An Introduction to Kyoto

Posted on 01/18/2022 Last updated on 06/02/2022

If you love all things Japan, then Kyoto is a must-see on your list of travel destinations. It offers plenty of exciting things for you to enjoy. From amazing spots for sight-seeing to a variety of mouth-watering dishes, the ancient capital city has it all. The rich history, culture and tradition of Japan can all be found here. And with a little preparation and planning, you can experience it all in just a few days.

Sightseeing

Kyoto is ranked 7th of the most populous cities in Japan with around 1,459,640 inhabitants. Famous for its many sights of antiquity, Kyoto maintains a good reputation and is consistently considered among the best tourist destinations in Japan.

You can visit several ancient structures in Kyoto. There’s Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho) located in Kamigyo Ward. This was once the ruling palace of the Emperor long ago.

Second is Nijo Castle, located in Nakagyo Ward. It was built in 1679, but it was struck by lightning causing a city-wide fire.

Most famous is the Golden Pavilion Temple (Kinkaku-Ji). It attracts a large number of tourists each year, making it the most-visited temple in Kyoto.

And that’s just scratching the surface. There are many more temples, shrines and sights to see across the city!

Good Eating

The classical Japanese diet is quite healthy, and tofu is a major staple of it. Tofu is very famous in Kyoto, and it is said that to not eat it is to miss half the Kyoto experience.

Because tofu is a good source of protein, amino acids, iron, calcium, and vitamins, it will help to boost your energy during your busy day enjoying the fascinating scenery around Kyoto.

Kyoto prepares their Tofu dishes in a lot of ways. There are simple, elegant, sophisticated, or just the traditional way (set in ice and water). But two common things that will guarantee satisfaction: the authentic taste and the unforgettable dining experience!

Not a tofu lover? No worries! Kyoto also offers almost all kinds of food, Japanese or otherwise. Everything from sushi to steak to tempura can also be found here. Due to the heavy emphasis on traditional culture though, we recommend trying at least one truly washoku-heavy establishment, even if just for afternoon tea.

In Conclusion

There’s a lot more amazing things to explore in Kyoto; this introduction is just the beginning. Look forward to more articles about exploring Kyoto and other cities here on MUSUBI soon!

Photo Credits:

Top photo: Sorasak on Unsplash