Travel + Leisure's Essential Guide To Kyoto

Above, a view of Kyoto from Kiyomizu-dera. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have been to Japan eight times over the years. I usually try to see different places on each trip.

I have been to Kyoto twice. The first was with G-TOUR in 2004 and the second time was in 2015. Each visit was enjoyable and well worth a trek there.

Travel + Leisure has posted an essential guide to Kyoto.

They begin it with:

Kyoto is the very image of traditional Japan: gold-clad temples and shrines with tunnels of red torii gates, kimono-clad geisha gliding down cobblestone alleys, grassy matcha tea served by the exquisitely choreographed rules of ancient ceremony.

As the imperial capital for over a thousand years, the city was a magnet for wealth and culture, and that rich history remains alive today in traditions like kaiseki cuisine, Kyo-ware ceramics, Yuzen silk dyeing, sake brewing, and classical drama forms like kabuki and noh (a type of theatrical dance). And yet Kyoto is also a modern city with modern comforts, where people live and work amid the legacy of centuries, sustaining and sustained by a living heritage.

This tangible atmosphere of refined culture and history is why Kyoto routinely makes the top of dream destination lists. With thousands of ancient temples and shrines, retro streets lined with shops and teahouses in the city’s unique kyo-machiya townhouses, a world-class food scene with 75 Michelin-starred restaurants, and an ever-growing number of five-star hotels, Kyoto has plenty to draw in the crowds—and draw it does. The city welcomed over 56 million visitors last year, including a record high of nearly 11 million overseas travelers. 

So, how to make the most of a visit without getting bogged down in mobs of tour groups and Instagrammers jostling for the iconic shot? We talked to Cindy Bissig, a Kyoto-based photographer and sake-focused food writer, and got her recommendations on lesser-known spots to enjoy the lesser-known side of the city.

Here's what you need to know before planning a trip to Kyoto, Japan.

To read more, go here. 

Foreign Tourists Outnumber Japanese Ones In Kyoto Hotels In 2024

Above, Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion in Kyoto in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The last time I was in Kyoto, Japan was in October 2015. It was during a day trip to see places like Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion and Kiyomizu-dera,

We stayed in nearby Osaka during this trek. 

SoraNews24 reported that Kyoto hotels has seen more foreign tourists than Japanese ones in 2024.

They wrote:

Japan’s former capital experiences a historic first as inbound travel boom continues and Japanese travelers avoid staying in the city.

Recently, with Japan experiencing a surge in inbound international travelers, it’s not unusual to hear locals remark “These days, it feels like there are more foreign tourists in [sightseeing place] than Japanese people!” Oftentimes this is an exaggeration, but in the case of hotels in Kyoto, it’s the statistical truth.

The Kyoto municipal government recently released its tourism-related numbers for 2024, reporting that during the year 8.21 million foreign travelers stayed in hotels within Kyoto City. That’s the largest number ever, and a 53.2-percent increase from the previous year. It’s also the first time in history for more foreign travelers than Japanese ones to stay in Kyoto hotels, which received 8.09 million Japanese guests in 2024.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Travel Tips To Avoid Crowds

Above, the stage at Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since Japan reopened the country following the pandemic, it has been seeing a surge in foreign visitors that are setting records.

With more visitors coming into the country, there is also a downside: crowds.

The Points Guy has posted an article with tips on avoiding crows while traveling in Japan.

Some snippets:

Six decades after hosting the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics — when Japan rapidly rolled out new infrastructure like its Shinkansen bullet train and accommodations like Hotel New Otani Tokyo to welcome the anticipated influx of foreigners — the country remains one of the most beloved leisure destinations in the world. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, 17.78 million foreign visitors arrived in the first half of 2024, breaking 2019's previous record of 16.63 million. And there are no signs of a slowdown: Japan aims to nearly double 2019's end-of-year record of 31.88 million tourists to a staggering 60 million annually by 2030.

Though there are countless reasons for Japan's sustained popularity — from tantalizing regional cuisine to safe public transportation systems — the recent surge can largely be credited to a slump in the Japanese yen. In early July, it hit its weakest level since 1990, and while the yen has recovered slightly in the past two months, the dollar remains very strong in Japan. 

Naturally, demand for Japan-bound flights is also booming. "In 2023, Expedia data revealed that the top trending global flight route was LAX to Tokyo, with a surge of 430% compared to the year prior," Expedia travel expert Christie Hudson told TPG. "This fall, Tokyo continues to be a trending destination, with a 50% increase in flight searches."

While Japan is now within reach for more people than ever, there is a downside: relentless crowds. In response, local authorities have instituted a tourism tax for climbers on Mount Fuji, installed barriers to block Instagram-famous views of that same mountain and closed off some private alleys to tourists in Kyoto's geisha district.

Follow these tips to help alleviate the overcrowding and still have an enjoyable vacation in Japan.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Braces For New Surge In Overtourism

Above, the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With the weak yen making Japan travel more attractive, the country is bracing itself for a new surge of overtourism.

It is interesting that ten or more years ago, Japan was trying to get more foreign tourists to visit. Now that they are flocking in, Japan has opened a Pandora's Box. They are having a difficult time in coping with the influx.

This is happening from Kamakura to Kyoto. 

Nikkei Asia posted:

TOKYO -- Major tourist destinations in Japan have been scrambling to prepare for the strain that visitors will put on public transit systems during the upcoming Golden Week holidays, the first since major pandemic restrictions were lifted.

Packed city buses have become a constant in Kyoto. So from April 27 to May 6, the city is calling on riders to make free transfers from the buses to the city-run subway system via special tickets. A rider will need only pay the 230 yen ($1.46) bus fare to take advantage of the service.

In particular, the free subway program aims to decrease the crowding on buses connecting the Kinkakuji temple to Kyoto Station. The route runs through the center of town, and ridership is high even among Kyoto residents alone.

The addition of tourists -- many with bulky luggage in tow -- has led to a critical overcrowding of buses.

For Golden Week, Kyoto is also increasing the frequency of buses connecting Kyoto Station to the Kiyomizudera temple. Buses will make arrivals every three to four minutes. Direct-service buses will launch in June.

To further ease crowding, there will be higher frequencies of buses serving other tourist destinations in Kyoto, such as the Heian-jingu Shrine.

Kamakura, another temple city, has been experiencing a large influx of tourists because it is easily accessible from Tokyo. Crowds of international visitors have milled in front of stations, obstructing foot traffic.

To read more, go here. 

Outrage Over Japan Tourism Ban

Above, tourists flock in the shopping area below Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Weeks ago, I blogged about the ban on tourism in Kyoto's geisha district streets due to over tourism and unruly tourists.

Apparently, according to NewsBreak, this has angered some tourists and led to a backlash.

They reported:

With its unique culture, jaw-dropping landscapes, world-famous historical sites, and mass outpouring of cultural exports, Japan is one of the most fascinating and most popular countries in the world to visit. I've been very outspoken about how much I've enjoyed my travels to Japan, and I would gladly return any chance I get. With international tourism significantly increasing over the past few years, Japan continues to grow in popularity among tourists with each passing year.

Unfortunately, that influx of overtourism is starting to lead to backlash, and this April, a strict tourism ban went into effect in one of Japan's most popular locales. Though there's solid reasoning for this ban, and it's not exactly as grim as it sounds on the surface, it's enough to leave many international tourists outraged!

To read the full article, go here. 

Kyoto Implementing More Tourist Rules

Above, a Gion street near Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto still allowing tourists. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Kyoto has been putting up with overcrowding and misbehaving tourists for some time. Now they are starting to crack down.

The city is implementing more rules for tourists. They include bans on tourists entering the Gion geisha private alleys not far from Kiyomizu-dera.

Travel + Leisure reported:

The Japanese city of Kyoto is banning tourists from some private alleys in its geisha district.

The city will place signs in both English and Japanese around the area, called Gion, warning tourists to stay clear as well as fine anyone who doesn’t listen, The Associated Press reported. The fine will amount to 10,000 yen ($67.97). 

The public streets in Gion will remain open.

“We are going to put up signs in April that tell tourists to stay out of our private streets,” local district official Isokazu Ota told the wire service.

The decision to ban visitors from these blocks comes as the city has dealt with overcrowding and misbehaving tourists, the AP noted.

This isn’t the first time Kyoto has tried to protect geisha, the women who dress up in traditional kimonos and makeup and perform for customers while they dine. In 2015, the city handed out pamphlets warning against “nuisance activities,” which included taking photos of geisha, CNN reported. And in 2019, Gion again put up signs prohibiting photography and warning of potential fines.

To read more, go here. 

How To Avoid Tourist Hordes In Kyoto

Above, tourists pack the Kiyomizu-dera stage in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The last time I was in Kyoto, Japan was in October 2015. The pandemic was five years away and Japanese locals were beginning to complain about overtourism in the city, while at the same time, enjoyed the money tourists brought to their economy.

When we were in Kyoto, there were many people visiting the main attractions such as Kiyomizu-dera and Kinkakuji. We signed up for a bus tour to visit those places at the JR Kyoto Station (famous for the final battle between Irys and Gamera in Gamera 3 in 1999). 

Above, our tour group posed for a photo at Kiyomizu-dera. 

Although crowded, we still enjoyed the tours.

The Australian Financial Review has posted an article on how to avoid tourist hordes.

They begin it with:

It’s 5.30am when I pull back the sheets and greet the dawn from my sumptuous sanctuary at Kyoto’s Park Hyatt hotel.

It is not easy prying myself from this serene 45-square-metre room with its views over a manicured Japanese garden, but the Park Hyatt’s ultra-convenient location means some of Japan’s most picturesque streets are literally on my doorstep.

And there is only one way to beat the crowds in Japan’s former ancient capital – get up ridiculously early.

Even before Japan’s plunging yen started attracting post-lockdown visitors in record numbers, the country’s ancient capital was suffering from serious over-tourism. There are now queues and selfie-stick-wielding masses clogging top sights such as the Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) and Fushimi Inari Taisha with its famous red gates year round.

To read more, go here. 

Japan's 2023 Tourism Boom

Above, the stage at Kyoto's Kiyomizu-dera. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is now in a tourism boom. 

Numbers of foreign tourists coming into Japan have been rising since the pandemic restrictions were lifted. The weak yen is one of the reasons foreigners are flocking to Japan. 

However, the average Japanese citizen is feeling the pinch of inflation and other drawbacks of the boom.

Asia Media Centre has posted an article on the tourism boom. 

It begins with:

Japan is enjoying a tourism and investment boom, but ordinary Japanese face a squeeze of wages not keeping pace with inflation. Philip Turner has more from Tokyo. 

Getting that perfect picture of Kiyomizudera temple against glowing red and yellow maples has never been more difficult.  This month Kyoto`s famous autumn colours have attracted so many foreign tourists that authorities are starting to consider Venice-style restrictions on numbers.   Queues at airports are overwhelming even Japan`s excellent infrastructure and organization.  Some 20,000 tourists are entering Japan from South Korea alone every day. 

At the height of Japan`s economic rise in 1989, its cities were among the most expensive in the world.  But over the last year the fall in the yen has made Japan one of the world`s most affordable tourist destinations.

To read more, go here. 

Top 10 Things To Do In Kyoto

Above, the stage of Kyoto's Kiyomizu-dera. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, I have been to Kyoto, Japan twice.

First, it was in 2004 with G-TOUR, a tour group of 60 comprised of Godzilla/kaiju fans. This was during the heat of July, but we had an enjoyable time. Next, it was in October 2015. It was equally enjoyable and the temperature was much milder.

Travel + Leisure has posted a list of the top ten best things to do in Kyoto.

They begin it with:

A sense of timelessness permeates the air as the Shinkansen Hikari Bullet Train comes to a grinding halt, marking the end of a whirlwind journey. As you wade through the milling crowds and step out into the ancient capital of Japan, you realise why Kyoto is hailed as the poster child of” Zen”. The land of 2000 temples with staggering 17 World Heritage Sites is caught in a time warp, steeped in lost traditions, and surrounded by sublime gardens, atmospheric lantern-lit lanes, wooden tea houses and postcard vistas. Nestled amidst the hills, the city of geishas and maikos is enveloped in a state of stillness and sometimes the only sound you can hear in one of the tranquil nooks is the murmuring of a brook in a lush garden.

But there is more to Kyoto than golden temples and vermillion shrines. The Imperial City with its palaces and castles takes you back to the era when Kyoto was home to emperors. The bustling markets and the varied museums vie with bamboo groves and verdant forests for your attention. Traditional tea ceremonies and rituals add to the list of fascinating experiences. Kyoto has something in it for every traveller, be it for those seeking spiritual solace or thrills and adventures. There are fun and free things to do for travellers of all ages and it is magical in every season. If you are a first-time visitor to the Japanese cultural capital, then here are the ten best things to do in Kyoto which will inspire you to plan your next trip.

To see what they are, go here. 

11 Things To Do In Kyoto

Above, Kiyomizu-dera's Koyasu, a three-storey pagoda. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that foreign visitors can visit Japan again, it is well worth a foreigner to travel to Kyoto.

It is a contrast to the hustle & bustle of Tokyo. There are many things to see and to in Kyoto and TheTravel has posted a list of 11 things to do there.

They begin with:

Located in central Japan by Lake Biwa is the beautiful and historic city of Kyoto. As the cultural capital of Japan, visitors to Kyoto will be greeted with many Buddhist temples, ancient palaces, stunning gardens, and holy Shinto Shrines.

Originally known as Heian-kyō, the ancient city of Kyoto was founded in 784 CE, and by 793 CE, was the Imperial seat of Japan. Although this was the historic founding of the city, archeological evidence indicates human inhabitation in this region from at least the Paleolithic era. During the Ōnin War of 1467–1477, the city faced much destruction and damage. Luckily, by the mid-1500s, the city had returned to its former glory. During the Edo period, Kyoto was one of the most important cities in all of Japan and was an important cultural center.

Before the Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century, Kyoto was the historic home of the many emperors from ancient times to the Meiji era. After the location of the emperor was moved to Tokyo, great efforts were put into place to preserve the beautiful and historic sites of this city.

Today, visitors can enjoy learning about traditional Japanese history and see historic buildings, holy temples, and magnificent gardens.

To see more, go here. 

Best Places In Japan To Visit Before The Swarms Arrive

Above, the stage of Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In nine more days, Japan will open up to international tourists.

Independent foreign visitors will be able to enter Japan without need of a tour guide or travel agency. Just like it was before the pandemic.

Demand is already surging and it looks like hordes of visitors will be coming. What are the best places to visit before the swarms of visitors arrive? Bloomberg has listed some of them.

They begin with:

After almost three years of Covid-induced border closures, Japan is finally opening up to vaccinated tourists from most countries, with no need for quarantine, PCR tests or visas. And with the yen making hotels, restaurants and shopping more affordable, demand is sure to be high.

Airlines are ramping up flights and businesses are getting to receive visitors from Oct. 11. Even so, it will probably be a while before crowds return, especially with China restricting travel.

With that in mind, here’s are some of the top spots to visit in Japan while the country is still relatively empty, as curated by Bloomberg Tokyo’s newsroom:

To see what they are, go here. 

Kyoto Wants Tourists To Return, Just Not So Many

Above, crowds flock to shops below Kiyomizu-dera before the pandemic. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before the pandemic, Kyoto's residents and businesses had mixed feelings about the hordes of tourists visiting the city.

They loved the spending money that the tourists brought, but didn't much like the huge crowds.

Those feelings are resurfacing again now that foreign tourists are being allowed back into Japan, even though limited to organized group tours.

According to BusinessLIVE:

Kyoto — Poring over the ledger at her more than 230-year-old liquor shop in Kyoto, Yasuko Fujii has mixed feelings about the return of foreign tourists who would crowd the streets of Japan's ancient capital before the pandemic — and buy lots of whisky and wine.

Her ambivalence reflects a broader uncertainty in Japan about welcoming tourist hordes amid fears they could trigger a resurgence in Covid-19 cases, even though a weak yen would be a big draw for tourists and a boon for local businesses.

“From a business standpoint, we want foreign tourists to come,” the 79-year-old Fujii said. “But from an emotional standpoint, we want customers from Japan.”

Millions of tourists from China, South Korea and Southeast Asia used to throng the Nishiki market where Fujii's shop is located before curbs set in two years ago. Locals often felt overwhelmed and many stopped coming, she said.

To read more, go here. 

Some Japanese Locals Not Ready For Reopened Borders

Above, crowds on Kyoto's Kiyomizu-dera stage was common before the pandemic. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is looking towards reopening its borders to foreign tourism next month.

However, some locals in Japan are not ready for reopened borders and prefer to keep things the way they are.

According to CNBC:

As countries across Asia reopen to international travelers, Japan — one of the continent’s most popular destinations — remains firmly closed.

That may soon change. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced Thursday at a news conference in London that Japan will ease border controls in June.

Locals often celebrate the easing of pandemic-related border restrictions, but some in Japan say they are fine with keeping measures in place.

Japan welcomed nearly 32 million international visitors in 2019 — up from just 6.8 million just ten years prior, according to Japan Tourism Agency.

The rapid increase in tourists caused major draws, such as the culturally rich city of Kyoto, to struggle with over-tourism.

Residents in Kyoto are now saying that “silence is back,” said Miyamoto, who recounted instances where foreign tourists spoke loudly and were discourteous to locals.

Similarly, Lee said that “a lot of people who were quite upset about over-tourism in Kyoto” are now saying “it feels like how Kyoto was 20 years ago — the good old Kyoto.”

To read more, go here.

In and Around Kiyomizudera

Above, visitors near the Otowa Waterfall at Kiyomizudera. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The first time I ever saw Kiyomizudera in Kyoto was in Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla II (1993). A few years later (in 2004) it was one of our stops during G-TOUR. Since then, I revisited Kiyomizudera in October 2015.

Metropolis Japan has posted an article on "24 Hours In and Around Kiyomizudera". 

They begin it with:

Mention Japan and sightseeing and the first name that will come to most people’s minds is Kyoto. Ranked the world’s best big city by readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine in 2020, it’s the kind of place you can spend several days touring around, yet only scratch the surface. 

Many who go there attempt to tick off as many temples and shrines as they can. That’s fine if you have a week or so in the city, but for those with limited time, cramming in too many sites can be tiring. During our short visit, we decided to stay in just one area, close to the renowned Kiyomizudera Temple. Despite only having 24 hours, we still managed to fit quite a bit in, without exhausting ourselves.

Above, the Kiyomizudera stage is probably the temple's most famous feature. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Kiyomizudera is covered in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan, by the way.

To read the full article (and see some nice photos), go here.

Covid Robbed Kyoto of Foreign Tourists

Above, our 2015 Kyoto tour group at Kiyomizu-dera. 

Back before the pandemic struck, people of Kyoto, Japan were complaining about the hordes of foreign visitors clogging up the streets and temples, many of them ill-mannered. It was called overtourism.

Today, many vendors in Kyoto are missing those hordes from different countries, especially their spending money.

The Guardian has posted an article on how some in Kyoto are missing the free-spending foreigners, while others are enjoying the more quieter times of today.

They begin with:

Until a couple of years ago, negotiating the hill leading to one of Kyoto’s most popular temples would have tested the patience of a Buddhist saint. The arrival of yet another coachload of sightseers would send pedestrians fleeing to narrow paths already clogged with meandering visitors on their way to Kiyomizu-dera.

That was before Covid-19. Today, the cacophony of English and Chinese, and a smattering of other European and Asian languages, has been replaced by the chatter of Japanese children on school excursions. Shops selling souvenirs and wagashi sweets are almost empty, their unoccupied staff perhaps reminiscing about more lucrative times.

Two years into the pandemic, some of the ancient capital’s residents admit that they have learned to embrace life without foreign visitors, who were once welcomed for the money they ploughed into the local economy and resented for their cultural faux pas and, in some cases, staggering bad manners.

Above, Kyoto before the pandemic. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Lonely Planet: Things To Know Before Going To Kyoto

Above, the Higashiyama District (東山) below Kiyomizu-dera temple. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When (not if) we are again able to travel to Japan on vacation, Kyoto should be put on the itinerary of places to visit. 

I have been to Kyoto twice and enjoyed it each time.

Lonely Planet has an article on things to know before going to Kyoto which is helpful for future visitors.

It begins with:

Kyoto is the embodiment of traditional Japanese culture, a place where authentic crafts are kept alive and historic temples and teahouses line the narrow streets. So perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s also a destination where etiquette can have a big part to play. 

Here’s a rundown of some key things to know before going to Kyoto.

To read more, go here. 

Kiyomizu-dera - Kyoto - 清水寺 - 8K

Above, the Kiyomisu-dera stage in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla II in 1993, while the King of the Monsters was down in Kyoto, Japan, he passed by Kiyomizu-Dera.

What's Kiyomizu-dera?

According to TokyoStreetView:

Located in the heart of Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera is one of Japan's most famous and celebrated temples thanks to its iconic 13-meter high wooden stage with a unique view.

Founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa waterfall, Kiyomizu-dera literally means, “Pure Water Temple.” It was originally associated with the Hosso sect, one of Japan's old Buddhism sects until 1965 when it formed its own Kita Hosso sect.

The article includes a video on Kiyomizu-dera.  

To read more and see the video, go here.

Japan Government Extends State of Emergency

Above, Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto during normal times. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We may complain about the measures taken in the U.S. during the pandemic, but at least we're not in Japan.

Several prefectures in Japan have been under a state of emergency for weeks precipitated by surges in coronavirus infections. Getting the Japanese citizenry vaccinated has been lagging. All this has been going on with the postponed Tokyo Summer Olympics only weeks away. This has led the Asahi Shimbun to call for the cancelation of the Olympics.

Now, the government has extended the state of emergency for another month.

According to The Japan News (Yomiuri Shimbun):

The government announced its decision on Friday to extend the state of emergency for nine prefectures including Tokyo and Osaka through June 20.

The decision was reached on Friday evening at a meeting of the government’s COVID-19 task force led by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, after the subcommittee on basic coronavirus measures approved the decision in a morning meeting.

“Areas subject to the state of emergency have remained in Stage 4,” Yasutoshi Nishimura, the minister in charge of coronavirus measures, said at the subcommittee meeting, referring to the most serious level. “The number of seriously ill patients has been around 1,400 nationwide. The health care system is facing a severe situation.”

The state of emergency for Tokyo, Osaka, Aichi, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Kyoto and Okayama was scheduled to end May 31.

It will be some time before things in Japan return to "normal" so that foreign visitors can go there.

To read more, go here.

Kiyomizu Temple's Main Hall Roof, Stage Restored

Above, the stage of Kiyomizu-dera in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of Kyoto, Japan's famous landmarks is Kiyomizu-dera Temple. It is one of those "must-visit" sites in the city. 

It had even appeared in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II in 1993, which earned a mention on page 43 of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. I last visited Kiyomizu-dera in 2015.

Kiyomizu-dera's main hall roof and stage have been restored.

NHK reported:

Kiyomizu Temple in Japan's ancient capital of Kyoto has held a ceremony to mark the renovation of the wooden stage and the new roof of the main hall.

The Buddhist ritual at the main hall on Thursday was attended by 24 people, including the construction workers.

Priests chanted a sutra and scattered pieces of paper cut in the shape of lotus flower petals.

The renovation work began in 2017, and the reroofing was completed in February. The Japanese cypress bark thatch has been renewed for the first time in 50 years. The new pieces are the same size as those used when the main hall was reconstructed in the early Edo period.

Above, Kiyomizu-dera makes an appearance in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Kyoto Voted "Best Big City in the World"

Above, the stage of Kiyomizu-dera. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We must be getting close to the end of the year (in the case of 2020, that's a very good thing) and that means the Condé Nast Reader's Choice Awards results are starting to be released.

During the past several years, Tokyo, Japan had been named the "Best Big City in the World" (even though we can't go there right now). This year, Kyoto replaced Tokyo at the top spot.

According to Japan Today:

TOKYO - There are plenty of exceptional places to travel in the world, but we’d like to think that Japan is one of the best. Beautiful landscapes, delicious food, friendly people, extensive history, and quirky culture make Japan an ideal travel destination not only for us, but for people across the world. In fact, Japanese cities have been voted as the world’s Best Big Cities by readers of the travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler for the past five years.

This year, as part of Condé Nast’s Readers’ Choice Awards, Kyoto was chosen as the Best Big City in the World, replacing Tokyo, which had claimed the top spot for the last four years. Tokyo still remains a top choice, though it dropped to number six, beaten out by Lyon, Singapore, Sydney and Vienna.

But Kyoto has also been a popular travel destination for almost a decade. It was consistently ranked as the most or one of the most popular cities in Asia for almost 10 years, and in 2015, finally broke the top 10 in the world. After that it was quickly recognized as one of the best of the best, since it climbed to second place the next year, and since then it has been hovering just behind Tokyo in popularity among Condé Nast readers, claiming the second or third spot for the last four years, until finally reaching number one.

To read more, go here.