Kyoto Guide, map and photos. boo.com members recommend hotels, restaurants and attractions in Kyoto

Wonderful city - best spot in Japan even if I still haven`t been in Tokyo - anyway I`m sure that there you can find all culture and amusement you could need. It`s possible to walk a lot because there are lots green or residential areas where there`s a few traffic or nothing at all. Also amazing...more Wonderful city - best spot in Japan even if I still haven`t been in Tokyo - anyway I`m sure that there you can find all culture and amusement you could need. It`s possible to walk a lot because there are lots green or residential areas where there`s a few traffic or nothing at all. Also amazing shrines and in spring cherry blossoms get everything look better. close

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by matto6943 – posted on Apr 9, 2008

5

Castles, pagodas, temples, geishas, shrines and even gravesites, to shopping, whether markets or department stores, all conveniently accessed by 4 bus routes that encircle the city. If thats your cup of oolong tea, then Kyoto is a must go!. Best cultural experience i got out of from 5 cities i...more Castles, pagodas, temples, geishas, shrines and even gravesites, to shopping, whether markets or department stores, all conveniently accessed by 4 bus routes that encircle the city. If thats your cup of oolong tea, then Kyoto is a must go!. Best cultural experience i got out of from 5 cities i visited in japan.close

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by yd – posted on Feb 17, 2008

2

Kyoto is laid out in such a way that you can NOT \"do\" it in one day. You will only see 2-3 things per day and that\'s complicated by the geography. Often, the things on your \"to see\" list are in separate parts of the city--with poor subway service. Kyoto\'s bus...more Kyoto is laid out in such a way that you can NOT \"do\" it in one day. You will only see 2-3 things per day and that\'s complicated by the geography. Often, the things on your \"to see\" list are in separate parts of the city--with poor subway service. Kyoto\'s bus service is better, but I prefer to take the subway in Japan, since it\'s easier to use as a rule. You should plan to arrive at your first destination BEFORE it officially opens. Yes, that\'s how early you should be. It\'s also not a good idea to get into the city late at night (past 6 or 7) if you plan to eat dinner out. Most places do their last orders at 8:30 and you will need to get to your hostel, settle in, and THEN figure out where you want to eat and get there. You will burn up a lot of money and patience trying to bop around the city on the subway if you are not decisive and don\'t check restaurant schedules (opening hours AND days). This is not a city where you can easily get to your second or third choice. It presents something of a challenge, since most of the sights you\'d want to see in Kyoto close around 4:30-- so you really can\'t afford to spend a lot of time on lunch--even though dinner in any city might be impossibly un-budget-friendly. If you are new to Japan, the rules are different. In that case, you can enjoy Japan\'s famous konbini (convenience store) food--including traditional items like onigiri and oden. However, if you eat these things normally when you don\'t feel like cooking, you can\'t happily fall back on konbinis when you are in the area and want a quick but regional bite. In the end, I actually enjoyed my stays in Himeji and Nara more because they were just less stressful and more do-able than Kyoto. Again, you might read \"you\'ll need xx number of days to see Kyoto\" Don\'t think that it\'s optional. It\'s better to not go to Kyoto at all than waste money and grow to hate the city because you didn\'t have enough time to see anything. close

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by jwelty504 – posted on Nov 16, 2007

2

Right in the middle of Gion and the Geisha district. Must be at least 100 years old. :) Modern bathrooms, clean common area, rooms are a little musty (from the age of the building). Still,, we had our own private garden (in the room off the kitchen) and the staff were fabulous. They helped...more Right in the middle of Gion and the Geisha district. Must be at least 100 years old. :) Modern bathrooms, clean common area, rooms are a little musty (from the age of the building). Still,, we had our own private garden (in the room off the kitchen) and the staff were fabulous. They helped us with directions, translations, and even made phone calls for us. Ask for Nao! lolclose

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by elkhad3730 – posted on Oct 31, 2007

2

Kyoto was pretty nice. The city has a lot to see but many of the sites lack ambience because they are overouristed. You can see a lot of temples in Japan in better settings then these simply because you won't find such crowds. Nevertheless Kiyomizu is not to be missed and Ryoanji zen...more Kyoto was pretty nice. The city has a lot to see but many of the sites lack ambience because they are overouristed. You can see a lot of temples in Japan in better settings then these simply because you won't find such crowds. Nevertheless Kiyomizu is not to be missed and Ryoanji zen garden must be seen.close

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by jerhild – posted on Apr 11, 2007

9

If you love Japanese culture and temples, Kyoto is the best place to go. There's at least one if not more temples and shrines in every neighborhood. Many have hundreds of years of history. Shopping is great too. Whether you are looking for the lastest trend or traditional crafts and styles,...more If you love Japanese culture and temples, Kyoto is the best place to go. There's at least one if not more temples and shrines in every neighborhood. Many have hundreds of years of history. Shopping is great too. Whether you are looking for the lastest trend or traditional crafts and styles, you can find them all in reasonable prices. The transportation can be a bit expensive tho, but the day pass can do the trick.close

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by waspy – posted on Mar 27, 2007

2

Kyoto is the place to go if you want to visit shrines and temples. Do try to avoid the peak periods as the Japanese tourists do visit them as well. If nature is your thing, you can visit the park around the Imperial Palace or the Maruyama park or if you wish, go further afield to the Arishiyama...more Kyoto is the place to go if you want to visit shrines and temples. Do try to avoid the peak periods as the Japanese tourists do visit them as well. If nature is your thing, you can visit the park around the Imperial Palace or the Maruyama park or if you wish, go further afield to the Arishiyama area to wander.close

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by miao-the-cat5551 – posted on Mar 26, 2007

4

Kyoto is a great city for walking; the small back streets are lovely. Great restaurants and of course a million temples and shrines to see anywhere in the city. Public transportation is annoying; the trains don't go to the most popular tourist spots, and buses are invariably crowded....more Kyoto is a great city for walking; the small back streets are lovely. Great restaurants and of course a million temples and shrines to see anywhere in the city. Public transportation is annoying; the trains don't go to the most popular tourist spots, and buses are invariably crowded. Every rail line is run by a different company so you can't get a single ticket that covers all the trains in the area. But even with all that, we had a great week in Kyoto and plan to go back again.close

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by chrissam42 – posted on Mar 24, 2007

5

Kyoto is a great city for sightseeing! There are so many beautiful temples. I'd also definitely recommend going to one of the flea markets that happen on the 21st and 25th of the month. We went to the one at Toji on the 21st, and it was a great place for finding old kimonos and antiques, as...more Kyoto is a great city for sightseeing! There are so many beautiful temples. I'd also definitely recommend going to one of the flea markets that happen on the 21st and 25th of the month. We went to the one at Toji on the 21st, and it was a great place for finding old kimonos and antiques, as well as sampling local food. Try getting there early (about 8:30), because it's packed with crowds by 10. This was my third visit to Kyoto, and I think Fall is one of the most beautiful seasons to visit. Walking along the Path of Philosophy from Gingkakuji to Nanzenji was wonderful in November when the leaves were all changing. Also, if you go to the shrine at Fushimi-Inari, plan on spending about 2-3 hours, because it's a long hike to the top of the mountain (and wear comfy shoes!). Have a great trip!close

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by Cscro – posted on Mar 20, 2007

5

Hanakiya gave me the feeling of living in the real japanese home style. eimi-san and her family are very kind to us. I will defenitly come back to this place next time I have a chance to stay in kyoto. The location is nearly perfect as what I want to see at the first place was kiyomizudera temple...more Hanakiya gave me the feeling of living in the real japanese home style. eimi-san and her family are very kind to us. I will defenitly come back to this place next time I have a chance to stay in kyoto. The location is nearly perfect as what I want to see at the first place was kiyomizudera temple and other shrines nearby, maruyama park, also gion. The streets on nearby complex had little lights on at night giving a beautiful night scenery. The only minus of this place are walking climb up from nearest bus stop and lack of safe lock for those who needs secure locker (but I didn't need it)close

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by Rahmat5937 – posted on Mar 17, 2007

4