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If you only have a few days to spend in Japan, spend them in Kyoto.
Admittedly, the first impression you get as you leave Kyoto station
is that this is just another concrete jungle. But dotted around
the city are some 1,600 temples, 250 shrines, 60 gardens, 24 museums,
2 Imperial villas and some of the best photo opportunities that
Japan has to offer. Many of the temples were founded over a thousand years
ago but have been destroyed by earthquakes, fires and wars, only
to be rebuilt time and time again. Due to its historical importance,
the city was spared from bombing attacks during World War II.
Kyoto can be roughly divided into five areas: Rakuhoku
(north), Rakusei (west), Rakuchu
(central), Rakuto/Higashiyama (east) and
Rakunan (south).
Formerly known as Heiankyo, Kyoto was the Imperial capital for over a thousand years from
794 to 1868. During the Heian Period (794~1185), the city was home to the powerful Fujiwara and Taira
families. During the Kamakura Period (1185~1333), Kyoto's position as the center of political power
was temporarily diminished and the transfer of the Tokugawa Shogunate to Edo (now Tokyo)
in 1600 again moved the political focus away from
the city. But its cultural influence remained as strong as ever.
Today, Kyoto still has its reputation for refinement and culture.
In fact, the city is so chock-full of history and culture that
it's hard for a short-term visitor to do more than scratch the
surface.
Kyoto is located in the Kinki Area of western Japan and is within easy reach of
Nara, Osaka and Kobe
- together the four cities make up the so-called Kansai region. Tokyo is about 2 hours 40 minutes by shinkansen while
the Kansai International Airport and Osaka International Airport are less than an hour away.
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