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Kiruna Municipality

Kiruna (Sami: Giron) in Norrbotten County is Sweden's northernmost municipality, Kiruna kommun, with 23,000 inhabitants. The administrative centre and only urban settlement is Kiruna.

Kiruna is known as "the world's largest city", covering a large wilderness area, approximately the size of Slovenia, stretching as far as 130 km north of the city. While most inhabitants live in Kiruna itself, the outskirts of the municipality contain many of Sweden's greatest natural wonders, as well as the Jukkasjärvi Ice Hotel.

Understand
The Kiruna Municipality has been the home of the Sami people since time immemorial; while nominally part of Sweden since the 17th century, Swedish people were few, until 1900, when the city of Kiruna was founded on the iron mine.

The railway between Luleå and Narvik was completed two years later, and in 1915 it became one of the longest electrified railways in the world.

The mine has become the largest underground mine in the world, and the municipality contains a space centre, the Ice Hotel and several wildlife resorts.

At N67°49 '48'' latitude, Kiruna is located about 145 km north of the Arctic Circle, making it possible to experience the midnight sun and polar night there; the sun shines 24 hours a day from roughly the last week of May until the middle of July. From the first week of December until the second week of January, the sun never rises above Kiruna's horizon.

By plane
Kiruna Airport has direct flights from Stockholm-Arlanda airport (SAS and Norwegian) and Umeå (SAS). It is a few kilometers east of Kiruna, and unfortunately the connections are kind of bad during off-season, when the airport bus is only going at weekdays and not very often.

In the evening or on weekends a taxi (should be pre-ordered, otherwise very long waiting time) or pre-ordered coach is pretty much the only way to get anywhere (besides hitchhiking), but that can be very expensive. In high season, airport coaches are frequent.

Another option is to walk 1.2 km from the airport (there is only one road) until you reach the E10 highway, and take bus 501 from the stop located near the crossing. It runs many times during weekdays, a few times in the weekends. Hitchhiking is also easier from that spot than from the airport.

The outskirts of the municipality are near other airports. From Karesuando, the nearest airports are those of Enontekiö and Kittilä, Finland. From Riksgränsen, the nearest airport is Harstad airport, Norway.

By train
SJ operates two daily night trains, from Gothenburg and Stockholm, continuing north along the eastern parts of Sweden, passing cities like Uppsala, Gävle and Boden, where sometimes a change of trains is required to get to Kiruna (otherwise you'll end up in Luleå). The travel time from Stockholm is about 17 hours. Some trains continue to Narvik.

Two types of sleeping cars are available, liggvagn with six seats/beds in each compartment and the slightly more expensive sovvagn with 2–3 (softer) beds. Cheapskates might try out sittvagn, but 17 hours in a seat is not a pleasant experience. An onboard restaurant serves dinner and breakfast, it also doubles as a bar during the evening. However prices are high. Bringing your own food is allowed, but consuming alcohol is not (although the enforcement is quite lax).

Due to the relocation of Kiruna, the city has a temporary rail station in the north-western part of the city. Shuttle buses are available to and from the bus station, with times advertised at the bus station, on the train station, and on the municipal website. The bus station, however, is located very close to the town centre.

By bus
Long distance buses serve towns and cities in Norrbotten County, such as Luleå, Gällivare, Jokkmokk, Haparanda, etc. (Länstrafiken Norrbotten).

By car
Kiruna is on the E10, which is considered to be one of Sweden's most scenic roads.

It is by all means possible to rent a car and drive to Kiruna, but keep in mind that it is very far away from all other major cities, the roads are quite narrow and a little bit too often not in a good shape. Due to weather conditions and the frequency of wildlife such as hares, reindeer and moose on the road, the trip can be a bit more interesting than bargained for.

The hazards of driving a car in the north during the winter should not be underestimated. A breakdown in the middle of nowhere can be life-threatening due to the cold. The cellphone coverage can be quite sparse so warm blankets, extra clothes etc. for emergencies should always be stored in the car during winter. Use major roads where it is more easy to get help.

The road distances from Kiruna are: Gällivare (closest city) 115 km, Narvik 178 km, Luleå 344 km, Umeå 600 km, Stockholm 1240 km.

Get around
Kiruna and the other settlements are walkable; be sure to dress for the season.

Between these places, public transportation is very limited. In summer, driving is a practical way to get around. In the cold and dark winters, prefer to stay in one place, or to travel with a tourist group.

There are many hiking trails.

See
Kiruna Municipality has many of Sweden's most spectacular sceneries. Many of them are visible from the E10 and the railway.

The Northern Lights are regularly visible in Kiruna during winter. A small walk into the nearest forest, so as to get rid of the city lights, notably improves the visibility.

Jukkasjärvi

 * Esrange Space Center, 20 km from the village centre, 45 km from Kiruna
 * Esrange Space Center, 20 km from the village centre, 45 km from Kiruna
 * Esrange Space Center, 20 km from the village centre, 45 km from Kiruna
 * Esrange Space Center, 20 km from the village centre, 45 km from Kiruna

Elsewhere

 * - One of the more remote points on the world heritage listed Struve Geodetic Arc. From Karesuando, travel south along highway 99 following the border for about 30 km. At the southeastern end of lake Paittasjärvi (there's a hamlet by the same name at its western shore) a narrow unmarked unpaved road goes to the north along the eastern shore of the lake – it might be possible to drive along it. After about 3-4 km turn there's a junction where you should turn right, some 1.5 km later there's a smaller path to the right leading to Pajtasvaara hill (445 m ASL), also known as Tynnyrilaki. Tynnyrilaki means "barrel top" in Finnish and the name comes from the fact that Struve's team raised a rod at the measuring points with a barrel at the end, and this setup was visible from the next measuring points.

Do
Kiruna Municipality is great for outdoor life, including hiking and winter sport. Many companies offer the same or very similar packages, here a list of popular and common activities can be found, sorted by season. There is also some other activities available. Pollution of the wilderness (and the city) is not liked: it's illegal in Sweden to litter. Be sure to not leave trash behind you in the fells, etc. It also keeps the environment in its best condition.

Indoor activities such as bowling and pool swimming are available in Kiruna.

All year

 * The nearby space-facility Esrange offers guided tours.
 * Take a tour to the mine - Infomine
 * Wilderness Safaris

Winter

 * Northern Lights tours. Alternatively to the paid tours, a short walk into the forest away from the city is enough to observe auroras without light pollution.
 * Snow mobile excursions
 * Dog sled tour
 * Cross country skiing
 * Downhill skiing at Luossabacken, the city's old abandoned mine. The slope is 30 minutes walking from the center, and local buses drop you 5 minutes away from it. Skiing is mostly free except for one of the lifts, and the ski equipment rental costs 200 kr per day.
 * Ice-fishing

Summer

 * Hiking
 * Abisko on the Malmbanan railway is in Abisko National Park, and is the trailhead to the Kungsleden trail and a stop on the Nordkalottleden trail
 * Kebnekaise is the highest mountain in Sweden, 72 km west of Kiruna centre. It can be reached from Kebnekaise fjällstation, close to Nikkaluotka, some 65 km from Kiruna, and to the Kungsleden trail
 * River rafting
 * Kayaking
 * Fishing
 * Orienteering
 * Golf
 * Hunting
 * Gold digging
 * Waterpark

Special events
There are certain dates when special things happen in Kiruna:
 * Arctic Light Film Festival (commonly: Filmfestivalen)
 * the winter market
 * the Kiruna festival (Kirunafestivalen)
 * the summer market in Jukkasjärvi
 * the autumn market
 * FjällRäven Classic: A 110-km hiking tour in the first and second week of August
 * FjällRäven Classic: A 110-km hiking tour in the first and second week of August

Eat and drink
Don't miss any of the local specialities consisting of various forms of reindeer meat that can be found in almost any diner; there is everything from simple reindeer kebab, and sandwiches with reindeer meat to luxurious reindeer dishes at the fanciest restaurants. Also salmon, moose, other fish and animals "from the wild" can be seen as specialities.

Kiruna has a few fine dining venues, as well as a range of restaurants and bars typical to a Swedish town. Outside Kiruna, dining and nightlife are limited to the resort villages.

Due to long distances and lack of competition, fresh groceries tend to be more costly than in southern Sweden.

Sleep
Kiruna offers many opportunities for a good night's sleep despite its small size. Lodging in the resort villages range from basic hostels to the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi.

There are many opportunities for wilderness camping, by the right to access; it is however very challenging at winter. There are cabins along the hiking trails, with at least emergency rooms open off season.

Buy
Most retailers are in Kiruna. The villages and resorts have some basic shopping.

Go next
The railway to the port town of Narvik in Norway offers excellent views year-round.

Gällivare is the neighbouring municipality.

title: Kiruna Municipality


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Kiryu

Kiryū (桐生市) is a city in Gunma Prefecture in the Kanto region of Japan. Kiryū is the jumping-off point for trips to Mt. Akagi and to the Watarase River valley.

Understand
Kiryū lies about 90 km northwest of Tokyo (as the crow flies), and just across the Tochigi prefectural boundary from Ashikaga. During the Edo Era, Kiryū was known for its fine silks, an eastern match for Kyoto in western Japan. The lord of Kiryū supplied over 2,400 silk banners for the troops of Tokugawa Ieyasu in the battle of Sekigahara in 1600, and thereafter continued to pay the same tribute to the victorious Tokugawa Shogunate every year. It later became an important center for textile manufacturing during Japan's industrial revolution, and now is a manufacturing center for automotive parts and pachinko machines.

Kiryū's international sister cities are also textile and manufacturing towns: Biella, Piemonte, Italy, and Columbus, Georgia, USA. Kiryū's Columbus Street features pink and white dogwood trees and azalea bushes reminiscent of its sister city Columbus, Georgia.

The Kiryū School of Textiles, founded in 1915, has grown into Gunma University's School of Science and Technology, one of the largest in the country. Its website contains much useful information in English about the city and its history, and its many international engineering students lend Kiryū a more cosmopolitan flavor than many cities its size.

In 2005, Kiryū doubled its size by incorporating a largely rural region across the upper Watarase River valley. But the most scenic gorges and valleys of the upper Watarase fall within the bounds of Midori, a separate jurisdiction, while the headwaters and the infamous Ashio copper mine fall within the bounds of Nikko city.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.

By train
Kiryū lies about halfway between Oyama and Takasaki on the JR Ryōmō line, about 1 hour by local train from either end. About 30 trains per day pass through in each direction, and the fare runs about ¥1,000 each way.

The Tōbu Isesaki line limited express train, which requires seat reservations, stops at Tōbu Shin-Kiryu station on its run between Asakusa and Akagi. It leaves Asakusa at 40 min past the hour, costs about ¥2,400, and takes about 90 min in either direction. The short local Tōbu Kiryu line stops at Shin-Kiryū on its run between Ota City and Akagi.

The Watarase Keikoku (Valley) railway starts at JR Kiryū station and intersects the Tōbu Kiryū line at Aioi before heading up through the scenic mountains and gorges to the headwaters of the Watarase River valley. There are 18 trains a day each way between Kiryū station and Ōmama in Midori City, but only 11 that cover the full distance to Ashio and Matō, which are now administered by Nikkō. The first train leaves Kiryū at 06:36 and the last train leaves Matō at 19:46. The full-distance fare is about ¥1,110 each way. For travellers already in Maebashi, the tiny Jōmō Dentetsu line runs between Chūō Maebashi and Nishi Kiryū station.

By highway bus
The Nihon Chuo Bus  runs directly between Haneda airport and Kiryū twice each way daily for ¥3,400 (child ¥1,700) one way. The trip takes between 2 and 3 hours, depending on Tokyo traffic.

The same company runs overnight Sendai Liner which leaves JR Kiryū station South Exit nightly at 23:30PM, arriving at Sendai station at 18:00. It leaves Sendai station nightly at 23:00, arriving in Kiryū at 05:25. Adult fare one-way ¥5,900 (child ¥2,950); round-trip ¥10,030 (child ¥5,020).

Orihime Bus
This is the public city bus system. See this link for detailed information about the various bus routes, schedules and fares.

Mayu
This is an electric free-of-charge sightseeing bus service in Kiryu. There are two routes: the Amusement Park - Yurinkan Route, and the Silk Heritage Route.

Rental bicycles
Bicycles are available for rent at the Yui Office in JR Kiryu Station. See the Cycling section below for suggested routes.

Taxis
Taxis available for hire have red signs lit on the dashboard. A green lights indicate the taxi has a passenger and will not stop. The left side rear doors open automatically. When entering a taxi, please stand free of the door. Stations have taxi stands; passengers can also call a taxi by telephone. It is not necessary to tip taxi drivers, however, there is a surcharge for service between 22:00 and 05:00

City taxi companies

 * Kiryu Asahi Taxi +81 277-54-2420
 * Kiryu Godo Taxi +81 277-46-3939
 * Numataya Taxi +81 277-44-5242

Daiko service (taxi with two drivers)
Since the laws regarding drinking and driving in Japan are extremely strict, using "daiko service" has become very popular. Under this system, a driver is provided to drive the customer's car, and the daiko taxi accompanies the customer to her/his destination where the customer's car is parked. The driver then returns with the daiko taxi.

See
Because Kiryū was largely unscathed by World War II bombing, it contains one of the highest concentrations of prewar urban architecture in Japan: wooden-sided warehouses, sawtooth-roofed textile mills, merchant storehouses, and Meiji-era adaptations of Western buildings. The old urban core of the city is easily walkable.

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Do

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 * 桐生が岡遊園地, Kiryugaoka Amusement Park - panoramio.jpg
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Public swimming pools

 * Kiryu Swimming Pool (市民プール) at Kiryu Sports Park (3-300 Aioicho), phone:+81 277-53-8830, in front of Kiryu Kyujomae Station of Jomo Dentetsu Line. Operating period: Jul–Aug, 10:00-17:00, Entrance: Adults: ¥380, High school: ¥140, Jr HS and below: ¥70.
 * Rooftop Swimming Pool (屋上運動公園プール) at Sakaino Water Treatment Facility (Sakainocho), phone:+81 277-44-6184, about 10 minutes' drive from JR Kiryu Station. Operating period: Jul-Au. 09:30-16:00, admission free. This pool is for the use of preschoolers and elementary school age.
 * Caribbean Beach (カリビアンビーチ, indoor swimming pool), (461 no, Niisatocho) phone:+81 277-70-2121. One of the largest all-season indoor water parks in the Kanto region. Facilities include a wave pool, a current pool, water slides, jacuzzi and an olympic size swimming pool.

Ice skating

 * Kiryu Skate Center (桐生スケートセンター, Ice Skating) (7-3-50 Higashi), phone:+81 277-44-9317, 5 minutes' drive from JR Kiryu Station. The Kiryu Skate Center is the only indoor ice skating rink in the Tomo area. Figure skates and ice hockey skates are available for rent. The center also sponsors ice skating workshops. Admission (all day): ¥990 (high school students and over), ¥480 (jr. high school students and below). Skate Rental (all day): ¥380 (high school students and over) ¥170 (jr. high school students and below). Closed on Tu W, unless these days fall on a holiday and winter and spring break at Elementary and Jr. High School in which case the rink will be open for holiday skating. Also, closed Dec 31 & Jan 1.

Bowling

 * Kiryu Star Lanes (桐生スターレーン) (2-1821-36 Tomoecho), phone:+81 277-44-8155. 5-minute walk from the South Exit of JR Kiryu Sta.

Hiking trails
Composite hiking map:
 * Mt. Nemoto Hiking Trails - Long ago Mt. Nemoto was a popular site for pilgrimages to Nemoto Shrine. The Naka Ridge Course follows along the top of the mountain ridge, offering panoramic views of the forested valleys below. The surrounding forest is listed in the "Top 100 Forests in Japan." The hiking courses are for advanced level hikers. For a map and details, please see here.
 * Narukami / Azuma Mountain Trails - The trails lead up to Mt. Narukami and from there over to Mt. Azuma. The course is for intermediate - advanced level hikers. Along the way, the trail merges with the Shutoken Nature Trail and can eventually hike to the Kiryu Nature Sanctuary in Kawauchi. From the peak of Mt. Azuma there is a panoramic view of the Kanto Plain as it stretches south toward Tokyo. For a hiking map, see here.
 * Shutoken Nature Trail - This trail begins at Kiryu Station and leads through Azuma Park to the summit of Mt. Azuma. The course is suitable for intermediate or advanced level hikers. Hikers can choose to proceed north to Mt. Narukami or go west to the Nature Sanctuary where many species of birds, plants and insects can be observed.
 * Hishaykuyama Castle Ruins.jpgHishakuyama Castle Ruins Hiking Trails - The ruins of Kiryu Castle, constructed in 1350 AD, are located on the peak of this mountain. The trail leads up through the forest. Along the way, hundreds of cherry trees have been planted, making this trail a beautiful climb in springtime. The trail is suitable for beginner level hikers. For a map and further details, see here.
 * Hishi Kannonyama Hiking Trails - The trails here lead past Senryuin Temple and ovevr Kannon-yama and Shimobishi-yama, and then down to Fumonji Temple or Bunshoji Temple. The trails are neither too steep nor strenuous, making them an excellent choice for beginner level hikers. There is a panoramic view of Kiryu City from Gachin-yama. For a detailed hiking map, see here.
 * Hishi Isshiki Hiking Trails - From the entrance at Sakashimo-yama, past Kibune Shrine, the trail leads over Isshiki Raiden-yama to an Observation Deck. Along the way, hikers can see a field of dogtooth violets blooming in spring and a firefly zone popular in early summer. The course is approximately 2.5 km in length and is suitable for beginner level hikers. For a detailed trail map, see here.
 * Chausuyama Hiking Trails - From the peak of Chausu-yama, hikers have a 360 degree panoramic view of the city of Kiryu and south over the Kanto Plain to Tokyo. This course is suitable for beginner level hikers. Course is known for its plum trees in springtime. The trail is approximately 5 km in length. For a detailed trail map, see here.
 * Hikobe Manor / Kamo Shrine Hiking Trails - This hiking area is known for two historically important sites: Hikobe Manor and Kamo Shrine. The trails are ideal for beginner level hikers. Approximately 6 km in length. For a detailed trail map, see here.

Cycling
Kiryu is home to a bustling local cycling scene thanks to lots of local riders and amazing roads to ride. Along with this, Kiryu City offers free day rentals of bikes and e-bikes in multiple locations including Shin-Kiryu and Kiryu Stations. For multi-day trips Bike Tour Japan based in Kiryu offers guided and self-guided options from 1-8 days in length exploring Kiryu and the mountains beyond.

These are a few of the top routes to cycle in Kiryu

 * Kiryu to Ashikaga - 17km flat route connecting the two towns on a car free bike path along the Watarase River.
 * Kiryu to Lake Umeda - 27km and 220m of gain, gentile climbs and pretty forests and riverside views take you up to the Lake Umeda recreation area.

Camping

 * Hanamigahara Forest Park  (花見ヶ原森林公園) - Located at the foot of Mt. Akagi in the Kurohone district of Kiryu, the park is at an elevation of 1200 m. The park features campsites and barbecue facilities. There are many azaleas planted in the park, making springtime strolls through the park very pleasant. Hiking trails to Mt. Akagi start from this park. Phone (in Japanese only) +81 277-96-3131. Parking for 200 vehicles available.
 * Riheijaya Forest Park  (利平茶屋森林公園) - One of the trails for hiking to Mt. Akagi departs from this park. There are bungalows and campsites located along a stream running through the park. Barbecue facilities are also available. The park is in the Kurohone district of Kiryu. Phone (in Japanese only,) +81 277-96 2588. Parking for 80 vehicles available.

Eat
Kiryu is famous for its udon (thick noodles made with wheat flour). There are many forms of udon from extremely wide, flat noodles known as "himokawa noodles" to rather thin flat noodles vaguely reminiscent of fettuccine in shape. Udon is eaten hot or cold. There are many udon shops around the city of Kiryu, ranging in price from very cheap to gourmet-range. In addition to udon noodles, Kiryu is also the home of "sauce katsudon" - a fried pork cutlet seasoned with a secret sauce and served on a bed of hot rice. There are several restaurants serving this tasty dish, while Shitamiya is generally recognised as the originator. No trip to Kiryu would be complete without sampling udon and sauce katsudon.
 * Himokawa Udon Noodles
 * Sauce Katsudon
 * Yaki Manju (焼まんじゅう)Known all over Japan, these wheat cakes roasted over charcoal and basted with sweet soy sauce are delicious anytime of day. Gunma Prefecture is a wheat growing region, making wheat-based noodles and buns a homegrown favourite. Best eaten at fairs and festivals, yaki manju are also available at local gift and souvenir shops.
 * Yakisoba with Potatoes (ポテトやきそば)Yakisoba is eaten all over Japan, but Kiryu's hometown version is noodles fried with worcestershire sauce, with potatoes, dried seaweed and fried eggs. Delicious!
 * Kiryu-Hanapan.jpgHanapan (花ぱん)These soft, sweet cookie-like treats have a history of over 100 years in Kiryu. Each shop produces its own variation in terms of shape and size. Perfect accompaniment to tea! These treats are available at local confectionary stores and at gift and souvenir shops in Kiryu.
 * Ice Manju (アイスまんじゅう)For those fond of frozen treats, these red bean filled milk icicles are a delicious summer refreshment. Available in local convenience stores, supermarkets and some confectionary stores.
 * Bisuroll (ビスロール)These butter rolls are a hybrid croissant-biscuit cross. They are a perfect accompaniment to morning coffee or afternoon tea. Slightly sweet, they are delicious with jam. Available at local bakeries.
 * Bisuroll (ビスロール)These butter rolls are a hybrid croissant-biscuit cross. They are a perfect accompaniment to morning coffee or afternoon tea. Slightly sweet, they are delicious with jam. Available at local bakeries.

Go next

 * Midori
 * Maebashi
 * Numata
 * Fujimi
 * Isesaki
 * Ota
 * Ashikaga
 * Sano
 * Tatebayashi

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Kiryu


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Kirzhach

Kirzhach (Киржач) is a town in the north-western part of Vladimir Oblast. Kirzhach does not fall into the list of the basic attractions of the region. Still, the town has its own charm and deserves a short stroll if you pass by.

Geography
The town sits on the banks of the river Kirzhach, the left tributary of the Klyazma. Kirzhach is mainly surrounded by forests with few fields and hills. The town stands on the circular railway line that runs around Moscow (Big ring of Moscow railway). The respective circular road A108 is found 10 km to the west, while the radial road from Moscow passes through the town and heads east towards Kol'chugino and Yuryev-Polsky. The population of Kirzhach is 32,000 (2006).

History
Kirzhach is known since the 14th century. Several documents by the Moscow prince Ivan Kalita mention a village on the Kirzhach river and date the town back to around 1330. Yet a more definite identification refers to the foundation date of the Kirzhach monastery (later, a convent). The monastery was established by the spiritual leader Sergius of Radonezh at 1354–1358. Initially, the monastery was a skete (an isolated side settlement) of the Trinity lavra of St. Sergius in Sergiev Posad, while the settlement was considered as a village-at-the-monastery (not a town). The advantageous location on the Stromyn way (Стромынский тракт), the road between Moscow and the towns around Vladimir (Suzdal, Yuryev-Polsky), led to the rapid growth of the settlement. Since 1781, Kirzhach has been considered a town. The old Stromyn road gradually diminished, but the new connection, the circular railway line around Moscow, appeared as early as 1900. The presence of the railway caused the development of industry in Kirzhach. Originally, textile production prevailed, but in the 20th century other industry appeared (production of engineering tools, car lights, etc.) Still, most of the factories are located in the suburbs, and Kirzhach does not look like a heavy industrialized town.

Orientation
The Kirzhach river flows from north to south and divides the town into two parts. The historical center and the convent are located in the eastern part, close to the river. The western part of the town looks more like a village. Still, the church of St. Nicholas (one of the main sights of Kirzhach), the train station, and the bus station are located in the western part, away from the town center. The railway runs along the western boundary of Kirzhach. The road to Moscow leaves the town in the western direction, the road to Alexandrov goes north, the roads to Vladimir run towards the M7 highway, both south and east. Main streets in the historical center are parallel, улица Гагарина (ulitsa Gagarina) and Ленинградская улица (Leningradskaya ulitsa). The former street leads to the bridge over the river and is continued by Большая Московская улица (Bol'shaya Moskovskaya ulitsa), while the latter one heads east and turns into the road to Kol'chugino and Yuryev-Polsky. On the eastern bank, the town extends to the south, far beyond the historical center. These districts are mainly industrial and are of little interest for the traveller.

By train
The train station is on the western boundary of the town, in the very end of Большая Московская улица. The station is pretty small and serves local trains only. These trains typically run 6–8 times per day between Alexandrov (the Moscow – Yaroslavl railway) and Orehovo-Zuevo (the Moscow – Vladimir railway). Two more trains in the evening depart from Alexandrov and terminate at Kirzhach. Getting to Kirzhach by train is generally inconvenient.
 * From Moscow: take any local train from Kursky station towards Orehovo-Zuevo, then change to the train in the direction of Alexandrov. Alternatively, take a train to Alexandrov from Yaroslavsky station and change for a train to Kirzhach or Orehovo-Zuevo. In both cases, the trip will take 3–4 hours. Only in summer and only on weekends, two direct trains run from Moscow (Kursky station) to Kirzhach and further to the Bel'kovo station.
 * From Vladimir: local trains with a change in Orehovo-Zuevo; two connections available (in the afternoon and in the evening), 3 hours each.

By bus
The bus station is near the train station, in the end of Большая Московская улица. The station building is open 04:30-18:00. Information: +7-(49237)-21-303. The buses running between Moscow and Kol'chugino/Yuryev-Polsky do not make a detour to the bus station, but stop on the main road.
 * From Moscow: buses to Kirzhach (or to the further destinations, Kol'chugino and Yuryev-Polsky) depart every hour from the main bus terminal at Schelkovskaya metro station. Additionally, there are mini-buses that do not have a strict schedule and depart as soon as they are filled up. The trip takes 2–2.5 hours.
 * From Vladimir: one direct bus per day. Alternatively, change in Kol'chugino and expect at least 3 hours for the travel.
 * From Alexandrov: 5 mini-buses daily.
 * From Kol'chugino and Yuryev-Polsky: buses to Moscow, 3–4 times per day from Yuryev-Polsky (1.5 hours) and every 1.5–2 hours from Kol'chugino (45 minutes).

By car
Kirzhach stands on the A103 road that starts from Moscow (Щёлковское шоссе) towards Chernogolovka, Kol'chugino, and Yuryev-Polsky. The A108 circular road around Moscow also runs nearby. Therefore, Kirzhach is easily accessible both from Vladimir Oblast and from Moscow Oblast.
 * From Moscow: 107 km along A103
 * From Vladimir: drive M7 towards Moscow, then turn right in Pokrov or turn right to A108 (120–140 km). Alternatively, go via Stavrovo and Kol'chugino (110 km).
 * From Alexandrov: local road (37 km); upon entering the town, turn left at the crossing with the traffic lights.
 * From Yuryev-Polsky: local road via Kol'chugino (69 km); upon entering the town, follow the "major" (priority) road.

Get around
Kirzhach is easily explored by foot. The walk from the train/bus station to the historical center takes 15–20 minutes. Alternatively, you can use buses and mini-buses that run along the main streets of the town (Большая Московская ул. and further ул. Гагарина).

See

 * Cathedral of the Annunciation (Благовещенский собор) – the regular single-dome church with numerous kokoshniki in Moscow style of 16th century
 * Church of the Savior (Спасская церковь) – a rather small and unusual building from 1656. This church looks like a large chapel: the tall rectangular foundation is topped with a small hip-roof, while the latter serves as a bell-tower.
 * Church of All Saints – the classicism-style building with a huge bell-tower from the middle of 19th century.
 * Chapel over-the-spring is on the slope of the hill, above the river. The legend says that the spring appeared after Sergius of Radonezh founded the monastery. The original chapel from early 17th century was destroyed during the Soviet period. However, the chapel is now restored, and the spring flows again.
 * Secular buildings are pretty regular. To see them, stroll through the town center (улицы Гагарина, Ленинградская, Советская, Некрасовская), and you will find several blocks of the original constructions from late 19th – early 20th century. The remarkable buildings are:
 * Fire station (ул. Серегина, 10; near the convent) – the red-brick building from late 19th century.
 * School (Ленинградская ул. 55) – neo-classicism style, early 20th century.
 * Trading rows (ул. Гагарина, 29; central square of the town) – regular classicism-style trading rows built around 1850.
 * Lenin monument – a fancy monument on the central square, the huge and awesome head of Lenin.
 * School (Ленинградская ул. 55) – neo-classicism style, early 20th century.
 * Trading rows (ул. Гагарина, 29; central square of the town) – regular classicism-style trading rows built around 1850.
 * Lenin monument – a fancy monument on the central square, the huge and awesome head of Lenin.
 * Lenin monument – a fancy monument on the central square, the huge and awesome head of Lenin.

Buy
Food and small goods can be purchased in one of the small shops. These shops are concentrated around the main square (the beginning of ulitsa Gagarina) and near the train station. The town market is also located near the train station.

title: Kirzhach


text:
Kisangani

Kisangani (formerly Stanleyville) is the third largest city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is the capital and largest city of the vast Orientale Province (roughly the size of Spain) in the Congo Basin. The city is found at the furthest navigable point on the Congo River upstream of Kinshasa/Brazzaville at the end of the Boyoma Falls, a series of cataracts along a 100-km stretch of the river. The city's name comes from Swahili for "the city on the island" because of the tributaries in the area that almost completely separate Kisangani into a collection of islets.

History

The city was founded in 1883 as a colonial outpost and trading centre by Henry Morton Stanley. It was named Stanley Falls Station (or Stanleyville) and was located at the furthest navigable point up the Congo River from Kinshasa (then Leopoldville). It was successful, but East African slavers soon arrived (erroneously called "Arabs", but actually from Zanzibar) and after minor conflict, the city was abandoned in 1887. After negotiations with the 'Arabs', the Belgians were given limited control of the Eastern Congo under authority of the notorious Zanzibar slaver/ruler Tippu Tip. By the late 1890s, the region was once again firmly under the control of the Belgians and Stanleyville was the capital of the prosperous Eastern Province of Belgian Congo.

In 1958, the city was a stronghold of Patrice Lumumba's independence movement. After his assassination in 1961, Antoine Gizenga set up a government in Kisangani to compete with the national government in Leopoldville. Stanleyville served as the capital of the independent state "Free Republic of Congo" set up by the Simba rebels. When the rebels began to feel their movement was destined to defeat, they began taking hostage all white persons in the region they controlled. Over 1800 Europeans & Americans were held hostage at the Victoria Hotel in Stanleyville for 111 days. Belgian, U.S., and Congolese paratroopers landed at the airport one night, stormed the hotel (with only 60 hostages killed), secured the airfield for evacuation flights to land, and managed to airlift 1800 hostages & 400 Congolese to safety over the course of two days. The airlift coincided with the arrival of pro-Leopoldville mercenary fighters who soon managed to quash the Simba rebellion. The city would also see two unsuccessful mutinies in 1966 & 1967 where gendarmes loyal to ousted politician Tshombe (exiled to Spain) rioted and mutinied against Congolese troops, amid rumours that Tshombe was plotting a return to power in the Congo.

In 1998, the city became a forward base for rebel leader Laurent Kabila and his foreign mercenaries (over 30,000 Ugandan, Rwandan, & Burundian soldiers) on their march to Kinshasa to overthrow Mobutu. However, fighting between Hutu & Tutsi mercenaries spread to the local population (opposed to the presence of foreign mercenaries), resulting in some bloodshed. In 1999, the city saw the first open fighting between Ugandan and Rwandan soldiers in the Second Congo War, resulting in 3000 civilian deaths in the city. Soon after, a prolonged battle between Ugandan and Rwandan forces resulted in the destruction of about one quarter of the city, resulting in thousands of deaths. Yet another fight, in June 2000, left thousands more dead in the city. When the Second Congo War ended, Kisangani was under the control of Rwanda-backed Rally for Congolese Democracy - Goma.

Today the city is a quiet commercial centre in the middle of the jungle. Despite a population of 1.2 million, Kisangani's isolation results in limited opportunities for economic growth and for a city its size, there's not much to see or do. The city is exceptionally diverse with over 250 cultures represented and no one, single ethnicity or place of origin dominating the city's cultural identity.

Climate
Being very near the equator and in the middle of the jungle, you might suspect the city has a wet, tropical climate... and it does! Humidity is high year-round, averaging 86%! Temperatures are fairly stable year-round, too, averaging 31°C/20°C (88°F/68°F). The record low is just 16°C (61°F). Rains are heavy throughout much of the year, with a relatively dry (or "less-rainy") season from December to early March. Total rainfall for the year is 1620 mm (63.78 inches) with the rainiest month being October with 218mm (8.58 in), while the driest is January with 53 mm (2.09 in).

By plane

Simi-Simi Airport is the city's original airport near the center of town (its runway points directly at downtown). It is now a military airfield, although it handles the occasional private or UN flight.

By boat
As the end of the navigable stretch of the Congo River, Kisangani was formed largely to unload cargo and transfer it to train to bypass the cataracts. There are irregular ferry services running between Kisangani and Kinshasa which take about 2-3 weeks. Most of these are old barges tied together and crowded with people riding atop cargo, although a few steamer vessels run this route too. Overcrowded ferries are common and there have been a few instances of them capsizing, so choose carefully. If you are lucky, you can negotiate with the captain for a private room (literally) or a bedroom. Many of these ferries are supplied with food from people who bring boats from shore full of goods to trade/barter. A unique and classic trip, it's only for the hearty, experienced traveller (although still preferable to travelling overland).

Overland
Kisangani is difficult to reach by road. The only relatively "easy" route into the city is the newly rehabilitated National Route 4 which runs to Bukavu and the Rwandan border. Much of the road is sealed, but slow-moving trucks and pedestrians & people on bikes keep the speed of vehicles down. You should expect to encounter a handful of military/police checkpoints where you will likely be harassed for a bribe. The route isn't terribly safe, with frequent reports of bandits setting up roadblocks and robbing motorists. Additionally, safety in North/South Kivu is still shaky. You are best off traveling with a trucker or other local vehicle. If traveling in your own vehicle (especially a non-DRC vehicle), try to travel with a local or convoy for safety and to avoid excessive harassment at checkpoints.

Other roads in/out of the city are mostly muddy tracks only suitable for large 4x4 or 6x6 trucks. However, road repairs are a high priority in the region and many roads are being groomed or repaired. Ask for advice from locals about the condition of roads in the region. Travel from other major cities in the DRC can take weeks and isn't a very pleasant experience!

By train
A train line runs south from Ubundu, mainly to haul freight travelling by boat around the cataracts. You should inquire at for tickets and the next train as the trains run on highly erratic schedules.

Get around
Given the city's isolation in the jungle (and relatively difficult routes to navigate here), there are surprisingly few vehicles in the city, aside from cheap motorbikes. Most locals get around on foot or use bicycles (and similar wheeled contraptions). Petrol is expensive.

Taxis are hard to find. If you need to travel across the town (or to the airport), you should make arrangements for vehicle hire a day or two in advance! For rides to the airport, expect to pay USD20-40. If you don't mind getting a little dirty/dusty and holding on for dear life, many motorbike owners will let you hop on for a small charge.

See

Eat
The food supply in Kisangani is heavily dependent on the arrival of barges. The few restaurants that can be found in the city are expensive. Food stores have very little refrigerated foodstuffs (and it's always hard to tell if these items have been properly transported to remain fresh). Street stalls serve up chicken & fish. Fruits, vegetables, and nuts can be found in the central market and from various vendors across the city.

Drink
A couple of establishments serve local beers. A bar at Linoko Beach serves beer with great views of Tshope Falls.

Sleep
Les Chalets Hôtel & Le Palm Beach are the best bets in town, with modest facilities. At the ends of the spectrum, there are no upscale hotels in the city and numerous hotels that are acceptable by DRC standards, but rather squalid by Western standards (no air-con, no running water).

title: Kisangani


text:
Kisarazu

Kisarazu (木更津) is a city of 122,000 in Chiba, Japan.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.

By train

From Tokyo Station, Kisarazu can be reached by either the JR Sobu Line or the JR Keiyo Line. Both of these connect to the JR Uchibo Line, on which Kisarazu Station is located.

Infrequent Sazanami limited express trains via the Keiyo Line leave once every few hours, generally at 30 past, with more frequent runs during the late afternoon and evening. This will get you to Kisarazu in as little as 55 minutes for ¥2490.

The cheaper and more frequent alternative is to use the JR Sobu line at a cost of ¥1280. A direct train to Kisarazu (last stop Kimitsu) leaves once per hour and takes 80 minutes, or else a change of trains will be required.

Uchibo Line trains from Chiba leave every 10-20 minutes, reaching Kisarazu in about 40 minutes (¥650).

These trains are free to use with a Japan Rail Pass or JR East Rail Pass.

By bus
Across the street in front of Tokyo Station, there is a Keisei bus heading for Kisarazu and Kimitsu. With irregular schedule, mostly with a 40-60 min interval between them. Fare is ¥1300 for Kisarazu Station and ¥1400 further across the city, heading to Kimitsu. Travel time is about 1 hour, going thru Tokyo Wan Aqua-Line.

There are also bus lines for and from Yokohama, Shinagawa, Kawasaki and Haneda airport.

Do
In 2005, a TV drama called "Kisarazu Cat's Eye" aired on TBS. A lot of fans come sightseeing and take pictures around Kisarazu Station.

Eat

The specialties of Kisarazu city are short-neck clam (アサリ, asari), loquat fruit (ビワ, biwa), and peanuts.

Go next

 * Kimitsu
 * Futtsu
 * Kyonan
 * Minamiboso
 * Tateyama
 * Sodegaura
 * Ichihara
 * Chiba
 * Kamogawa

title: Kisarazu


text:
Kish

Kish (Kiş) is a town in Sheki Rayonu.

General Information
Kish is a town of 7,000 that is about 5km from Sheki. It is a bumpy ride on the narrow cobblestone roads, but well worth it to visit the beautiful Albanian church and this picturesque mountain town.

By bus
It is possible to take the number 23 or 15 bus from the new bazaar in Sheki. It costs 0.2 manat to go from the new bazaar to Kish.

By taxi
It costs about 4 manat to get to Kish via taxi from the city of Sheki.

Eat

 * There is a newly constructed Cafe next to the Albanian Church in Kish. They can be contacted at +944 506310246. The owner of the cafe also administers the Albanian Church, so it is possible to speak a little English with her. They serve tea with a plethora of jam (if you just want tea though, it will cost 1 manat). In addition to tea, they have soup and kebab.
 * It is possible to eat at one of the tea houses in Kish. If you are a woman, make sure to ask for a private room in order to keep from disturbing local customs.

Tea Houses (Çay Xanalar)
Çay xana (found throughout Azerbaijan) serve tea, local beer (piva) - draft at 50 qapick/glass or bottles at 70 qapick/bottle or vodka (araq) at 2 manat/bottle.

Sleep
The manager of the Albanian church facility, Ilhama, runs a small place where people can stay. Her phone number is +944 177 98833. It costs 10 manat per night and half pension for another 10 manat.

title: Kish


text:
Kish (disambiguation)

There's more than one place called Kish:

 * Kish (Sumer), an ancient city in Sumer, now in Iraq
 * Kish Island, an Iranian island and city in the Persian Gulf
 * Kish (city), a city in Azerbaijan
 * Kish (river), a river in Azerbaijan
 * Kish Bank, a shallow in the Irish Sea.

title: Kish (disambiguation)


text:
Kish Island

Kish Island is a beautiful island and tourist resort located on the north east of the Persian Gulf (Khalij-e Fars) about 17 km (10.2 miles) from the southern offshore of the mainland Iran. Kish is a free trade zone.

Understand
Kish Island, often called the Pearl of the Persian Gulf has an area of 90 km² (36 sq. miles). It is known for being a beautiful resort in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf, a unique coral island. Kish Island has relaxed laws in comparison to the rest of Iran. Like mainland Iran, the people of Kish are generally friendly and hospitable.

 * Kish Tourist Affairs Office: +98 764 4424423

Get in
Foreign nationals do not need a visa at the authorized arrival and departure points in Kish Island. At Kish International Airport, the officials will take your photograph and fingerprints, and stamp your passport, allowing you to stay up to 14 days on the island. If you are western, you may be sternly questioned as to the purpose of your visit. Make sure you bring all verification paperwork including hotel reservations with phone numbers, etc.

Upon arrival at Kish Airport, all female passengers will be immediately escorted to a room and very politely ordered to wear headscarves and long robes to cover their entire body. The clothing is available at the airport, and passengers are expected to return them when leaving Kish. Female visitors may be detained for a period of time under the perception that they 'might have difficulty finding their way around the island'. However, the staff in general are very polite, but speak little English.

By plane

 * Kish Airport:
 * Kish Air:
 * Airport Passport Office:
 * Airport Passport Office:

Women who do not have appropriate Muslim dress (head scarves, long smocks or dresses) will be provided with them upon arrival prior to passing through customs and immigration. These are loaned free of charge, and should be returned upon leaving.

By car
Driving by car is easy. There is only one route to Kish Island. If you are driving from Tehran, take care on the road and be alert of the highways and the pedestrians.

By bus
There are private buses that will take you from Tehran and other main cities to Kish Island. This is probably the safest way of travelling in Iran. Private buses in Iran are inexpensive compared to other countries in the Middle East.

By boat
There are boats that will take you from the port cities of Bandar-e Abbas, Bushehr and Chahbahar. As of June 2009 this has reportedly been suspended.

Get around
If you are energetic, walking is your best option. However, like the rest of Iran, there are plenty of taxis but without meters. It is advisable to agree the fare in advance, and to make sure that the driver understands where you want to go. The majority of taxis on the island are Toyota Camrys and are fully air-conditioned. The normal fares are usually US$2-5 depending upon the distance, which is never too long as the island is rather small.

Be careful to check your change as some taxi drivers will take advantage of tourists and attempt to short-change.

Popular tourist attractions

The beaches
Snorkeling on the beaches of Kish Island is said to be amongst the best in the world, while the scuba-diving offers an even more spectacular insight of life beneath the waters. A variety of other water sports are also available: jet-skiing, sailing, fishing, parasailing, reef walking, coral viewing, boating and water-skiing are some of the popular ways to enjoy yourself when visiting the Island. A variety of other water sports are also available. The Kish coastline is one of the least dangerous coasts in the world. Kish has gorgeous white sandy beaches for relaxing walks.

Women-only beaches are available for the female tourists to the Island. Women do not have access to most beaches, or to the prime snorkeling areas. There used to be an "international beach" where male and female foreign tourists could swim together, but it has been closed by the government.

Contrary to the above information regarding the Greek Ship, there is no restaurant on board what remains of the historic ship. Still, this is a beautiful island - and you could bring food with you and enjoy the site while sitting at a shaded table nearby.

Buy
Kish is a trade free zone, making it a good place for shopping and trading. The price of goods in Kish are notably cheaper than in mainland Iran. Many Iranians and tourists visit Kish to purchase duty free clothes, electronic goods, cosmetics, etc. There are a number of large shopping centres, most of them situated in the eastern part of the island. Due to the daytime heat, most shops are closed from 13:00 until around 17:30. Some stay open until late into the night. The shopping malls in Kish cater to every taste. However, be prepared to find numerous fake American and European brands such as Gucci, Prada, Diesel, The Gap and Starbucks. One exception is the 'Ikea' store, which imports genuine Ikea merchandise.

Work
It is not difficult to find work on the Island. If you are sociable and hospitable, working in cafes and restaurants is fairly easy. If you are looking for work in the commercial and tourist sector, you must have at least some experience and knowledge of the Iranian economy and of Kish Island.

Most people on Kish Island work from 09:00 to 17:00, including the government employees. On Thursdays, government employees work from 09:00 to 13:00.

Eat
Kish Island offers a wide selection of restaurants which range from Persian to International cuisines. Some of the most well-known restaurants include:

Drink
Alcoholic beverages are not served on the island. The tea is light, good in taste and is kept at every home, shop and other social places.

'Cafe Aquarium' (ground floor of Pardis II Shopping Mall.) This popular hangout serves "Starbucks" coffee, Italian style sandwiches, banana splits, and fresh fruit juice to a young, hip crowd.

Sleep
Accommodation in Kish is slightly more expensive than mainland Iran, however it is not extortionate. Kish Island has a range of nice villas, hotels and guest houses for tourists. Hotel reservations must be made through a travel agency in Tehran, which may be difficult if you are not Iranian and/or do not speak Persian.

Phone

 * Area code for Iran:           0098 (+98)
 * Area code for Kish:          0764
 * Kish mobile phone code: 0934

Internet
There are various internet cafés on Kish Island. Internet speed varies from café to café. A popular internet café is the Kish Cyber Café at Shayan Hotel, Tel: 4422771-5 (2623), ahlesaadat@postmark.net. One hour is around US$2.5.

Stay safe

 * Emergency services: 110
 * Kish Hospital: 4422811 or 4422211

Go next
Qeshm is another beautiful island, although not as tourist-friendly as Kish and is mostly visited by those interested in trade. Close to Kish, travel is by boat or plane.

Bushehr for somewhere cultural and beautiful in mainland Iran.

title: Kish Island


text:
Kismayo

Kismayo (also Kismaayo, Kismayo, Kismayu and Chisimayu) is a port city in Southern Somalia.

Understand
Kismayo is a port city around 500 km south of the capital Mogadishu, and has a population of around 250,000. Since 1992, Kismayo has been a city in constant turmoil with local war lords, the federal government, African Union peacekeepers, Al Shabaab and others all vying for control of the area.

Get in
As warring insurgents have made road travel extremely dangerous, travelling by plane is the only safe option to reach the city. Air fare from Nairobi to Kismayo ranges from US$450-500 for a return ticket.

Get around
Buses are the main form of transportation in the city.

Eat
The city offers a range of dishes that include standard African fare and traditional East Africa meals.

Stay safe
See the warning on the Somalia article for more information on the security situation.

The city is not safe for any visitors. Arrival by car from Mogadishu is extremely dangerous, while arriving by sea invites risk of attack by pirates.

Go next

 * Kenya

title: Kismayo


text:
Kisoro

The township of Kisoro only has about 18,000 inhabitants living in the town proper, but there are more than a quarter of a million in its district, mostly eking out a living as subsistence farmers on low incomes. It's the last sizeable settlement in Western Uganda, hard up against the borders of both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.

Many foreign visitors to Uganda find that this is one of the nicest areas to spend time in with beautiful montagne scenery, smooth roads, and hard-working people eager to please and offer hospitality. However, the main attraction for many is the opportunity to get close with a troupe of habituated gorillas.

Understand
At an elevation of 1,900 m (6230 ft), visitors from cooler climes will probably get a good night's sleep in the cool, clean and invigorating air of Kisoro.

The volcanic Mufumbiro Mountains dominate local views with Mount Karisimbi at 4,507 m (14,787 ft) being the highest volcano in this range. Immediately to the south of the township of Kisoro, Mount Muhabura, whose extinct volcanic peak delineates the border between Uganda and Rwanda at this point, is 4,127 m (13,540 ft) high.

Many foreign visitors come to view the mountain gorillas, critically endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, disease, and war. The Karisoke Research Center, founded by Dian Fossey to observe gorillas in their native habitat, is between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke.

In November 2013, about 1,500 fighters of the M23 Congolese rebellious faction, together with their leader, Sultani Makenga, surrendered in Mgahinga National Park a few kilometres to the south and were held on the local football pitch in Kisoro until being moved much further east to Chakwanze.

By car
From Kampala the road via Masaka to Mbarara is well surfaced (apart from verge damage) and reasonably wide so 100 km/h can be maintained. Light traffic once you leave the traffic mayhem and fumes of the capital, means you're likely to take just less than 5 hours for this part of the journey. However, just after leaving Mbarara the road surface disintegrates and is badly potholed reducing speeds to 10-25 km/h for about 20 km until just before Ntungamo where road works were completed in Feb 2014. Once you leave Kabale the road narrows considerably but the tarmac surface is brand new and billiard table smooth but very winding and scenic.
 * The Postbus, operated reliably and punctually by Uganda Post, departs M-Sa at 07:00 from the central Kampala post office in Kampala Road and arrives 10 hours later in Kisoro for USh30,000 one way. It seats 67 and you are guaranteed a seat if you book in advance (enter the post office as if you were buying stamps, take the first exit to the outside courtyard on your left, go round the corner of the building you just left, take the first door on your right, go down the corridor and enter Room 2 on your right. You can also get a ticket on the day of departure or from the conductor anywhere en route if you flag the bus down - it's huge and bright red).

From Bunagana, DRC, climb the rutted apology for a "road" that is alternately gloopy with mud or whipped into a duststorm until you see the barriers of the Ugandan border post. Here bodo-bodos will be waiting. There are also sometimes large buses, but their schedules are sporadic and whimsical. Tarmac is then smooth and peaceful until you arrive in Kisoro 14 km later. Fuel is available on the left, 6 km after the border.

From Busengo, DRC the road is lightly trafficked to the Ugandan border barrier and consequently is not as rutted as some more heavily used roads in the DRC. Gradients are as steep as 1 in 5 and typically the road does not allow two trucks to pass. Travellers need to be aware that the border crossing Busengo/Busanza is only legal if you cross using a passport from either the DRC or one of the countries of the East African Community (ie Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania or Uganda). Travellers bearing passports from other countries may physically be able to cross into Uganda here, but the officials at should turn you back to the DRC. If you have a really good story, the immigration officer may allow you to continue to the crossing point at Bunagana 38 km further and obtain the necessary entry stamps and visa there, but that would be an act of exceptional kindness. In the hamlet of Busanza, they were not connected to the electric grid in June 2014 but the high tension cables have already been installed and they are expecting connection in the next 3 months. Once you've crossed the (completely non-marked) border the road widens so two trucks can pass, the dirt surface is less rutted and gradients diminish to about 1 in 7. In May-June 2014 this was assessed as an all weather road. Watch out for stray mud bricks/blocks in the road, though, because many mud quarries and brick works are on this road. From the border it's about 27 km until you hit tarmac, but the road is good enough to cruise at 25-35 km/h on a motorcycle.

From Ruhengeri, Rwanda, the road has been good for a while now and once you're through the quick and relaxed Ugandan immigration the tarmac gets even smoother and the carriageway is about 10m wide with gradual bends. As of June 2014, there were no painted lines or reflectors on this new tarmac so you might want to drive this stretch during daylight - especially as the scenery is so attractive.

By plane

 * To Kigali, the capital of Rwanda with daily direct flights on Brussels Airline from Brussels or Turkish Airlines from Istanbul. KLM also flies to Kigali directly from Amsterdam. RwandAir also has flights from Dubai (often via Mombasa) using its new Boeing 737-800 and separately from Johannesburg using the same aircraft. From Kigali it is only about 3 hours on good roads to Kisoro - much shorter than from Entebbe.
 * To Kigali, the capital of Rwanda with daily direct flights on Brussels Airline from Brussels or Turkish Airlines from Istanbul. KLM also flies to Kigali directly from Amsterdam. RwandAir also has flights from Dubai (often via Mombasa) using its new Boeing 737-800 and separately from Johannesburg using the same aircraft. From Kigali it is only about 3 hours on good roads to Kisoro - much shorter than from Entebbe.

Get around
Motorcycle Bodo-bodos are available.

If you're staying a while you might like to hire a vehicle to get around and see the lush countryside. The black-brown, volcanic soil is especially fertile and with nary a drought you could plant a broom-handle in the ground and it would sprout. There are lots of smaller, rounded hills and the rectilinear patchwork of varied hues of green made by the different vegetables growing in the gardens on their slopes makes for a very verdant and relaxing vista.

There are few dogs to run between your wheels, so you might want to consider hiring a local's 125-200 cc motorcycle for USh20,000-30,000 per day.

A 4x4 will cost you about four times as much, but they'll usually want you to take a driver.

See

 * Gorillas up close and personal in either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Do

Buy
Market days are Monday and Thursday with people coming from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to buy goods that they can not obtain without difficulty in their own country.

Budget

In addition to the stand-out entries already listed here, there are probably about three dozen other low cost hotels scattered all over town of varying cleanliness and decrepitude. Many of them feature metal doors for that authentic late-night cell block clang.

Mobile phone
The Airtel, MTN, Orange, Uganda Telecom and Warid networks all have their own transmission towers in and around Kisoro, so you'll have no problems locating a strong GSM signal.

Radio

 * Kisoro FM is a local, community-based radio station broadcasting mainly in the local languages on 91.1 MHz but also with occasional news summaries or other programs in English.
 * Voice of Muhubura is a local, commercial radio station broadcasting mainly in the local languages on 88.9 MHz but with an English language news summary at 12:00 and 17:00 together with occasional other programming in English.

Daytrips

 * Circle Lake Mutanda and clock up another country (the DRC, unofficially). If you've hired a vehicle, head west out of Kisoro on the smooth main road to the DRC and then turn right at the un-signposted road just after you pass Saint Joseph's Church, Nateete on your right. You'll now be on the Kisoro-Busanza Road to the DRC. This is an all-weather dirt road that winds through tropical rain forest and villagers' gardens and is mostly wide enough for two trucks to pass. Look out for fish eagle and Uganda's national symbol, the crested crane (Balearica regulorum) performing their courtship dances by the river meadows that the road follows or in yam patches. After about 27 km and the steepest ascent on the road (still only about 1 in 7), you'll enter the Ugandan village of Busanza. There's a sharp turn left here to the border barrier but, if you continue straight ahead instead, the road deteriorates suddenly, plunges downhill and you've crossed into the Democratic Republic of the Congo without any formality or marker. After you hit the valley bottom there's another rutted and steep climb up the other side and, after about 2 km spent in the DRC, the track re-enters Uganda (again without formality or signs) and improves. After about 25 km of wiggles, Lake Mutanda hoves into view on your right and, if you've made a reservation, you can stop for a lakeside lunch at Lake Mutanda Resort before completing the loop back to Kisoro.
 * Walk in the Echuya national forest and bamboo zone. If you're on your own, hire a bodo-bodo for about USh25,000 return including 2 hour wait. If there are more than two of you, it may be cheaper to hire something on four wheels to take you to the new  for Kabale district. Directly opposite, on the south side of the road, is a single file track that gradually climbs up through the bamboo (Yushania alpina) zone and into the rainforest. There were no forks or branches in this track in June 2014 and after about 15-min walking you're afforded great views of the linear swamp on your left that runs all the way into Rwanda. If you're quiet you'll probably hear or see monkeys to your left as you near some of the larger trees. After climbing about 150 m (500 ft) the track reaches the top of the ridge and there is a  where you can picnic with fine views over the Virunga range and several lakes including Kayumbu and Chayafi. If you turn east and follow the boundary fence line running parallel to the fir trees, you'll reach the top of a hillock (2,461 m) which gives fine views of Lake Bunyonyi. Return the way you came.

title: Kisoro


text:
Kiso Valley

Running beside the central Japan Alps the Kiso Valley (木曽谷) long has had travellers since before the Edo Period when people would walk the Kisoji though this later formed part of the Nakasendo connecting Tokyo and Kyoto. Due to the many trips on foot post-towns began appearing as rest points for travellers, many post-towns are still well preserved and attract visitors. The Kiso Valley is one of the best places to visit to experience rural Japan.

Post-Towns
- restored post-town with cobble stone walkways

- the richest post-town in the Kiso Valley

- authentically preserved post-town

Understand
Covering land in both Gifu and Nagano, this area was once a section of the old Nakasendō Highway, one of Japan's historic transport arteries joining Kyoto with Edo (present-day Tokyo). Roughly following the Kiso River, the once-important post towns now where travellers would stop form a well-preserved living museum of the Edo Period, with most modern facilities being hidden from sight. Historically, Kiso district was once known as Nishichikuma District (西筑摩郡).

Tourist information site
The local municipalities and tourist associations has a joint Japanese-only guide site for the valley area.

By train
The centrally-located train station for the Kiso Valley is Kiso Fukushima (木曽福島), located on the JR Chuo Main Line.

There are several different approaches to Kiso-Fukushima from Tokyo. One route is to take the Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi to Nagoya, then transfer to the Wide View Shinano for the run to Kiso Fukushima (3 hours 20 minutes, ¥13800).

Another route is to take the Nagano Shinkansen Asama to Nagano and transfer there to the Wide View Shinano. This takes about 3 hours 40 minutes and costs ¥11300.

A third way is to take the Azusa or Super Azusa from Shinjuku to Shiojiri and transfer there to the Wide View Shinano (3 hours 20 minutes with good connection, ¥9080).

If you use the Japan Rail Pass, you should go via Nagano or Shiojiri.

From western Japan, including Kyoto and Osaka, take the Shinkansen to Nagoya and change to the Wide View Shinano or to local service.

Note that some other parts of the valley are located at other stations near Kiso Fukushima on the JR Chuo Main Line (see below).

By bus
From Tokyo you can also sign up with local motorcoach tours for a one or two-day excursion to the Kiso Valley region. And from Tokyo, the highway bus goes Kiso Fukushima via Shiojiri

Get around
Buses of the following two companies serve part of the valley and are good for train connections and returning to your destination after a hike, although they run infrequently.

Post towns
The biggest attraction in the Kiso Valley are the picturesque post towns that follow along the Nakasendo. The two most visited and best preserved are Tsumago and Magome near the south of the valley. Post-towns developed in the Edo Period as a rest points for travellers walking from Tokyo to Kyoto due to laws in place making this the only way to travel. Most post towns had a Honjin that served as the main inn and smaller Wakihonjins that served wealthier travellers, Tsumago and Magome both have restored Honjins.

Hiking
The Nakasendo, an old route connecting Tokyo and Kyoto runs through the Kiso Valley and one could walk the entire valley from Nakatsugawa in the south to Shiojiri at the valley's northern end. The most popular section of the route is the trail from Magome to Tsumago due to the cobble stone path connecting the cities and the route's gentle nature on other sections of the Nakasendo one will have to walk on the sides of roads for most of the journey.

Eat
The Kiso Valley's main speciality are its soba and Goheimochi, grilled mochi with sauce. Soba in the Kiso Valley is traditionally made with water from the Kiso River they are usually eaten with locally produced Sunki (red turnip) pickles or dipped into various vegetable broths, although soba is eaten all year round the pickles are most common during winter. Various Wagashi (confectionary) shops can be found in the Kiso Valley usually using the area's chestnuts. Due to the area's popularity many western-style cafes and restaurants can be found in the region specifically in Tsumago and Magome. Most restaurants in the smaller post-towns close down at night, if you're staying up late you may want to have your own food or contact your accommodation for meals.

Buy
The Kiso valley is known for the "Hinoki" fine-grained cedar pine trees (Chamaecyparis Obtusa). This scented wood is known for its durability. Hinoki is used for example for bath tubs and accessories. Japan's most important shrine, Ise Jingu is rebuilt each 20 years using Kiso Hinoki. You can buy Hinoki goods, especially around Narai. Kiso-Hirasawa in Shiojiri is famous for its lacquerware.

title: Kiso Valley


text:
Kissamos

Kastelli-Kissamos is a city in the Sea of Crete region of Greece.

Get in
Less than an hour drive from Chania, get in the Chania-Kissamos national road and you will reach Kissamos easily. There are buses leaving from Chania every hour or so from 06:30 to 20:30.

Do
Relax in beautiful beaches

Boat trip to Gramvousa - Balos

Go through Samaria Gorge on the South

Explore western Crete on foot...

Have a swim in Teloneio Beach

Buy
Rent a Car Kissamos

Go next
The national road connects Kissamos to Chania and other smaller towns to the east.

title: Kissamos


text:
Kissimmee

Kissimmee is a city in Osceola County. Kissimmee (pronounced /kiˈsimi/, accent on second syllable) is a popular Central Florida tourist destination because of its sunny weather, spring training baseball for major league clubs, and close proximity to Disney World.

Understand

Just south of Orlando in what is commonly referred to as the "Kissimmee-St. Cloud" area, due to the short distance between it and the adjacent city of St. Cloud. It is centered directly between St. Cloud and Disney World on Highway 192 and leads into SR-535, which leads directly into Disney World theme parks. Most tourist activity is centered around Highway 192 (also known as Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway and Vine Street in the city of Kissimmee). Since the opening of Disney World in 1971, Kissimmee has been primarily a tourist-driven town. Before that the town relied on agriculture and ranching, with a population of just over 4,000 through the 1950s.

By plane

 * Orlando International Airport, your entry point for most international and domestic flights. It is about a 25-minute drive down I-4 from Kissimmee. Be aware that airport security lines can become extremely long (1 hour), especially during the summer tourist season and near holidays. Combined with long check-in lines, it is advisable to arrive 2-3 hours before your scheduled departure.

By car
Most visitors arrive on the Florida Turnpike by taking exit 242 (going north) or exit 249 (coming south). The turnpike uses automated toll collection booths on many exits that require exact change, so be sure to have a pocketful of quarters with you when driving.

By train
Kissimmee is served by two daily Amtrak trains, the Silver Star and Silver Meteor. Both run between New York City and Miami, taking slightly different routes. Also the Silver Star makes a detour to serve Tampa, adding two extra hours for southbound services. is in downtown at 111 E Dakin Ave.

The regional commuter rail system SunRail has hourly trains from Orlando, with a journey time of 25 minutes.

By bus
Kissimmee's public transportation is the Lynx bus service. Trips cost $2 per ride (transfers included). Check out Go Lynx for routes and fares. +1 407-841-LYNX.

By car
Interstate 4 is the most preferred route, and carries a driver toward Tampa going west and downtown Orlando and Daytona Beach going east. The road can get very congested at times. The Osceola Parkway is a toll road that runs parallel to 192.

The primary surface highway in Kissimmee is US 192, running west to east through the area. From Hoagland Blvd. (near the city's municipal airport) to the west, it features large purple "mile marker" towers which serve as reference points through their tourist area. (The main entrance to Walt Disney World is at mile marker 7.)

See

 * Silver Spurs Arena is a multipurpose events arena which hosts shows ranging from rock concerts to competitive rodeos. The annual Silver Spurs Rodeo is hosted here every year in late February.
 * Silver Spurs Arena is a multipurpose events arena which hosts shows ranging from rock concerts to competitive rodeos. The annual Silver Spurs Rodeo is hosted here every year in late February.
 * Silver Spurs Arena is a multipurpose events arena which hosts shows ranging from rock concerts to competitive rodeos. The annual Silver Spurs Rodeo is hosted here every year in late February.
 * Silver Spurs Arena is a multipurpose events arena which hosts shows ranging from rock concerts to competitive rodeos. The annual Silver Spurs Rodeo is hosted here every year in late February.

Do

 * Lake Tohopekaliga - Known locally as "Lake Toho," it is the largest lake in Osceola County, and is renowned for some of the best bass fishing in the state.
 * Lake Tohopekaliga - Known locally as "Lake Toho," it is the largest lake in Osceola County, and is renowned for some of the best bass fishing in the state.
 * Lake Tohopekaliga - Known locally as "Lake Toho," it is the largest lake in Osceola County, and is renowned for some of the best bass fishing in the state.

Buy

 * Disney Springs (2 minutes off of 192; N on 535) in Lake Buena Vista offers a wide range of specialty stores.
 * Disney Springs (2 minutes off of 192; N on 535) in Lake Buena Vista offers a wide range of specialty stores.

Drink
The local tap water supply is rumored to correlate to increased cancer rates.

Sleep
There are a vast number of lodging options around the parks, with quality varying greatly. In general lodging prices decrease the further away from Disney World you travel. Families and groups planning multi-day stays may also want to consider short-term rentals, vacation homes, or timeshares in the Disney-area; in general these may offer a better value when multiple rooms are needed for a 3 nights or more. At the last count, there were over 15,000 such vacation rentals in Kissimmee alone, offering approximately 60,000 bedrooms, sleeping 120,000 guests each night.

Lodging is also available in the nearby towns of Davenport, Orlando, and Lake Buena Vista.

Connect
Kissimmee and the whole Orlando area requires the area code to be dialed, even when calling a local number.

Go next

 * Disney World is minutes away, just north.
 * Orlando hosts Sea World and Universal Studios, 10 miles north on the Florida Turnpike.

title: Kissimmee


text:
Kisumu

Kisumu is a port city in western Kenya; located on a bay on the eastern shore of Lake Victoria at an altitude of 1,131 m (3,711 ft). It is the headquarters of Kisumu County and after Kampala, the second largest city in the Lake Victoria basin.

Understand
The city was founded by the British as "Port Florence" in 1901 as a stop on the railway between Mombasa and Uganda. A year later, the city was renamed Kisumu, from a Luo word meaning "market, trading place".

In 2006, Kisumu was designated one of Africa's 11 'Millenium Cities' by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).

Climate
Kisumu enjoys a tropical savanna climate. The lowest temperatures (about 12°C at night and 17°C to 19°C by day) occur in August and September. The highest daytime temperatures can reach 37°C in the warm season (December to April).

The rain season is from March to May. A secondary rain season occurs in November and December. The dryest month is January.

By plane

 * is served by daily flights from Nairobi and Mombasa.
 * Kenya Airways has daily flights to the capital Nairobi,Kenya Airways. The flight lasts about 45 minutes and takes you above lakes Naivasha and Nakuru.
 * Jambojet is a low-cost airline that has flights from Kisumu to Nairobi.
 * Fly540 also operates direct flights from Nairobi.

The airport is about 3.5 km from the city. A few taxis and matatu minibuses do the journey between the airport and the city. In 2023, a matatu cost about Ksh 100 and a taxi cost Ksh 500-1000. Some hotels and car rental companies can arrange pickups. Jambojet has a bus to and from Kisumu airport.

By boat
There are no ferries linking Kisumu with other cities on Lake Victoria.

By train
Passenger services from the capital Nairobi via Nakuru resumed in 2021 one time per week.

By bus & minivan

 * Easy Coach: Buses arrive at United Mall and Bank Road Behide the KPLC office, the ticket office is also located there. Easy Coach has 7 trips per day from Nairobi (Ksh 1400, 8 hours). Easy Coach also has two buses a day from Jinja and Kampala (Ksh 1500, 5/7 hours). There are also three departures daily from Mbale.
 * Modern Coast Express (Gumbi Road Kisumu bus park) has buses six times a day from Nairobi (from Ksh 1000). Modern Coast also have three buses a day from Kampala (Ksh 1600) with a stop in Busia. Note that Modern Coach has more than one bus stop in town; travelers are encouraged to confirm the exact location in advance, and allow extra time in case of last-minute changes.
 * In Nairobi, some buses depart from the Country Bus Station near Wakulima Market, between Pumwani Road and Landheis Road. Easy Bus departs from their own bus station on Haile Selassie Avenue in Nairobi, near Nairobi Train Station.
 * Prestige Shuttle has 11-seat vans from Nairobi via Nakuru from 7AM-5PM (Ksh 1000, 6 hours).
 * The Guardian Coach has service from Nairobi.
 * There are also minivans from Kisii, Kericho, and Eldoret.

By car
Make sure to have an international driving licence. You can obtain one from the Road Transport Office in Nairobi. Travelling by day is recommended as the roads can be unsafe at night. You may encounter police stops.

 * From Nairobi, the distance is about 380 km. Take Chimoro Road towards Gitaru, then turn onto A104 (Waiyaki Way) past Naivasha and Nakuru. About 30 km past Nakuru, turn left onto B1 towards Kisumu. The trip can take from 5 to 12 hours depending on whether you want to stop and observe Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Kericho.
 * from Kisumu to the Uganda border at Busia is 119 km.
 * from Kisumu to Jinja Uganda is 237 km.
 * from Kisumu to Nakuru is 197 km.
 * from Kisumu to Kisii is 120 km.
 * from Kisumu to Kitale is 158 km.
 * from Kisuma to Kericho is 90 km.

Get around
Despite being Kenya's third-largest city the traffic in Kisumu isn't all that bad. You can use the notorious boda boda (bicycle taxi), pikipiki (motorcycle taxis), matatus, buses, or you can rent a car.

In Kisumu

 * Dunga Beach, A simmering fishing village with welcoming residents. Ideal for boat cruise, hippo viewing, bird watching, and fresh tilapia in local restaurants.
 * Dunga Beach, A simmering fishing village with welcoming residents. Ideal for boat cruise, hippo viewing, bird watching, and fresh tilapia in local restaurants.
 * Dunga Beach, A simmering fishing village with welcoming residents. Ideal for boat cruise, hippo viewing, bird watching, and fresh tilapia in local restaurants.
 * Dunga Beach, A simmering fishing village with welcoming residents. Ideal for boat cruise, hippo viewing, bird watching, and fresh tilapia in local restaurants.
 * Dunga Beach, A simmering fishing village with welcoming residents. Ideal for boat cruise, hippo viewing, bird watching, and fresh tilapia in local restaurants.

Do

 * MV Kipepeo, Kisumu, Kenya.jpg

Buy
Many local crafts can make good souvenirs.
 * Musical instruments such as nyatiti and orutu, typical of the Luo's musical culture.
 * Soapstone objects. The historical center of soapstone crafts is in Kisii, about 100 km south of Kisumu.
 * Objects woven from sisal (such as kiondo handbags), papyrus or water hyacinth. Loincloths: vikoi (singular kikoi) for men, kanha for women.Batik (paintings on textile).
 * Household wood items.

Currency exchange
Most banks in town offer currency exchange between Kenyan Shillings and major international currencies. You may have a harder time buying or selling Ugandan shillings, despite the proximity to the border.

DTB's branch in the West End shopping center offers currency exchange and other banking services and is open 7 days a week. A passport is required.

Eat
Aside from the town centre there are a number of places to eat and drink in the evenings in the Kondele region on Kibos Road and on Jomo Kenyatta Highway with guest houses close by.

Drink
Aside from the town centre there are a number of places to eat and drink in the evenings in the Kondele region on Kibos Road and on Jomo Kenyatta Highway with guest houses close by.

Sleep
Kisumu has a number of guest houses, hotels, motels, hostels, all dependent on your needs and budget. It is common for hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation to be called a guest house in Kisumu Kenya. They are the most common and best value places to stay — hotels seem to ramp up their prices just because they are a hotel — beware.

Stay safe
Kisumu is less stressful than Nairobi or Mombasa. However pickpockets are common, especially around Kibuye Market. If you are driving, you should lock the car doors.

All public buildings (airport, post office, banks, shopping centers, etc.) are watched by security guards wearing a blue uniform. Private estates are generally guarded as well.

Kisumu police :
 * Phone: (20 is the national prefix for police forces)
 * +254 20 465767 (provincial headquarters);
 * +254 20 333151 (Kisumu division)

 * There are police stations all over the city and policemen are clearly visible. The headquarters are located on Nairobi Road near the long distance bus terminal.

Telephone
All cybercafes have phone booths. The rates to phone abroad are very high in Kenya. It is usually cheaper to buy a Kenyan SIM card in a cybercafe or from a phone vendor.

The main cellphone operators are Safaricom, Airtel and telkom. Safaricom has slightly higher prices but has faster Internet.

Go next

 * Kakamega Rainforest: the last remains of tropical rainforest in Kenya
 * Jinja, Uganda
 * Mwanza, Tanzania
 * Nairobi

title: Kisumu


text:
Kisvárda

Kisvárda is a small town in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County. in north-eastern Hungary. Kisvárda also attracts tourists to its thermal springs, and the ruins of a medieval castle.

By train
Kisvárda is on the electric train line between Budapest and Moscow, it is near Nyíregyháza and Záhony by train.

It is the third-largest settlement in the region after Nyíregyháza and Mátészalka.

See

 * Greek Catholic Church - Built in 1877 with arched Gothic windows and baroque decoration above the door.
 * Reformed Church - built in 1871.
 * Reformed Church - built in 1871.
 * Roman Catholic Church - The church was replaced by a church from the time of St. Ladislaus, part of which was later demolished by the troops of István Bocskai, which was then rebuilt by Kata Várday, but was mostly destroyed during the fire of 1670, only the sanctuary remained. Its stone tower was built in 1786, with Gothic supporting pillars and arched windows at the back, and the front and interior are also in Baroque style.
 * Kisvárda Castle Bath
 * Statue of St. Ladislaus
 * Statue of St. Ladislaus

Do

 * Kisvárda Festival of Hungarian Theaters
 * Every summer the largest music festival in the region, the LESZ Festival, is held here.

Go next
Ukraine is nearby.

title: Kisvárda


text:
Kitadaito

Kitadaitō (北大東) is an isolated island in the open sea about 360 km east of the Okinawan mainland, in Japan. The outer part of the island is made of precipitous cliffs, while the inside is flat plains that lay in a basin surrounded by vegetation covered cliff side.

Understand
Kitadaito, literally "North Great East", is the northern half of the Daito Islands, with a population of around 540.

There are a lot of marshes in the interior of the island. A plethora of unique flora and fauna can also be found. However, there are no natural sources of water on Kita Daito. The island utilizes a de-salynization plant to convert sea water into fresh water. There is a wide-variety of animal and plant life on Kita Daito. The most famous of which are the Kita Daito Fly Fox, or Fruit Bat. There are estimated to be approximately 300 left on the island. Among the most diverse and thriving animal communities on Kita Daito are those of the insect and arachnid families. There are many different forms of butterflies, dragonflies, grasshoppers, crickets, centipedes (mukade), spiders, wasps, honey bees, ants, cockroaches, and moths on the island. Another interesting animal on the island is the island's poisonous toad which is rumored to be brought to the island from China.

Kita Daito's main industry is sugarcane (saitokibi) farming and processing. Sugarcane fields cover the majority of the island. Fishing is extremely popular with the local population. Athletic contests of all sort are also popular with the local population. Okinawan Sumo, Edo Sumo, Eisa Dancing, and Baseball are a few of the predominant activities.

Talk
Pretty much everybody in Kitadaito understands standard Japanese, but there's also a peculiar local dialect of Japanese closely related to the dialects of Hachijo and Aogashima. The dialect of Kitadaito is the only one in Japan descended from the "Eastern Dialect" of the Nara period, found in "touka" in the Man'yoshu.

 * Welcome: おじゃりやれ Ojariyare
 * You: おめー Omee (to superiors, as in Omee ga itsumo shokannooja, "You probably know it well"), おまい omai (to people of equal or lesser status), うぬ　なれ unu / nare (rude words)
 * Bad/Not OK: だめどーだーよー Damedoodaayoo
 * Like this: こごんどー Kogondoo
 * I know: しょきゃ Shokya
 * I'm sorry: めーららい Meerarai
 * Morning: つとめて Tsutomete
 * Where are you from: どっかーおじゃりやろーどー Dokkaa ojariyaroodoo?

Hogen, the Okinawan language (called dialect) is also widely used.

Get in

The only way to get to Kitadaito is from Naha or neighboring Minamidaito either by plane or ferry.

By plane
There are two one-hour flights a day from Naha to Kitadaito, and one three-minute flight from Minamidaito to Kitadaito daily. Flights from Naha last about 70 minutes and cost ¥31,600 for a roundtrip (in 2011) or ¥24,900 for one way.

The flight between Minamidaito and Kitadaito lasts for 3 minutes or 15 minutes counting takeoff and landing, and is the shortest airline flight in Japan. At ¥8300 it is comparatively no doubt the most expensive too.

By ferry
The ferry costs around ¥10,000 for a roundtrip (tickets on sale at Tomarin Bldg. 2F, Tomari harbor in Naha). There's only one sailing per week and it takes 15-17 hours each way: Naha Tomari Kita departure at 17:00, Kitadaito or Minamidaito at 08:00 the next morning.

The timetable is decided about a month before, check with Daito Line. The homepage is in Japanese only; if you're not fluent, you can find the Naha departure day on the calendar looking for the "泊出港" characters).

On foot
In the center of the island most activities are within walking distance of the "Yakuba" or village office.

By bicycle
Bicycles can be rented at Hamayu-so Hotel. Virtually all parts of the island are accessible by bicycle.

See

 * Phosphorus Ore Warehouse. Ruins of a warehouse that was once used to store phosphate mined on Kitadaito, in the prewar days.
 * Kokuhyo (国標, "nation signpost"). The only signs in all of Japan indicating that the territory belongs to Japan.
 * Nagamaku (長幕). A coral wall that proves the island formed as a coral reef.
 * Cape Makkuro (真黒岬). The easternmost point of Okinawa.

Do
There are many activities to enjoy while staying on Kitadaito Island. If you have the time, go diving during calm seas for octopus (tako) or giant clams with a local guide. Its a fun way to see the ocean life and get a tasty meal.

Another fun activity is cliff diving. There are three ports on Kitadaito, and when the weather permits the locals take the time to jump off the lower piers and swim in the ocean around there. If you bring goggles you will also be able to see a myriad of fish and other ocean wild life.

Kitadaito also plays host to several festivals. The largest festival is held in the middle of September and includes both Edo and Okinawan sumo plus a day devoted to portable shrines (omikoshi). The Daito islands are the only Okinawan Islands to include the shrines in their festivals, because their first inhabitants came from Hachijojima.

Eat
Some locals think local sushi is the best in the world, and if you taste it, you can understand their feelings. The fish is extremely fresh and everything is made from scratch.

Drink
The local drink is awamori, a type of strong distilled rice liquor. It is drunk with water and ice.

Stay safe
Don't go swimming at high tide or during a storm. The waves can get very rough and people have died doing so. Some as a result of drowning and others from being knocked against the lava rock that surrounds the island.

title: Kitadaito