Kyoto

Surrounded by mountains, rural heartlands and gorgeous natural scenery in Central Honshu, it’s no wonder that Kyoto frequently tops the lists as one of the world’s leading travel destinations and attracts millions of visitors each year. For over a thousand years, Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan until Emperor Meji decamped to Tokyo in 1868. Today, Kyoto is still regarded by many as the spiritual, cultural and historical heart of the nation and birthplace of much of Japanese traditional culture – including geishas, tea ceremonies and imperial cuisine. Maintaining a reputation for cultural finesse, this evocative city still emanates a calm pace and refined, sophisticated air.  

As one of Japan’s best-preserved historic cities, Kyoto boasts the nation’s largest concentration of designated cultural properties, with an unprecedented 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and some of its most important works of art. Kyoto’s astounding legacy of historic buildings, priceless structures and architectural wonders covers majestic gardens and around 2,000 temples and shrines, each representative of the period in which they were built. Although ravaged by wars, fires and natural disasters, Kyoto was spared much of the destruction of aerial raids during World War II, thanks to foreign recognition of its exceptional historical value.

Eleven centuries of rich heritage is evident at every turn. However, Kyoto is also a bustling modern city, with its progressive music, design and arts scene, contemporary culinary excellence and stylish cafés exemplifying the ever-evolving spirit of a former imperial city.