CITIES IN JAPAN

Former imperial capital, Kyoto is today one of the most visited cities in the world. Known for its numerous shrines, temples, and Zen gardens, the city has 17 buildings listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Due to its history, Kyoto is an essential city in Japan’s heritage.

Victim of overtourism, in 2024 many rules were implemented to preserve the city’s authenticity while respecting the locals. As geisha were being photographed without their consent, some streets are now closed to the public.

Although traveling in Japan does not necessarily require a lot of preparation, I believe Kyoto is one of the few cities where planning requires a minimum of attention. I recommend getting up as early as possible in the morning so you can enjoy the beauty of the sites without being disturbed by tourism. In particular, the Gion district, which is the busiest area of the city. You can find the influence map of the locations here: https://global.kyoto.travel/en/comfort/