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Introducing Kyoto

The Capital of Japan for 1,000 Years and Still Its Cultural Heartland

Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan for over 1,000 years and it is still known as the heartland of the country’s traditions and aesthetics. A small city compared to Tokyo, it nonetheless attracts tens of millions of visitors a year. Along with the nearby city of Nara, Japan’s capital in even more ancient times, Kyoto is the timeless yin to Tokyo’s hectic, hyper-urban yang. Its narrow alleys, temples and cultural treasures provide the ideal counterpoint to cyber-cute “Cool Japan” and make the city an essential destination for overseas travelers seeking a full experience of the country.

About This Book

The public transportation system is another aspect of Kyoto that makes it radically different from the Tokyo region. While Tokyo boasts the most extensive and efficient transit network in the world, Kyoto had no subways at all until 30 years ago, and even now has only two subway lines. The grid layout of the city is not a strategy to facilitate modern commerce, like in New York, but a preservation of the original 8th-century town plan modeled on those of T’ang Dynasty China. Labyrinthine underground passages and snarls of elevated roads, features of most Japanese cities, are pleasantly absent, but so is the convenience of zooming from anywhere to anywhere on assorted subways, railways and highways. Getting around smoothly is a matter of knowing the basic layout of the city, navigating the bus network, walking or taking cabs to closer destinations and, at times, a larger helping of patience than Japan’s more contemporary cities require.

Even here, public transportation is much more dependable and punctual than in most parts of the world and it is not necessary to speak Japanese. However, your visit will be much more enriching and enjoyable if you know where to go, the best way to get there and the quickest way back. This pocket atlas and transportation guide provides all the information you need in order to navigate Kyoto as well as Nara and other nearby attractions. It starts with getting to Kyoto on an international or domestic flight or by ground transportation; continues with a look at the various areas of Kyoto, what to see there and how to get there and get around; explores the benefits and drawbacks of the many transport options, and gives all the inside information, tips and know-how you need to navigate the system properly, along with extensive route maps, schematic diagrams and area maps. In addition to the more common modes of transport, there are explanations of lesser-known possibilities like hiring a sightseeing taxi or renting a bicycle for the day.

Kyoto and Beyond

Those who are staying for more than a couple of days in Kyoto will want to consider taking a day trip or two outside the city. In addition to the historic city of Nara, there are the mountains that encircle Kyoto; scenic Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan; and rustic, romantic villages in the region that are surprisingly easy to reach. Details of these getaways are included in the book along with a full range of maps.

Thanks to all the comfortable and reliable transport options and the fascinating roadside and rail-side scenery, getting around can be half the fun on a trip to Japan as long as you have the necessary information at your fingertips. Enjoy the journey.