Kyoto is the former capital city of Japan and world-famous for its refined culture, dining, and charm of rural Japan. Kyoto City attracts millions of local and international visitors each year looking for traditional Japanese culture.
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Kyoto is more relaxing. Tokyo is about 30% more expensive than Kyoto for travelers. If you prefer big cities, modern technology, nightlife and a huge selection of restaurants, Tokyo is for you. If you're after temples, shrines, garden, geisha and hiking, Kyoto is for you.
Fun things to do in Kyoto extend to its vibrant nightlife. Despite appearances, this ancient city is not only limited to the historical side of things. Visitors who want to enjoy a night out or 2 will find that there are several nightlife districts.
Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines abound. Their grounds and those of the Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho) and Nijo Castle (Nijo-jo) give Kyoto more green areas than most Japanese cities. Kyoto claims some 1,660 Buddhist temples, more than 400 Shinto shrines, and even some 90 Christian churches.
With a medium stay of 4-5 days in Kyoto, you'll have the opportunity to delve deeper into the city's rich history and culture. This extended duration allows you to venture beyond the most famous attractions and explore some of Kyoto's lesser-known gems.
One of Kyoto City's most famous streets, Hanamikoji is situated in the Gion district. This historic area hearkens back to the Japan of yesteryear, with its traditional wooden merchant houses and quaint ochaya, or teahouses.
Safety at night:Very safeNevertheless, as with any place, it's always a good idea to stay vigilant especially in less crowded areas or during the very late hours. But overall, it offers a secure setting for solo female travelers.
Japan is much cheaper than you think, especially now with a weak yen. And Kyoto is much cheaper than Tokyo. Indeed, Kyoto is one of the cheapest major destinations in the developed world.
As I explained, if you're visiting as a non-Japanese speaker, you'll generally have no trouble finding someone who speaks English in restaurants, hotels, and public transport in big cities like Tokyo or tourist cities like Kyoto.
When traveling in Japan, especially if you're in one of the big cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, you'll generally have no problem not speaking Japanese at all. There are usually English signs all over train stations and airports.