Kyoto Living Guide: Best Cities & Popular Tourist Spots

Kyoto Prefecture is located in the northeastern part of Kinki region in Honshu. It is bordered by Mie, Shiga, Osaka, Nara, Hyogo, and Fukui prefectures and faces the Sea of Japan on the north. The prefectural capital is Kyoto-shi, which is the place where the old capital of Japan was located.

Nowadays, Kyoto is a popular tourist destination attracting many visitors. Kyoto is located in a basin with a climate that varies greatly in temperature, with hot summers and cold winters. Snowfall is also common in Kyoto's northern part.

Below, we will introduce some of the best cities to live in Kyoto Prefecture, popular tourists spots, and more. Whether you are a looking for a livable city to relocate to or just interested in exploring an ancient capital with its magnificent temples, shrines, and other historical buildings, be sure to check this guide for various useful information on Kyoto.

Why People Love Kyoto

Rich History

Begin the capital of Japan for over thousand years, Kyoto has a rich historical past. There are 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and numerous National Treasures, etc. For everyone interested in Japanese history and culture, Kyoto is a must-visit place.

Delicious Food

Foodies won't be disappointed with a large selection of dishes in Kyoto Prefecture. From obanzai to exquisite kyo-kaiseki, Kyoto has a lot to offer in terms of food. It is also known for the cultivation of famous Uji tea and traditional kyo-yasai (Kyoto vegetables).

Beautiful Nature

Kyoto is not only a place to admire historical buildings, but it will also amaze you with its beautiful nature. Amanohashidate and Arashiyama are popular spots to enjoy the scenery. Kyoto gets especially beautiful during the cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage.

Good Transportation Access

From Kyoto, it is easy to reach Osaka, Kobe, Nara, and other areas. Living in Kyoto means you will have no shortage of exciting tourist destinations to explore.

Best Cities to Live in Kyoto

Below, we list some of the recommended cities to live in Kyoto Prefecture.

Kyoto - The Prefectural Capital with a Rich History

Kyoto is the capital of Kyoto Prefecture. With more than 1.4 million people, it is also the most populated city in Kyoto Prefecture. Kyoto was the place  where the old capital of Japan was located for over 1000 years before Tokyo took over. Nowadays, Kyoto is a major tourist city attracting many visitors. It is also home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, National Treasures, and more. With numerous universities and around 10 percent of its population being students, Kyoto is also a popular student town. Furthermore, forests are covering about 74% of the city making it a great place to enjoy nature. Whether it is enjoying breathtaking sceneries of Arashiyama, admiring gold-leaf covered Kinkakuji, or wandering through a historical district of Gion, Kyoto has a lot to offer to its visitors and residents.

Key attractions: Kinkaku-ji, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Uji - The City Known for Its Tea

Uji is located between Kyoto and Nara, offering easy access to both of them. It is also the second most populated city in Kyoto Prefecture. Known for its famous "Uji Tea", Uji is also home to beautiful nature such as Uji River which runs through the city and 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Byodoin Temple and Ujigami Shrine. The city is also the location for the last ten chapters from "The Tale of Genji", which is a masterpiece of Japanese literature written by Murasaki Shikibu that is widely considered to be the world's first full-length novel.

Key attractions: Byodoin Temple, Ujigami Shrine, The Tale Of Genji Museum

Nagaokakyo - The City with a Great Access to Kyoto and Osaka

Nagaokakyo is a city with an easy access to Kyoto and Osaka. Historically, the area of present-day city of Nagaokakyo was part of the short-lived capital of Japan - Nagaokakyo (784-794). The city is home to beautiful nature and also known for its bamboo shoots.

Key attractions: Nagaoka Tenmangu, Komyoji Temple, Yanagidani Kannon（Yokokuji Temple)

Seika - The Center of Kansai Science City

Seika is the center of Kansai Science City and is home to various research facilities, etc. It has a mild climate and plenty of nature.

Key attractions: Keihanna Commemorative Park, Hanayagi Farm, Kansai-kan of the National Diet Library

Kyotanabe - A City Surrounded by Nature with a Great Transportation Access

Kyotanabe is a city in the south of Kyoto Prefecture that has a great transportation access to Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka. It is also home to plenty of greenery and offers a good environment for raising children.

Key attractions: Shuon-an Ikkyuji Temple, Ohmido Kannon Temple, Juho-ji Temple

Access to Tokyo and Other Areas

Kyoto offers easy transportation to various destinations in Japan including Tokyo, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, etc. While there is no airpot in Kyoto, you can use those located in Osaka and Hyogo: Kansai International Airport, Osaka Itami Airport, and Kobe Airport.

Trains

In Kyoto, there is one Shinkansen station: Kyoto Station. By taking Shinkansen train from Kyoto Station, you can get to Shin-osaka Station in just 13 minutes. On the other hand, Tokyo Station can be reached in a bit over 2 hours. Besides Shinkansen, there are also other trains providing easy access to Osaka, Nara, Kobe, and more.

Highway Buses

By taking a highway bus, various cities can be reached from Kyoto including Tokyo, Yokohama, Hiroshima, Kanazawa, and more.

Popular Tourist Spots in Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kiyomizu-dera Temple was founded in 778 and is one of the most well-known temples located in Kyoto. From its famous stage supported by massive pillars made of Japanese zelkova trees, you can enjoy beautiful views. Furthermore, It is also a fantastic spot to enjoy cherry blossoms and autumn foliage. Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
>> Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kinkaku-ji

While the temple's official name is Rokuon-ji, it is usually referred to as Kinkaku-ji because of its iconic gold-leaf covered Kinkaku reliquary hall. While its history goes all the way back to 1397, the current structure dates from 1955, when it was rebuilt after being burned down in 1950. Since 1994, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
>> Kinkaku-ji

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

Known for its numerous vermilion torii gates, Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of the most famous shrines in Japan. In total, there are thought to be about 10,000 torii gates.
>> Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

Gion

Gion is a famous entertainment district in Kyoto known for geisha culture. Its Hanamikoji Street stretching for about 1 km is a fantastic place to take a stroll while enjoying traditional atmosphere of Kyoto evoked by wooden townhouses.
>> Japan National Tourism Organization

Byodoin Temple

Depicted on 10 yen coin, Byodoin Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
>> Byodoin Temple

Conclusion

With its long history over thousand years and rich culture, Kyoto is a must-visit place for everyone exploring Japan. It is also a fantastic place to live while being surrounded by a rich cultural heritage. Thanks to the great transportation access, it is easy to travel to other areas in Japan from Kyoto. Whether you are looking for a relocation destination filled with history and traditions, or just interested in sightseeing, Kyoto is one of the best places in Japan.