kyoto, Japan. Think food. Lots of food! That’s dining out in the city and Gion is the place to be at night. Tempura, Tofu, Ramen, Wagyu Steaks, Sushi, Sashimi, Sukiyaki, Grilled Fish … it’s endless! (ONLY in JAPAN)
2 Nov
Kyoto’s Minamiza Theater, famed for Kabuki, reopened Thursday after around two years and nine months during which it was reinforced against earthquakes. (Kyodo)
23 Oct
About 2,000 people have taken part in a parade in the ancient Japanese capital of Kyoto in one of the city’s major festivals.
(NHK)
(NHK)
8 Oct
More tourists in Kyoto and Tokyo are sightseeing early in the morning, although many venues are not yet ready to handle the new trend.
(Japan Times)
(Japan Times)
5 Oct
Kyoto has topped a ranking of major Japanese cities as measured by criteria such as livability and economy, according to a survey by a think tank affiliated with major real estate developer Mori Building Co.
(Japan Times)
(Japan Times)
29 Sep
Beginning Monday, visitors to Kyoto will be hit with an increase to their lodging bills as the city’s accommodation tax goes into effect at over 3,200 hotels, traditional inns, and private lodgings. (Japan Times)
21 Sep
It may be a spring chicken compared to its film festival siblings in Tokyo, Yamagata and elsewhere, but the Kyoto International Film and Art Festival has reached an important milestone: its fifth anniversary. (Japan Times)
18 Sep
At 6 p.m. on one weekday in August an enthusiastic audience had almost filled Gion Corner, a theater of some 200 seats at the center of the Gion traditional entertainment district in the city of Kyoto. (Japan Times)
15 Sep
Police in Kyoto referred to prosecutors Friday four officials of a hotel management firm for allegedly running an unlicensed private accommodation service, making it the first case of its kind since a private lodging law came into force in June. (Japan Times)
12 Sep
Sharp Corp’s RoBoHon, a small humanoid robot with artificial intelligence features, will accompany tourists in taxis in Kyoto and offer sightseeing guidance in Japanese, Chinese and English from Sept 22, the service providers said Tuesday. (Japan Today)
4 Sep
Many train services in western Japan will be cancelled on Tuesday due to Typhoon Jebi.
(NHK)
(NHK)
8 Aug
Kyoto is Japan’s cultural capitol and home to over 2000 temples & shrines to visit, but it’s hard to know which ones to see when you only have a few days. This time, Kansai resident Kevin Riley and I debate two of the most visited zen Buddhist temples: Kinkakuji vs Ginkakuji (ONLY in JAPAN)
4 Aug
Strong sunshine pushed up temperatures across most of Japan on Friday.
(NHK)
(NHK)
23 Jul
Sweltering heat continues to shroud most of Japan. Temperatures reached nearly 40 degrees Celsius in some places on Sunday.
(NHK)
(NHK)
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)