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Kyoto
Kyoto
Kyoto
and religion, it accumulated an unparalleled
collection of palaces, temples and shrines, built
for emperors, shoguns, and monks. Kyoto was
among the few Japanese cities that escaped
Nestled among the mountains of Western the allied bombings of World War II and as a
Honshu, Kyoto was the capital of Japan and result, Kyoto still has an abundance of prewar
the residence of the Emperor from 794 until buildings, such as the traditional townhouses
the Meiji Restoration of 1868, when the capi- known as machiya. However the city is contin-
tal was moved to Tokyo. for over a millennium, uously undergoing modernization with some of
and carries a reputation as its most beautiful the traditional Kyoto buildings being replaced
city. However, visitors may be surprised by how by newer architecture, such as the Kyoto Sta-
much work they will have to do to see Kyoto’s tion complex. Kyoto is also home to Japan’s
beautiful side. Most first impressions of the second most prestigious university, Kyoto Uni-
city will be of the urban sprawl of central Kyo- versity. Kyoto offers an incredible number of at-
to, around the ultra-modern glass-and-steel tractions for tourists, and visitors will probably
train station, which is itself an example of a need to plan an itinerary in advance in order
city steeped in tradition colliding with the mod- to visit as many as possible.of bus stops and
ern world.Nonetheless, the persistent visitor clearly marked walking routes.
will soon discover Kyoto’s hidden beauty in the Eastern Kyoto is particularly popular during
temples and parks which ring the city center, the cherry blossom season. A walk from
and find that the city has much more to offer Nanzen-ji to Ginkaku-ji along the Philoso-
than immediately meets the eye. During its pher’s Path, lined with cherry trees, is enjoy-
millennium at the center of Japanese power, able, as there are a variety of temples and
