Holiday in Kyoto

What makes Kyoto special as a destination?

Kyoto, for over 1,000 years the imperial capital of Japan, is the cultural heart of the country and preserves a heritage of such density and beauty that one would need weeks to grasp it even remotely. With 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, over 1,600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines, and a vibrant Geisha district, Kyoto is a place where the past is present in every corner. The Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) reflects in a quiet pond and is one of the most photographed motifs in Japan. The Fushimi Inari Taisha, with its approximately 10,000 vermilion Torii gates that ascend a forested mountain, offers an almost hypnotic experience — especially in the early morning hours when one can enjoy the paths almost alone. The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, where towering bamboo stalks creak in the wind, transports visitors to another world. The Gion district is the heart of Geisha culture: in the evening alleys of Hanamikoji Street, one might catch a glimpse of a Maiko (Geisha apprentice) in traditional kimono passing by. The Philosopher's Path (Tetsugaku no Michi), a two-kilometer canal path lined with cherry trees, connects the Silver Pavilion (Ginkakuji) with Nanzenji Temple and is particularly breathtaking in spring and autumn. Nishiki Market Street, the kitchen of Kyoto, offers Yuba (tofu skin), Tsukemono (pickled vegetables), and green tea in every form. Kyoto is not just a destination — it is a pilgrimage to the essence of Japan.