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Kvitfjell

Kvitfjell is a world class skiing destination located in Ringebu, Norway.

Understand
Kvitfjell Alpinanlegg was built for the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics. Since then, it has become one of the best and most modern ski resorts in Northern Europe. Kvitfjell is located just 2.5 hours north of the Oslo Airport, along the main railway and highway. At an altitude of over 800m above sea level, the view from the lifts and central station leaves a lasting impression of the beautiful landscape. Kvitfjell offers challenging slopes for both beginners and experienced skiers.

Get in
Oslo: 225 km ( 2 hours 45 minutes drive), Gardermoen: 198 km (2 1/2 hours drive), Lillehammer: 55 km (45 minutes drive), Trondheim: 315 km (3 1/2 hours drive)

 * Distance to the bottom station/goal area in Kvitfjell ski area.

GPS coordinates Kvitfjell Middlestation, main parking lot N 61 28.358 E 10 08.068

If you don't have a car, getting to the ski destination is facilitated by bus, train, and taxi.

Do
During high season, Kvitfjell offers a variety of activities to suit the needs of all guests, young and old. For those who enjoy speed, they can arrange ski races, or even one of their popular “Romperaciade” races. For those wanting something more relaxing, they offer horse-drawn sleigh rides through the Kvitfjell forests. While you’re there, why not enjoy a nice meal with a great view?

Kvitfjell offers the following activities:

-Dog Sledding -Guided Ski Tour -Ice Climbing -Ski Courses -Ski Races -Romperaciade/Sleigh Race -The Kvitfjelliade -Dining Opportunities -Wine & Cognac Course at GudbrandsGard -Conferences at GudbrandsGard -GudbrandsGard Hotell, an Autumn Fairytale!

For more information about the activities offered at Kvitfjell, see: Kvitfjell Activities

Ski & Snowboard
Kvitfjell boasts Olympic quality slopes in a scenic environment. This is not to say it isn't suited for beginners. Au contraire; the west side of the mountain was just developed for that exact purpose! There are hills for every level of skier or snowboarder.

When it comes to Alpine, Kvitfjell offers:

-Ski Passes -Ski School -Rentals & Ski Shop -Children's Programs -Terrain Park -Skiers Cross -And more!

Eat
There are many choices at Kvitfjell. Some of the dining opportunities allow you to organize a group meal at a cozy mountain farm, in a tipi-tent, or at a nature site selected by a guide. There are also a few after skis where you can enjoy home made sausages and goulajs soup, or for a more formal affair at GudbrandsGard Hotell's specialty restaurant. You can also have a meal at the lodge.

Sleep

Many other accommodations are available to suit everyone's needs.

title: Kvitfjell


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Kwajalein

Kwajalein is an atoll in the Marshall Islands.

Although a restricted US Department of Defense missile research and testing site, and not accessible to the general public, Kwajalein is home to around 1,800 Americans who live and work there. There is a fully functioning community including a bank, post office, shops, schools and a small hospital, as well as buildings and installments to support the US military mission.

By plane
Access to the island is restricted to active-duty US military personnel and civilian contractors with proper orders, although it is possible to travel there as a dependent of a person in either of these categories.

By car
Rental cars are not available to general public, and no taxis are on island. Residents may rent Quality of Life vehicles for hourly or daily use but most island transport is encouraged to be by foot or bicycle. There is a transport van available for passengers disembarking for Ebeye to carry them from the airport to the ferry dock.

Do
Scuba diving and snorkeling in the waters surrounding Kwajalein is a popular pastime for island residents. A 9-hole golf course is present. Tennis courts are available. And volleyball is played on the beach every Sunday morning. Fishing is very popular trolling by boat for mahi, ono, and tuna.

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

title: Kwajalein


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KwaZulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal (Zulu Kingdom) is a province in the east of South Africa, bordering Mozambique in the north and the Eastern Cape in the south.

Cities

 * — named in 1835 in honour of Sir Benjamin D’Urban, Governor of the Cape. Excellent beaches and surfing, 3-km Marine Parade, yachting harbour. South Africa’s main cargo port. Sub-tropical, often sultry and hot. Strong Indian influences.
 * — a coal-mining town and the site of the Battle of Blood River in 1838
 * — the oldest town of European settlement in Zululand. Good base to see the Zulu culture. Inland, cooler than Durban in summer.
 * — dating back to 1838, the original capital of the Voortrekkers’ Natal. Rich in history, a warm and well watered climate, good boating, canoeing, fishing, scenic drives, and beauty spots.
 * — home to Howick Falls, a large waterfall that occurs when the Umgeni River falls 95 m.

National parks

 * – a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is one of the most diverse regions in KwaZulu-Natal
 * — the Tugela Falls, the world's second highest waterfall, can be found here
 * – a UNESCO World Heritage Site that contains the largest and most concentrated group of paintings in Africa south of the Sahara

Other nature reserves

 * — grassland, scarp and swamp forest— you can view a rare swamp forest from elevated boardwalks
 * — the only state-run park in KwaZulu-Natal where each of the big five game animals can be found
 * — interconnected lakes, which form part of the greater iSimangaliso Wetland Park. The lakes are home to a variety of fish, amphibians, and reptiles, including the threatened African lungfish. The wetland habitats also support a large population of birds, including kingfishers, herons, and storks
 * — its interconnected lakes form part of the greater iSimangaliso Wetland Park and support a large population of birds, including kingfishers, herons, and storks
 * — renown for its birding possibilities
 * — at the bottom of the Oribi Gorge where the Mzimkulu River and Mximkulwana River meet
 * — home to Africa's largest elephants, 340 bird species and the other Big 5 animals: lion, buffalo, leopard, rhino
 * — home to Rhino, Hippo, Giraffe, Zebra, Ostrich, numerous species of antelope (including the rare Sable) and an abundance of birdlife 45 minutes from Durban
 * — dedicated to the conservation of over 180 different birds of prey of 50 different species
 * — at the outskirts of the town of Port Edward, the grassland areas of the reserve are known for their natural display of wildflowers in late spring
 * — has a reptile park, Safari game drives, and Zulu dancing
 * — has a reptile park, Safari game drives, and Zulu dancing

History
Bushmen hunters were among the earliest people to explore the region, which offered them plenty of caves and rock shelters, clear waters, abundant firewood, and good hunting.

The bushmen were ejected by the Iron-Age Bantu who migrated down from central Africa in the early 1600s. They called themselves the Nguni after their leader, and they were followed by an even larger number of people speaking their same Nguni language. They decided the region was much to their liking. Worth fighting over, in fact, which their clans did with great energy. The Zulu clan under Shaka Zulu welded other Nguni clans together into what became the most impressive military force seen in Africa’s history to that time.

Generally, the people enjoyed a good life and were wealthy in terms of the cattle they owned.

Europeans arrived in two ways. The Afrikaners trekked from the Cape and entered the region from the west. The English arrived at Port Natal (Durban) in the east. At first, there was little tension between black and white. But the Africans had no reason to work for the newcomers, so when sugar became important in the second half of the 1800s, the English imported labour from India. The Indian population grew quickly and by the 1890s outnumbered the whites in Natal.

The British insisted the Zulus should give up their traditional military system. War followed in 1879, and after scoring a massive victory at Isandlwana, the Zulus soon lost too many men — at least 4000 — and too much heart to continue.

Twenty years later and war flared up again, this time between Afrikaner and British. The war dragged on for more than two years before the Afrikaners sued for peace. They ultimately had their revenge, however, by winning political mastery of the entire country, which was in their grips from 1948 through 1994, when the African National Congress under Nelson Mandela came to power.

Today the Natal African is at the bottom of the Province’s economy and poorer than ever, apart from those few who have become enriched by the current political dispensation. The Indian community in KwaZulu-Natal, although victimized by apartheid, includes many of the wealthiest people in the country and still outnumbers the whites. As far as race relations are concerned, strong feelings simmer beneath the surface, especially between African and Indian. Indeed, contemporary Black musician Mbongeni Ngema wrote and recorded a song, "AmaNdiya" (the Indians), that was judged to be hate speech.

Tourist information

 * KwaZulu-Natal tourism

Talk
KwaZulu-Natal languages include Zulu, English and Afrikaans. In KwaZulu-Natal, English is mangled least by the English, more by the Indian, even more by the Africans and worst of all by the Afrikaners. The Wikipedia page on South African English is worth reading.

Get in
Most visitors to KwaZulu-Natal begin or end their journey at Durban.

By plane
The only important airport of KwaZulu-Natal is in Durban. It is the province's largest airport and offers domestic and international flights (only to Dubai, Mauritius and Maputo). King Shaka International Airport is located at La Mercy, 35 km north of the city.

If you’re flying in to Durban, book your rented car beforehand. If you’re arriving on a late flight, book Avis and ask them to keep their kiosk open until you arrive. They are happy to comply.

By car
The N2 connects KwaZulu-Natal with Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Eastern Cape and Western Cape. If you are driving from the Kruger National Park to Durban, the N2 between Piet Retief and Pongola is often badly pot-holed. You might do better to travel by way of Middelburg, Ermelo, Volksrust, Ladysmith, and Pietermaritzburg.

If you are driving to Durban from the Cape, the stretch through the Eastern Cape from East London onwards is hardly worth the bother and can be unsafe in and around Mthatha. Better to drop off your rental at Port Elizabeth, fly to Durban, and rent again.

The N3 connects KwaZulu-Natal with Gauteng via Van Reenens pass.

If you are driving through Eswatini (Swaziland), cross into South Africa at Golela and get onto the N2 southbound.

Great lengths of the N2 (coast) and N3 (Johannesburg-Durban) are toll roads. You can pay at the toll plazas with a credit card, but cash may be wiser from the point of view of card fraud.

By bus
The main companies run regular buses from Durban to Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth. Public transport east of Durban is limited.

 * The Baz Bus runs from Port Elizabeth to Durban (a compulsory overnight stop) and from there to Johannesburg via the Drakensberg.

By train
Durban is linked to Johannesburg by rail, almost daily overnight, and once per week to Cape Town; trains are operated by Spoornet.

By car
There are some long-distance bus services, between Durban and Johannesburg for example, but as with the rest of South Africa local public transport is not a good option for tourists. Africans get about on minibus taxis, but these run on set routes, are generally not roadworthy, and are very difficult to understand. You’ll find a couple of international car hire brands including Avis, and there are a few trustworthy local firms including Tempest. The bigger the name, the more likely you are to find a branch in the nearest town, which is important if you have problems with the vehicle. You should take care to understand your liability in the event of damage to the vehicle; even if you are entirely blameless, you will probably have to pay towards the cost of the repairs.

By taxi
Taxis are generally a convenient way of getting around for most tourists and locals. There are quite a few options, and the more reliable ones are Taxis do not rove in Durban, so the best is for you to call their offices.
 * Umhlanga Rocks Taxis (Umhlanga Cabs),
 * Eagle Taxis

A lot of taxis also operate from most hotels, so that may also be an option to find one if you are in a hurry and close to a hotel.

By train
There is a Metrorail suburban rail network around Durban and the North and South Coasts, and inland to Pinetown. However, it is generally not thought of as safe, unless you are in a large group (going to a sporting event, for example, at Kings Park rugby stadium, Moses Mabhida soccer stadium, or Kingsmead cricket ground).

See

 * The second highest waterfall in the world, the Tugela falls, located in the Royal Natal National Park.
 * The museums and historical sights regarding the Anglo-Boers wars around Ladysmith, Spioenkop, Frere (where Winston Churchill was captured) and many other sites.
 * Sites where scenes from the 1964 film Zulu were shot there.

Do

 * Explore Zulu culture in the Valley of 1000 hills.
 * Enjoy the beaches and warm water of the Indian Ocean.
 * Explore the Drakensberg mountains.
 * Rock climbing.
 * Visit any of the many national parks.
 * Scuba diving, especially at Sodwana Bay, Aliwal Shoal, Mabibi and Kosi Bay, and Durban.

Eat
Since the province has such a strong Indian heritage, it’s a good idea to try the local Indian restaurants. At Jai Pur Palace in Durban, try the eat-all-you-like buffet and sample as many of the dishes that tempt you. Well worth it. At the other end of the culinary scale is bunny chow, a loaf of bread hollowed out and filled with curry. Be careful - food hygiene may be poor where bunny chow is sold.

If you are staying at B&Bs, your hosts will know where you can get a good meal. The newer shopping malls generally have a good choice of reasonable eating places; most towns have international fast-food franchises.

Stay safe
The general South African safety rules apply in this province. A particular menace in KwaZulu-Natal is credit-card fraud. Keep your card in sight at all times, always check that the card returned to you is your card, and check your card statement when you get home. Also be careful of remote jamming in smaller parts of KZN. If someone ever asks you what the time is, do not take out your phone. It will give them a chance to snatch it and run. If someone ever asks you what your number is, walk away, unless they engage in a conversation with you first.

title: KwaZulu-Natal


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Kyaikkami

Kyaikkami is a city in Southeastern Myanmar.

Understand
It was a British city under British rule, and it was famous as a black market entrepôt before the military government regime. Now it attracts Myanmar pilgrims who love to visit Kyaikkami Yele Pagoda or Kyaik-kami Ye Le Paya.

Get in
You can visit there by bus or by boat. Bus fare from Yangon is 6,500 kyat. There are three bus companies. The nearest big city is Tanphyuzayat which had a notorious Japanese concentration camp, now maintained as a war cemetery.

See

Kyaikkami Yele Pagoda. Enjoy the marine air from the viewpoint.

Do
You can hike or bike along the seaside. If you are amateur rock-climber, there are numerous cliffs.

Sleep

 * Pagoda Guesthouse. If you are lucky, you may get single room for no more than USD2 per day.
 * Kadaykywe Guesthouse is also recommended.

Go next

 * Setse Beach is a very pretty resort. Guesthouses are very cheap.
 * Thanbyuzayat

title: Kyaikkami


text:
Kyaiktiyo

Kyaiktiyo, also sometimes written Kyaikhteeyoe, is a small pilgrim town in the mountains almost 200 km from Yangon in Southeastern Myanmar, famous for its golden boulder and pagoda balancing precariously over a cliff.

Understand
There is a lot of confusion about the actual name of the location of the Golden Rock and the related cities. In the following all three are explained:

In addition, there is always a big discussion whether it is worth to come here or whether this is just a touristic scam. However, remember that this is a major pilgrim side in Myanmar and not just made to rip-off western tourist. Yes, the latter have to pay a steep surplus, but is $10 really worth this discussion? There are probably more worthy discussion, like the city fee in Bago or the Shwedagon pagoda fee in Yangon. So best to switch off this unease by simply planning in an additional 10-15,000 kyat for this busy sight that even includes a crazy truck rollercoaster ride through the mountains.

Get in
Most people come to visit the Golden Rock, and there is no real reason to stay in Kyaikto. Instead, most people stay in Kinpun or on top of the mountain itself (Kyaiktiyo). Due to the popularity there are direct buses from all over Myanmar to Kinpun.

Bus

 * Bago – Buses take around 2-3 hr and cost 4-5,000 kyat. Win-Express runs directly to Kinpun.
 * Hpa-An – Buses take around 4 hr and cost 5,000 kyat.
 * Mawlamyine – 4-5 h, 07:30 & 09:30, 7,000 kyat.
 * Yangon – Buses depart from early morning until around 14:30 (during the dry season there are probably more). 4.5 h, 7,000 kyat. Again, Win-Express runs directly to Kinpun.

If you have to get out at the (for buses going further to Mawlamyine, Hpa-An, Bago or Yangon), do not take the motorbike-taxis to Kinpun, they will approach you in a mob-fashion and try to scam you. They will try to make you believe that there is no pick-up going to Kinpun and you have to take a motorbike taxi for 1,000 kyat or more. Do not trust them and do not let them follow you, if you try to get some information from other locals, the motorbike-drivers will speak with them first and these locals will then tell you the same story. There is a regular pick-up going from Kyaikto to Kinpun running all day for 500 kyat. Just get rid of the annoying motorbike-drivers and ask all the pick-ups until you find the right one. Alternatively walk north towards and cross the to reach the road behind it, which is the one leading north to Kinpun. It should also be easy to catch a ride there by hailing the passing vehicles. If you have bought a bus ticket for all the way to Kinpun, the pick up should be included in the price.

Train
Kyaikto has up to three (bumpy) trains a day coming in from Yangon and Bago, departing in Yangon at 07:15, 18:25 and 21:00 and arriving at 11:55, 23:17 and 01:27, respectively. Likewise, there are three trains from Mawlamyine, departing at 08:00, 19:30 and 20:55, respectively. The prices for upper class are about 2,500 kyat from Yangon or Mawlamyine. Ordinary class from Bago to Kyakto is 650 kyat.

Get around
Hitchhiking the 14 km between Kyaikto and Kinpun is possible due to the numerous pilgrim transports in both directions. When going with locals, hide yourself when passing by the police station, which is less than 1 km from Kinpun.

From Kinpun uncomfortable (but nonetheless interesting and exciting) trucks with up to 45 wooden/metal plank seats head rollercoaster-like up the mountain to Kyaiktiyo. They start at the when fully packed with pilgrims and tourists, which can take a long time in low season. The one-way price is 1,500 kyat (half-way) or 2,000 kyat (to the top). If you decide to get out half-way at the cable car drop off, you have to walk up stairs for about 45 min. However, finding a truck that gets filled with pilgrims and tourists that only go half-way is harder. Contrary to this, there is another rumour that sometimes tourists are only taken half-way to benefit the human carriers. Either way, you will have to adapt. Check when the last trucks are going down the mountain again to avoid getting stranded around 6pm.

A cable car is available from the half way point for 10,000 kyatt one way or 14,000 kyatt return. Do not get off here if you have paid to get to the top.

Walking up the mountain from Kinpun is also possible and takes about 4-5 h. In rain season, you can still walk up all the way but a rain cover is essential. You will most likely be the only one then. It's still a great experience as people might invite you for a tea to wait for the shower to stop. In the other season walking up is a great experience and you might do some new friends walking up. There are a lot of shops selling water and souvenirs (and crafting them) and you might have a lot of points where you might rest. There is also is school where you might pass by, and you will have an insight of how these poor inhabitants live. Do remember still to bring some water (but you may buy it on the way) and to put on a lot of suncream, as it will be very hot.

See

Buy
There are numerous shops and street stalls in, before and behind the pagoda area in Kyaiktiyo selling everything a pilgrim needs or not.

In Kinpun many malls and shopping centres cater for the pilgrims and tourists. Tourist clothing and fashion, wooden toys, wicker souvenirs (bags, balls etc.)

Eat
The selection of restaurants in the surrounding areas of Kinpun and Kyaiktiyo range from basic and practically identical to luxurious and delicious. Most restaurants in Kyaiktiyo are on the other side of the pagoda area, so do not leave your shoes at the lockers.

Kinpun has a somewhat better selection of restaurants close to the truck stop. Most serve Chinese and Mandalay food. There is a KFC next to the truck stop.

Drink
Try one of the busy restaurants in Kinpun. In Kyaiktiyo the Mountain Top Hotel is recommended. In the village, they sell a cold home-made beverage which is recommended.

Sleep
You can stay in the temple containing the Golden Rock up on the mountain in Kyaiktiyo with hundreds if not thousands of other pilgrims. But remember to bring a mattress and good sleeping bag, because it can get cold, and maybe a mosquito net. Also prepare in case of rain. In high season, finding a place to sleep, where people are not constantly walking across you, can be a challenge. If weather permits, you can also sleep outside on the pagoda floor, having a nice view of the rock or of the surroundings. You will be able to be in close contact with some friendly Burmese people and it is very safe.

Go next

 * Bago – Famous for the highest pagoda in the world, the Shwemawdaw Pagoda. Same buses as to Yangon, tickets are 5,000 kyat, but can be haggled down to 4,000 kyat.
 * Hpa-An – Famous for its numerous caves and green surroundings. There are some direct buses from Kinpun, just ask for it. In general (from Kyaikto), the bus with air-con takes 4 h for 5-7,000 kyat. In case you don't get a direct bus to Hpa-an, take a Mawlamyine bus and get off in Thaton from where pickups or buses can easily be caught from the golden pagoda in Thaton for the last bit to Hpa-an.
 * Mawlamyine – Famous for the biggest reclining Buddha statue of Myanmar, and it is the 3rd biggest city of Myanmar. 7,000 kyat, 3-4 h.
 * Yangon – Buses start directly in Kinpun at 06:00, 08:00, 09:00, 12:00 and 16:00. The trip takes about 5 h and costs 7-8,000 kyat. Can be booked via your hotel.
 * You might want to think about heading to Loikaw by taking the road north from, which is 29 km east of Kyaikto. South of Loikaw and west of the Salween River in the mountains between 1,000 and 1,500 m is where the Kayan people live, including the famous Padaung women with their golden brass neck coils that seem to stretch their neck (but actually cause a lower shoulder). However, it is about 350 km from Kyaikto to Loikaw, so it might better to head there from Taungoo or Taunggyi.
 * Mandalay – Famous for the U Bein Bridge, the Buddha face washing, as well as the nearby mountains by train. 8 h. From 10,000 kyat.
 * Bagan – Probably the most famous sight in Myanmar, besides Inle Lake. Buses are about 10-11 h and 15,000 kyat.

The train from Kyaikto to Bago (7 h) and Yangon (9 h) leaves at 12:33, 23:55 and 01:30. The 5 h train to Mawlamyine leaves 11:57, 23:20 and 01:30. Both directions are about 2,500 kyat for upper class. For more details see Seat61.com, or ask directly at the train station where you also will have to buy the ticket upfront.

title: Kyaiktiyo


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Kyaukme

Kyaukme or Kyauk Me is a town in Shan State in Eastern Myanmar.

Understand
Kyaukme is surprisingly bustling small town. It is the market town of choice for the surrounding area, and now also features a Chinese quarter almost as big as the rest of the town itself, with the overwhelming majority of the Chinese immigrants engaged in the production of bamboo paper for the Chinese market.

Get in
The Mandalay-Lashio train stops at Kyauk Me. Arriving around 14:00 in Lashio and 10:30 in Mandalay. There are daily buses to Mandalay leaving at 05:30 from the bus station 3,500-4,000 kyat, 3 buses head to Hsipaw from 07:00-14:00, 1,000 kyat. It is possible to catch buses in the afternoon coming from Hsipaw and Lashio to Mandalay or Yangon from the main road around 2 km from town centre. You will need to flag the bus down, many do not actually go into Mandalay but only pass it on the way to Yangon.

Get around
To get around town, try motorbike taxis or just walk.

See
The town itself is not that interesting, but the surrounding Palaung villages in the hills are sublime and a great destination for trekking as an alternative to Hsipaw. Several Palaung/Shan and Bamar guides offer trekking and/or motorbike tours of the surrounding area, but it's all very small-scale. A local guide who speaks Palaung and/or Shan is preferable, as real interaction with the locals is then possible.

Do
There are some bamboo/led paper workshops that are interesting. Also there is an English School that is looking for foreigners to drop in and help with lessons. You will likely be approached if arriving by train.

The golf course is good value at 2,000 kyat for a round.

Stay safe
People including tourists have been injured by mines in the area.

Connect
There are a few Internet cafes around town with cheap, but slow connections.

title: Kyaukme


text:
Kyleakin

Kyleakin (Gaelic: Caol Àcain) is a village on the island of Skye, traditionally a ferry port. It has become quieter since the Skye Bridge replaced the ferry from the mainland, but is an attractive small place worth a stop. In 2011 the population was around 300.

Get in
By train: two trains run daily from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh just across the bridge, taking 2 hr 40 min. Their stops include Dingwall, Achnasheen, Stromeferry and Plockton. Buses to Skye connect with these trains.

By bus: Citylink Bus 915 runs twice daily from Glasgow Buchanan Station via Glasgow Airport, Dumbarton, Loch Lomond west bank, Crianlarich, Glencoe, Fort William and Invergarry, taking six hours to Kyleakin. The route continues across Skye via Broadford, Sligachan and Portree to Uig, for ferries to Tarbert on Harris and Lochmaddy on North Uist.

Citylink Bus 917 runs twice daily from Inverness via Loch Ness, taking two hours to Kyleakin then onward to Portree as above.

Stagecoach Highlands Bus 55 runs three times M-F from Kyle of Lochalsh to Kyleakin and Broadford, with two continuing to Torrin and Elgol.

These buses turn off A87 to come into the car park next to Castle Moil Restaurant then turn and head on.

By road: follow A87 across the toll-free bridge.

Get around
Kyleakin is small enough to walk around. Car hire is available in Kyle of Lochalsh.

See

 * is the scrappy ruins of a 15th-century castle, you only come for the stroll and views over the straits.
 * : see Kyle of Lochalsh for the story of this bridge. There's a sidewalk so you can walk or cycle across. Midway is Eilean Bàn, with the Gavin Maxwell Cottage and lighthouse.

Do

 * Seaprobe Atlantis run boat trips Easter to October.

Buy

 * The Post Office is open Tu Th 10AM-1:30PM.
 * For food items go into Kyle of Lochalsh, which has a Co-op Food.

Eat

 * Castle Moil Restaurant on South Obbe Rd is open M-Sa 10AM-11PM, Su 3-11PM.
 * Saucy Mary's restaurant gets better reviews than its dismal accommodation.
 * Mana Skye on Pier Rd is open Tu-Sa 10AM-3PM, 5:30-8PM.
 * Mana Skye on Pier Rd is open Tu-Sa 10AM-3PM, 5:30-8PM.

Drink

 * King Haakon Bar is part of Castle Moil Restaurant.

Sleep

 * Blair Dhu House is a B&B south of the A87 roundabout on Old Kyle Farm Road.
 * Mo Dhachaidh is a B&B 50 yards further south on the farm lane.
 * Maclennan's is a B&B on the waterfront in the main village.
 * Saucy Mary's Lodge in the old church on Main Street is an 86-bed hostel getting rotten reviews.
 * Saucy Mary's Lodge in the old church on Main Street is an 86-bed hostel getting rotten reviews.
 * Saucy Mary's Lodge in the old church on Main Street is an 86-bed hostel getting rotten reviews.
 * Saucy Mary's Lodge in the old church on Main Street is an 86-bed hostel getting rotten reviews.

Connect
As of June 2024 Kyleakin has 4G from EE, O2 and Vodafone, and a basic mobile signal from Three. This extends along A87 from Dornie across the bridge and onward to Broadford and Portree. 5G has not yet reached this area.

Go next

 * The road across Skye leads to Broadford. From there the main road continues towards Portree, while the road south leads to Armadale for ferries to Mallaig.
 * Back on the mainland, the main road leads past Dornie with Eilean Donan Castle, or branch north for the picturesque village of Plockton.

title: Kyleakin


text:
Kyle of Lochalsh

Kyle of Lochalsh is a village in Wester Ross in the Scottish Highlands, with a population of 590 in 2020. It is just across the water from Kyleakin on the Isle of Skye and was the traditional route to Skye by ferry. Nowadays the toll-free Skye Bridge carries the A87 across. Kyle has become a bit of a backwater, and doesn't have "sights" or visitor attractions, but is a good base for the countryside around. This includes for Skye, which gets booked solid in July and August.

Understand

In Gaelic ceolas, pronounced "kyles", means narrows, and between Kyle of Lochalsh and Kyleakin is the narrowest crossing between the mainland and Skye. A ferryboat has plied here at least since 1600, and in the 19th century the railway was built from Inverness to Kyle jetty. By the 20th century, technically it was no great challenge to build a bridge here, but there wasn't enough traffic to justify doing so. But in the 1960s and 70s tourism and other traffic boomed, ferry capacity was strained, and Kyle in summer became a tetchy queue of vehicles. Bridge construction began in 1992 and it was opened in 1995, using the Private Finance Initiative. Tolls were high and deeply unpopular, and protests and refusals to pay mounted; documents later revealed that the PFI operator was charging ten times the bridge's running costs. The Scottish government bought out the operator at the end of 2004 and tolls ceased.

The Skye Bridge is in two stages, the Carrich Viaduct from the mainland to Eilean Bàn ("White Island"), then the main bridge arching over to Kyleakin. There are no plans to build a railway bridge so Kyle remains the terminus.

Get in
Trains run twice a day from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh taking 2 hrs 40 min. Their stops include Dingwall, Achnasheen, Stromeferry and Plockton. Buses to Skye connect with these trains.

is mid-town on the former ferry pier. There's a staffed ticket office M-Sa but no machines. The toilets are open during ticket office hours. There is step-free access to the island platform.

Scottish Citylink Bus 915 runs twice a day between Glasgow and Skye. The route north is from Buchanan Station via Glasgow Airport, Dumbarton, Loch Lomond west bank, Crianlarich, Glencoe, Fort William and Invergarry taking six hours to Kyle. The route continues across Skye via Broadford, Sligachan and Portree to Uig, for ferries to Tarbert on Harris and Lochmaddy on North Uist.

Scottish Citylink Bus 917 runs twice a day from Inverness via Loch Ness, taking two hours to Kyle then onward to Portree as above.

Stagecoach Highlands Bus 55 runs three times M-F to Kyleakin and Broadford on Skye, with two continuing to Torrin and Elgol.

Macrae Kintail Bus 712 runs just once in the morning M-F from Corran via Glenelg, Dornie and Kyle of Lochalsh to Plockton. It immediately turns round for the return, so it's no help for day trips.

The ferry at Kyle stopped running when the bridge opened. There's still a regular ferry between Mallaig and Armadale on the south tip of Skye, and a small ferry from Glenelg in summer.

Get around
Kyle is small enough to get around on foot. You may walk or cycle across the bridge, which has sidewalks both sides. That's a good way to visit Eilean Bàn.

Skye Car Rental (+44 1599 534426), Enterprise and Morar Motors (+44 1687 462118) are based at the railway station.

Kyle Taxi is on Station Rd, tel +44 1599 534323.

See

 * has sidewalks so you can stroll or cycle across. It touches down on Eilean Bàn, where a track leads to the Gavin Maxwell Cottage (now self-catering, sleeps four) and Kyleakin lighthouse, no longer in use. The islet is private property but occasional tours are run by the Brightwater visitor centre at Kyleakin.

Do

 * Boat trips are available in summer from Seaprobe Atlantis and from Red Moon Cruises, both based near the slipway.
 * Hikes recommended by Walk Highlands include The Plock of Kyle, Plockton Coral Beach, Loch Scalpaidh and Balmacara.
 * Shinty: Kinlochsheil play in Mowi Premiership, the top tier. The playing season is April-Oct.

Buy

 * The Bank of Scotland closes permanently on 27 January 2025, there is an ATM at the Co-op and the Post Office (Station Rd) offers some banking services.
 * Co-op Food is on Bridge Road 100 yards west of the railway station; on foot ascend the steps by the traffic lights. It's open daily 7AM-10PM.

Drink

 * Nor-West Bar is within Kyle Hotel.
 * Distillery: Isle of Skye Experimental Spirits just east of the old pier make whisky, gin, rum, vodka, liqueurs and "experimental" spirits. They also have an outlet in Broadford.

Connect
As of June 2022, the village and A87 have 4G from EE, O2 and Vodafone, and a basic mobile signal from Three. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Plockton is an attractive loch-side village a few miles north by train or car.
 * A87 the main road to Inverness passes Eilean Donan Castle in Dornie, a classic photo-stop.
 * Take the bridge to Skye.

title: Kyle of Lochalsh


text:
Kyllini

Kyllini (Greek: Κυλλήνη) is the westernmost port town in the Peloponnese, Greece.

Understand
This small town is the ferry port linking the Ionian Islands of Zakynthos and Kefalonia with the Greek mainland. It is also a destination in its own right with 11km of sandy beach, hot springs and a mediaeval castle.

title: Kyllini


text:
Kyoto

Kyōto (京都) was the capital of Japan for over a millennium, and carries a reputation as the nation's most beautiful city and its cultural capital - even the national government's Agency for Cultural Affairs moved there in 2023. However, visitors may be surprised by how much work they will have to do to see Kyoto's beautiful side. Most first impressions of the city will be of the urban sprawl of central Kyoto, around the ultra-modern glass-and-steel train station, which is itself an example of a city steeped in tradition colliding with the modern world.

Nonetheless, the persistent visitor will soon discover Kyoto's hidden beauty in the temples and parks which ring the city center, and find that the city has much more to offer than immediately meets the eye.

The city has a multi-lingual Official Travel Guide site.

Districts

Though dwarfed in size by other major Japanese cities, Kyoto is vast in terms of its rich cultural heritage - the material endowment of over a thousand years as the country's imperial capital. The city's numerous palaces, shrines, temples and other landmarks are spread out over the following districts:

Understand
Nestled among the mountains of the Kansai region of Western Honshu, Kyoto was the capital of Japan and the residence of the Emperor from 794 until the Meiji Restoration of 1868, when the capital was moved to Tokyo. During its millennium at the center of Japanese power, culture, tradition, and religion, it accumulated an unparalleled collection of palaces, temples and shrines, built for emperors, shoguns, and monks. Kyoto was among the few Japanese cities that escaped the allied bombings of World War II and so still has an abundance of prewar buildings, such as the traditional townhouses known as machiya. However, the city is continuously undergoing modernization with some of the traditional Kyoto buildings being replaced by newer architecture, such as the Kyoto Station complex. Kyoto is home to Japan's second most prestigious university, Kyoto University.

Orientation
Kyoto's city planners way back in 794 decided to copy the Chinese capital Chang'an (present-day Xi'an) and adopt a grid pattern, which persists to this day in the city core. West-east streets are numbered, with Ichijō-dōri (一条通, "First Street") up north and Jūjō-dōri (十条通, "Tenth Street") down south, but there is no obvious pattern to the names of north-south streets.

Climate
Kyoto truly exhibits the four seasons of spring, summer, fall and winter, with many flowers in spring and changing leaves in the fall attracting hordes of tourists. Kyoto is particularly humid in summer, as the city is flanked by mountains. From about mid-June to the end of July is the rainy season, so most travelers avoid this time. The type of rain ranges from drizzles to off-and-on showers to downpours. There is another typhoon season in late August and September. Winters are generally cold but without snowfall. They usually don't start until the end of December and last until March when the plum blossoms begin to open, followed by cherry blossoms.

By plane
Kyoto does not have its own airport, but is served by Osaka's two airports, Kansai International and Itami. There is an excellent road and railway network between the two cities.

By train
You can fly into Kansai International Airport in Osaka Bay and then get a train to Kyoto. Kansai Airport Station is opposite the arrival lobby where the Haruka limited express train, operated by West Japan Railway (JR West), can be caught. The Haruka runs to Kyoto in 75–80 minutes and a one-way ticket costs ¥2,900 for an open (non-reserved) seat or ¥3,430 for a reserved seat.

There are a few ways that foreign tourists can use the Haruka at a discount. One way is to buy a one-day Kansai Area Pass. At a cost of only ¥2,400 (¥2,350 if you book online), this pass costs ¥500 less than a regular ticket. You will need to show a passport issued by a foreign country with Japanese temporary visitor visa on it when purchasing a ticket. Note that you are limited to purchasing one pass per trip, so if you return to Kansai Airport on the Haruka you will have to pay the regular fare.

The above ticket can be purchased online or at the Kansai Airport train station. Some other, more expensive JR West passes where trips on the Haruka are valid include the Kansai Wide Area Pass and the Sanyo Area Pass.

The other train company operating out of Kansai Airport is the Nankai Railway. They offer a discounted ticket if you are interested in traveling to Central Kyoto, called the Kyoto Access Ticket. For ¥1250 this ticket includes a journey on the Nankai Railway Airport service to Tengachaya (天下茶屋) station in Osaka, followed by a trip on the Osaka Sakaisuji Subway Line. With a second transfer at Awaji station you can travel to Kyoto on the Hankyu Main Line. Under this plan you can reach Central Kyoto in approximately 1 hr 45 min. You have the option to upgrade to the fastest Nankai train service, the Rapi:t, for an additional charge.

By bus
Comfortable limousine buses run from the airport to Kyoto Station twice an hour. The ticket costs ¥2,600 one-way or ¥4,260 round-trip. Buses discharge at the south end of Kyoto Station; return tickets are sold from a vending machine on the first floor of the Hotel Keihan Kyoto. The ride from Terminal 1 takes 88 minutes, but can take longer when there is traffic (90 – 135 min).

Through Itami Airport
Itami Airport, also called Osaka International Airport although it no longer has international flights, is Kansai region's largest domestic airport and the closest airport to Kyoto. Travelers flying from other areas in Japan will most likely arrive here. The easiest way to get to Kyoto from Itami Airport is by Limousine Bus, which generally runs every 20 min throughout the day. The trip takes about 50 min and costs ¥1,340.

Alternatively, you can take a combination of monorail and train, which requires one or two changes:
 * Take the Osaka Monorail to Hotarugaike, the Hankyu Takarazuka Line to Juso, and the Hankyu Kyoto Line to Kyoto (1 hr, ¥670)
 * Take the Osaka Monorail to Minami-Ibaraki and change to the Hankyu Kyoto Line to Kyoto (1 hr, ¥760)

Whereas the Limousine Bus will leave you at Kyoto Station in the southern part of Kyoto, the Hankyu Railway runs to Shijō Street in central Kyoto.

By train
Most visitors arrive at JR Kyoto Station by Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo. Nozomi trains take approximately 2 hr 15 min to Kyoto and cost ¥14170 one-way. Travel agencies in Tokyo and Kyoto sell Nozomi tickets with ¥700-1,000 discount. If you buy a ticket in an agency, it is "open date" - you can board any train as long as it is not full. All you have to do is show up at the train station, register your agency ticket and then you will be reserved a seat.

Hikari trains, which run less frequently and make a few more stops, cover the trip in around 2 hr 45 min, while all-stopping Kodama trains take around 3 hr 40 min. Only the Hikari and Kodama trains can be used by Japan Rail Pass holders unless a Nozomi supplement is paid.

Tickets can be purchased in advance through Japan Railways' official SmartEX App, available in English and other languages, with a ¥200 discount. Look for hayatoku fares, which can offer big savings on trips purchased at least three days in advance. For example, two passengers from Tokyo could travel for ¥12020 each in ordinary class on the Nozomi or for ¥11200 each in the Green Car (first class) if willing to take the all-stations Kodama service.

Travelers can also take advantage of the Puratto (Platt) Kodama Ticket (Japanese), which offers a discount for Kodama services if you purchase at least one day in advance. You get a reserved seat and a coupon for a free drink (including beer) which can be redeemed at a "Kiosk" convenience counter inside the station. With this ticket a trip from Tokyo to Kyoto costs ¥10500. There is only one Kodama service per hour from Tokyo, and a few early-morning Kodama trains cannot be used with this ticket. Travel from Nagoya with this ticket costs ¥4400.

During travel periods when the Seishun 18 Ticket is valid, you can go from Tokyo to Kyoto during the day in about 8½ hours using all-local trains. Traveling in a group is the best way to get discounts. The usual fare is ¥8360, however a party of three costs around ¥4000 per person, and a group of five traveling together drops the price down to ¥2410 per person.

For travel in the Kansai region, a cheaper and almost as fast alternative is the JR shinkaisoku (新快速) rapid service, which connects to Osaka, Kobe and Himeji at the price of a local train. For a slightly cheaper price you can use the private Hankyu or Keihan lines to Osaka and Kobe, or the Kintetsu line to Nara. The Kansai Thru Pass includes travel on the private lines through to Kyoto, and this may prove cheaper that a JR Pass if you are staying a few days in the area.

Those travelling from the Hokuriku region can use Thunderbird (サンダーバード) limited express trains from Tsuruga. From Tsuruga, you can catch the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Fukui, Komatsu, Kanazawa and beyond.

Hokuriku Arch Pass
The Hokuriku Arch Pass allows unlimited travel between Tokyo and the Kansai area via the Hokuriku region, using the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kanazawa and the Thunderbird from Kanazawa to Kyoto and Osaka. At a cost of ¥24500 for seven consecutive days of travel (¥25500 if purchased inside Japan), the Arch Pass is about half the cost of the national Japan Rail Pass. On the other hand, a trip from Tokyo to Kyoto is twice as long via Kanazawa compared to the more popular Tokaido Shinkansen, though the trip times will go down a little when the next section opens on 16 March 2024.

Overnight travel
Direct overnight train service between Tokyo and Kyoto were plentiful in the past decades, but as time went on services were pretty much eliminated. As a result, taking the bus is now the easiest way to travel between these two cities at night.

Overnight travel between Tokyo and Kyoto is still possible with a stopover in another city along the way, which is easy to do with a Japan Rail Pass or a basic long-distance ticket that is valid over a period of several days.

By car
Kyoto is easily reached by car via the Meishin Expressway between Nagoya and Osaka, but you'll definitely want to park your car on the outskirts of the city and use public transport to get around. Most attractions are in places built well before the existence of automobiles, and the availability of parking varies between extremely limited and non-existent. Furthermore, what little parking is available might be outrageously expensive.

By bus
As Kyoto is a major city, there are many day and overnight buses which run between Kyoto and other locations throughout Japan, which can be a cheaper alternative than shinkansen fares. As the cultural center of Japan, Kyoto's bus connections are almost as numerous as Tokyo's. There are bus operators with night buses from Yamagata, Sendai, Koriyama, Fukushima, Tochigi, Utsunomiya, Saitama (Omiya), Yokohama, Niigata, Karuizawa, Toyama, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Numazu, Mishima, Matsue, Izumo, Tokuyama, Yamaguchi, Imabari, Matsuyama, Kochi, Fukuoka (Hakata), Takeo, Sasebo (Huis Ten Bosch). Same-day highway buses depart from Tsu, Yokkaichi, Nagoya, Toyokawa, Toyohashi, Takayama, Okayama, Kurashiki, Tsuyama, Fukuyama, Onomichi, and Hiroshima.

Most highway buses will pick up and drop off passengers at Kyoto Station. JR Buses congregate at the Karasuma Exit (烏丸口) at the north side of the station. Other companies will use the Hachijo Exit (八条口) on the south side, either at the station or at one of the nearby hotels.

Another bus stop is called Kyoto Fukakusa (京都深草). This stop is nowhere close to Kyoto station, but rather is 4.5 km to the south on the Meishin Expressway. Some JR Buses heading to and from Osaka will use this stop instead of calling at Kyoto Station. The closest train stations are Fujinomori on the Keihan Line (5-10 min walk) and Takeda on the Kintetsu Line and Kyoto Subway (10-15 min walk); all can be used to reach central Kyoto. Local city buses also runs to Kyoto station from the nearby Youth Science Center a few times per hour.

From Tokyo
The run between Tokyo and the Kansai region is the busiest in Japan. Buses use the Tomei or Chuo Expressway from Tokyo to Nagoya, then the Meishin Expressway to Kyoto. Trips take between 7 and 9 hours depending on the route and stops.

Fierce competition between operators has led to better amenities and lower prices. Part of this strategy is the adoption of dynamic pricing on many bus routes. This generally means that daytime trips, weekday trips, tickets bought in advance and buses carrying more passengers are cheaper, while night trips, weekend/holiday trips, walk-up fares and buses with fewer (and more comfortable) seats will be more expensive.

As a rule of thumb, fares for a weekday trip between Tokyo and Kyoto go for ¥4000-6000 per person during the daytime, and ¥5000-8000 per person for overnight trips. Children usually pay half the adult fare.

Two of the major bus operators between Tokyo and Kyoto are Willer Express and JR Bus. Tickets for all carriers can generally be purchased at major departure points, and can also be purchased (with some Japanese language help) at kiosks inside convenience stores.

Willer Express runs daytime and overnight trips with a variety of seating options ranging from standard seats to luxurious shell seats. Bus journeys can be booked online in English, and Willer's Japan Bus Pass is valid on all of their routes with some exceptions. Willer's buses in Tokyo leave from the Shinjuku Highway Bus Terminal (Busta Shinjuku), above the JR tracks at Shinjuku Station, which is served by many of Japan's highway bus operators. Willer also sells tickets for other bus operators on their website, but these trips are not valid with Willer's Japan Bus Pass.

JR Bus reservations can be made in English through their Kousoku Bus Net web site. You can also make reservations in train stations at the same "Midori-no-Madoguchi" ticket windows used to reserve seats on trains. Buses depart from Tokyo Station - Yaesu Exit (八重洲口) and from Busta Shinjuku.

Get around
The sheer size of the city of Kyoto, and the distribution of tourist attractions around the periphery of the city, make the city's public transport system invaluable.

One of the easiest ways to plan a route is through Navitime. This website contains station-to-station route plans, which reference public and private trains and subways as well as buses throughout Japan.

If you are planning to travel beyond city limits you might consider using the tickets from Surutto Kansai. For use in west Japan, including Kyoto, there are some other useful tickets: a rechargeable smart card, ICOCA, can be used on rail, subway and bus networks in the Kansai area and also Okayama, Hiroshima, Nagoya (Kintetsu trains) and Tokyo (JR East trains). These cards are available at vending machines at these rail stations, and cost ¥2000, which includes a ¥500 deposit that will be refunded when the card is returned at JR West Station. For use in Kyoto only there are some other useful tickets:

 * The Kyoto Sightseeing Card can be purchased as a one-day (adults ¥900/children ¥450) or two-day pass (¥1700/¥850). It can be used for unlimited travel on the subway and city buses as well as a part of the Kyoto bus route. The two-day pass has to be used on two consecutive days.
 * The  Traffica Kyo Card is a stored-value card in denominations of ¥1000 or ¥3000. It can be conveniently used up to face value on all subways and buses by simply sliding it through the ticket gate. They offer a 10% bonus value.

Check the Kyoto City Bus & Subway Information Guide for more information on how to use these cards.

By train
Kyoto is criss-crossed by several train lines, all of which are clearly sign-posted in English. Although the lines are run independently and prices vary slightly between them, transfers can be purchased at most of the ticket machines. The Keihan train line can be useful for traveling in eastern Kyoto, while the two Keifuku (aka Randen) tram lines are an attractive way of traveling in the northwest. Across the street from the northern terminus of the Keihan Line is the Eiden line, which runs to Mount Hiei and Kurama. The Hankyu Line starts at Shijo-Kawaramachi downtown, and connects to the Karasuma Line one stop later at Karasuma. It's useful for reaching Arashiyama and the Katsura Rikyu; it runs all the way to Osaka and Kobe. JR lines run from Kyoto station to the northwest (JR Sagano line), to the southwest (JR Kyoto line) and to the southeast (JR Nara line). There are local and express trains so check if they stop at your station before you get on.

By subway
There are two subway lines which only serve a rather small part of the city. The north-south running Karasuma Line runs under Kyoto Station, and the west-east running Tozai Line links up with it near the city center. Both are useful for travel in the city center but not really suitable for temple-hopping. The Tozai Line does connect with the Keihan Line, however, which runs parallel to the Kamo-gawa, and is convenient for reaching Gion and southern Kyoto; it also gets you within a short walk of many of the sights in eastern Kyoto.

A one-day pass for the subway costs ¥800.

By bus

The bus network is the only practical way of reaching some attractions, particularly those in north-western Kyoto. Fortunately the system is geared toward tourists, with destinations electronically displayed/announced in English as well as Japanese. Unlike other Japanese cities, a tourist probably is advised to use the buses here.

Confusingly however, there are two different bus companies in Kyoto, which occasionally even have overlapping line numbers. Green-and-white Kyoto City Buses (市バス shi-basu) travel within the city, and are the most useful for visitors; unless otherwise noted, all buses listed in this guide are city buses. Red-and-white Kyoto Buses travel to the suburbs and are generally much less useful.

Many buses depart from Kyoto Station, but there are well-served bus stations closer to the city center at Sanjō-Kawabata just outside the Sanjō Keihan subway line, and in the northern part of the city at the Kitaōji subway station. Most city buses and some Kyoto Buses have a fixed fare of ¥230, but you can also purchase a one day Kyoto bus and subway pass (¥1100 for adults and ¥550 for children under 12) with which you can ride an unlimited number of times within a one day period. The day passes can be bought from subway stations or from the bus information center just outside Kyoto Station. This is especially useful if you plan on visiting many different points of interest within Kyoto. Note that the ¥700 bus-only day pass was discontinued at the end of September 2023.

The municipal transport company publishes a very useful leaflet called Bus Navi. It contains a route map for the bus lines to most sights and information. You can pick it up at the information center in front of the main station.

 * Raku Bus - The city has three routes (100, 101, and 102) which are specifically designed for foreign tourists wishing to hit the tourist spots quickly. The buses skip many of the non-tourist stops and are thus a faster way to get from one sight to the next. The Raku Bus #100 and #101 leave from platform D1 and B2 at Kyoto Station. The cost is ¥230 per ride, but the day passes are accepted as well.
 * Keihan Loop Bus - Keihan operates a loop bus (300) that offers a convenient connection between Kyoto Station and the Keihan Railway. The nonstop, direct buses run every 15 minutes between the Hotel Thousand Kyoto (near Kyoto Station's Central Exit) and the Shichijo Station on the Keihan Main Line. The regular fare is ¥230, but if you take the bus from the Keihan Line to Kyoto Station the fare is just ¥100 if you buy a transfer ticket before exiting through the ticket barriers at Shichijo Station. If you are staying at the Hotel Thousand Kyoto or the adjacent Kyoto Century Hotel, you can buy a ¥100 ticket for the bus from your hotel. Note that several Kyoto City buses also offer a similar service (including the 206 and 208 routes) but the ¥100 discounted fare is only valid on the Keihan Loop Bus.

By bicycle
Particularly in spring and fall, but at any time of year, getting around by bicycle is an excellent option. Cycling forms a major form of personal transport year-round for locals. The city's grid layout makes navigation easy. The city is essentially flat, excepting a few places in the lower parts of the surrounding hills where you may have to climb a bit or park you bike to visit on foot. You can rent bicycles in many places in Japan for a reasonable price. During the peak tourist seasons, when roads are busy and buses tend to be crammed beyond capacity, bicycles are probably the best way to navigate Kyoto.

Kyoto's wide, straight roads make for heavy traffic in many parts of the city, but it is possible to find back alleys that are quieter and offer better chances to happen upon all sorts of sightseeing/cultural gems. Riding on major roads is OK, especially if you are confident and used to riding with traffic on the road, rather than on the sidewalk and especially again if you are used to riding/driving on the LEFT-HAND side of the road.

Be aware that it is forbidden to park your bike where it is not explicitly authorized, in which case it could get towed and you would have to pay a fine to get it back. So you will have to find a legal bike park near the place you want to visit and pay for it. It will not be the preferred transportation mean if you have planned to go to a district and visit it by foot along a non-circular route (like the Philosopher's Path in Higashiyama).

 * There is a friendly bicycle rental shop across the street from the Keihan Demachiyanagi station, behind the taxi rank. ¥500 for a day, ¥750 for a day and night, and ¥3000 for a month. ¥3000 deposit (¥2000 when showing ID). Has 22" children's bikes which come with a free helmet. Opens early (<9AM) - 7PM.
 * There is a small rental shop just north of Sanjo Keihan station on Kawabata Dori that rents bicycles, which doesn't have "tourist signs" attached. On the downside, they do not speak English. ¥1000 per day.
 * For those staying more than a week or so, purchasing a used bicycle may be economical. Most bicycle shops in Kyoto offer used town bicycles with lights, bell, basket, and lock for around ¥5000 — ¥10,000 (plus a ¥500 registration fee). At least some of this cost can be made back by re-selling the bicycle just prior to departure. Cycle Eirin, a chain found throughout the city, is a good place to start.
 * For those staying more than a week or so, purchasing a used bicycle may be economical. Most bicycle shops in Kyoto offer used town bicycles with lights, bell, basket, and lock for around ¥5000 — ¥10,000 (plus a ¥500 registration fee). At least some of this cost can be made back by re-selling the bicycle just prior to departure. Cycle Eirin, a chain found throughout the city, is a good place to start.

Talk
As Kyoto is a very tourist-friendly city, staff at most of the major hotels and tourist attractions have a functional command of English, and English menus and signage are common along the tourist trail. Outside of that, English is generally rarely spoken. Other foreign languages such as Italian, French, Korean or Mandarin may be spoken by some staff at the main tourist attractions.

The Japanese spoken in Kyoto is a version of the Kansai dialect spoken across Western Japan, which may be a little difficult to understand if you have just started learning Japanese. Two stereotypically Kyoto phrases are oideyasu (おいでやす), meaning "welcome", and ookini (おおきに) for "thank you". While standard Japanese is universally understood, it is not uncommon for locals to reply in dialect even when spoken to in standard Japanese. If you don't understand, just politely ask the person to repeat what they say in standard Japanese (標準語 hyōjungo) and they will usually oblige.

Kyoto people are also famous for their mastery of tatemae, the "front" used to hide their actual feelings, and you will likely be told the story of how an invitation to have some bubuzuke rice porridge is the Kyoto way of saying you've overstayed your welcome. The good news is that unless you intend to spend a couple of years working your way into Kyoto high society, you won't need to worry about this kind of thing.

See
Kyoto offers an incredible number of attractions for tourists, and visitors will probably need to plan an itinerary in advance in order to visit as many as possible.

Japan National Tourist Organization's self-guided "Kyoto Walks" pamphlet enables first time visitors to tour the city with ease and with minimum fuss by providing bus numbers, names of bus stops and clearly marked walking routes. There are a variety of self-guided walks in different districts to sample Kyoto's various sites. If you see the browser's dialog box popping up, just click on it till the entire PDF document opens.

World Heritage Sites
In 1994, 17 historic sites were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List under the group designation Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. Fourteen of the listed sites are in Kyoto itself, two are in the neighbouring city of Uji and one is in Ōtsu.

Listed by location, the fourteen World Heritage Sites in the city of Kyoto are:
 * Northern Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji, Ryōan-ji, Ninna-ji, Kōzan-ji, Shimogamo Shrine, Kamigamo Shrine
 * Central Kyoto: Nijō Castle, Nishi Hongan-ji, Tō-ji
 * Eastern Kyoto: Kiyomizu-dera, Ginkaku-ji
 * Western Kyoto: Tenryū-ji, Koke-dera
 * Southern Kyoto: Daigo-ji

Imperial Palaces and Villas
Stroll through the regal retreats of the Imperial Palace or one of the two Imperial villas with gardens and teahouses managed by the Imperial Household Agency. These are the Imperial Palace (京都御所 Kyōto-gosho) and Sentō Imperial Palace (仙洞御所 Sentō-gosho) in Central Kyoto, Katsura Imperial Villa (桂離宮 Katsura-rikyū) in Western Kyoto, and Shūgakuin Imperial Villa (修学院離宮 Shugaku-in-rikyū) in Northern Kyoto. All four of these sites are open to the public by reservation through the Imperial Household Agency. The gardens located within the precincts of each palace and villa are at their most scenic during spring cherry blossom season and autumn where a riot of colors enchant visitors. Each property is still used from time to time for official state functions or for private visits by the current royal family members.

The Imperial Household Agency maintains a quota on the number of visitors to each site per tour. Admission is free. English guides are available at the Imperial Palace; however, tours of the Sento Imperial Palace, Katsura Villa, and Shūgakuin Villa are conducted in Japanese only (English pamphlets are given at each destination upon entry and books are available for purchase if you'd like to know more). Overseas visitors can apply online to the Imperial Household Agency in English here. On its website are write ups and videos in English for interested visitors to gauge which ones they would like to visit before making an online application. Please note that advanced applications first become available on the first day of the month, three months in advance of the applicant's preferred touring month. For example, if your preferred date of visit falls in the month of April, you can begin applying on January 1. As these visits are over subscribed by the Japanese and overseas visitors, the Imperial Household Agency has to draw lots to pick the successful applicants. All applicants are notified on the status of their applications whether they are successful or otherwise within a week after closing date. Most applicants to the Imperial Palace are accepted, and early reservation is not usually necessary; however, those planning to visit the Sentō Imperial Palace, or either of the Imperial Villas should apply on the first available day of application as they are highly competitive and entire months of tours often become full within the first few days. Winter tours are typically much less competitive, but be aware that the gardens will not be as beautiful as other times of the year.

Public baths
Public baths have been a cornerstone of the society for centuries in Kyoto. The first public baths, or sentō (銭湯), were documented in the 13th century. Soon they became one of the few places in society where social status was irrelevant. Noblemen shared baths with commoners and warriors. Today over 140 bath houses remain in Kyoto. Funaoka Onsen is the oldest of these and dubbed "king of sentō", but newer bath houses and super sentō are just as much part of the Japanese bathing culture. If you have the time, make your way to one of the many public bath houses Kyoto has to offer.

Film industry
Kyoto is the traditional home of the Japanese film industry and while it has declined since its heyday in the 1950s, to this day, the majority of Japanese period dramas (時代劇 jidaigeki) continue to be produced in Kyoto.

Meditation
Well known for its abundance of historical sites, Kyoto often draws visitors eager to experience traditional Japanese culture. Buddhist meditation sessions are one of the most popular of these activities, and multiple options are available. In Northern Kyoto, Taizo-in and Shunko-in (both sub-temples of Myoshin-ji) offer authentic Zen meditation sessions, complete with explanations of the meaning and significance of such meditation. Reservations are necessary.

Cherry blossoms
Kyoto is arguably the most well known place in the country to view cherry blossoms, and there are certainly no lack of options. On the Official Top 100 cherry blossom spots list, three are in Kyoto (Arashiyama, Daigoji, Ninnaji).

Eastern Kyoto is particularly popular during the cherry blossom season. A walk from Nanzen-ji to Ginkaku-ji along the Philosopher's Path, lined with cherry trees, is enjoyable, as there are a variety of temples and shrines to stop at along the way. The garden of the Heian Shrine, not far from the Philosopher's Path, features colorful pink blossoms, which is a nice contrast to the white blossoms you'll see on the Philosopher's Path. The famous cherry tree in Maruyama Park is often the center of attention in the evenings when it is lit up. Vendors line the pathway leading up to it, creating a festive atmosphere. Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji have extended hours during the first few days of this season offering visitors the opportunity to view them at night, lit up against the blossoms. Blossoms can also be seen along the Kamogawa River. The entire area literally blossoms in the spring!

In Central Kyoto the northern section of the Imperial Park is home to a variety of different types of cherry blossoms. Nijo Castle hosts its own Nijo Light-Up, in which visitors can walk the grounds of the castle at night among the cherry blossoms (typically for 10–14 days). You cannot enter the castle during the light-up, so those who want to enter should visit during the day to see the castle and the blossoms. Just south of Kyoto station, the grounds of Toji Temple bloom beautifully below the towering pagoda.

In Arashiyama, a large portion of the mountainside is bright with cherry blossoms, along with the area around Hankyu Arashiyama Station. During the day, many people enjoy viewing the blossoms on the mountainside from the "Romantic Train" that travels through Arashiyama. At night, the area is lit up and food stalls are set up with a variety of delicious snacks.

Northern Kyoto offers cherry-blossom scouts worthwhile experiences at Hirano Shrine and Kyoto Botanical Gardens, and a walk inside the large grounds of Daigo-ji in Southern Kyoto is certainly made memorable when all the blossoms are in full bloom.

Plum blossoms
Although they are less well-known to foreign tourists, who tend only to focus their attentions on seeing cherry blossoms, for those with plans to visit Kyoto from mid-February through mid-March, plum blossom viewing makes for a great alternative. Kyoto has two popular plum blossom locations; Kitano Tenmangu and the Kyoto Botanical Gardens, both in northern Kyoto. Kitano Tenmangu has a large grove of plum trees just outside the shrine entrance that, with a ¥600 fee, you can stroll about. Within the shrine grounds, there are many more trees (viewable for free). The shrine even hosts annual performances by geisha amidst the plum blossoms. Plum blossoms have a very pleasantly distinct fragrance. These Japanese ume trees are actually more closely related to apricot trees. However an early mistranslation by the Japanese resulted in these trees being called "plum" trees instead.

Festivals and events

 * Setsubun (February 3 or 4) A large bonfire and Shinto ceremony is held at Yoshida Shrine.
 * Cherry Blossom Season (April 1–15; days vary depending upon the weather) Although viewing the blossoms is enough for many, special events are often held throughout the city. (See "Cherry Blossoms" above)

The following are generally called Three Great Festivals of Kyoto (京都三大祭り Kyoto Sandai Matsuri)

 * Aoi Matsuri (葵祭, May 15) Beginning at Kyoto Imperial palace, a large procession dressed in Heian Period garbs walks to Shimogamo Shrine and finishes at Kamigamo Shrine.
 * Gion Matsuri (祇園祭, July 17) Many Mikoshi are paraded through the streets. It is considered to be one of the top three festivals in Japan.
 * Jidai Matsuri (時代祭, October 22) People dressed in traditional garbs parade to Heian Shrine.

Another famous event is:
 * Daimonji Gozan Okuribi (大文字五山送り火, August 16) The hillside in Northwestern Kyoto is lit aflame in this festival honoring one's ancestors. Candle lanterns are floated out in Hirosawa Pond.

Buy
There is a nice selection of reassuringly non-tacky traditional souvenir shops around Arashiyama station in Western Kyoto, selling fans and traditional sweets. More tacky stores can be found in Gion and the approach to Kiyomizu Temple, selling keyrings, cuddly toys, and garish ornaments. Other traditional souvenirs from Kyoto include parasols and carved wooden dolls.

More unconventional but colorful (and relatively cheap) souvenirs are the wooden votive tablets produced by Shinto shrines, which bear an image relevant to the shrine on the reverse. Visitors write their prayers on the tablets and hang them up, but there's no rule that says you can't take it with you.

Manga and anime enthusiasts should visit Teramachi Street, a covered shopping street off the main Shijo-dori, which boasts a large manga store on two floors, as well as a two-story branch of Gamers (a chain of anime stores), and a small two-story anime and collectables store.

Many ATMs in Kyoto do not allow non-domestic credit cards to be used, but ATMs in post offices and Seven-Eleven usually do. So if you find your card rejected or invalid in an ATM then try and get to a post office (郵便局 / yuubinkyoku or JP (in orange letters)) to use their ATMs instead. Look for the PLUS or Cirrus logos, whichever you find printed on the back of your ATM card. Another option is Citibank, which should work, too. There is an old standby international ATM at the top floor of Takashimaya Department Store at Shijo/Kawaramachi in the "Cash Corner." The bank of ATMs in the basement of the Kyoto Tower shopping center (across the street from JR Kyoto Station) also includes one machine where international cards may be used.

Splurge
In the shopping areas adjacent to Kiyomizudera (on the other side of the Kamo River), it is possible to purchase samurai swords and top-of-the-line kimono - though don't be surprised if the prices for either item exceed ¥3,000,000. A brand new kimono can cost as much as a small car - and you may be able to find something just as good at a fraction of the price in one of Kyoto's second-hand kimono stores.

Kyoto incense is also famous. It usually has a very delicate yet fragrant bouquet. Incense is relatively agreeable in price (¥400-2000). You will be able to find it between Nishi and Higashi Hongwanji.

Damascene
Damascene, a special metal created by imbedding other metals, originated in Damascus, Syria over 2000 years ago and was introduced to Japan in the 8th century. Since then, it has ceased production worldwide with the exception of Kyoto city, which continues producing it today. The technique used to create Kyoto's damascene is quite complex, as it must be corroded, rusted, and boiled in tea, along with inlaying many layers of metal to produce the final product. Visitors can purchase a variety of jewelry, vases, tea utensils, lighters, and other accessories made using this technique.

Eat
If you've just stepped off the train and the first thing on your mind is a bite to eat, there are several restaurants on the tenth and eleventh floors of the Isetan department store attached to Kyoto station. Most of the offerings are Japanese, including a veritable Ramen village, and there are a few casual Italian cafes.

Fine dining
If you have a lot of money, Kyoto is considered by most Japanese to be the spiritual home of kaiseki (懐石), which is a meal of many small courses and a quintessential type of Japanese fine dining; in Kyoto this will typically entail a private room with traditional Japanese architecture. Unfortunately, most kaiseki establishments do not accept reservations directly from foreigners, and many require new customers to be introduced by one of their regular diners in order to be allowed to dine there. Your hotel concierge may be able to make a reservation for you if you contact them well in advance, though only the most expensive luxury hotels have the necessary clout to do this. As with anywhere else in Japan, most fine dining establishments do not accept credit cards, and you will have to pay for your meal in cash.

Consider staying at one of Kyoto's top ryokan; elaborate kaiseki dinners are an essential part of a stay in a ryokan, and there are numerous ryokan that are just as well known for their food as their lodging experience. The downside is that most ryokan only accept reservations by phone, so at least conversational Japanese-language ability is essential for you to be able to do so by yourself.

Matcha
Kyoto and the nearby city of Uji are well known for matcha (抹茶 maccha) or green tea, but visitors don't just come to drink the tea; there are a wide variety of matcha-flavored treats. Matcha ice cream is particularly popular, and most places selling ice cream will have it as an option. It also shows up in a variety of snacks and gifts. There is also the traditional Japanese tea ceremony (茶道 sadō) for those who want a unique experience.

Yatsuhashi
Yatsuhashi (八ツ橋 or 八つ橋) is a delicious Kyoto snack, made from rice flour and sugar. There are three types of yatsuhashi: baked, raw, and raw with paste inside. The traditional hard yatsuhashi was originally made using cinnamon, and tastes like a crunchy biscuit. This is yatsuhashi in its narrowest sense. Today, while the biscuits remain the same, you can also buy hard yatsuhashi dipped in maccha and strawberry-flavored glazes. The simple raw type (nama-yatsuhashi) appeared in the 1960s.

Soon after came the final evolution: raw yatsuhashi sandwiching sweet red bean paste. The explanatory name, (あん入り生八つ橋, an-iri nama-yatsuhashi), was too long for marketing purposes, so manufacturers began to call it in various trade names. The first to market was Otabe (おたべ). Other shops followed with Hijiri (聖), Yuko (夕子) etc. This type is also made with cinnamon, but the cinnamon is mixed with bean paste and then folded into a triangle shape, somewhat like a gyoza. Today, you can buy a wide variety of flavors, including maccha, chocolate and banana, and black poppyseed. Many of the flavors are seasonal, such as the sakura (cherry blossom) yatsuhashi available in the spring and mango, peach, blueberry, and strawberry, available from May to October. This sandwich type became immensely popular and today the word yatsuhashi may well mean this type.

Although yatsuhashi can be purchased at most souvenir shops, the best place to purchase raw yatsuhashi is the famous Honkenishio Yatsuhashi. While other stores may carry yatsuhashi, this is the place to find all of the seasonal flavors, as well as free samples. Most of these shops are in Higashiyama. The most convenient for tourists is probably the one on Kiyomizu-zaka, just below the entrance to Kiyomizu-dera.

Many tourists find raw yatsuhashi to be a delicious (and very affordable) souvenir, but it only lasts for one week after purchase. Baked yatsuhashi on the other hand, will last for about three months.

Other specialties
Other Kyoto specialties include hamo (a white fish served with ume as sushi), tofu (try places around Nanzenji temple), suppon (an expensive turtle dish), kaiseki-ryori (multi-course chef's choice that can be extremely good and expensive), and vegetarian dishes (thanks to the abundance of temples), particularly the vegan shōjin ryōri, which isn't cheap, but has a great reputation for quality.

Drink
Kyoto's night scene is dominated by bars catering for local needs, most of which are located in Central Kyoto around Kiyamachi, between Shijo and Sanjo. This area offers a wide variety of drinking options for all types of people. You'll also have no trouble finding the host and hostess bars, courtesy of the staff pacing around out front trying to entice visitors. There are plenty of options beyond this street in other regions, but with such a large concentration of bars along in the same area, it's easy to find a place where you feel most at home to relax for the night.

If you're looking for nightclubs, Kyoto has a few options, but it is not a city known for its thriving dance clubs. Those hoping to experience that part of Japanese nightlife should consider taking a train to Osaka where many of the clubs are hip and wild enough to rival any Tokyo club. (Alternately, instead of staying in Kyoto and making trips to Osaka, it may make more sense to stay in Osaka and make day trips to Kyoto.)

Sake
Some of Kyoto's most famous sake comes from Gekkeikan Brewery in the Fushimi area of Southern Kyoto. A 400-year-old brewery that still produces great sake, Gekkeikan also offers tours of its facilities.

Sleep
Kyoto has a wide range of accommodation, much of it geared towards foreign visitors. During peak seasons, such as the cherry blossoms in April or during Golden Week when accommodation is difficult to get, consider staying in Osaka. A 30-minute train ride from Kyoto Station to Osaka Station will cost you ¥540 one way. Since Kyoto is a major tourist destination, demand is high and prices follow suit.

Most of the lodging in the city is clustered near the central city, especially around Kyoto Station and the downtown area near Karasuma-Oike. The outer areas have a scattering of their own, tending towards inexpensive but often much further from train or subway stations.

For those who would like to experience traditional Japanese accommodation, Kyoto is home to some of Japan's most luxurious ryokan, though prices are generally very expensive and would make economy-class plane tickets look cheap.

The city of Kyoto charges a hotel tax: for lodging that's less than ¥20,000 per night, the tax is ¥200 per night. It may not be included in the listed rates.

Budget

At the bottom of the price scale, many temples in Kyoto own and run their own lodging complex known as shukubō (宿坊), usually on or near temple grounds. Guests are often invited to participate in morning prayer service (otsutome) held at the temple. Unfortunately, most temple lodgings do not have English-speaking receptions, and curfews and check-in/out times tend to be strict. Most are in the northern region of the city.

Hostels are common and popular with students. Inexpensive hotels lack amenities but compensate with prices surprisingly low for Japan; both can be found in all regions of the city, and may be the only options available if you need to stay in an outlying ward.

The majority of self-named ryokan in this range are actually minshuku. Most are small family-run operations and accustomed to dealing with foreigners. Be prepared to pay for the full stay in advance.

Internet and manga cafés
Don't fear these places. There is nothing bad about staying in these so-called "last resorts." Remember, though, that most of the time people stay at such places only for a few nights at the most.

As in other Japanese cities, Internet cafés and capsule hotels are available for those truly looking to stay on the cheap. Please expect to pay around ¥2000 for a night's stay in an Internet café. You get a computer, a comfortable chair, and all the tea and hot chocolate you want.

Most places have no separate space for smokers vis-à-vis non-smokers. Manga is usually only in Japanese. These places provide cushions, blankets, and free unlimited soft drinks. Showers are often available. However, there might be an additional charge for using a shower.

Cafés don't keep luggage during the day so either carry it with you every day, find free storage, or use a coin locker (which costs ¥300–600 per use depending on the location and time duration). As a result, the cost of a night in a café could be similar to a bed in a hostel but without identical amenities.

Mid-range
The boundary between budget and midrange is often unclear, particularly among ryokan. Hotels in this category are concentrated in Central Kyoto, serving the business market with the typical amenities and close proximity to transportation.

Splurge
Split between the downtown and Higashiyama areas on each side of the Kamogawa River, these top-of-the-line lodgings can make your airfare look cheap. Western-style hotels dominate in this category; unlike the midrange options, very few of the high end ryokan can be booked without a fluent command of Japanese.

Machiya-stay
In Kyoto, there are traditional wooden townhouses called Kyo-Machiya or Machiya. Kyo-Machiya defined the architectural atmosphere of downtown Kyoto for centuries, and represents the standard defining form of Machiya throughout the country.

There are several facilities offers those Machiya to the travellers to stay privately, and can experience the traditional living in Kyoto. Most of those facilities are located in central Kyoto that easy to access to any sightseeing spot. However, generally those facilities don’t offer any meals, but in Kyoto, there is a delivery system from the Japanese restaurant that customer can order and eat in the Kyo-Machiya. During the guest stay, it is completely private that guests can feel like staying at their home.

The size of the facilities are average 80㎡, can stay from 2 people but it is better to use with group of 4 to 6, or with family. There is a facility that guests can stay together in the same Machiya for up to 14 people.

The price starts at ¥25,000.

Connect
Free public Wi-Fi is available in many parts of Kyoto.

Go next

 * Uji - the best tea in Japan and the Byodo-in temple.
 * Lake Biwa - if the summer humidity has drained your will to sightsee, take a day swimming at the underrated beaches of western Lake Biwa. Popular choices include Omi Maiko and Shiga Beach, each about 40 minutes from Kyoto on the JR Kosei Line.
 * Mount Hiei - an ancient hilltop temple complex that traditionally guarded (and occasionally raided) Kyoto.
 * Otsu - home to some great historical temples, Mount Hiei, and one of Lake Biwa's ports.
 * Koka - home of ninjas, and there is the Miho Museum.
 * Nara - less than an hour's journey by train on the JR Nara line from Kyoto station, Nara is an even older capital than Kyoto and has a stunning collection of temples in a giant landscaped park.
 * Osaka - about half an hour from Kyoto by JR rapid train, this bustling city offers more retail opportunities and a central castle.
 * Amanohashidate - literally "the bridge to heaven", it is considered one of Japan's top three scenic views (along with Matsushima in Miyagi prefecture and Miyajima in Hiroshima prefecture). It forms a thin strip of land straddling the Miyazu Bay in northern Kyoto Prefecture, hence the name. Visitors are asked to turn their backs toward the view, bend over, and look at it between their legs.
 * Himeji - about an hour by Shinkansen west of Kyoto, Himeji boasts a spectacular traditional castle.
 * Sekigahara - about an hour northeast of Kyoto by train, Sekigahara is a small rural town of immense importance to the Japanese history buff, as this was the site of the battle that allowed Tokugawa Ieyasu to consolidate control of Japan and establish the Shogunate.

title: Kyoto


text:
Kyoto (prefecture)

Kyoto Prefecture (京都府 Kyōto-fu) is in the Kansai region of Japan. It contains both a coastal region to the north, and broad, more densely populated basins in the south. The Tanba Mountains cross the center of the prefecture, dividing the areas and causing their different climates.

Cities

 * - Japan's ancient capital
 * - famed for producing the best, or at least the most expensive, green tea in Japan
 * - northern port town surrounding a natural inlet

Other destinations

 * - one of Japan's Three Views

Tourist Information Site
Kyoto Tourism Federation has a Japanese-only guide site for the whole prefecture.

By plane
Commercial service is provided via Kansai International Airport or the primarily domestic Itami Airport, both in neighboring Osaka prefecture.

By train
The high-speed Tōkaidō Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka makes only one stop, at Kyoto Station, a hub for connections to local and regional trains. In the north, the San'in Main Line extends to Tottori. Keihan Electric Railway connects Kyoto with Osaka and Shiga Prefecture.

See
Kyoto is unquestionably the single best place in the country for those interested in traditional Japanese culture; no other city can compare in terms of number or importance. As the former capital of the nation, many head temples, important shrines, and imperial palaces and villas were built in Kyoto. While many of the nation's cultural sites were destroyed by bombings in World War II, Kyoto was fortunate enough to have been spared so many of the buildings are quite old.

Outside the capital, Uji is a popular destination. It is most famous for Byodoin Temple, featured on the ten yen coin, and being the site of the final chapters of the Tale of Genji. It is much smaller than Kyoto and most sites are within walking distance of one another or one of the train stations.

Beyond these areas the prefecture is quite rural. Foreign visitors rarely venture outward but those that do will see that the capital is not all that Kyoto has to offer. From Amanohashidate in the north down to the stone Buddha trail in the south, there is a lot more to Kyoto Prefecture than just the capital.

Go next
The southern region is bounded by Osaka, Nara, Mie, and Shiga Prefectures; the northern region lies between Hyogo and Fukui, with the Sea of Japan along the coast.

title: Kyoto (prefecture)


text:
Kyoto/Arashiyama

Arashiyama (嵐山) is in Kyoto.

Understand
While this western part of Kyoto is dismissed in most Western guidebooks in a brief paragraph suggesting "other attractions", the area is rightfully very popular with Japanese tourists and well worth a visit.

By train
The local JR Sagano Line (San'in Main Line) departs from Kyoto Station and stops at a number of stations in the northwest part of the city, including Sagaarashiyama (a good starting point for exploring the Arashiyama area). Both local and rapid service stops at Sagaarashiyama, but limited express does not.

Arashiyama can also be accessed by the Hankyū Arashiyama Line, which branches off from the Hankyū Kyōto Main Line at Katsura Station. The Matsuo Area can be reached by disembarking at the Matsuo station, just before Arashiyama.

The Randen (Keifuku) tram line, Kyoto's only surviving streetcar, ends at Arashiyama Station, directly in the heart of the area. The main line runs from the central city at Shijo-Omiya, while the Kitano branch line travels to Hakubaichō, serving several sites in the northern city. Fare is a flat ¥250 for adults, or ¥120 for children 6–12 (2023).

By subway
Although the municipal subway system doesn't serve Arashiyama directly, travellers coming from other parts of the city (especially Central and Higashiyama) can use the Tōzai Line as far west as Nijō Station, where they can transfer to JR trains running on the Sagano Line (San'in Main Line).

By bus
Kyoto City Bus 11, 28, 91, 93 and Kyoto Bus 72 - 86 will get you to the Arashiyama area. Kyoto Bus 72 - 86 leave from platform C6 at Kyoto Station. The 91 Bus will take you to Daikaku-ji. The Matsuo area can also be reached using Bus 28, and it's the only city bus that travels to this area from Kyoto Station. The ¥600 Bus One-Day Pass works for the Arashiyama or Matsuo-bound buses.

Get around
You will mostly want to walk and see all the sights. But there are also rickshaws available.

See

Matsuo area
Located just south of Arashiyama, the Matsuo (officially Matsunoo) area is rarely mentioned in most guidebooks however, it does have a few interesting sites, particularly Kokedera, a World Heritage Site and Matsuo Taisha which the area is named after.

Buy
Most of the areas shops and dining are located along Tenryuji Tsukurimichi-cho, which runs from the Togetsukyo Bridge up to Seiryoji Temple.

Drink
The Arashiyama has very few bars. Consider travelling to Central Kyoto for the widest variety of drinking options.

Sleep
Most travelers will stay in Central or Northern Kyoto instead, and visit Arashiyama only for the day.

Go next

 * Central
 * Higashiyama (Eastern Kyoto)
 * North
 * South

title: Kyoto/Arashiyama


text:
Kyoto/Central

Central Kyoto encompasses the urban heart of Japan's former imperial capital.

Understand
From the carefully tended gardens and stately buildings of the Imperial Palace in the north to the massive, ultra-modern showpiece structure of Kyoto Station in the south, Central Kyoto has a bit of everything that makes Kyoto what it is today: a marbled mix of old and new, of immeasurably ancient traditions and fast-paced modernity.

Get in
Kyoto's extensive rail, subway, and bus networks can all be accessed through the city's main transportation hub: the gargantuan glass-and-steel structure of Kyoto Station (京都駅, Kyōto-eki) – an outstanding piece of architecture that's worth seeing in itself (see below).

By train
Kyoto Station is a major stop on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen Line. From the station, travellers arriving by shinkansen (or by other railway lines) can easily access the city's municipal subway and bus systems.

By subway
Central Kyoto is served by [two intersecting subway lines.

The north-south Karasuma Line (which stops at Kyoto Station) and the west-east Tōzai Line link up at Karasuma-Oike Station near the city centre.

By bus
Several important bus routes (covering not only Central Kyoto but other parts of the city as well) start and end at the Kyōto-eki-mae terminal - which, as the name indicates, is right in front of Kyoto Station. Take the station's Karasuma/North exit and you will see the bus terminal, which is divided into four boarding platforms (from A to D) and has signs in English identifying key stops on each route. For detailed route information, pick up a copy of the helpful "Bus Navi" leaflet from the information centre near the terminal.

See
Central Kyoto is a mix of museums, religious heritage sites, contemporary shopping and office buildings. Note that museums are limited in their non-Japanese offerings when it comes to labels and guides. Most religious sites close by 17:00 daily. This is often an area that surprises tourists — many come to Kyoto expecting tradition, and are often surprised to find contemporary life humming along as it does in most medium and big cities, except in Kyoto — it's alongside real tradition.

Imperial Park
The Imperial Park is a large, peaceful area in the centre of Kyoto, centred around the Imperial Palace. The palaces are only open to visitors on free guided tours, and bookings must be made at the Imperial Household Agency, online or in their office to the west of the palace complex. If you're in Kyoto for an extended amount of time, the park can make for a very pleasant afternoon, and it's large enough to let you forget the noise of the city outside the walls. It's home to 50,000 trees, including cherry, plum and peach tree orchards (mostly in the northern section).

Buy
The city's main shopping district is centered on the intersection of Shijō-dōri and Kawaramachi-dōri, a short distance from the Kamo River and a manageable walk away from the neighbouring Gion district in Higashiyama. Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyū Line puts you right in the heart of the action, within easy reach of three major department stores and a wide assortment of other shopping options.

For electronics, head up to Teramachi and turn left; for clothes boutiques, including your chance at finding the perfect Engrish t-shirt, turn right into the covered arcade portion of Teramachi and Shinkyōgoku, which runs parallel.

Specific places worth checking out include the following:

Budget

 * Kappa Sushi is a chain kaitenzushiya (conveyor belt sushi) restaurant on the corner of Sanjo and Kawaramachi at the entrance to the Shinkyogoku/Teramachi covered mall. Lots of variety and cheap prices, but the sushi isn't handmade — machines are used to cut the rice and fish. Price: ¥100 per plate (usually 2 pieces per plate).
 * Mr. Young Men is a pleasantly grubby okonomiyaki restaurant downtown, at the corner of Shijo and the covered shopping street of Teramachi. Basic English menus are available. A basic dish of Osaka-style okonomiyaki will run about ¥800, although a few variations (including a bizarre cheese and potato version) are available for about the same price.
 * Hati Hati is an Indonesian restaurant on Kiyamachi, near Takoyakushi. It has great food and atmosphere, but it's occasionally converted into a bar and a performance space for local bands and DJs at night on weekends. For really late night food on Kiyamachi, there is a cheap, open-air falafel cafe a couple doors down from Hati Hati that never seems to close.
 * Donguri is a cheap yet very nice okonomiyaki restaurant on the Northwest corner of Kawaramachi and Shijo. It's a sub-level place so it might take a bit to find it. It is next to the Excelsior Coffee; if you walk past The Body Shop you went too far. It's about ¥500 for an okonomiyaki and about ¥300-500 for a namachuu (mid sized mug of beer). Expect to pay ¥800-900 in the evening. Great place for a date or nicer evening.
 * Donguri is a cheap yet very nice okonomiyaki restaurant on the Northwest corner of Kawaramachi and Shijo. It's a sub-level place so it might take a bit to find it. It is next to the Excelsior Coffee; if you walk past The Body Shop you went too far. It's about ¥500 for an okonomiyaki and about ¥300-500 for a namachuu (mid sized mug of beer). Expect to pay ¥800-900 in the evening. Great place for a date or nicer evening.

Drink
Kyoto is a more sleepy town compared its neighbours like Osaka and Kobe. Bars range from "girlie bars" to a select few bars that cater to gaijin and their friends to local watering holes. The best bars in Kyoto are often less noticeable. When heading out for a drink, look for bars in Central and Eastern Kyoto with little or no signage. You can always pop your head in the door to take a look at the crowd and vibe. Fixing a nice mix is a good way to feel comfortable, and bartenders usually do their best to make you feel welcome by attempting some conversation if they know a bit of English. However, you can also enjoy a drink in the corner while observing the locals and pay up after a drink. Some places might charge a fee of ¥500-1000.

Beer and sake are common place in most bars. Wine is rarer, and often overpriced and mediocre. Mixed drinks are also common, and at many bars you'll find local liqueurs you can't find anywhere else.

There are little to no nightclubs and a small selection of live music venues in Kyoto. The local government has cut back on nightclubs and girlie bars to keep a more calm, safe and relaxed environment in the historic city. However, Gion still serves as a major entertainment district, and if you arrive early enough (before 18:00) you might see a geisha wandering off to an appointment in Gion.

British and Irish pubs
These are popular with foreign tourists looking for a "closer to home" connection and with locals wanting to meet them.

Sleep
The great majority of Kyoto's accommodation can be found here. Staying closer to Kyoto Station provides immediate access to the Shinkansen and the hub of the city bus network; closer to Karasuma-Oike puts you in the midst of downtown and closer to the Gion. They're only minutes apart by subway, making the choice merely a matter of personal convenience.

Go next

 * Arashiyama (Western Kyoto)
 * Higashiyama (Eastern Kyoto)
 * North Kyoto
 * South Kyoto
 * Uji

title: Kyoto/Central